These accommodations listed below are located on the edge of Wilderness. Northern California, Sierra Nevada mountains, rural coastlines or even in the vast Deserts; the terrain is always front and center and the main attraction.
Some are large resorts with dining and other amenities, others are small and intimate, historic and cozy. Open year round or closed during winter months, each place is different. Follow links to find out more details and tell them Total Escape sent you.
Stay overnight surrounded by nature, right next to the Wilderness
various types of Wilderness lodging
wilderness camps – horseback or hike-in access only
rustic cabins – big snow country, carry snow chains fishing lodges – river front and very popular
historic forest lodges, inns & resorts
lakeside resorts – often closed in winter
hot springs resorts – located in remote areas
Overnight accommodations are pretty scarce in the wilderness areas and high country locales of the golden state. Wilderness accommodations can be reserved up to a year in advance, with a hefty fee, of course. Often open during winter months, but not always.
Wilderness Lodges & Cabins in Calif
elevation: 4000′ – 9800′
Overnight lodging in California; alpine country, located high in elevation. Mountain peaks, fire lookouts, cabins, historic inns, guard stations and even, hot springs resorts.
Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn
48865 Highway 1 @ Castro Canyon
Big Sur, CA
831-667-2377 19 cabins & cottages
Big Pine Creek Glacier Lodge burned down in1998; only the cabins remain
Glacier Lodge
elevation 8000′
(closed for winter)
Glacier Lodge Road
W of Big Pine, CA @ US 395
Eastern Sierra – Palisades Glacier
John Muir Wilderness
Inyo National Forest
High Sierra Camp (HSC)
(horseback or hike-in only)
Giant hiking loop in high country = Tuloumne Meadows, Vogelsang, Lake Merced, Sunrise Camp, May Lake
elevation 9000′ – 12,000′
Tioga Pass, Highway 120
Within Yosemite NP
Snow melts from MAY into JUNE. Expect closure or mud on dirt back roads. Wildflowers bloom APRIL through AUGUST in the Sierra Nevada, above 3000′. Autumn arrives with aspens and fall colors in the Eastern Sierra, through OCTOBER.
more recommendations coming soon….
Arizona Wilderness Lodges
Grand Canyon (cabins on the rim)
Jacob Lake Inn
7925′ elevation
AZ Hwy 67 @ US-89A
Fredonia, AZ 86022
928-643-7232 cafe, cabins & motel
North Kaibab National Forest
Grand Canyon, North Rim
When visiting a place for the very first time, sometimes with the right person, the whole town seems magical. Restaurants, sidewalk shops, parks for picnic, flower lined streets, wine tasting and live music.
Small California towns that have – walkable downtowns, historic buildings and museums, and/or hiking trails nearby – are top picks among active road trippers.
Often a few good overnights in a wonderful lodge can make the whole vacation totally worth it. Certain settings, like rivers, wilderness locations, or anything situated near the ocean is always top picks for Valentine’s Day.
most romantic towns: California
ANY hotel in Cambria
Moonlight Beach was made for Lovers
ANY hotel in Coronado
Historic seaside neighborhood, San Diego
ANY hotel in Laguna Beach
Cliffs, Beaches, Walkable Village
ANY hotel in Yosemite Valley
Iconic National Park, open during winter
more romance: overnight
Benbow Historic Inn
445 Lake Benbow Drive
Garberville, CA 95542
707-923-2124 Mendocino US 101
Highland Dell Lodge
21050 River Boulevard
Monte Rio, CA 95462
707-865-2300 Russian River Wooden Retreat w/ Restaurant, since 1906
Imperial Hotel
14202 Old Highway 49
Amador City, CA 95601
209-267-9172 built in 1879
Gold Country Foothills
The Inn at Furnace Creek
Inn at Death Valley
The Oasis at Death Valley
Furnace Creek, California
Death Valley National Park Death Valley, CA Palms and poolside resort with luxury, opened in 1927
Inn at Schoolhouse Creek
7051 North Highway 1
Little River, CA 95456
707-937-5525
Mendocino Coast coastal farmhouse, built in 1862
Joshua Grindle Inn
44800 Little Lake Rd
Mendocino, CA
707-937-6022 1879 Victorian
Klamath River Lodge
34395 Highway 96
Orleans, CA 95556
707-499-0901 fishing lodge built in 1930’s
Sonora Inn
160 S Washington St Sonora, CA 95370
209-532-2400 Gold Rush Country built in 1896
The Union Hotel
1915 Main Street
Quincy – La Porte Rd
La Porte, CA
530-675-2860 established in 1855
Upham Hotel
1404 De La Vina Street
Santa Barbara, CA
805-962-0058 Victorian in downtown; built in 1871
Village Inn at Childs Meadow
41500 Highway 36E
Mill Creek, CA 96061
530-595-3383 Lassen National Forest original resort established 1864
stagecoach stop
Wawona Hotel
golfing on mountain meadows Wawona, California South Yosemite NP
Highway 41 (CA SR 41) in operation since 1918
Wylder Hotel, Hope Valley
Sierra Nevada, south of Lake Tahoe
Cabin rentals @ Hope Valley
On the Cheap:Romantic
Youth hostels have come a long way in recent years. Often referred to as backpackers hostels or travelers hostel, these are budget friendly accommodations – set up for those who don’t mind roughin it. While bunk beds and dorm rooms are typical, these facilities also have private room rentals for couples or solo travelers.
Total Escape has been focusing on the back roads of California for over 3 decades. We have researched, found and stayed over at some of the coolest cabins in the Golden State. Private vacation homes to fishing cabins, we have pretty much all of them listed.
Northern California is a well sought destination for secluded vacations.
“cheap cabin rentals in northern california”
Rustic fishing cabins, luxury on the lakeshore, cedar forests, romantic or remote hideaways, tent cabins, yurts and historic fire lookouts. We list mountains and rural locations.
SUMMER VS. WINTER
Not all cabin rentals are open for business during the winter months. Often the snow is too deep and the remote location may be inaccessible. Call ahead and talk to the innkeeper; know the weather forecast, before you make the drive. Always carry chains when driving in winter months.
northern california mountain cabin rentals cabins in northern california remote cabin rentals california rustic cabin rentals northern california secluded cabins in northern california
Highest Sierra peaks are the tallest on the Sierra range and located along the eastern side of California, bordering near the state of Nevada. US Highway 395 runs the length. We advise staying overnight as far from the pavement as possible.
Kernville on the Kern River and Lake Isabella have some rentals, but the best bet around here is Alta Sierra, a cedar forest located above the lake. Paved Highway 155 winds up from Wofford Heights to the snowy ridges above. Shirley Meadows has family ski fun.
Rental homes and rustic cottages can be found on the western slopes, near the historic location called California Hot Springs. Expect oaks and pines with shady conditions in densely wooded neighborhoods.
Giant Sequoia is the southern most groves, close to the Kern River, located on the Western Divide Highway. The NFS runs rental cabin at Quaking Aspen Campground.
From Tehachapi to Truckee, the Sierra Nevada mountains have hundreds of towns and canyons to explore. Fishing, hiking and mountain biking. Snow skiing, snow shoeing and sledding.
The Coastal mountain ranges have a few cabin communities worth mentioning, some in the farmlands and others on the pine ridges. Numerous areas have recently been affected by wildfires: Santa Cruz Mountains, Shaver Lake & Huntington, and Mendocino.
The Big Sur Coast is a popular and often crowded destination which has a few cabin rentals. With redwood forests along the rocky and rugged coastline, outdoor recreation and scenic views are top priorities for most visitors.
Since the majority of the population is located in the bottom portion of the state, these ideal locations listed below will book up faster than “all the other cabins” in California. Drive further for a more secluded place and a whole new terrain.
California Paddling Destinations Canoe, Kayak Rental, Float, Boat, Fish
River Resorts & Cabin Rentals
California has abundant rivers and lakes located throughout the state and some of them are still flowing. Drought years can effect these waterways, so call ahead to make sure there is indeed enough water to paddle.
We list overnight lodges, cabins & campgrounds that you can enjoy the water up close. Paddle a kayak, river raft, rent a canoe, swim in the lake, or learn to fly fish.
This is by far not a complete list of waterfront destinations, but just a start. We will be adding more locations as we continue to update this page in the near future.
Desert Chalet Bed & Breakfast
off Holyoak Lane, on San Juan 5 rooms
Rustic Inn Motel
third traffic light & 1 block east 33 rooms
Sleep Inn Moab
Newer hotel, on the main drag 61 rooms
Saint George, Utah
Red Mountain Resort
Adventure & Fitness. Health Spa. Red Rock Therapy & spa facilities at a full service resort with impressive mountain views. 116 rooms
Salt Lake City, UT
Willow Glen Inn Bed & Breakfast
Located in Cedar Valley in a very quiet, rural location. 10 rooms
From motorhomes to mobile homes, California has vacation and retirement appeal. Weather is a prime reason for the large population.
Pre-fabricated homes, steel building barn-homes and custom builds can be found all Northern California. New luxury homes, geodesic dome homes, with a moldy-oldie cabin, all right next to each other. Plenty of 1970-something mobile homes still in use.
The tiny home revolution may take California by surprise, as more people choose to downsize their life and amount of belongings. Yurts, cabins, ranch homes, cottages, kit cabins, log cabins and tiny house communities. Shipping container homes, double wide, single wide with roof awning, 5th wheel with slide-outs – and woodstove?
Wild Land Ranches on Road 308, Mendocino
wild land urban inter face
Konkow @ Lake Concow, CA
Living in the wild has some disadvantages. Wildland fire is one of them.
HEMP BLOCKS
MOBILE culture: temporary shelter, motorhomes, kit homes, cabins, yurts, inexpensive homes
new modular homes
Build New or Rebuilding options and ideas, some under $200k
