About Us

Dulce Base Tipi began with one tipi and a simple idea: to share the beauty, culture, and stories of the Jicarilla Apache Nation in a way that felt personal, authentic, and rooted in place.

My name is Heather C. Gomez, and I am an enrolled member of the Jicarilla Apache Nation. I created Dulce Base Tipi to offer visitors more than a place to stay. I wanted guests to experience the land, the hospitality, the food, and the stories that make Dulce unlike anywhere else.

In 2023, I welcomed my first guests through Airbnb. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it quickly became clear that people were looking for something different. They wanted to learn about our community, experience life on the reservation, and hear the local stories, including the mystery surrounding the Dulce UFO legend.

In 2024, I received a $10,000 equity-free grant through the Embark Program, a partnership between Founded Outdoors and REI Path Ahead Ventures. That opportunity allowed Dulce Base Tipi to grow from one tipi to three and helped me continue building the vision I had for this place.

In 2026, Dulce Base Tipi was featured in the March issue of New Mexico Magazine, a milestone that recognized the work being done here and the unique experience we offer on the Jicarilla Apache Nation.

Today, Dulce Base Tipi offers more than overnight stays. Guests can enjoy traditional Jicarilla Apache stew and frybread, join our exclusive Jicarilla Rez Tour, or experience our UFO Night Tour, where we share local stories, history, and the mystery that has made Dulce known around the world. These experiences are available exclusively to our overnight guests, keeping each visit personal and meaningful.

In 2026, we also launched the Enchanted Spirit Women’s Wellness Retreats in partnership with The Enchanted Collective of San Diego, California. This retreat brings women together through wellness, movement, cultural experiences, nature, and connection.

We are also proud to partner with Juniper and Pine Consulting of Alaska to host tribal retreats at Dulce Base Tipi. Together, we are creating space for Indigenous leaders, organizations, and communities to gather, reconnect, and share in a setting rooted in culture and community.

Every season, we continue improving the property and creating new experiences for our guests while staying true to what inspired Dulce Base Tipi from the beginning: sharing the beauty of the Jicarilla Apache reservation and welcoming people with genuine hospitality.

Thank you for supporting a Native woman-owned small business. We look forward to welcoming you to Dulce Base Tipi.

Stay Exclusive. Stay Authentic.