Forget chocolate and roses. All you really need to celebrateValentine’s Day is quality time outsideand a cozy place to curl up at night. We found somecabinslocated in ideal places for exploring, making them perfect retreatsfor adventurous couples.
For Skiers and Snowboarders
First off, there’s the location: you’re five minutes from the slopes of California’s and a few more from the legendary steeps of Squaw Valley. On weekends,a free, on-demand shuttle called thethat’s operated by the ski resortwill pick you up at the cabin and deliver you to the hill. Then, of course, there’s the house itself: athoughtfully restored, dog-friendly A-frame with two bedrooms, a wood-burning stove, a fullkitchen, and a deck overlooking pine forests and snowcapped peaks (from $224).
For Digital Detoxers
Located two hours from Portland, Oregon, near the volcanic peak of Mount Adams, Washington, this collection of tiny cabins dot a campgroundwith no cell service. (Don’t fret: there’s a landline if you really need to make a call.) There’s in the surrounding area, from hiking in the Columbia River Gorge to exploring the Guler Ice Cave. Your cabin—which is less than 200 square feet—comes well stocked with a kitchen, a private bathroom, books, and a wireless speaker (from $99). Provisions like marshmallows, oatmeal, and hot chocolate are available for purchase.
For National Park Fans
This sleek one-bedroom cabin (from $393), just five minutes from , on the Big Island, was recently made available to rent. You can hike through rainforests into a volcanic crater and spot lava flow from previous eruptions. If you’re craving a beach day, you’re just 40 minutes by carfrom the seaside town of Hilo (don’t miss the stunning 80-foot-high Rainbow Falls nearby). A hot tub, an outdoor fire pit, and a spacious king bed will keep you happy by night.
For Those Who Want to Get Away (But Not Too Far)
If the idea of being in a remote cabin alone in the woods doesn’t sound ideal to you, then consider a lodgenext to a full-service hotel, like in the Catskills, near the town of Windham, New York. It offers three Scandinavian-style A-framesthat are just 220 square feet and come with a queen bed, an attached bath, and access to a nearby wood-barrel sauna (from $299). You may not want to leave the property, thanks to a hip on-site bar and restaurant, but if you do, skiing at Windham Mountain is just a few minutes away.
For Ocean Lovers
Birdwatchers and sea kayakers love Dauphin Island, Alabama, a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico accessed via a short ferry ride from Mobile Point or a driveover a three-mile-long bridge. Walk through the , sea-kayak from the marina, or pet stingrays at the . Stay at this remodeled A-frame, which has views of the Gulf Coast and is just steps away from white-sand beaches (from $72).
For Hardy, Do-It-Yourselfers
Available for bookings from December through March, this wintertime backcountry hut (from $88) is located on private land in Huntington, Vermont. It’s not fancy: most everything needs to be packed in. You’ll need your own sleeping bag, use a detached outhouse, build your own fire, and melt snow for water. Getting there is straightforward—it’s a 250-yard walk or ski from the road. And there’s a pathfrom the cabin that connects to the 300-mile-long, beloved by Vermont’s nordic skiers.
For the Whole Family
These nine year-round cabins in Cañon City, Colorado, about two and a half hours south ofDenver, come in a variety of sizes, depending on your group. There are 600-square-foot, one-bedroom cabins for just the two of you, or, if you’re bringing the kids, you can opt for atwo-bedroom house (from $375). You’ll score views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountainsfrom your front stoop. The town’s main attraction is the Royal Gorge, a 1,200-foot-deep canyon that runs for tenmiles and contains the Arkansas River, a paddler’s paradise come summertime. For a sweet view of the surrounding area, be sure to walk across the Royal Gorge Bridge, one of the world’s highest suspension bridges.