There’s just something about cabins that renews our quench for adventure and love for the outdoors. Perhaps you’re an avid camper, or maybe you can’t stand the idea of pitching a tent and slathering on insect repellant. Fortunately, cozy cabin getaways can satisfy the needs and wants of both outdoor lovers and luxury travelers.
In a cabin, you can reconnect with nature without sacrificing all the comforts of home. There are many beautiful cabin getaways designed to take you back to a simpler time, and love every minute of it. These are some of our favorite cabin getaway spots to consider for your outdoor adventure this year.
Lake Tahoe, California
Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America, and it’s full of exciting outdoor opportunities, like hiking, cycling, water sports, and even winter sports. Located along the California/Nevada border, it’s a diverse year-round destination that has lots of cabin rental options to choose from. You can often find local homeowners who have transformed their beautiful properties into authentic rentals for travelers.
Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee
The Smoky Mountains offer an idyllic vacation destination for a cabin rental, and the Tennessee town of Gatlinburg serves as a home base for many local travelers. There are thousands of cabins up for grabs here, and this is an enduring, budget-friendly destination for romantic couples and families with kids. Cabins here offer an authentic Tennessee experience with all the convenient amenities you could ask for. Other nearby towns to check out for cabin rentals include Pigeon Forge, Townsend, Maryville, and Wears Valley.
Golden Gate Canyon Park, Colorado
One of the most unique and peaceful places to rent a cabin in the mountainous state of Colorado is Golden Gate Canyon State Park, which has a picturesque landscape and comfortable cabins that are perfect for nature lovers. You’ll enjoy a natural gas heater and electricity in some cabins and a full kitchen with multiple rooms for larger groups. Peak season runs between late May and early October. The Twin Lakes Recreation Area and the massive Rocky Mountain National Park are also great places to rent a cabin in Colorado.
Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina
The Blue Ridge Mountains are near the Great Smoky Mountains in the southeastern U.S. and offer a perfect way to explore the natural beauty of North Carolina. If you’re up for an adventure, there are numerous scenic hiking trails to soak up the beautiful vistas, while cozy cabins in this area offer the perfect home base for adventure. While you’re in the area, you can also explore the town of Asheville and visit the Biltmore Estate.
Mount Rainier, Washington
The Mount Rainier area of Washington is also a wonderful place for a cabin getaway vacation. You’ll have easy access to the many outdoor excursions in Mount Rainier National Park and Mount Rainier Railroad. See Washington State’s most famous mountain and prominent peak, and if visiting during winter, enjoy the blankets of snow that are perfect for tubing and snowboarding. You can also visit the Sunrise area to capture awe-inspiring views of the mountain and other volcanoes in the Cascades, like Mount Adams, as well as 360-degree vistas of the surrounding valleys.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Perhaps most famous for its world-class skiing, Jackson Hole is a great setting for cabin camping at any time of the year. The Fireside Resort at Jackson Hole Campground offers cozy cabin rentals with a rustic appeal and modern amenities. This is a luxury cabin accommodation, but it’s also authentic and pet-friendly. Consider renting a Jeep to go off-roading in the area, renting a bike, or giving the favorite local pastime of fly fishing a try before you head back to your cabin at night.
Ithaca, New York
If your idea of staying in a cabin involves more rustic accommodations than luxury ones, then you’ll love the cabin at Robert H. Treman State Park in Ithaca, New York. This no-frills cabin is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who want to spend most of their time outdoors but have a comfortable bed and an enclosed space free of buzzing insects to come back to after a day of adventure. Highlights in the area include the Enfield Glen Gorge and 12 waterfalls, including the massive 115-foot Lucifer Falls.
Coast of Lake Michigan, Michigan
Just a short drive from Chicago, Midwestern travelers will find beautiful outdoor spaces perfect for cabin camping along the coast of Lake Michigan. These areas are fun to visit during the summer for boating, hiking, sunbathing, and fishing, and also during the winter for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and luge. Some of the Michigan towns to look for cabin rental deals include Manistee, Grand Haven, and Silver Lake.
Buffalo National River, Arkansas
Experience the hidden beauty of Arkansas by renting a cabin near the Buffalo National River. The Buffalo Outdoor Center offers romantic, secluded hot tub cabins that are perfect for couples. The best place to stay here is Cabin X, which has a mountaintop location and a 30-mile view of the river and surrounding wilderness. This is a wonderful home base for couples who love to hike, swim in open water, canoe, and indulge in a spa treatment. This nature-focused cabin resort offers massages and body treatments, too.
Rocky Mountains of Idaho
Many travelers associate the Rocky Mountains with Colorado, but this massive mountain range runs through Idaho, too, providing a perfect backdrop for a cabin getaway. One of the best places to stay for a true Idaho mountain experience is the Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch, which features 900 acres of wildland near the Sawtooth Mountains and the Salmon River. This is a great place to experience what the “Old Wild West” really felt like because there are no phones, radios, and televisions inside!
North Georgia Mountains - Helen, Georgia
Travelers might be surprised to learn that Georgia has much more to offer than just the city of Atlanta! Head a couple of hours north of the city to reach the Bavarian-style town of Helen, which is full of authentic German alpine shops, restaurants, beers, and live music, and there are plenty of charming cabin options. Tubing down the Chattahoochee River is a favorite pastime here, and there are lots of quaint cabins and B&Bs to stay in as an alternative to chain hotels and overbooked campsites.
