Stay in a Converted Church Near Bear Lake

Many small towns dot the state of Wyoming — Dubois, Ten Sleep, and Laramie are just the beginning. Cokeville, located in the southern part of the state, near both Idaho and Utah state lines and the beautiful Bear Lake, is one of the most well-known. It’s a place full of history and warm hellos, and is where I'd love to set up base camp for countless outdoor adventures. It’s also home to the Nativity Inn, one of the most charming, historic, and unique Airbnbs in Wyoming.

Cokeville is a place where everyone knows your name. Approximately 500 people live in this small town, and it's just a short drive from destinations like Bear Lake, Fossil Butte National Monument, and Pine Creek Ski Resort. It has a rich pioneer history and is best known for the 1986 Cokeville Elementary School hostage crisis.

If you wish to visit this charming small town in Wyoming, there are a handful of places to stay, including the Nativity Inn, an Airbnb right in the heart of town. But as you first drive up to this vacation rental, you’ll realize it’s not your typical home. Rather, it is the former St. Dominic’s Catholic Church, built in 1919. It then became a private nativity museum. Today. It has been renovated and restored to create a place to stay that is comfortable, relaxing, and very unique.

When you book a stay at this Wyoming rental, you reserve the entire church. Inside, you’ll find two bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms, comfortably accommodating up to six guests. The main bedroom features a queen-size bed with a gorgeous stained-glass window. Upstairs, in the loft, you’ll find another bedroom with multiple single beds and two bean bag chairs for lounging after a day of play.

I love the open design of the main floor, where you'll find a living room and a full kitchen that makes meal prep simple. There is no large grocery store in town, so you will want to do your shopping before venturing to this Airbnb. And while you'll have many amenities to ensure your stay is comfortable and relaxing, the large stained-glass windows are certainly impressive. In fact, throughout this Airbnb, you'll find small details that set this vacation rental apart.

You can always spend time on the grassy areas outside of this historic church Airbnb, but I recommend you also get out and explore. For a day on the water, make the short drive to Bear Lake. Here, you’ll find blue water (its nickname is the Caribbean of the Rockies, after all), sandy beaches, and some of the very best raspberry shakes. If you want to do a little exploring, I recommend visiting Minnetonka Cave. It's one of the best caves in this corner of the country. Keep in mind, however, that the cave is typically only open from June to August every year.

Cokeville, Wyoming, is a small town with history, beauty, and more. Come and explore by booking a stay for a few days. For more information on this vacation rental in Cokeville, Wyoming, including its availability and rates, visit its Airbnb listing. We think you'll love it! And if you're looking for more to do or eat nearby, check out our itinerary planner for recommendations.