Cabin rentals are limited. Much of the charm goes back to the pool featured in “Hot Rivalry,” which captured the imagination of viewers and will soon be listed on Airbnb.
Aaron Christyfounder of Indy Roof and Restoration, he built three rooms in Norman, IN, in the middle of the woods. “Cabins are becoming more popular because people are tired of living all the time,” he told Realtor.com®. “Everything is fast. Everything is loud. A few days in the woods resets you more than most people expect.”
He says renting cabins on Airbnb has been rewarding. “Seeing other families come down, and hearing that their kids haven’t touched an iPad all weekend—that kind of thing means something,” he explained.
Philip Farina from Miami rents her Glenville, NC, cabin for short and long term stays.
“Cabins in the mountains provide a very different experience than other places,” he told Realtor.com. “They really give travelers a chance to rest and relax in a safe place. In just a few days of breathing fresh air and drinking water from the spring, your body and mind will improve. Stress will disappear.”
AirDNA—a firm that aggregates and analyzes Vrbo and Airbnb data—recently identified the top 10 cabin markets.
“Most of these markets have affordable options, with median prices at or below the national median,” it said. Joel Bernerchief economist at Realtor.com.
Several cities on this list are within easy driving distance of a major city, too.
“This offers the best of both worlds, rustic and natural cabin living with city amenities that are still accessible,” Berner said. “These markets have high prices but the services available may be worth the cost.”
If you’re in the market for a wardrobe, Berner says it’s important to do your homework. “Many cabins in four-season areas are not intended for four-season use, although some are,” he said. “Given the remote locations of many, some are designed for recreation rather than year-round living.”
Top 10 cabin markets
To put the ratings together, AirDNA got a positive yield—it measures the market’s average revenue potential against its listing prices. Simply put, the company analyzed how much revenue the property could generate versus what it would cost to buy.
It narrowed its analysis to sites with more than 100 cabinets.
Based on that methodology, these are the top cities for cabin layout, according to AirDNA.
Beattyville, KY
- Daily average: $223
- Annual income potential: $34,843
- Average home value: $126,829
- Current interest: 27.5%
Beattyville sits at the gateway to the Red River Gorge, located near the Kentucky River in the foothills of Appalachia. With its sandstone cliffs, natural bridges, and proximity to the Daniel Boone National Forest, this region — which includes nearby Rogers and Stanton — offers a compelling combination of natural beauty and rental potential.
Logan, OH
- Daily average: $392
- Annual income potential: $75,002
- Average home value: $277,828
- Current yield: 27%
The Hocking Hills region surrounding Logan—including New Plymouth and Rockbridge—has become one of the Midwest’s hottest cabin rental markets, catering to weekend getaway seekers from Columbus, OH, Cincinnati, and beyond. It is close to Hocking Hills State Park and offers panoramic views of the Appalachian Mountains.
Yosemite National Park, CA
- Daily average: $471
- Annual income potential: $87,677
- Average home value: $373,685
- Current interest: 23.5%
Cabins near Yosemite National Park are among the rarest and most sought-after vacation spots in the country, with limited inventory, strict building regulations, and proximity to one of America’s top destinations that drive premium prices and strong year-round rental demand.
“To have a home within the park requires that the home predates the park and has a special time to exist,” Berner said. “There are not many of them and they have many challenges, including access to services and dealing with illegal entry of people to the park.”
Fayetteville, WV
- Daily average: $242
- Annual income potential: $36,812
- Average home value: $167,265
- Current yield: 22%
Fayetteville emerged as a growing cabin area, surrounded by the edge of the spectacular New River Gorge—the newest national park in America, designated for 2020. It attracts outdoor enthusiasts from across the East Coast.
Hochatown, OK
- Daily average: $425
- Annual income potential: $67,235
- Average home value: $311,780
- Current yield: 21.6%
Hochatown has exploded into one of the fastest growing cabin markets in the country, transforming from a small rural community into a thriving tourist destination. Located near Broken Bow Lake and Beavers Bend State Park, this area draws visitors from Dallas, Oklahoma City, and beyond.
“Hochatown saw incredibly strong price growth last year,” Berner said—the median listing price increased 24.0%.
Brian Head, UT
- Daily average: $537
- Annual income potential: $60,025
- Average home value: $296,542
- Current yield: 20.2%
Brian Head offers a rare combination of ski resort access and year-round mountain getaway appeal, sitting at over 9,800 feet in elevation among the red rock terrain of southern Utah. With Cedar Breaks National Monument, Brian Head Resort, and close proximity to Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks, this area attracts winter sports enthusiasts and summer travelers alike.
Baxter State Park, ME
- Daily average: $271
- Annual income potential: $33,149
- Average home value: $163,815
- Current yield: 20.2%
Cabins near Baxter State Park in northern Maine offer a wilderness experience at the entrance to Mount Katahdin on the Appalachian Trail. Visitors here enjoy off-the-grid tranquility and access to more than 200,000 acres of pristine backcountry.
East Stroudsburg, PA
- Daily average: $334
- Annual income potential: $55,675
- Average home value: $278,531
- Current yield: 20%
East Stroudsburg sits in the heart of the Pocono Mountains, one of the most established tourist destinations in the Northeast, drawing visitors from New York City and Philadelphia—both just 90 minutes away. The nearby Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is a great draw for hiking and walking along the Delaware River.
Branson, MO
- Daily average: $268
- Annual income potential: $50,823
- Average home value: $257,056
- Current yield: 19.8%
Branson is one of the Midwest’s top tourist destinations, combining the Ozark Mountain area with a thriving entertainment district that draws millions of visitors each year. The area’s cabin market benefits from its proximity to Table Rock Lake and miles of wooded hillsides.
Hot Springs National Park, AR
- Daily average: $229
- Annual income potential: $36,686
- Average home value: $188,511
- Current interest: 19.5%
Hot Springs is home to the only national park located within a city, and its natural hot springs have drawn visitors for over two centuries. The surrounding Ouachita Mountains provide a scenic backdrop for the booming cabin market, located near Lake Ouachita and Lake Hamilton.
