A retreat to a log cabin holds a special place in the tradition of American vacations. They’re isolated, relaxing, and provide balance to faster urban life. Depending on the size of the cabin, they’re perfect for couples, family getaways, or big blowouts with friends, and pretty much every one of them is located somewhere you can swim, hike, ski, or bonfire to your heart’s content. There are also plenty of them on Airbnb, so start planning.
Cozy Cabin
Greentown, Pennsylvania
People might initially be dissuaded from staying here because of how close the cabin is to the road, but the listing makes a special point of talking about how little contact there is between the cabin’s neighbors and any guests. Everyone around is content to keep a respectful distance from each other, knowing that people that come to areas like this in Pennsylvania are coming to get away from the world, not socialize with new neighbors. $61 per night
Cairnbeck Glamping
Brampton, UK
This is our only international pick (probably because recent log cabins seem to be distinctly North American, despite originating in Scandinavia) but you’d never guess from looking at it. It looks like it was built from Lincoln Logs, which is an image we generally associate with Abraham Lincoln (erroneously) and frontier living, not a small farmstead in Brampton or a short distance from Hadrian’s Wall. Yet there it is, a small log cabin stuck way out in a British field, visited often by cattle and, we imagine, confused Americans.
The glamping part of the title also feels like a bit of a misnomer. The cabin is a simple building without much glamour to it. There’s no shower, a wood burning stove, and it seems that cooking gas comes from a tank, not a line. The only glamping we can think of is that non-outdoorsy people would be just as comfortable here as Grizzly Adams. $72 per night
Log Cabin on a Mountain Pond
Newry, Maine
When we were thinking of log cabins, this is the stereotypical image that came to mind. It’s a tiny single room cabin with an isolated drive up in a place that’s essentially never heard of neighbors, aside from the occasional moose and resident goats and sheep. The pond is right outside the front door, with a dock, diving board, and something called an aqua zip, which we’re thinking means you can take a zipline to go swimming. $79 per night
Off-Grid Tiny House
Wofford Heights, California
This house could very well be someone’s attempt to hit as many doomsday prepper keywords as they can in a single Airbnb listing, but that doesn’t stop it from being an attractive place to spend a weekend. The inside is simple and homey, perfect for anyone who wants to relax inside with a glass of good whiskey before bed. During the day, the size of the place forces you to spend time in woods around the house, which, for anyone who’s going to book the place, is exactly what you’re there for. You couldn’t find a better place for your unplugged vacation. $89 per night
Joshua Tree Homesteader Cabin
Joshua Tree, California
There are absolutely no frills about this place, with the hosts using the location to attract people to the cabin. The rental is a single, large room that contains the bed, kitchen space, and sitting area, but you’ll probably spend most of your time on the open porch that runs along two of the outside walls. Joshua Tree National Park is a fifteen minute drive from the house, though if you’re feeling adventurous, you could try to walk it. Make that one of your activities. The homeowners also donate 2.5% of their proceeds to the Mojave Land Trust, making your stay a bit of an investment in the well-being of the area in addition to a vacation. $114 per night
The Spirit of 1870s in a Gold Rush Cabin
Big Bear City, California
That claim in the title, about the spirit of the 1870s, isn’t far off the truth. The interior of this cabin looks like colorized pictures of westward expansion, albeit the wealthier side of it. Everything is thick, exposed wood and covered in animal skins (not sure if they’re real or not) or knit blankets. The furniture is antique, for the most part, and there’s a clawfoot tub in the bathroom, just in case you wanted to channel your inner Victorian-era horror movie victim. As for the outside, the cabin is surrounded by the mountainous Californian scenery that you could hike in for days. If you really want to, you could even pan for gold in the nearby stream. Not that you’ll find anything, but it’s always worth trying to turn the vacation into a profit. $118 per night
Haller Lake Restored Log Cabin
Seattle, Washington
The Haller Lake cabin is the most urban of our recommendations. You can see houses all over the lake and the cabin is next to the owners year-round home, but we don’t think any of that is necessarily bad. The cabin mixes the generally isolated feel of a traditional log cabin with the more social vibe of a vacation home and sometimes that’s exactly what you want. Some vacations are more about meeting people you’d never know otherwise. This cabin is also within the Seattle city limits, as surprising as that may be, so you’re welcome to turn this vacation into a rural/urban mix of a time. $120 per night
The Landy’s Log Cabin
Mount Holly, Vermont
Yes, this is very expensive. Yes, this is what rich people mean when they say “rustic.” No, we’re not sure we know anyone who could afford this for any meaningful length of time. At least not by themselves. But the listing advertises the cabin can fit 16 people comfortably and if you split per night costs 16 ways, you’ll quickly find the cabin affordable again. There is nearly 100 acres of land surrounding the property, along with a stocked pond, skiing, and miles of hiking. If you have friends or family who have been talking about putting together some kind of larger retreat, show them this listing. It may be what finally drives them to plan it. $650 per night
