<p>In this episode of the Hostel Road Trip Podcast, we travel to the mountains of New Mexico to sit down with Stephanie, the founder of Cloudcroft Hostel — a rustic, community-driven mountain hostel perched at 6,700 feet in the heart of the Lincoln National Forest.</p><p>What started as a solo motorcycle adventure across America in 1994 turned into a lifelong dream. Stephanie bought a dilapidated building on a hillside and spent five years restoring it by hand before opening Cloudcroft Hostel in 2006. Today, it stands as a beloved basecamp for hikers, bikers, and adventure travelers seeking connection and authentic mountain hospitality.</p><p><strong>In This Episode, We Talk About:</strong></p><ul><li>How a solo motorcycle trip across America sparked Stephanie’s dream of opening her own hostel</li><li>The five-year journey of buying and restoring a rundown building by hand</li><li>Why she chose the high mountains of New Mexico as the perfect location</li><li>Creating a safe, welcoming space especially for solo travelers and women adventurers</li><li>What it really takes to run a small, independent mountain hostel for nearly 20 years</li><li>Lessons on community, perseverance, and building something that lasts</li></ul><p>Located at 6,700 feet with 28 acres backing directly onto the national forest, Cloudcroft Hostel offers a true mountain escape — just minutes from hiking trails, scenic drives, and White Sands National Park. It’s the perfect basecamp for anyone seeking real connection and adventure in southern New Mexico.</p><p><strong>This episode is perfect for:</strong></p><ul><li>Aspiring hostel owners and future founders</li><li>Travelers exploring New Mexico and the Southwest</li><li>Solo travelers and women adventurers</li><li>Anyone who loves mountain hospitality and authentic, owner-operated hostels</li><li>People inspired by stories of perseverance and building a dream from the ground up</li></ul><p><strong>About Cloudcroft Hostel</strong> Cloudcroft Hostel is a rustic, intimate, owner-operated mountain hostel in Cloudcroft, New Mexico. Designed for connection and adventure, it welcomes backpackers, hikers, and road-trippers looking for a genuine community experience in the heart of the Sacramento Mountains.</p><p>🔗 Learn more: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://cloudcrofthostel.com/">https://cloudcrofthostel.com/</a></p><p><strong>About Hostel Road Trip Podcast</strong> Hosted by Jimmy Black &amp; Bobby Dyer of ITH Hostels, the Hostel Road Trip Podcast highlights inspiring hostels, passionate founders, and the communities shaping the modern hostel movement.</p><p>🌍 Explore more episodes: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.HostelRoadTrip.com">www.HostelRoadTrip.com</a></p>