WINDING UP THROUGH the trees toward our destination at 7,618 feet, my travel companions and I chatter about our favorite topics: ghosts, UFOs, and Bigfoot. We compare notes on recent podcast episodes and share our own spooky camping experiences as we zoom toward one of the biggest paranormal hot spots in the country: Dulce, New Mexico.

Here, in the community where the Jicarilla Apache Nation is headquartered, tribal member Heather Gomez and her fiancé, Dustin Aguirre, are blending a plethora of interests into one immersive experience at Dulce Base Tipi. Named for the stories surrounding a rumored military base said to be jointly operated by humans and aliens below nearby Archuleta Mesa, the location offers guests three themed tipis from which to choose. The experience also includes an intimate tour of the reservation with Gomez and Aguirre, followed by a meal of frybread and traditional Apache beef stew cooked by Gomez’s auntie Vellinda Julian. In a way, the meal is universal—bread and soup—yet Julian’s years of experience at feasts and family gatherings infuses it with a flavor and soulfulness that defies recipes.

“She always makes too much frybread,” Gomez says, laughing. “But cooking for our guests brings her joy, because it’s a reason to make a lot of food that she also enjoys.” 

Indeed, it’s a nice reminder of how important it is to have people to enjoy things with. Whether food, culture, or experiences, what good is a story or a tipi if you have no one to share it with?

And, boy, does Gomez have stories. The entrepreneur is also a master storyteller, peppering our visit with historical train trivia, an overview of Apache history and culture, details about local plants and animals, UFO lore, and more. “I’ve seen a lot of strange things out on this river,” Gomez says. “I’ve heard things myself. Everyone here has a story. That’s kind of why I named the business Dulce Base Tipi. It’s an attraction in the area.”

During tours, Gomez gets a feel of what her guests are most interested in and finds a balance between tribal history and legends. Our group delighted in her firsthand reports of UFO sightings and her relatives’ Bigfoot encounters. I was particularly interested to learn that the Apache locals have their own stories of “star people” that predate modern-day alien conspiracies. 

Read up on local history after touring the area. Photograph by Ungelbah Dávila.

The Dulce Base Tipi, which was the first to go up around 2022, is painted at the bottom with green beings, which Gomez notes is a nod to the star people. Her intention is to give guests a taste of Apache tipi life but with some modern comforts. Inside, two Pendleton-draped Tempur-Pedic mattresses rest intentionally on the ground to help guests connect to Mother Earth and are accompanied by a mini fridge, microwave, wash area, and personal outhouse. 

“I wanted our guests to experience waking up from sleeping on the ground,” says Gomez, who notes that many visitors leave messages in the guest journal about having the best sleep of their lives. “It’s about connecting to how it would have been back in the day for Apache people.”

Next door, the Apache Tipi resembles traditional Apache living quarters and includes two queen beds. The Buckskin Tipi, set off from the others, houses one king-size bed for those seeking a romantic getaway. 

For Gomez, the business is a way to share place-based knowledge, support herself on tribal land, and offer visitors a respectful entry point into Jicarilla Apache territory. “It is like stepping into another world where you can feel the resilience of the Apache, leaving you wanting more,” Gomez says. “Whether it was the intrigue of the Indigenous land or the night skies, this is a stay you will never forget.”

Read more: Looking for more unique stays? Explore our guide to cool overnight spots in New Mexico, from glamping cabins to historic inns.

DULCE BASE TIPI

Across from 137 Quintana Road, Dulce; 505-484-8335.

Go vintage at Ardovino’s Desert Crossing. Photograph by Christ Chavez.


OLD FAVORITE

Ardovino’s Desert Crossing, in Sunland Park, blends Americana nostalgia with modern comfort. Co-owned by siblings Robert Ardovino and Marina Ardovino, the family property dates back to 1949 and now features four restored Spartan vintage travel trailers and an adobe casita. “They’re completely period-correct but fully updated,” Robert says. “People love having modern comforts in a vintage space.” Named one of USA Today’s top-five vintage trailer resorts, the property also offers outdoor soaking tubs, firepits, and an acclaimed restaurant.