Skip to main content

You Can Sleep in Hunter S. Thompson’s Colorado Cabin

Paul Harris / Getty Images

Writers, rockers, and all-around Gonzo fans who worship the work of Hunter S. Thompson can now sleep in his sheets and piss in his pot. The catch? You have to apply first.

Anita Thompson, widow to the Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas author, put his one-bathroom, two-bedroom cabin up for rent, Airbnb-style. The price is listed at $550 a night with a three-night minimum.

Now, $1,650 is steep or cheap depending on who’s doing the lodging, since the rental includes a neighboring view to Hunter’s main home (entrance not included), reference books, off-the-grid Wi-Fi unplug if requested, and Hunter’s model typewriter and desk. Even semi-serious Thompson fans can get stoked about that. The good stuff like the typewriter, however, you have to ask really nicely to use.

hunter s thompson cabin
Gonzo Merchandise

In fact, anyone hoping to click and reserve a stay at the Thompson cabin has to first be approved by emailing an application to Anita. The email must consist of one paragraph “explaining why you would like to stay at the writer’s cabin, at least two dates you would like to begin your three-night stay, and names of people who would join you.”

Only if approved do you receive “next steps” and the dates from Anita — who now owns the house, the Owl Farm property, the logo, and Hunter S. Thompson’s likeness. The chosen ones will drive 15 minutes outside of Aspen, Colorado to the Owl Farm compound, which Hunter owned and resided at until his death.

It’s no hoax that the location is an integral part of Thompson’s life and legacy, particularly his later years. Thompson first moved to Aspen in the early 1960s with his wife Sandy Colklin where they had a son. After divorcing, Thompson moved away only to return in the late 60s with this family, and rent a house in Woody Creek. Payment for the book Hell’s Angels would allow Thompson to buy the house and property. Thompson commonly described the area as a “compound.”

Fun fact: While living in Woody Creek at the Owl Farm compound, Thompson ran to be sheriff of Aspen. Unfortunately, he lost the election, and his opportunity to wear the star. (It would have made for a hell of a story, though.)

hunter s thompson cabin
Gonzo Merchandise

For all the creation that went on at Owl Farm, the land is also tinged with annihilation. In February 2005, Thompson took his own life via gunshot wound sitting at his desk in the main house.

A few renters claim Thompson’s spirit is ever-present, and that the somewhat eerie silence of the surroundings carries a haunted atmosphere. Indeed, there is a Texas Chainsaw Massacre vibe in this remote compound, but it’s also beautiful, private, and must look gorgeous in the fall. Thompson’s memorial and labyrinth is a quick 5-minute walk from the cabin— a must-see during your stay.

If you’re spooked easily or need companionship, furry friends are welcome in the rental “with approval.” One bedroom consists of a king bed with views to red rock cliffs and a peacock pen, plus a big-screen TV. The second bedroom has a twin bed, blackout shades, and oversees Red Cliff Owl Farm Canyon. All renters are tacked with a $100 standard cleaning fee. So bring along your attorney, Dr. Gonzo.

If you’re looking for the Ritz, reserve a room in one of Aspen’s luxury hotels. But looking for Raoul Duke? Well, you better write a damn good application.

Editors' Recommendations

Jahla Seppanen
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Born and raised off-the-grid in New Mexico, Jahla Seppanen is currently a sports, fitness, spirits, and culture writer in…
Love Dune 2? The best Denis Villeneuve movies, ranked
Dune: Part Two director Denis Villeneuve has had a very prolific career.
The official poster for Dune: Part Two.

Thanks to the box office success of Dune: Part Two, Denis Villeneuve is now firmly established among the top directors in Hollywood. It's an overnight success story that only took 26 years to come to fruition. And over the past decade, Villeneuve has taken it upon himself to make some of the best science fiction movies of the century. But Villeneuve has already proven that he can do a lot more than sci-fi.

To celebrate the director's films, we've narrowed them down to the 7 best Denis Villeneuve movies ranked from seventh to first. And there is no "worst" among these Denis Villeneuve movies.

Read more
The Ghostbusters have a new ride in Frozen Empire, courtesy of Mercedes Benz
Mercedes Benz Sprinter plays a pivotal role in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
The ECTO-Z makes its debut in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.

Later this month, the Ghostbusters will be back on the big screen in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. And while three generations of the team are coming together, there is a big addition to the crew: The ECTO-Z. At an event in New York City, Mercedes-Benz officially unveiled the Ghostbusters' new ride, which is a customized Mercedes-Benz Sprinter that follows in the footsteps of the iconic ECTO-1 from the first three films.

Given the larger size of the second and third-generation Ghostbusters team, it was only natural that they would need a vehicle that could carry all of them to the scene of a haunting anywhere in NYC. As for the name, it comes from original team member Dr. Winston Zeddemore, as played by Ernie Hudson. Ghostbusters: Afterlife established that Zeddemore is now the financial backer of the Ghostbusters and the de facto leader of the team.

Read more
Everything points to Apple TV+ making a change you’re not going to like
Is an ad-supported tier coming to Apple TV+?
The Apple TV Plus Logo

It turns out that TV worked pretty well under its old model. According to a new report from Business Insider, Apple TV+ may be the latest streaming service that's set to introduce an ad-supported tier and charge those who don't stream with ads a premium fee to access their great shows and movies.

At this point, the report is still speculation, but Apple has made several recent hires in the advertising space that seem to suggest the direction they're planning to take. The company recently hired former NBCUniversal ad executive Joseph Cady to serve as executive vice president of advanced advertising and partnerships, a move that comes following the company's hiring of another former NBCUniversal executive, Jason Frum, who joined Apple's video ad sales team.

Read more