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There’s nothing more romantic than a vacation stay in a cabin. Combining the glamour of renting a house with the outdoorsyness of camping, cabins can be an easy way to get away from it all without having to deal with all the bugs and other adventurous aspects of getting back to nature.
From mountaintop escapes for two complete with hot tubs and fireplaces to huge homes large enough for your extended family close to ski slopes, cabins are a wonderful way to come together on a family vacation or a romantic getaway for two.
And across America, some of our favorite vacation spots are exceptional places to rent a cozy cabin for a few days or a few weeks. Here, we’ve outlined our favorite spots to rent a cabin in the U.S.
Before you go, pack essentials for a comfortable retreat. Include weather-appropriate clothing, toiletries, and personal items. Bring your favorite groceries for meals, as well as entertainment like books or board games. Outdoor enthusiasts should pack hiking or fishing gear, while cozy comforts like blankets and snacks enhance the cabin experience. Don’t forget any necessary toiletries and medications.
Keep in mind — most cabin rentals have a minimum stay, and many have strict rules, including no pets and no group rentals for anyone under 21. Be sure to check the fine print before you book or sign a contract. And some cabins are in areas that may not have Wi-Fi or aren’t accessible during bad weather. Check your contract for what happens when the weather keeps you from enjoying your stay.
If you can get there though, there’s nothing like curling up in front of a fire in your mountaintop cabin while snow falls outside. Trust me on this.
12 Best Places to Rent a Cabin in the U.S.
1. Rocky Mountain National Park
Out in Colorado, Estes Park and Grand Lake in the Rocky Mountain National Park provide not only great cabins but also some stunning views. Located in Northern Colorado, both towns are located in the National Park and are home to wildlife, recreation, and stunning mountains.
Here you can enjoy hiking trails and fishing in the summer, or skiing and snowboarding in the winter. Estes Park is a mountain town at the east entrance of the national park, while Grand Lakes is near the west entrance. At either location, you’ll be close to elk and bears, and have access to miles and miles of trails. In Estes Parks, Trail Ridge Road will take you through mountain peaks, forests, and tundra. And the Estes Park Aerial Tramway connects you to Prospect Mountain for views of the valley below. Grand Lakes offers snowshoeing and other winter sports all year round!
Vrbo provides a wide selection of rentals from condos on the lake to multi-family homes near skiing and other activities. Check out these excellent Estes Park vacation rentals for your next Rocky Mountain retreat.
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2. The Upper Peninsula Of Michigan
Most people wouldn’t think about getting a cabin on the Upper Peninsula, but what’s not to love about it? The Porcupine Mountains is an area filled with forests, bordered by three of the Great Lakes. Connected to the Lower Peninsula by the Mackinac Bridge, Porcupine Mountain is a great four-season vacation spot with cabins on the lake, out in the woods, or in the towns that dot the area.
Sandwiched between the Upper Peninsula and Lower Peninsula is Mackinac Island. Here, you’ll find the 1887 Grand Hotel and the historic Fort Mackinac on a car-free island. Vrbo has several cabins in the area, but just one condo on the island.3
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3. The Great Smoky Mountains
From eastern Tennessee to Western North Carolina, the Great Smoky Mountains form a sprawling national park that encompasses lush forests and beautiful mountain waterfalls, among other things!
Of course, nearby is Gatlinburg, America’s eastern mountain vacation tourist spot. Loaded with tons of fun things to do, Gatlinburg combines all the outdoorsy fun of a mountain retreat — think skyways and Ober Gatlinburg — with the kitschy fun of a beach vacation, complete with homemade fudge, touristy t-shirts, and Ripley’s Believe It or Not. If outdoor activities are your style, you’ll enjoy hiking along the Appalachian Trail, as well as miles of other trails on the Great Smoky Mountains. Make sure to visit the observation tower atop Clingman’s Dome; it provides 360-degree views of the mist-covered mountains.
Vrbo offers plenty of cabins in both Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge so you can find the best cabin for your Smoky Mountain stay. Many lovely little log cabins come with hot tubs on their decks that feature majestic mountain views. Most come with fireplaces and/or fire pits, full kitchens, and multiple bedrooms. A few even have playrooms with pool tables and other recreation equipment.
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4. Hocking Hills, Ohio
One of the midwest’s most beautiful green spaces, Hocking Hills State Park offers archery, fishing, caving, hiking, biking, and plenty of other outdoor activities for families or individuals just wanting to get away from it all. And the area has plenty of options when it comes to finding the perfect cabin.
From the six-bedroom Scarlet Ridge on 25 wooded acres that is less than a mile from Old Man’s Cave that will fit the whole family to the igloo-like Penguin Geodesic dome that’s perfect for a weekend getaway for two, there’s something for every need and every size group here. There are a lot of perfect Hocking Hills cabin rentals for an outdoorsy Ohio getaway.
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5. Lake Tahoe
Located on either side of the Nevada/California border, Lake Tahoe is a year-round vacation spot. Whether it’s spending time on the Lake Tahoe water in the summer or hitting the nearby slopes during the winter, there’s something for everyone year-round.
Just a few hours from San Francisco, and less than an hour from Reno, Lake Tahoe is a large freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, known not only for its lakefront and its ski slopes but also for hosting the 1960 Winter Olympics. You can visit the Olympic Museum in Squaw Valley while you plan your ski day on the long-distance Tahoe Rim Trail.
Cabin rentals on Vrbo start at $45 a night and go up based on occupancy and amenities. Check out some of the best Lake Tahoe mountain rentals perfect for any season for a wide variety of vacation rentals in the Lake Tahoe area.
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6. Pennsylvania Dutch Country
Home to the Amish, the Pennsylvania Dutch Country in southeastern Pennsylvania is a place to experience history — both interpretive and living. While the area gives visitors an up-close-and-personal view of the Amish and Mennonite communities that live there, it is also close to Revolutionary and Civil War battle sites like Valley Forge and Gettysburg. Waterfalls, covered bridges, and Hershey Park are just some of the attractions you’ll find in the area.
While some cabins are located in the heart of Amish farmland, others take you out into the wilderness of the mountains. Beaver Creek Farm Cabins offers a relaxed cabin setting and easy access to amusement parks, live theater, outlet shopping, and Amish buggy rides.
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7. The Ozarks
Don’t let the Netflix series fool you; there’s a lot to love about the Ozarks. Beautiful rolling hills, clear lakes, and ample opportunities for outdoor adventure make the Ozarks the family destination in the center of our country.
The Ozarks cover parts of Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Kansas. As part of the Boston Mountains and the St. Francois Mountains, the area is known as the U.S. Interior Highland and is the most extensive highland region between the Appalachian Mountains and the Rocky Mountains. Covering nearly 47,000 square miles, the Ozarks run from Interstate 40 in Arkansas to the suburbs of St. Louis.
Due to the sheer size of the area, you can rent a cabin on the Lake of the Ozarks — or pick one in the mountains.
Pro Tip: Book about 6 months in advance if possible. In December, cabin rentals are being booked for May.
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8. Northeastern Georgia Mountains
Northeastern Georgia’s Mountain area is THE up-and-coming spot to vacation, it seems. Places like Dahlonega and Helen, Georgia are looking like good spots to go to for a getaway that isn’t filled with tourists. From wineries to caving to spa getaways, to trips on some of the hottest TV series filming locations, this is a new and exciting place to vacation.
Vrbo lists hundreds of cabins to rent with varied locations. This beautiful Private Mountain Log Home is nestled on 25 acres of woods and is close to hiking, shopping, wineries, tubing, and more. Or, just relax and enjoy the view! Speaking of incredible views, Grand View Cabin looks out over the peaks of Rich Mountain wilderness within the Chattahoochee National Forest. Take it all in from the hot tub!
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9. Black Hills And Badlands Of South Dakota
Nothing says getting away from it all and getting back to nature like heading out to the Black Hills and Badlands of South Dakota.
Home of Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills are sometimes remote and rustic, sometimes simple and serene. But they are always a wonderful outdoor adventure waiting to happen. In the Badlands, Indian legends, history, and more than 244,000 acres of undisturbed prairie lend themselves easily to a trip back to a time in history that didn’t include cell phones.
From a rustic cabin to a luxury mountain escape, find the Black Hills cabin that fits your needs on Vrbo.
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10. Asheville, NC
Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains off of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville is home to outdoor adventures such as hiking trails, arts, shopping, and dining scene, a bevy of breweries, and of course, the historic Biltmore Estate.
Several of Asheville’s beautiful vacation rentals are cabins, including this lovely cabin on the river and this cabin with mountain views.
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11. White Mountains of New Hampshire
From rustic and charming to the downright luxurious, the White Mountains in New Hampshire offer plenty of options when it comes to cabin and cottage accommodations. If you are looking for a peaceful vacation rental, staying here may be just what you are looking for.
The town of Carroll includes the villages of Twin Mountain, Bretton Woods, Fabyans, and Crawford which offer everything, from secluded log cabins to luxury slopeside condos with modern amenities and unparalleled customer service. The area is packed with local restaurants that offer a full range of dining options and some of New Hampshire’s finest lodging.
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12. Big Bear Lake, California
Big Bear Lake is a year-round destination in Southern California and a perfect getaway from the summer heat and a relaxing escape during the winter. No matter the time of year, both San Bernardino Forest and crystal-clear Big Bear Lake offer something for everyone.
You’ll easily find the perfect Big Bear vacation rental or a cabin for you, no matter if you are here to fish or hike, ski or shop, or just to get away for some quiet time.
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FAQs
What Are the Benefits of Cabin Rentals?
One of the biggest benefits of a cabin rental is the privacy and seclusion that such vacation rental offers. Cabins are often nestled in quiet and peaceful locations surrounded by nature and provide a relaxing escape from city life with more space, scenic views, great hiking trails, and other outdoor recreation.
Where Do Cabins Originate From?
The log cabin we are familiar with today has its roots in Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, and Northern Russia during the Bronze Age in 3,500 BC. One of the oldest cabins in the United States is the C. A. Nothnagle Log House in Gibbstown, New Jersey.
Where Are Cabins Usually Located?
Cabins are usually found in wild or distant destinations in all-natural peaceful surroundings such as mountains, grasslands, and lakes, Most of the time the secluded cabins are tucked away from densely populated urban areas though they may be situated in any sort of location.
What Is the Typical Cabin Design?
Cabins typically feature porches and decks, along with simple gable or cross-gable roofs. Cabins usually have a wood stove or fireplace, a cozy kitchen, an outdoor hot tub, and one or two bedrooms. Rustic features and minimal decorations are other popular characteristics of cabin designs.
When Is the Best Time for Cabin Rentals?
It depends really. Summer is the time of year when you can enjoy your peaceful getaway by lounging by the lake, but winter cabin rentals could be just what you need when looking for a winter wonderland to host family Christmas.
