If you were asked to describe your ideal home, chances are, you would paint a picture of a magnificent mansion with all the luxuries one could ask for. But for Grant Johnson of Utah, that was never the case. Instead, he chose to go off the grid and build an old-school cave home in the middle of the desert! Constructing the 5,700-square-foot underground chamber was no easy task and took him almost 30 years to complete. For eight years, he used dynamite to blast a hole in a hillside, and spent another two decades installing modern conveniences to make the cave a comfortable home.
The BedrocK Homestead was constructed by Johnson, who drew his inspiration from his experiences after leaving high school and settling in Moab at the age of 17. During this period, he dedicated much of his time to hiking and working in local mines. His interest in the wilderness grew as he became involved in the preservation of Indian ruins, effectively distancing himself from mainstream media and news outlets.
Johnson was captivated by the idea of living off the land and being self-sufficient, so he decided to steer clear of public utilities. He purchased a vast piece of land in the canyons and constructed a home in the midst of the desert, with the goal of growing his own food and irrigating water from the surroundings. Johnson started the process in 1995 by removing unwanted rocks from the area and procuring other materials to make the cave more habitable. After accumulating sufficient savings, he resumed the project and created more openings to let natural light into the space. He bolstered the windows with steel and inserted glass to relish the magnificent views outside.
The owner of the BedrocK Homestead, which is available for rent on Airbnb, spent a quarter of a century living in a trailer with no access to electricity or water while constructing the unique home. However, he eventually managed to generate electricity and pump water into the house using a massive water wheel. He also established a small ecosystem that provides him with an abundant supply of fresh vegetables and meat, with tomatoes, peppers, corn, potatoes, garlic, greens, carrots, and beets among the main crops. In addition, he raises pigs, but only if he has a cow producing milk, as the pigs rely on it for sustenance.
The owner of BedrocK Homestead, Mike Johnson, has built a modern 5,700 square-foot cave house in Utah that is entirely self-sufficient. He keeps animals such as horses and cows and grows his own crops in fields around the cave. To save on food costs, he feeds the animals milk from milk cows that he also tends to himself. Johnson has now decided to rent out the cave house on Airbnb to share his unique experience with others. Described as both “rugged” and “tranquil,” the home comes complete with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a music studio, all furnished with modern decor.
The BedrocK Homestead in Utah is a unique and stunning cave house built by Ra Paulette, who spent over a decade carving and sculpting the interior. The 5,000 square foot space features natural sandstone walls, a cozy fireplace, and multiple bedrooms for guests. Outside, there’s a private patio with amenities such as a barbecue grill, mini-fridge, microwave, and drip coffeemaker. Although internet access is available, it’s limited. Owner Gary Johnson is thrilled that people are inspired by his home and lifestyle, which he describes as “positive living in a negative space.” If you’re interested in experiencing this desert paradise, you can book a stay on Airbnb. Check out the video tour to see inside this incredible cave house.
