Cabin Fever
Fall 2024
Be one with nature in these rustic overnighters.
There’s nothing quite like overnighting in a cabin. Simple, secure, and weatherproof, cabins provide comfortable shelter in even the most remote areas. And for those folks that aren’t fans of tent camping, cabins are an excellent way to experience the elements while keeping those creature comforts. Plenty of cabin getaways await across the Silver State, but here are some of our favorites to get you started.
Spooner Lake Cabin | Wildcat Cabin
Spooner Lake & Backcountry State Park
These two backcountry cabins (it’s a 2-mile hike to Wildcat) are the perfect basecamp for exploring the Lake Tahoe Basin wilderness. Available May to October, both are equipped with basic amenities including cot beds, a wood burning stove, and compostable toilet. Be sure to reserve in advance, and bring in all essentials like sleeping bags, food, cookware, water, etc.
Old Pioneer Garden Country Inn
Unionville
This charming retreat sits on the grounds of a historic garden that once fed the bustling silver mining town of Unionville. During the 1870s, this community was a prosperous county seat with 1,500 residents. Today, it’s home to about 17, but many of the historic buildings survive—including one incredibly immersive overnighter. Get your rustic fix by checking into the Hadley House—once home to the town’s first blacksmith. This cottage features a gazebo-style sunroom and large common area with a library, grand piano, and an inviting hearth. The residence easily accommodates a large group, and with its full-size kitchen, you’ll find it easy to whip up any home-cooked creation.
Soldier Meadows Cabin
North Washoe County
One of the most remote locations in the Lower 48, Soldier Meadows is famous for its dark skies and its hot spring (see pg. 62). If you’re in luck, you’ll be able to take advantage of the site’s free cabin, which is overseen by the Bureau of Land Management. Available on a first-come, first-served basis, the cabin is equipped with a wood burning stove, pit toilet, and plenty of room to stretch out for the night. Soldier Meadows is about as far from civilization as you can get, so come prepared.
Miner’s Cabin
Gold Hill
Celebrate spooky season at the infamous miner’s cabin, located near the entrance to the historic Yellowjacket Mine in Gold Hill. During the Comstock era, this cabin served as a search checkpoint to ensure miners weren’t pilfering gold and silver ore at the end of their shift. In 1869, a mine fire took the lives of nearly 35 miners, and some bodies were never recovered. Today, the cabin—an apartment-style lodge that sleeps up to six people and includes a full kitchen and two bathrooms—is considered one of the state’s most haunted abodes.
