Have you ever been to a campground and seen those cute little cabins to rent? More and more of them seem to be popping up at the various places we’ve stayed at lately.

Some of these cabins are rustic and small. Others resemble tiny houses like the ones you see on HGTV. There’s even luxury cabins out there with gorgeous pine interiors and live edge countertops.

So the natural question is, should you take the leap and rent one?

Our first-hand experience with cabins

Back in the days before we bought our RV, we stayed in a few cabins during a camping trip out to the the Tetons, Yellowstone, and Mt. Rushmore.

We were tent camping and wanted an occasional break from the bugs and weather. So, we decided to try out some cabins here and there as an alternative to staying in a traditional hotel. This let us still sleep in a campground environment amongst the trees and nature, but with the convenience of a nice soft bed.

Our first cabin experience was a ‘park model’ deluxe cabin at the KOA Campground near Jackson Hole, Wyoming. It was impressive both inside and out. There was a full bathroom, a kitchenette, and living area. We had a separate bedroom with a queen bed for Keith and I, while Finn stayed in a small bunk room on the opposite of the cabin (oh, sweet privacy!). 

My favorite part of this cabin was the 20 foot deck running along the outside. It was absolutely perfect for looking at the mountains and watching the sunsets. Overall, I’d rate it as pretty luxurious digs for a campground.

The cabin we rented in South Dakota’s Badlands was significantly more sparse. It was basically a small 12′ x 12′ room with a queen bed on one wall and a bunk bed on the opposite wall. 

There was absolutely no space for a bathroom or kitchen. The sole amenities were the window-mounted air conditioner (which we didn’t use) and a porch swing so we could sit outside and let the mosquitos feast on us a bit.

Sleeping in these cabins gave us a taste of both ends of the spectrum. While I’m definitely not ready to trade in our RV anytime soon, it got me to thinking about why I might recommend one to fellow nature lovers and travelers.

Pros of campground cabins

There’s quite a few good reasons you might consider renting a cabin the next time you want to stay in the great outdoors.

1.  A less time-consuming campsite set-up  

For those who don’t camp all that frequently, struggling for an hour to put up the tent you haven’t seen since last summer might be just enough to push you over the edge. Let’s not even mention the light-headed feeling that comes with blowing up air mattresses for the entire family. By comparison, cabins are generally painless propositions. All you need to do is open the door and figure out where to drop your bags.

2.  No need to bring all your camping gear  

If you’ve ever flown somewhere to visit a remote place you’ve long dreamed of camping in, then you know the pain of trying to wedge everything for the trip into your luggage. None of us wants to pay additional fees to the airline for multiple checked bags. We’d rather use that money for experiences when we get to our destination. Renting a cabin could eliminate the need to pack all those extra items.

3.  Great for family reunions  

We love our RV, and have even hosted houseguests in it from time to time. Nonetheless, it’s still a small space, and you have to consider the needs and preferences of your potential guests. To illustrate this point, I only have to look back to this past Labor Day weekend. We booked a few campsites together in a state park for a family reunion. In hindsight though, we probably should have considered booking a cabin for Keith’s parents at the campground. This would have given them a little more comfort while they shared the camping experience with their grandkids.

4.  Cabins usually have amenities 

If you (or your significant other) find roughing it in the outdoors to be a scary proposition, cabins can be a great compromise. Most cabins have the comforts of electricity, indoor plumbing, and furniture to sleep on. You don’t have to worry about creepies and crawlies invading as much. Plus, there’s somewhere to plug in your smart phone to ensure you don’t go through withdrawal in the wild. 

5.  A safe haven in inclement weather  

Over the past few years, we’ve gone camping in Pennsylvania three times. Each and every time, we did so, we experienced torrential downpours. (Thanks a lot Pennsylvania!) Having a warm, dry place to wait out the storm can prevent bad weather from ruining your memories.

6.  Extend your camping season  

Camping is synonymous with summer and nice weather.  When the night temperatures start dipping down into the 30s, most of us want to be inside a toasty warm home instead of a poorly insulated tent. Renting a cabin allows you to extend your outdoor experience a little longer into the shoulder seasons.

7.  Greater proximity to the outdoors  

Being nestled in the trees with the sounds of birds and squirrels gives you a more authentic nature experience than any hotel room. You can immediately walk out the door in the morning to go for a hike. And you might actually see the stars at night from your front porch.   

8.  Space for kids to roam and bounce around  

If you have kids, you already know that part of the joy of camping is letting them run around and explore new things. A cabin provides the space – indoors and out – for kids to do this. And, unlike a hotel room, there’s less of a worry that your kids are going to wake the neighbors with their heavy footsteps when they inevitably get up with the sun.

9.  Cabins are just cool  

There’s something fun about telling your co-workers you’re going to head out to a cabin for the weekend. Check out the envy in their eyes. Even if you don’t own the cabin, you soon become that guy or gal who with the outdoorsy mystique around the office.

The cons of cabin rentals

It’s not all rainbows and sunshine though.  Renting a cabin can come with some downsides too.

1.  Not all cabins are a “glamping” experience  

Sure, some cabins have nice amenities. But you could also show up at the campground and discover your rental is closer a glorified garden shed. We learned the hard way that some cabin rentals don’t even provide bedding. So you may still be stuck choosing between your sleeping bag or paying extra fees for sheets and a pillow.

Our best advice is check the on-line reviews and cabin floor plans before you book your rental to avoid any surprises. It’s also a good idea to call or email the campground to ask what items (e.g., bedding, towels, dishes, etc) are included with the cabin before you start packing.

2.  No flexibility on where it’s located 

One of the nice things about camping in a tent or RV is their mobility. If you don’t like something about your campsite, you can usually change it fairly easily. Cabins don’t have the same flexibility. You can’t maneuver a building to get a better view of the lake.

3.  They book up quickly  

Booking a reservation for a cabin can often be harder than a RV or tent campsite. It’s just a matter of supply and demand. If you want to rent a cabin during the peak summer period or early fall, you’d better plan ahead to ensure you get a reservation.

4.  Cabins aren’t any cheaper than hotel rooms  

Renting a cabin at a campground isn’t cheap. It’s usually on par with renting a hotel room in the area. So, the cabin where we stayed near Jackson Hole, Wyoming, currently rents for $250/night. While most cabins we’ve seen cost well below that, they aren’t a steal.

However, you can make a strong argument that other types of camping can be expensive too. Most tent campers easily spend hundreds of dollars on tents, sleeping bags, and camping accessories before they even pay for their first campsite. Buying or renting an RV will cost you a whole heck of a lot more too!

So, if you want to get out in nature, but don’t want to invest in camping items for the long-term, a cabin can be a good option financially.

Where do I find camping cabins?

So, now that you’re interested in cabin camping, where do you turn?

Major RV Resorts – The easiest place to start exploring cabin rentals might be with KOA, since the majority of their campgrounds have rental cabins. Other major RV resorts like Jellystone and Thousand Trails are moving into the cabin game too. Make sure to check out the photos and floor plans though, as the sizes and amenities can vary quite a bit.

Private Campgrounds –  As we travel around North America, we’ve found numerous private campgrounds with cabins for rent near their tent and RV campsites. For example, the campground we stayed at just outside Shenandoah National Park had several sizes available. You can see their assortment and rates HERE to get a feel for what to expect.

Cottage Villages – When were were traveling on Mt. Desert Island to visit Acadia National Park, we drove past several complete cabin and cottage villages like the ones HERE and HERE.

State Parks – State parks are also getting in on the campground cabin trend.  During our Labor Day family reunion trip in Pennsylvania, the state park we stayed in had a mix of tent sites, RV sites, and cabins for rent. And it’s a good bet more state parks will be adding cabins as they continue to gain in popularity.

National Parks – My favorite cabin stay was at Grand Canyon National Park during my R2R2R hike in May 2017. They have options to rent cabins on the North Rim, at the bottom of the canyon at the Phantom Ranch, or on the South Rim near all the popular amenities.

Military Campgrounds – For active duty military members and retirees, there’s an additional option at many of the military campgrounds. When we stayed at Fort Jackson’s travel camp, they had cabins of various sizes with full kitchen, bathroom, and other luxuries. A good place to start your search is on the Military Campgrounds and RV Parks website or check your installation’s Outdoor Recreation office.

As you can see, there’s so many cabin rental options available. It all just depends on where you want to visit, and what you’re willing to pay. Given our experiences with cabins, I’d definitely recommend trying them at least once. It’s a unique outdoor adventure.