Cabin Getaways Across The US That Are Just As Lovely As Their Outdoor Views

Say the word cabin and the image that pops up is likely to feature the following — chunky wood-log exteriors, a roaring fireplace, open-plan interiors that value function over form, and a grand setting where trees dominate the views. For a real getaway, a cabin promises it all — space, the quiet of nature, awe-inspiring scenery, and a total break from the daily routine. 

These simple structures were first built in North America by immigrants from Scandinavia in the 1600s, barebones abodes beholden to the nature around them. But that doesn't have to be the case, and you don't have to skimp on creature comforts while enjoying a cabin's natural setting — you can experience plenty of polish as well. 

Here are some of the best cabins, from the country's northern reaches of Alaska to the tropical outpost of Hawaii (thousands of miles offshore), and from coast to coast back on the continent.

You'll also enjoy some serious altitude at this cool cabin, a quick drive from central Flagstaff. A vision in black that brazenly contrasts with the area's earthy tones, this contemporary home looks like it was lifted from the pages of an architectural magazine (it actually was!). Expect interiors that are super chic, a neo-Scandic retreat that utilizes materials such as limestone, concrete, and wood to create its refined look. 

There is plenty to admire at this twin-peaked refuge — gas fireplaces for the cool evenings, heated floors, skylights that let in natural light, a wall of sliding glass doors that brings the outdoors in, a vast deck with outdoor seating and barbecue grill. And then there are the magnificent views of Humphreys Peak, the highest natural point in the state (it tops out at 12,633 feet) and a huge draw for regional skiers. Once here, you'll marvel at the beauty inside and out.

A wood fireplace and hot tub on the outdoor deck ensure guests can stay comfortable, year-round, at this 3,500-square-foot, five-bedroom home near Woodland Park, a short drive northwest of Colorado Springs. It's handsomely kitted out, with a large kitchen where the central island has a marble countertop, spacious living room, and ample dining area for large get togethers. The property also features walls made of wood logs and exposed wood ceiling beams, both of which combine to create the classic cabin look. 

Guests will enjoy the deck, either from the sunken hot tub (you step down into it, rather than clamber in) or the rustic wooden rocking chairs, looking over forests and the snow-capped Pikes Peak. A huge open area on the lower level of the house is perfect for morning yoga or stretching sessions, while hikers can explore the surrounding areas, primed for hiking and biking.

You'll have the run of 11 acres of private land to explore at this cabin in Pine, southeast of the state capital of Boise. Located on the banks of the South Fork Boise River, the property allows travelers to enjoy the waterway from numerous vantage points, including a small outdoor patio with log-stump stools, or a large elevated deck with a variety of places to sit. Anglers prize the opportunities in this part of the country, with fishing easy to arrange, right in front of the house. 

After some time by the water, guests can decompress with some time in the hot tub, which also comes with lovely river views. The house is huge, with 10 beds and the capacity to fit up to 16 guests, and interiors place an emphasis on cozy comfort and a sense of place — hence sturdy wood-log support columns, deep leather couches, and bearskins on walls.

Less than 10 years old, this angular house about 30 minutes from Bozeman is appropriately contemporary, but also comes with views of Paradise Valley that never grow old. Despite having only two bedrooms, the overall feeling is truly grand, with a vast, open-planned kitchen and living space that opens to breathtaking vistas at every turn, looking on three mountain ranges — Absaroka, Bridger, and Crazy Mountains. 

The communal areas are a joy, with a kitchen where the appliances in stainless steel complement the contemporary flavor of the cabin, and a long, slender slab of polished Douglas fir acts as a dining counter. Guests can hang out here, or retire to the living room with its wood-burning fireplace — and elsewhere the color scheme leans toward muted gray. For guests that yearn to spend as much time here as possible outdoors, the highlight is the deck with a wooden swing bench that looks over the natural tableau.

Skiers flock to Windham Mountain in the Catskills each winter, and you might too from this spacious cabin that is a quick drive from its lifts. This chalet offers guests four bedrooms, with interiors mining the riches of nearby stores and antiques dealers. The entire space feels very woody, in tune with the mountain location, with gleaming, varnished pine floors, knotty pine walls and woodwork throughout. The cabin is designed for work and play, with fiber-optic Internet and a work area set aside in the loft — while a towering, stone fireplace dominates the living room. 

Kids will enjoy the board games and video console that's part of the package, though as appealing is the outdoor space, with a hot tub, gas barbecue grill, and stunning mountain views. Guests harboring fantasies experiencing a man cave have hit pay dirt — the basement has a bar, pool table, dart board, and arcade games.

For travelers in search of a huge property near the adventure town of Bend that can accommodate large groups, this lodge is a smart choice. With a capacity of 20 guests, and 640 private acres of land, this home also promises its own private lake. Cedar and Douglas fir were used in the construction of this property, though your eyes might be glued to the windows, where the views take in the ubiquitous forests. 

Bedrooms are dotted around the building, and a couple even have their own private deck; a large, wraparound deck with Adirondack chairs lets groups unwind outside in one place. Materials reflect the Earth's richness, with knotty pine, granite, and even a wood-burning stove in the kitchen. Underfloor heating ensures that your feet always feel warm. The cabin is a great base to explore the area, from a two-mile hike around its lake, to use of the kayaks and paddle boards provided for free.

In the Black Hills, this home has contemporary interiors that look like they are straight out of a design magazine, with stylish furnishings, aged wood paneling and metalwork on walls, minimalist rooms with sliding barn doors to bathrooms, and a slick, minimalist bunk room. The main living area has ceilings that are 20 feet high, mirroring the grand proportions visitors will encounter in the outdoors here, and the framework of timber beams provides a welcome sense of sturdiness. 

The staircase is an engineering feat, seemingly hovering, with a metal bannister and railings that replicate those found on the upstairs terrace area, overlooking the central atrium space. On cool days and nights, guests can warm themselves in front of two wood-burning fireplaces, or in a hot tub set on a deck that looks over the canyon. Visitors can also rent a separate unit — connected by a hidden tunnel — for an additional fee.

Okay, this cabin does not profess to offer a refined luxury stay. What visitors will enjoy here, though, is a truly unforgettable outdoor experience, one wholly grounded in simplicity but that presents a setting that has to be seen to be believed. Home for your stay is an unfussy A-frame cabin, located less than an hour from Zion National Park. While the place has limited amenities, it does feature its own bathroom, deck, and fire pit, and of course the views — the southern flank of Zion Mountains sits right in front of the room (you will see it from the bedroom), its red rock slopes and ridges sharp and clear, such is the proximity. 

You can sleep with the door to your room open to the elements, and time here is all about connecting to nature, from the room, the deck, or hot tub. Cooking is courtesy of an outdoor gas grill.

A lodge that looks over a lake and mountains, this property is a real treat, not least because it features a heated pool (the water is kept at a toasty 88 degrees Fahrenheit when the pool opens, from mid-April through mid-October). While the scenery is a show-stopper, the interiors are also beautiful to look at, with a grand, open plan in the main area with massive timber beams and gables, a striking country kitchen with a marble-topped central island and ornate hanging pendant lights, and large stone fireplace. 

Bathrooms recreate the feel of a spa, while natural light is a recurrent feature in all spaces, even the basement. The wet bar and pool table look onto the mountains — a distraction that will serve as a great excuse for a missed shot at pool. It's likely that the most vivid memories will be looking over Lake Chelan from the outdoor cabana, the shimmering waters of the pool, or the hot tub.

The mountains of Jackson Hole look close enough to touch from this ranch with four cabins. The buildings look like a giant version of Lincoln Log homes, thick trunks arranged perpendicular to each other to create an immovable object, bookended by a towering stone chimney. Some of the cabins began their life as hunting shacks, and Teddy Roosevelt even stayed in one. 

Of the four options, Moose cabin is the pick — the large porch is a fine perch to take in the sunset or to gaze in wonder at Black Mountain or the Grand Tetons. This is the largest of the cabins, with two living rooms, a spacious porch with a rocker bench, and generous proportioned kitchen. In winter, there is excellent cross-country skiing right on the property, while Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is only three miles away — but with the comfort and amenities on site, you might never want to leave the property.