9 Unique Vacation Rentals in the US to Rent Now
1. Crystal Peak Lookout
Location: Fernwood, ID
Sleeps: 2 guests
Pet Friendly: Yes
Hot Tub: No
Price: $200 / night
The 24-foot-tall Crystal Peak Lookout wasn’t always a rental–it was built by the Washington Department of Natural Resources in Eastern Washington in 1959 atop a 40' wood frame and served the area as a working fire lookout for about 24 years. It was bought for just $1 under the condition it be removed from the grounds in 30 days and was moved it to its current location atop a private mountain called Crystal Ridge. Remodeled in 2017, the Crystal Peak Lookout is now a beautiful rental stocked with treats, a full kitchen, a cozy king-size bed, and outside a wood-fired sauna awaits! In the winter, opt in for a ride to the top in an updated 1960s Thiokol Snowcat (with spiked hot chocolate). Then snowshoe (with the provided vintage snowshoes or bring your own) to your private escape. Truly magical.
I love recommending the gear and stays that I'm stoked about and use on the regular. As such, this post contains affiliate links to some of the products I love, and I'll receive commission upon any purchases made through those links at no expense to you.
2. Conestoga Wagon Glamping in Utah
Location: Torrey, UT
Sleeps: 6 guests
Pet Friendly: No
Hot Tub: Yes
Price: $405-$449 / night. Two-night minimum.
Submitted by JJ and Brittany of the Minivan Bucket List.
Utah’s Capitol Reef Resort is named after its neighboring national park, which is part of the Utah’s “Mighty Five.” While Capitol Reef National Park is not quite as well-known as Zion National Park or Arches National Park, it’s still one of the best places to visit in Utah, and for good reason. The earliest known inhabitants of the area were the Fremont people and you can see petroglyphs in several places. The area was later settled by Mormon pioneers in the 1800s, who planted the fruit orchards that are still in use today. You can wander through the orchards and pick fruit yourself if it’s in season or buy fresh homemade fruit pie from one of the pioneer barns still in use today.
After a long day in the great outdoors experiencing Capitol Reef National Park’s gorgeous red rock cliffs, scenic drives, hikes with stunning vistas, or Western history, stay overnight in a pioneer-style covered wagon at Capital Reef Resort. Each wagon is surprisingly spacious, sleeping up to six people! They come outfitted with a king bed and two sets of bunk beds, or one set of bunk beds and a sofa. Fortunately, they’re not one-hundred percent authentic as they do come with a few modern luxuries the pioneers didn’t have, namely electricity and air conditioning. Additional amenities include free breakfast, a hot tub, a swimming pool, and a fire pit.
3. Yurt Camping in Oregon
Location: Rhododendron, OR
Sleeps: 2-4 guests
Pet Friendly: No
Hot Tub: Yes
Price: $75
Submitted by Nina and Garrett of Oregon is for Adventure.
Mount Hood is an adventurer’s hub–Portlanders flock to this mountain year round whether they want to chase waterfalls, tackle challenging hikes, or enjoy the fresh snow come wintertime! The ZigZag Mountain Farm makes it MUCH easier to access all the cool things to do around the area. Also, who wouldn't want to stay in a cool Oregon yurt during their visit instead of your average hotel?! The ZigZag farm offers camping, cabins, and the most unique place to stay, yurts!
Nearby, check out Ramona Falls and Tamanawa Falls trails, stroll around or paddle out on Trillium Lake, or in in the winter, head up to Mount Hood Meadows Ski Resort for some quality shredding.
It’s just a 1.5-hour drive from Portland, making it a super accessible escape, but why not maximize play time with an overnight stay at the base of the mountain? I don’t know about you, but I’m here for the experience.
Additional things to note about Zigzag Mountain Farm:
There is a shared bathroom and kitchen area.
You must bring your own sheets or pay an extra fee.
There are a few close trails and a river for swimming nearby.
Prices range from $25 for tent camping to $75 for yurts.
4. Stay in a Treehouse in Washington
Location: Redmond, Washington
Sleeps: 4 guests
Pet friendly: No
Hot tub: No
Price: $250 / night
The Squirrel's Nest Treehouse was built using two massive beams repurposed from an old dry dock in Lake Union, Washington, and it perched 15’ off the ground! Built by hand by the owner and his daughter, the 280-foot getaway is packed with intricate touches every where you look. There are two decks, 17 windows, a trap door with games, horseshoes in the backyard, and two adorable pups and a couple of pigs roaming around the property. Easily one of the most comfortable treehouse rentals in Washington, the Squirrel’s Nest Treehouse is just 30 minutes outside of Seattle with a paved access road, which means all cars are welcome. Turn on the electric fireplace, pop in a good movie, and get cozy for a night in the trees.
Nearby, check out the 213-acre Evans Creek Preserve, or pop in to Cave B for some wine tasting.
5. Cabins, Glamping Tents, Tiny Houses and More!
Location: Idleyld Park, Oregon
Sleeps: Varies
Pet friendly: Yes
Hot tub: No
Price: Varies
Submitted by Jessica of Uprooted Traveler.
Tucked away in one of Oregon’s lush forests, Umpqua’s Last Resort is a unique camping experience with a variety of quirky accommodations. Under soaring hemlock and Douglas fir trees, you’ll have the opportunity to stay in one of these tiny cabins in Oregon decked out with Pacific Northwest decor, glamping tents, tiny cabins, and even a few retro campers. With plentiful fire pits and picnic tables, this is the perfect spot to unplug, snuggle up around a campfire, and take a deep breath of the fresh mountain air.
Despite Umpqua’s Last Resort’s remoteness, it’s super close to some of Oregon’s best gems. For example, the resort is under half an hour from the dreamy Umpqua Hot Springs–a series of natural hot springs hidden in a pine tree forest–and just 45 minutes from the stunning Crater Lake National Park. So, whether you’re looking to get out and explore Oregon’s beauty or have a relaxing time in an off-the-beaten-track unique stay, consider calling Umpqua’s Last Resort your home for a few nights.
6. Sleep in a treehouse in Ohio
Location: Dundee, Ohio
Sleeps: 2 guests
Pet friendly: Yes
Hot tub: Yes (soaking tub)
Price: $150+ / night
Submitted by Laurel of Lost in Laurel Land.
The Shack is a cozy pet-friendly treehouse cabin complete with a full bathroom, loft bedroom, wood burning stove, and kitchenette. It also has an outdoor shower, hot soaking tub, and electric fireplace. The dreamy set up is surrounded by trees and complete with a bridge walkway to enter the cabin. If you can pull yourself away from this dreamy treehouse getaway, the surrounding area has plenty of activities to experience! Check out Ohio’s Amish Country, hit the trail for a beautiful hikes (Dundee Falls is a must), take a scenic country drive, and taste the many close-by restaurants. More info on this epic treehouse and nearby activities here. If you’re looking for a cool Airbnb to stay in, this is definitely one of the best in the Midwest!
7. Hobbit House to Rent in Washington
Location: Bainbridge Island, WA
Sleeps: 1-2 guests
Pet friendly: No
Hot tub: No
Price: $75 / night
Want to live out your Lord of the Rings dreams? This one room, hand-built Hobbit Hole is built into a hill and is incredibly cozy. Even though you’re glamping, the Hobbit House has heat and electricity, a small table with two chairs and is decked out with puzzles, games, snacks, hot water kettle, coffee maker, bluetooth speaker, electric fireplace, books, sketchpad with colored pencils, and more! Pretty sweet setup if you ask me! Enjoy an outside combination fire pit and charcoal barbecue with a grill top to roast hot dogs or s’mores, whatever your heart desires. Pair that with the Bainbridge Island Brewery hazy IPA add-on and your day will be made.
Getting there is a fun adventure in and of itself! From Seattle, you’ll catch a beautiful 30-minute ferry ride to Bainbridge Island–hang out in the town of Winslow for some shopping, wine tasting, or good eats before heading to your hobbit house for the night. Also highly encourage the short 10-minute walk to Manitou Beach–such a gorgeous view of the Seattle skyline!
9. Tipi Glamping in Oregon
Location: Scotts Mills, OR
Sleeps: 2
Pet Friendly: No
Price: $155-$195/night
Adults Only
Crooked Finger Farms is a 67-acre oasis 1.5 hours southeast of Portland with three vacation rentals on its property (sleeping a total of ten people)–the Bali House, the Guest House, and the Tipi. Also on the property are five horses, a sweet dog, a few cats, a couple of ponds (with frogs!), a tree farm, exclusive hiking trails, and more.
The 22-foot tipi rental is secured to a hand-built wooden deck–two Adirondack chairs separated by a farm-style table make the perfect place to chill any time of the day. Catch the sun or moon rising over the trees in the distance, or watch the farm glow a bright orange when the sun dips behind the tipi in the evening–Tipis are always set up so their doors face east towards the rising sun. The tipi is equipped with fresh water, lights and lanterns, citronella candles, a powerful charging block, and just a short walk away, an Airstream trailer acts as your kitchen and bathroom throughout your stay. It’s a wondreful spot to unplug in solitude, whip out the book you've been meaning to read, embrace farm life, relax, and explore some of Oregon's famous waterfalls.
Submitted by Michelle Snell of Totally Texas Travel.
9. Sleep Like Royalty in this Castle-Themed Treehouse in Arkansas
Location: Eureka Springs, AK
Sleeps: 2
Pet Friendly: No
Price: $150+/night
Hot Tub: Yes
Adults Only
If you find yourself in Arkansa’s Ozark Mountains, consider booking a mountain-town getaway in Eureka Springs. Not only is Eureka Springs primed for adventure, but it also offers some really cool and unique accommodations, including hobbit caves and treehouse cabins.
Channel your inner queen or king with a stay in the Eureka Springs’ castle tree houses. After crossing over a drawbridge, you enter into a fabulous space with a kitchen, living room, king size bed, private balcony, and a secret room containing a hot tub for two overlooking the treetops.
When you’re not perched in the trees, head to the Eureka Springs’ downtown historic district for some shopping, go for a hike in the Ozark Mountains, or check out the area’s underground caves! Oh, and don’t miss your chance to tour the historic Crescent Hotel and, if you’re interested, their fun and spooky ghost tour. Boo!
