Cozy Cabins for a Weekend Getaway in the West

Why it’s cozy: Huts? Hardly. Olson Kundig Architects (the team behind Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art in Denver, the Space Needle renovation in Seattle, and J.W. Marriott Los Cabos) designed these rolling crash pads with modular sleeping platforms, simple kitchens, and sliding glass doors that emphasize the mountain views. Oh, and there’s WiFI—if you’re into that sort of thing on vacation. What’s out the door: Hiking and nordic trails right off your steps and the artsy and wildlife-filled Methow Valley beyond. Best time to go: Anytime, really, but the landscape is spectacular in winter. [bookit_button text="Rolling Huts" price="From $145" url="https://rollinghuts.com/hut-reservation/"]

Why it's cozy: Whimsical and group-friendly treehouses sit right on Whitefish Mountain Resort’s Hope Slope at 3,033 feet elevation, with hot tubs on the decks and 3,000 acres to roam. What’s out the door: Skiing is only 4 feet from the Ponderosa chalet, and Glacier National Park’s western entrance is 50 minutes away. Best time to go: December through March for playing in the deep Whitefish snow. [bookit_button text="Snow Bear Chalets" price="From $470" url="https://snowbearchalets.com/chalets/"]

Why it’s cozy: Leather reading chairs, custom log beds, and porch swings in spacious cabins with names like Salmon Berry. In-cabin spa treatments are an option, too. What’s out the door: Nine acres of meadows and pine forests (with views of the Cascades and the Columbia Gorge beyond). Nearby, there are raging waterfalls, wineries, breweries, and loads of hiking. Hood River is 30 minutes away. Best time to go: Wildflowers are gorgeous in spring. Head to nearby trails, like Dog Mountain and Mosier Plateau. [bookit_button text="Carson Ridge Luxury Cabins" price="From $299" url="https://secure.thinkreservations.com/carsonridgecabins/reservations?_ga=2.76777052.832196882.1565401221-1554603242.1565401221"]

These cabins are temporarily closed in January 2021 due to COVID-19 concerns. Why it’s cozy: Location, location, location. The cabins are bare-bones, sans water or electricity, but they’re perched on the edge of the world, overlooking the Pacific, just a stone’s throw from postcard-ready Stinson Beach. What’s out the door: Whales, waves, sunsets—the Pacific Coast dream. Hiking through the 6,300 acres of surrounding redwood groves. San Francisco is just a 15-minute drive south. Best time to go: Whenever you want, but we recommend calling seven months out—or you can sometimes score last-minute rentals via a lottery; call 415/388-2070 for details. [bookit_button text="Steep Ravine Cabins" price="$100" url="https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=471"]

Why it’s cozy: All 31 cozy cabins have a stove or fireplace, pine log beds, and L’Occitane toiletries in this Yono National Park lodge surrounded by towering pine and spruce trees. What’s out the door: The namesake Cathedral Mountain is your backdrop, the Kicking Horse River runs right in front, and Banff’s Lake Louise is only a short drive away. Best time to go: In May and June and September and October you’re still likely to find peak weather and landscapes with fewer crowds. Fall (also known as “larch season”) is spectacular with the golden larches set against the evergreens. [bookit_button text="Cathedral Mountain Lodge" price="from $290" url="https://www.cathedralmountainlodge.com/accommodation/"]

Why it’s cozy: Inside Deschutes National Forest, you can pick from 16 charming cabins at this renovated camp. Put on a record and sink into deep, pillow-like canvas chairs with a cocktail beside the big fireplace in the main lodge, designed by the team behind the Ace Hotel Portland. Stone fireplaces, private decks, custom Pendleton blankets included. What’s out the door: The namesake 1 1⁄2-mile-long lake is the star. But there’s also gliding or schussing at Hoodoo Ski Area, 8 1/2 miles west. Plus, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, or hiking on trails that start at the lodge. Best time to go: Anytime starting in mid-September when the crowds are gone, the leaves change color, and the already-peaceful Suttle Lake feels entirely yours. [bookit_button text="The Suttle Lodge & Boathouse" price="From $69" url="http://www.thesuttlelodge.com/"]

Why it’s cozy: Log onto Dunton’s live webcam and the scene looks straight out of the 1800s: a cluster of Lincoln Log–like cabins scattered across a meadow at the foot of the towering San Juan Mountains—a tipi here, a wagon wheel there, steamy natural hot springs everywhere. If you make the trek to this restored ghost town in remote southwestern Colorado, you’ll find full-on 21st-century luxury as well. The cozy cabins, originally built out of aspen and cottonwood in 1885, have been sought-after escapes since 2001 when they reopened with outdoor rain showers and ready-to-light fireplaces. What’s out the door: Couples come from all over the world to hike, ride horseback, and soak in the 107° hot springs, as the odd elk, moose, or black bear strolls by. Both fly-fishing and reflexology are on the agenda, and the “Saloon” serves slow-roasted elk tenderloin and reserve bottles of Napa’s best. Best time to go: Spring or fall when chilly temps fit perfectly with the steamy springs. [bookit_button text="Dunton Hot Springs" price="From $695" url="https://www.duntondestinations.com/hot-springs/lodging-rates/"]

Why it’s cozy: You can hear the lapping of Puget Sound as you fall asleep and cuddle up under handmade quilts in these cedar cozy cabins and bungalows. What’s out the door: The sand and wooded trails of one of Washington’s prettiest state parks. Best time to go: Summer is peak season for obvious reasons, but February comes alive with tons of events (Great Northwest Glass Quest, a birding fest) geared at regional travelers. [bookit_button text="Cama Beach State Park" price="From $61" url="https://parks.state.wa.us/407/Cama-Beach-State-Park"]

Why it’s cozy: Despite being off the grid, you won’t want for any creature comforts: All the cabins (built with local lumber) have hot water, plush linens and solar power. Wood-fired stoves keep hot tubs steamy. Just about everything is made by Oregon artisans. there is no cellphone reception, internet or television What’s out the door: Plenty of room to roam and privacy in the verdant, 360,000-acre Eagle Cap Wilderness. The lodge can be reached via an 8.5-mile trail (or by plane, which the team can arrange for you), and it only hosts about 30 guests at a time. Best time to go: Summer when Minam hosts music sessions on the porch and a lot of the food you eat comes from the on-site garden. [bookit_button text="Minam River Lodge" price="From $195" url="http://minam-lodge.com/"]

Why it's cozy: Eight luxury, cozy cabins serve as a cushy basecamp for all sorts of adventures with fly fishing as a prime attraction with a trout-stocked River Taylor right outside your door. Stone hearths, fish trophies, and log furniture complete the high-low rustic vibe. What's out the door: Tons of outdoor activities, from fishing and stargazing to hiking and biking on eight wooded acres and beyond. Back in the lodge, you have a chic bathhouse steam room, sauna, or hot tub. Little ones can play in the children’s teepee lounge, or the whole family can bond in the game room. A stay includes nearly everything—custom adventure itineraries, gear, chef-prepared meals, bikes, and more. Best time to go: Mid-October for optimal Colorado fall color, when the aspens light up the ridges. [bookit_button text="Taylor Ridge Lodge" price="From $1,750" url="https://elevenexperience.com/taylor-river-lodge-colorado"]

Why it's cozy: Plush king bed in a loft-style attic, plus another queen tucked away downstairs. Outside, a creek plays the soundtrack to your weekend. What's out the door: Rowdy, Western Ketchum is just seven minutes away and Ski Mountain at three minutes by car. Who will love it: December for skiing and holiday magic in Sun Valley. [bookit_button text="Mountain Retreat" price="$200" url="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/10525731"]

Why it’s cozy: Part cabin-part glamp tent, Rock Creek’s 750-square-feet hideaways are equally stylish and rustic. Count on having hot tubs on the deck, leather seemingly everywhere, and all meals and activities (horseback riding, fly fishing, and photo classes) included in the rate. What’s out the door: Snowmobiling, ice-skating, horse-drawn sleigh rides, and moose, wolves, and elk. Schedule a guided walking safaris. Best time to go: Summer here feels like a throwback to (a super plush) camp. [bookit_button text="Ranch at Rock Creek" price="From $1,800" url="https://www.theranchatrockcreek.com"]

Why it's cozy: All the wintry musts—fireplaces, pillow-top mattresses, and decks big enough for snow gear—are here in a compact, eco-conscious package. The cozy cabins’ siding is reclaimed snow fencing from Interstate 80; the hardwood floors are made from Douglas fir deadwood; even the ceilings are recycled barn wood. The cabins are close together, but they're so well designed, with a glass doorway and high windows that let in lots of light, that your neighbors seem to disappear once you step inside. For extra privacy, they're angled to maximize views of the woodsy property. The resort supplies firewood and s'mores kits for use at the campfires. What's out the door: Just 6 miles from Teton Village, the fluffy-powder-filled backcountry surrounds the cabins. Best time to go: Winter, when ski shuttles run twice a day to Teton Village and you can take advantage of having your own personal campfire. [bookit_button text="Fireside Resort" price="From $537" url="https://www.firesidejacksonhole.com"]

Why it’s cozy: Located inside Gunnison National Forest and about 10 minutes from downtown Crested Butte, the eight spacious, cozy cabins come stocked with buckets of chopped wood, riverside hammocks, and kitchenettes. What’s out the door: Hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing along creeks and through meadows ringed by Douglas fir. Best time to go: Late September to early October, when the aspen and cottonwood trees brighten up the mountains. Book way ahead. [bookit_button text="Pioneer Guest Cabins" price="From $328" url="https://reserve3.resnexus.com/resnexus/reservations/lodging/675AFC14-48D5-44C8-8CCE-5E267E866EBB"]

Why it's cozy: Wood-burning stoves, warm-glowing propane wall lamps, and private decks in every cabin. What's out the door: Hiking, fishing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing in the lake- and pine-laced backcountry of the North Central Cascade Mountains. Best time to go: Winter for bluebird skies and tons of powder. [bookit_button text="Alpine Lakes High Camp" price="From $120" url="https://www.alpinelakeshighcamp.com/"]

Why it’s cozy: This Rocky Mountains retreat, which opened in 2013, provides the best of both worlds: a secluded log-cabin escape, surrounded by 100,000 acres of the Pike National Forest, and all the luxuries of a major resort. What’s out the door: The sprawling Broadmoor resort is just down the hill, and cabin guests have access to its swimming pools, tennis courts, restaurants, and five-star spa. Best time to go: May through October, when the ranch’s 13 cabins are open for fishing, hiking, horseback riding, hot tubbing, and more. [bookit_button text="The Ranch at Emerald Valley" price="From $700" url="https://www.broadmoor.com/the-wilderness-experiences/the-ranch-at-emerald-valley"]

Why it's cozy: A couple years ago, Treebones added a human-size nest-style abode to its site filled mostly with yurts. Though the nests are pretty much bare bones (bring your sleeping bag and tent in case it rains)—the sound of the Pacific and stars above make for the coziest of nights. On the other hand, yurts come with plush, queen-size beds piled with cozy comforters and colorful quilts, skylights for stargazing, and decks for spotting whales. This place is perfect for lovebirds who want the romance of Big Sur—without the typical price tag that goes with it. What's out the door: Big Sur. Period. Best time to go: June through September, when there is likely to be no rain. Book far ahead, though—Big Sur is way busy in summer. [bookit_button text="Treebones Resort" price="From $175" url="https://treebonesresort.com"]

Why it's cozy: Classic log cabins with stone fireplaces, private decks with lake and creek views, and peace and quiet; none of the cabins have phones, TVs, or alarm clocks. What's out the door: Swimming in the 5-mile-long namesake lake, hiking the 17.5-mile path that rings the lake, and lounging on its sandy beach. Best time to go: June to September when days remain in the 80s and nights are in the cozy-perfect 70s. [bookit_button text="Redfish Lake Lodge"; price="From $109" url="https://redfishlake.com/"]

Why it's cozy: Fir-wood floors, pine ceilings, walls of chinked lodge-pole pine, stone showers, and a big rock fireplace in every cabin. Also, no phones, TVs, or radios inside to let you truly appreciate the sounds of silence—and hot springs nearby. What's out the door: The 900-acre private backyard of the ranch grounds, surrounded by green meadows, with the jagged Sawtooth Mountains on the horizon. There are miles of hiking and mountain-biking trails and chances to fish and raft the Salmon River. Best time to visit: September, when temps are crisp enough for a hot springs soak. [bookit_button text="Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch" price="From $280" url="http://www.idahorocky.com/"]

Why it's cozy: All the log cabins, kitted yurts, and glamping tents at this throwback camp/resort deliver on coziness. We especially love the canvas "cabins" with a queen-size bed with pillow-top bedding and flannel duvet, s'mores fixin's for your private firepit—plus a basket of cushy towels and bath products to cart to the shower, nearby. What's out the door: Boys zipping around by bike, girls singing along to their Spotify playlists, and small fish rising in Neva Lake, one of three on Lakedale's 82 woodsy acres. Lakedale doesn't serve lunch or dinner, but Duck Soup Inn, the best restaurant on the island, is within walking distance, and the property's general store has sandwiches. Best time to go: May—before the droves arrive and the temps are still crisp enough to take full advantage of the fire pits. [bookit_button text="Lakedale Resort" price="From $189" url="https://www.lakedale.com"]

Why it's cozy: Wooden walkways meander through the forest where the resort's roomy, light-filled, adults-only canvas tent suites—with king-size duvets and a complete bathroom including hydrotherapy tubs for two—perch above the blue water. What's out the door: A quiet stretch of British Columbia's Sunshine Coast, so unspoiled and awe-inspiring, it's sometimes hard to imagine that anyone but a bald eagle or two has been here before you. Best time to go: For your anniversary or Valentine’s Day. The canvas-walled cabins with views of the sea are perfect for Couples craving a romantic camping getaway—with plush amenities. [bookit_button text="Rockwater Resort" price="From $177" url="https://rockwatersecretcoveresort.com"]

Why it's cozy: Private decks overlooking Silver City Creek and mixed conifer forests, cast-iron wood-burning stoves, cozy propane lighting, and massive sequoias as neighbors. What's out the door: Dense forests of ponderosa pine, cedar, fir, and sequoias, 14,494-foot Mount Whitney (the highest peak in the Lower 48), and more than 200 marble caverns in surrounding 404,063-acre Sequoia National Park. Best time to go: Anytime between Memorial day and October when the resort is open. The rivers and waterfalls are especially beautiful in June. [bookit_button text="Silver City Mountain Resort" price="From $264" url="https://www.silvercityresort.com/lodging"]

Why it’s cozy: In the West, we have a thing for revamped motor lodges. What this 1957 motel-turned-eco-mod retreat lacks in sparkling ocean views, it makes up for with the kind of rare, woodsy quiet that comes only from snuggling under a Pen­dleton wool blanket by the crackling fire. The cabins’ radiant-heat floors, cast-iron stoves, and ready-to-go s’mores make it a little too easy to hunker down instead of hike. What’s out the door: Ancient, soaring redwood trees (that includes the 500-year-old, 12-foot-wide, 100-plus-foot-tall Grandmother Pfeiffer Redwood, the second-largest in all of Big Sur). The Big Sur Roadhouse restaurant is just steps away too, which means you can dine on grass-fed steak and stumble back to your bed instead of cooking in your (sparse albeit cute) kitchenette. Best time to go: September and October, for Big Sur’s sunniest, warmest weather. [bookit_button text="Glen Oaks Big Sur" price="From $300" url="https://guest.rezstream.com/search/glen-oaks-big-sur"]

Why it's cozy: Wood-burning fireplaces, cedar walls, whirlpool tubs, king-sized log post beds, and pine forest views from the private decks. What's out the door: The 600-acre ranch has horseback riding, hiking, snowshoeing, tennis courts, and a heated pool; there’s also guided fly-fishing, white-water rafting, and even cattle driving on horseback in the nearby Bitterroot Mountains, Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, and Salmon River. Who will love it: Winter, when the resort is aglow with holiday lights. [bookit_button text="Triple Creek Ranch" price="From $950, all-inclusive" url="https://www.triplecreekranch.com/accommodations/"]

This lodge is closed through Jan. 28, 2021 due to COVID-19 concerns. Why it’s cozy: The lodge recently debuted 50 cabins tucked between sugar pines and cedars. All of them have fireplaces, two bedrooms, and a deck. What’s out the door: Yosemite is eight minutes by car, but Tenaya’s 75 acres is also fab for nature hikes (they offer free guided treks daily—along with s’mores kits, free breakfast, a spa with steam room, and Tesla charging stations). Best time to go: Spring when wildflowers and waterfalls show off. [bookit_button text="Tenaya Resort" price="From $400" url="https://www.tenayalodge.com/"]

Why it's cozy: New in 2011, these log cabins have private front decks and knotty-pine walls and ceilings. They’re pretty barebones (shared restrooms and showers nearby), but the central, national-park location makes up for the rusticity. What's out the door: The volcanoes, smoking fumaroles, wildflower-strewn meadows, and mountain lakes of Lassen Volcanic National Park. Hiking trails lead right out of the campsite, and there’s swimming and fishing in pine-ringed Manzanita Lake, just a short stroll away. Best time to go: August through October-the brief window when the roads are mostly clear of snow. [bookit_button text="Manzanita Lake Camping Cabins" price="From $74" url="https://lassenlodging.com/manzanita-camping-cabins/"]

Why it’s cozy: Chic cabins offer Pacific coast lodging at its best at a fraction of the cost of what you’ll find further south in Cali. Heated floors, private outdoor hot tubs, and feather beds amplify the cozy cabin factor. What’s out the door: The cutest small town on the Oregon Coast (that’d be Manzanita—sorry, Bandon!), a windswept beach, and killer sunsets. Cinematic Cannon Beach is 13 miles north. Best time to go: For sure, fall. Temps during the day peak at 68 degrees and only drop down to about 45, family crowds are gone, and September tends to be one of the driest months. [bookit_button text="Coast Cabins" price="From $175" url="https://reserve5.resnexus.com/resnexus/reservations/lodging/21D3811C-DB22-4283-966F-F28A0DE2E103?&tabID=1"]

Why it's cozy: Private cedar decks, with full-size hot tubs and Pacific Ocean waves crashing directly beneath you. What's out the door: Miles of undeveloped, solitary white-sand beach in either direction. Who will love it: November, when you can catch trophy-size salmon and steelhead in what many say is California’s last wild river. [bookit_button text="White Rock Resort" price="From $125" url="https://whiterockresort.com/"]

Why it's cozy: Every cozy cabin has king-size feather beds, leather armchairs, wrought-iron stoves, and panoramic views of the Chitina River and surrounding mountains. Meals are served in the lodge, nearby, with fresh ingredients taken from the on-site organic garden and salmon and wild game caught locally. There’s an on-site cedar sauna, as well. Ultima is perfect for bucket-list adventurers aiming to check off the ultimate Alaska experience. What's out the door: Accessible only by small plane, Ultima Thule Lodge’s cabins sit 100 miles from the nearest road, immersed in the jagged peaks, emerald valleys, and glaciers of the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. At night, you can bask in the glow of the Northern Lights. Rates include daily guided adventures, bush plane transfers, and all meals with wine. Best time to go: September, when temps are still mostly mild and you might catch the aurora borealis. [bookit_button text="Ultima Thule Lodge" price="From $8,550 all-inclusive" url="http://www.ultimathulelodge.com"]

Why it's cozy: Palatial, canvas-walled tents come with butler service and furnishings worthy of the Ritz: paintings hanging above king-size feather beds, surrounded by plush pile rugs; terry-cloth robes as fluffy as Big Sky Country clouds; elk-antler bedside lamps; private bathrooms with rain showers and heated floors. At suppertime, you’ll gather with fellow campers in a sweeping dining pavilion to savor gourmet creations like sautéed quail with summer black truffles; s'mores are available on demand. Guests can sign up for everything from world-class fly-fishing lessons to hot-air ballooning and when they're done, retreat to Spa Town, a tranquil outpost of tents for massages, pedicures, and aromatherapy ringing the edge of a meadow.

What's out the door: 37,000 acres of Montana wilderness, in the conifer forests of the Blackfoot Valley, including 10 miles of the Blackfoot River—of A River Runs Through It fame.

Who will love it: Adventurers with high expectations.

2-, 3-, and 4-bedroom cabins (“luxury vacation homes”) and 1- and 2-bedroom canvas-walled (“glamping”) tents; $$$$, including all meals; cabins available year-round; tents available May-October; pawsup.com

Why it's cozy: Despite their age difference—the 35 cabins, including a LEED-certified bungalow, were built between 1950 and 2000—all have plush beds and iPod docking stations, with a mix of wood stoves and gas fireplaces. What's out the door: Your own trout-filled lake, 19 miles of cross-country trails, Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, and the aptly-named Lakefront Restaurant, with wall-length windows and seasonal food. Best time to go: Fall for fishing and foliage. [bookit_button text="Tamarack Lodge & Resort" price="From $79" url="https://www.tamaracklodge.com/"]

Why it's cozy: Eco peace of mind: The luxe cabins were built out of local timber milled on-site in a solar-powered woodshop, each with a woodstove, outdoor hot tub, full kitchen, and (refreshingly) no TV. What's out the door: A thick grove of pine and fir trees at the junction of the Cascade Range and Siskiyou Mountains, where you can hike through forests and raft the raging Upper Klamath River. Who will love it: May through October for outdoor plays by the renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival at Allen Elizabeth Theatre. [bookit_button text="Green Springs Inn" price="From $95" url="http://www.greenspringsinn.com/"]

Why it’s cozy: Built in 1947, the Pioneertown property’s four knotty-pine cabins are decorated in “desert eclectica”—antique lamps, patchwork quilts, and vintage posters. You can stargaze from the Adirondack chair on your private patio, which proprietor Jim Austin keeps warm with a wood-stoked firepit. What’s out the door: Tumbleweeds, cacti, and the twisted trunks of Joshua Tree National Park, 20 miles east. Plus, galaxies, smeared across the expansive, dark desert sky. Best time to go: Spring through summer when you can lounge in the hammocks or swim in the pool, an aboveground oasis filled with mineral water. [bookit_button text="Rimrock Ranch Cabins" price="From $120" url="https://rimrockranchpioneertown.client.innroad.com/"]

Why it's cozy: Spread across 30,000 acres with three resorts wrapped under one ultra-luxurious working cattle ranch. Cozy cabins feature feather couches, potbelly stoves, plush robes, and grocery-stocking services. What's out the door: Fishing, horseback riding, hunting, yoga—you name it—near the North Platte River Valley, with the million-acre Medicine Bow National Forest next door. A newly opened The Farm at Brush Creek brought a house distillery, bakery, greenhouse, and more cushy amenities to the already plush resort. Best time to go: Take your pick: Summer and fall means fishing, horseback riding, and lush views. Meanwhile, winter guests can take advantage of the locale’s new, personal ski mountain. [bookit_button text="Brush Creek Ranch" price="From $700" url="https://brushcreekranch.com"]

Why it's cozy: The 11 log cabins here have stone fireplaces, full kitchens, twin Adirondack chairs on private porches, and easy access to world-class fly-fishing. What's out the door: Towering ponderosas and the Metolius River. Best time to go: Around the start of November, the tourist traffic dissipates—and the deer, elk, and hawks venture closer to the resort. [bookit_button text="Metolius River Resort" price="From $180, 2-night minimum" url="https://metoliusriverresort.com"]

Why it’s cozy: All cabins here have kitchenettes and big sundecks, and redwoods and tidepools are just a half-mile away at Patrick’s Point State Park. What’s out the door: With its ancient redwoods, free-roaming elk, and undeveloped beaches, Humboldt County can feel like the land that time forgot. Best time to go: Spring brings an explosion of wildflowers, and winter brings drama to the seas when storms cause swells to reach up to 30 feet high—it’s a sight to see. [bookit_button text="View Crest Lodge" price="From $100" url="https://viewcrestlodge.com"]

Why it’s cozy: It exists: that private waterfront cabin with front-row views of the crashing Pacific, crackling fireplaces, and nary another tourist in sight—for less than $200 a night. Built on a cliff, the 25 simple log cabins have timeless shaker-style furniture, bright red Adirondack chairs, and warm cedar walls. And as a bonus, most decks have a hot tub. What’s out the door: A winding country road, which you can follow from rugged beach to beach, back to your own empty stretch of sand, complete with a covered firepit to keep you warm. Best time to go: July through September for sunbathing on the beach and your best chance of spotting humpback whales; you can see orcas and gray whales year-round. [bookit_button text="Point no Point" price="From $225" url="https://pointnopointresort.com/cabins/"]

Why it's cozy: Pine-ringed natural hot springs for al fresco soaking, an on-site spa, and the river-rock fireplaces, and cabins made of native cobblestone and local wood. What's out the door: Hiking and horseback riding through aspen forests, trout fishing in scenic rivers, and swimming in nearby Doris Lake. The resort is set on the border between the Ansel Adams Wilderness and John Muir Wilderness areas—two adventurers with as expert an eye for gorgeous scenery as there ever was in the West. Best time to go: Summer for a High Sierra alternative to the crowds at Yosemite—and those willing to plan ahead. We recommend reserving a year in advance for the July and August high season. [bookit_button text="Mono Hot Springs Resort" price="From $129" url="http://www.monohotsprings.com/cabins/"]