Cabin Camping in New England: 9 Rustic Cabins for Winter Adventures
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Have you entered the exciting world of winter camping in New England yet?
Wait, wait, hear me out. What if I told you that winter camping could mean that you don’t have to sleep on the ground or even in the cold? And you won’t even need to bring a tent?
Then you might consider giving it a go, yes?
I love camping, and every winter I long for the summer camping season when I can spend days and days outside exploring, cooking up campfire grub, and watching the stars come out.
Winter tends to cramp my style, but a few years ago, our family discovered cabin camping, and we haven’t looked back.
Cabin camping in New England means renting a rustic, heated cabin on public or nonprofit land, usually with a woodstove and an outhouse, and hauling in your own sleeping bag, food, and often water. Here are nine we love, from a $40-a-night ski-in cabin in the White Mountains to a wilderness cabin in Baxter State Park.
Cabin Camping in New England at a Glance
- What it is Four walls and a woodstove. You bring the sleeping bag and sleep on a wooden bunk or platform. Expect no running water, no electricity, and an outhouse.
- Where are the cabins on this list Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire
- Price About $40 to $150 a night Stone Hut is $309 for a group of up to 12.
- Winter walk-in A quarter mile (Northwest Camp) to 6 miles (Daicey Pond)
- Dog-friendly? We’ve tested Merck Forest extensively with our dogs, and Carter’s allows dogs for $20 a night. Savoy, Baxter, High Cabin, and Stone Hut don’t allow them.
- Book early Baxter’s winter lottery is the first business day of November, and Stone Hut’s is November 18, 2026. Merck and Carter’s have 2-night weekend minimums.
Last checked by Tara: [October, 2026
What Exactly is Cabin Camping?
Well, I guess that depends on where you go, but in general, cabin camping means using a shelter instead of a tent to stay warmer and more comfortable in cold temperatures.
Cabin camping in New England is similar to glamping but a bit more rustic.
When you stay in a camping cabin, you still have to pack your sleeping bags, camp food, and headlamps, but your home base has the comfort and warmth of four walls, and usually a wood stove.
Staying in a New England camping cabin is perfect for families new to camping who aren’t ready to invest in lots of equipment.
It’s like transitional camping, and if you’re used to squeezing into a frosty, two-person tent to sleep, cabin camping can be downright luxurious.
You don’t need any special skills to camp in a cabin; you just have a desire to get outside and rough it a little.
Also Read: The Best Glamping Spots in New England
Cabin Camping vs. Glamping: What’s the Difference?
| What you get | Cabin camping | Glamping |
|---|---|---|
| Bed | A wooden bunk or platform. Bring your own sleeping bag. | A real bed with linens |
| Heat | A woodstove you feed yourself | Heater, gas fireplace, woodstove, or electric blanket |
| Water | Usually none. Haul it in, filter it, or melt snow. | Running water, often a hot shower |
| Electricity | Usually none. Bring a headlamp. | Lights, outlets, sometimes Wi-Fi |
| Bathroom | Outhouse | Flush toilet, private or shared, sometimes an outhouse |
| Getting there | Hike, ski, or snowshoe in, from a quarter mile to 6 miles | Usually park at the door |
| Price | About $40 to $150 a night | $150+ |
| Best for | People who want winter camping without sleeping on the ground | People who want an outdoor experience with much less work |
My take
If there’s a real bed, it’s glamping
If I’m unrolling my own sleeping bag on a wooden platform, I’m cabin camping. If there’s a real bed waiting for me, I’m glamping, no matter how rustic the cabin looks in the listing photos. A camping cabin usually has no running water, no electricity, and an outhouse as the only bathroom. Cabin camping is a remote adventure, but not quite as adventurous as pitching your tent in the snow!
9 Rustic Cabins for Winter Camping in New England
Camping cabins are available for rent worldwide, but I’m focusing on New England because it’s the region I know best.
These are our favorite camping cabins throughout Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.
Compare the Cabins
| Cabin | Winter walk-in | Sleeps | Water | Dogs | Price per night |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merck Forest, Rupert, VT | Up to 3 miles | 1 to 15 | Spigots at the visitor center | Yes, leashed near the farm | $80+ |
| Carter’s XC, Bethel, ME | About 10 minutes on skis | 6 | Jugs provided | Yes, $20 a night each | $129 to $149 for two |
| Savoy Mountain, Florida, MA | About a half mile | 4 | No | No | $50 to $60 (MA residents), $130 to $150 (nonresidents) |
| Northwest Camp, Salisbury, CT | About a quarter mile (drive in from the north) | 6, plus 4 on a tent platform | Stream nearby (must be treated) | On-leash | $40 to $50 weeknights, $100 to $120 weekends |
| Daicey Pond, Baxter State Park, ME | 6 miles from Abol Bridge | 2 to 6 | Natural water sources nearby (must be treated) | No pets in the park | $55-$135 |
| Black Mountain, Jackson, NH | 1.4 miles, 1,200 feet up | 8 | None. Bring it or melt snow. | Yes | $40, plus an $8 booking fee |
| Doublehead Cabin, Jackson, NH | 1.8 miles, about 1,500 feet up (steep) | 8 | None. Bring it or melt snow. | Yes | $40, plus an $8 booking fee |
| High Cabin, Mount Cardigan, NH | 2 miles from AMC Cardigan Lodge | 12 | Carry it in | No overnight dogs | $200 |
| Stone Hut, Mount Mansfield, VT | Ride the Stowe Quad chairlift | 12, on wood platforms | In the nearby ski patrol building | No | $309 per group |
Merck Forest and Farmland Center, Rupert, Vermont
Where: Rupert, VT · Walk-in: Up to 3 miles · Sleeps: 1 to 15 · Dogs: Yes · Book: merckforest.org
Merck Forest and Farmland Center is our absolute favorite place to go camping in the winter and spring. Seriously. This nonprofit maintains nine rustic cabins on 3,100 acres of forest and farmland in the Taconic Mountains.
Each camping cabin at Merck Forest is rustic and charming.
The cabins sleep 1 to 15 people, and from October through May, split firewood is waiting when you arrive.
Each cabin is nestled in its own little paradise. Some are easy to reach, a quick walk from the visitor center with your gear, while others require a bit of trekking, skiing, or snowshoeing to find your retreat. Cars stop at the visitor center, and the farthest cabins are about 3 miles in, so pack light or bring a sled.
Our favorite part about these rustic cabins in Vermont? All of them welcome dogs (leashed near the farm), and they are completely secluded from the rest of the world.
Also Read: Cabin Camping at Merck Forest and Farmland Center
Carter’s XC Ski Cabins in Bethel, Maine
Where: Bethel and North Paris, ME · Walk-in: About 10 minutes on skis or snowshoes · Price: $129 to $149 for two · Dogs: $20 a night · Book: cartersxcski.com
Where in New England can you glide through the woods on skis (with your dog), relax by a cozy fire in a comfy lodge, and then retire to your rustic cabin for a weekend of pure bliss?
Carter’s XC Ski Area in Bethel, Maine, rents three rustic cabins: Camp Fern and Stonewall Cabin on the Bethel trails, and Farwell Mountain Cabin in nearby North Paris. The cabins don’t have running water (drinking water comes in gallon jugs), but they’re cozy and warm, with wood heat and gas lamps, and outhouses are nearby for when nature calls.
Each cabin rental includes a trail pass, and you can rent snowshoes and skis if you don’t have your own. You’ll ski or snowshoe about 10 minutes to your cabin to begin your winter getaway, and dogs are welcome for $20 a night. Cabins run $129 to $149 a night for two, with a 2-night minimum.
A weekend cabin camping adventure at Carter’s XC Ski Area is a great getaway for first-time skiers or anyone new to winter cabin camping.
Savoy Mountain State Forest, Florida, Massachusetts
Where: Florida, MA · Cabins: 4 · Price: $50 to $60 (MA residents), $130 to $150 (nonresidents) · Dogs: No · Book: ReserveAmerica
Savoy Mountain State Forest is a huge tract of land in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts. More than 50 miles of trails crisscross it for hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.
Savoy Mountain State Forest rents four log cabins that sleep up to four people. Massachusetts residents pay $50-$60 a night, and nonresidents pay $130-$150.
These cool camping cabins are small and cozy, perfect for winter camping in New England. All four camping cabins are clustered together, but we have always been the sole occupants when we’ve visited in the winter. I think renting all four would be awesome for larger groups.
The road is generally plowed out, so the walk to your cabin is minimal. North Pond and South Pond are both right near the cabins. Ice skating is possible if the ponds aren’t covered with snow.
The Savoy Mountain cabins have bunks and a cozy wood-burning stove. There’s also an outdoor fire ring for warmer evenings.
The winter trails here are great for beginner skiers because they’re wide and level (but not groomed). My favorite is the Haskins Trail to Bog Pond, which is flat and leads to an expansive wetland for bird and wildlife viewing.
Unfortunately, dogs aren’t allowed in the cabins, but aside from that, these New England camping cabins are perfect!
Also Read: The Best Things to Do in the Berkshires of Massachusetts
Northwest Camp, Salisbury, Connecticut
Where: Salisbury, CT · Walk-in: About a quarter mile · Sleeps: 6, plus 4 on a platform · Dogs: Yes · Book: AMC Connecticut
For a more rugged adventure, strap on your snowshoes and head out to Northwest Camp, a secluded little cabin in the northwest corner of Connecticut. This cozy cabin on Bear Mountain’s northwest slope belongs to the Appalachian Mountain Club, which rents it year-round. New bookings are paused while the AMC moves reservations to its main booking center, so check the AMC site before you plan.
You can park about a quarter mile from the cabin on Mt. Washington Road, just south of the Massachusetts line. In winter, the road is closed from the Salisbury side, so you’ll drive in from the north through Mount Washington, Massachusetts, and all-wheel drive helps. Northwest Camp sleeps six in the cabin, with room for four more on a tent platform, and stacked firewood is available for the wood stove. Weeknights run $40 to $50.
Wildlife is plentiful here, and you’re likely to see deer, fox, and even bear (spring through fall). This is a magical place for a family outing and one of our favorite spots for cabin camping in New England.
Daicey Pond Campground Cabins, Baxter State Park, Maine
Where: Baxter State Park, ME · Walk-in: 6 miles from Abol Bridge · Cabins: 10 · Dogs: No pets in the park · Book: Baxter winter camping
Yes, it’s total wilderness, but the 10 camping cabins at Daicey Pond Campground in Maine, freshly restored in 2024 and 2025, have propane lights and woodstoves, and the Appalachian Trail runs right through the campground.
In summer and fall, hikers usually fill the cabins, hoping to reach the trail’s northern terminus, the famous (or infamous) Mount Katahdin.
Park roads aren’t plowed in the winter, and it’s a 6-mile ski, snowshoe, or hike from the Abol Bridge parking area to the cabins, but what a pretty trail to explore for your backcountry adventure!
Campers can choose from cabins that sleep 2 to 6 people, and you can buy firewood bundles from the rangers (you can’t bring your own).
Once you settle in, you can get busy exploring the ski trails, looking for wildlife, or even ice climbing.
Winter conditions can be harsh in Baxter State Park, so plan carefully and pack all the essentials for winter camping. Winter camping runs December 1 to March 31 by reservation only, and the booking lottery happens in person in Millinocket on the first business day of November.
Black Mountain Cabin, White Mountains, New Hampshire
Where: Jackson, NH · Walk-in: 1.4 miles, 1,200 feet of gain · Sleeps: 8 · Price: $40 · Dogs: Not stated; ask the ranger district · Book: Recreation.gov
At $40 a night for up to eight people, this White Mountain National Forest cabin is the best per-person deal on the list and one of the most beautiful.
Nestled in the mountains and surrounded by pasture, the Black Mountain Cabin offers incredible views of Mount Washington and Wildcat Ridge and comfortably sleeps eight people.
Amenities are rustic: a woodstove, eight wooden bunks, a broom, and an outhouse a short walk away. Firewood isn’t guaranteed, so pack in a backup supply. The cabin isn’t insulated, either, so once the fire burns out, it’s as cold inside as outside.
The hike or snowshoe to the cabin is 1.4 miles, but it’s steep, gaining 1,200 feet of elevation. Bring skis to explore the nearby groomed cross-country ski trails.
Doublehead Cabin, White Mountains, New Hampshire
Where: Jackson, NH · Walk-in: 1.8 miles, about 1,500 feet of gain · Sleeps: 8 · Price: $40 · Dogs: Yes · Book: Recreation.gov
If Black Mountain Cabin is booked, look one mountain over.
Doublehead Cabin sits on the north summit of Doublehead Mountain in Jackson, at about 3,050 feet, and is run by the National Forest Service: eight wooden bunks, a woodstove, an outhouse, and no water or electricity. We haven’t stayed here yet, but after our nights at Black Mountain, we can’t wait to check this one out!
The ski trail to the cabin is 1.8 miles and gains about 1,500 feet, and the Forest Service calls the grade steep, so bring microspikes or climbing skins.
Firewood isn’t guaranteed, and the cabin isn’t insulated, so plan on a warm sleeping bag. Campers who have made the trip rave about sunrise over Mount Washington and the Presidential Range.
High Cabin, Mount Cardigan, New Hampshire
Where: Above AMC Cardigan Lodge, Alexandria, NH · Walk-in: About 2 miles from the lodge · Sleeps: 12 · Price: $200 · Dogs: Not overnight · Book: AMC
The Appalachian Mountain Club’s High Cabin sits about two miles up the trail from Cardigan Lodge, on the slopes of Mount Cardigan. Bring your sleeping bag and carry in your water, as the nearby spring is unreliable and must be treated; a composting toilet sits next to the cabin. From November through May, the woodstove is in service, and the AMC supplies the firewood.
It’s a step up from the Forest Service cabins. The 12 bunks have mattresses, and the AMC stocks a two-burner propane stove, pots, and utensils. You still bring the sleeping bag, so by my rule it’s cabin camping. Dogs can’t stay overnight, so this is a people-only trip.
Stone Hut, Mount Mansfield, Vermont
Where: Near the summit of Mount Mansfield, Stowe, VT · Access: Stowe’s Quad chairlift · Sleeps: 12, on wood platforms · Price: $309 a night per group · Dogs: No · Book: Vermont State Parks lottery
Vermont’s state park cabins close for the winter, with one exception. Stone Hut, high on Mount Mansfield, opens on November 28 and closes on April 17, and you get there by riding Stowe’s Quad chairlift with your bag on your lap.
Inside, up to 12 people sleep on wooden platforms; the only heat comes from a woodstove, and you bring your own sleeping bag, lights, and cooking gear.
The hard part is the booking.
Stone Hut books by lottery, and this season’s drawing is November 18, 2026, at 9 am, held online; leftover dates go first come, first served. At $309 a night for the whole group, it’s the priciest cabin on this list, but split 12 ways, that’s about $26 a person.
Water and restrooms are in the ski patrol building next door, which makes it a touch less rustic than the rest. Lift tickets aren’t included, and pets aren’t allowed.
Cabin Camping in New England FAQ
What is cabin camping?
Cabin camping means sleeping in a simple shelter instead of a tent. In New England, that usually means a wooden cabin with bunks or sleeping platforms, a woodstove, and an outhouse, with no running water or electricity. You bring your own sleeping bag, food, and often water.
Is cabin camping the same as glamping?
If there’s a real bed waiting for you, it’s glamping. Glamping also gives you heat you don’t have to tend, usually running water and electricity, and a parking spot at the door. Camping cabins are rustic: you haul in your gear, keep the fire going, and use an outhouse. They also cost much less.
Can you go cabin camping in New England in winter?
Absolutely! Merck Forest, Carter’s XC Ski Area, Northwest Camp, and the Black Mountain and Doublehead cabins all rent in winter; Baxter State Park allows winter camping from December 1 to March 31, and Stone Hut on Mount Mansfield is open only in winter. Expect to ski, snowshoe, or hike in.
Which New England campgrounds have cabins?
State parks across the region rent them. Vermont has cabins at 14 state parks, Massachusetts rents log cabins at Savoy Mountain and Mohawk Trail state forests, and Baxter State Park in Maine has cabins at Daicey Pond and Kidney Pond. Most Vermont state park cabins have electricity, so they feel closer to car camping, but thy are not available in the winter.
Are dogs allowed in New England camping cabins?
Sometimes. Merck Forest welcomes dogs in every cabin (it’s where we take ours), and Carter’s charges $20 a night per dog. Massachusetts state forests don’t allow dogs at cabins, Baxter State Park bans pets entirely, and High Cabin and Stone Hut don’t allow them either. Dogs are allowed at the White Mountain National Forest (not Cardigan) cabins and Northwest Camp.
Do I need to bring a sleeping bag?
Yes, at every cabin on this list. Carter’s provides fitted sheets and throw blankets, but you still bring a sleeping bag or linens. I also recommend bringing a pad, since most of these spots have bare wooden platforms.
Do you have a favorite spot for cabin camping in New England? Drop us a comment and let us know!
What to Pack for Winter Cabin Camping
- A water filterFinding water is often the hardest part of cabin camping. Melting snow is slow and burns through fuel, so I never go without a gravity filter for streams and springs.
- Water jugs and an insulated bottle Black Mountain and Doublehead have no water at all; AMC recommends carrying water to High Cabin, and the spigots at Merck are back at the visitor center. Carry in what you can, and sleep with your bottle so it doesn’t freeze.
- A winter sleeping bag Every cabin here requires a warm sleeping bag rated for winter sleeping (below zero degrees recommended), and the White Mountain cabins aren’t insulated, so they get as cold as outside once the stove burns down.
- A sleeping pad Bunks are bare wood, and Black Mountain doesn’t provide pads. Bring an insulated sleeping pad for extra warmth.
- A gear sled Merck’s farthest cabins are about 3 miles from the car, and Daicey Pond is 6. A sled is great for hauling the water and the cooler so your back doesn’t carry the load.
- A headlamp One of the 10 essentials and an absolute necessity for winter hiking or camping. Our favorite headlamp is made by BioLite.
- Fire starter and dry kindling Firewood isn’t guaranteed at Black Mountain Cabin, and at Baxter you buy bundles from the rangers. Dry kindling gets a cold stove going fast.
- Snowshoes or skis You’ll need them to reach Carter’s, Daicey Pond, and the far Merck cabins. Carter’s rents both, but a good pair of snowshoes is worth its weight in gold! I love these MSR snowshoes for New England hiking.
Good to know
Booking windows and winter access
- Baxter State Park: Winter camping runs December 1 to March 31, by reservation only. The booking lottery happens in person in Millinocket on the first business day of November, and applications must arrive at least 10 days before your trip. Park at Abol Bridge, about 18 miles up the Golden Road, where log trucks have the right of way.
- Northwest Camp: New reservations are paused while the AMC moves bookings to its main reservation center. Existing bookings are honored.
- Merck Forest: 2-night minimum on weekends and holidays. Cancel 31 or more days out for a 50% refund; within 30 days, there’s no refund.
- Massachusetts state forests: Book on ReserveAmerica. Nonresidents pay more than twice the resident rate.
- Black Mountain and Doublehead cabins: Book on Recreation.gov, which adds an $8 online fee.
- Stone Hut: The 2026-27 season runs November 28 to April 17. The lottery is November 18, 2026, at 9 am, held online; leftover dates go first come, first served.
- High Cabin: Book through the AMC online or at (603) 466-2727, then check in at Cardigan Lodge for the door combination.
- Cell signal: Cell service is spotty at all of these cabins, so plan accordingly.
Want running water?
Try a glamping cabin instead
If hauling water and feeding a woodstove sounds like work, not fun, you want a glamping stay with a real bed and a hot shower. Start here:
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