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Airbnb
During COVID-19, the ideal vacation is in a remote setting, away from others outside your group.
We found remote homes across the US on vacation rental sites such as Airbnb, TurnKey, and Vrbo.
These highly-rated listings are secluded and priced between $99 and $499 per night to start.
Table of Contents: Masthead Sticky
While heading off to a remote paradise sounds incredible, it may not be on the table amid a global pandemic. After all, most travelers can't afford to rent out a Richard Branson-style private island in the Caribbean, a la Kim Kardashian. Though if you are looking, we did manage to find more affordable hotel buyout options and the best private islands to rent on Airbnb.
Luckily, there are closer-to-home ways to take an off-the-grid safe vacation during COVID without sacrificing comfort or exceeding your budget. Many of the best vacation rentals on Airbnb, TurnKey, and Vrbo are tucked away in remote corners of the country, while still remaining affordable and reachable by car, even if the closest big city is a couple of hours away.
I've been writing about consumer travel for 20 years, with a specialty in covering the US, and dove into finding the best secluded vacation rentals. Just keep in mind that while remote homes often come with electricity and running water, it may be a long drive from the closest store. Be sure to check what the rental includes and arrive stocked with the supplies you'll need.
Browse all the best remote vacation rentals below, or jump directly to a specific area here:
The best remote vacation rentals in the USFAQ: Remote vacation spotsHow we chose the best remote vacation rentalsMore great vacation rentals to safely enjoy the outdoorsThese are the best remote vacation rentals in the US, sorted by price from low to high.
100-year-old farmhouse in Utah
This historic farmhouse comes with an outdoor hot tub, Wi-Fi, and colorful modern furnishings.
Airbnb
Book this Utah farmhouse on Airbnb
Typical starting price: $99
Town: Ephraim
Sleeps: 4 guests/1 bedroom
Rating: 4.97
Relax under the never-ending skies of Ephraim Canyon in Utah in this century-old farmhouse that sleeps up to four. It may be getting on in years but recent refurbishments mean that the decor and interiors are shipshape and colorful, and there’s also a cute yard with cornhole, horseshoes, and a picnic area.
Modern amenities include Wi-Fi and Apple TV, plus an essential outdoor hot tub for a soak as the sun sets or rises. Families can pass the time outdoors with nearby hiking and fishing, or go sledding in the winter months. The home feels cozy and bijoux, but still comfortable, affordable, and surrounded by acres of land.
Moose haven cabin in Colorado
This off-the-grid cabin feels a lot like camping with its wood-burning stove, outdoor shared bathroom, and nearby hiking trails.
Airbnb
Book this Colorado cabin on Airbnb
Typical starting price: $100
Town: Walden
Sleeps: 5 guests/2 bedrooms
Rating: 4.95
The rugged panorama of Rocky Mountain National Park separates this scenic village from Denver, Colorado, with guests ascending to around 9,000 feet to reach this remote property.
The cabin is a basic but a beautifully constructed A-frame that will suit anyone wanting a rural, back-to-nature vacation far from daily stresses.
The interior is cozy and rustic, with a wood-burning stove and polished wooden floors and fittings. Maintaining the campsite ambiance, there are comfortable shared bathrooms and showers just 20 yards from the cabin. Solar power and a gas grill provide added comfort, but this home is thoroughly off the grid, so don’t plan to get online.
Nearby hiking (and snowshoeing in winter) is world-class and you’ll leave feeling renewed and invigorated.
Homesteader desert cabin in California
Escape to this barren desert refuge that dates back to 1955.
Airbnb
Book this California cabin on Airbnb
Typical starting price: $116
Town: Joshua Tree
Sleeps: 2 guests/1 bedroom
Rating: 4.91
Downtown Joshua Tree is just 12 minutes away by car but it’s a different world out here by this home, surrounded by five acres of undeveloped land under an endless blanket of stars. The hiking and natural delights of Joshua Tree National Park are also easy to access.
This cabin dates back to 1955 and maintains many original features, and in some places, the original paint. It’s a charmingly ramshackle homestead, but the hosts upgraded the amenities with Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and hot water. The oranges and creams of the interior reflect the desert outside, and midcentury modern furniture pieces make for a more urbane design than you might expect.
Neighbors include a thriving art community, local rabbits, tortoises, and roadrunners.
A mountain cabin with a hot tub in North Carolina
Retreat to this mountainside getaway for a romantic getaway.
vrbo
Book this North Carolina cabin on Vrbo
Typical starting price: $140
Town: Hot Springs
Sleeps: 2 guests/1 bedroom
Rating: 5.0
Straying beyond the beaten path can come with romantic rewards for couples, especially at this mountainside one-bedroom bolthole on seven acres of land.
The nearby ridges of Western North Carolina await for hiking, rafting, canyoneering, fishing, horseback riding, mountain biking, hot air ballooning, and skiing.
The modern cabin itself is as desirable as the pristine location, which is set against a lush farming valley. A quaint deck and wood-burning fireplace evoke a bucolic atmosphere and are complemented by modern technologies for relaxing down times. The standout, however, is the outdoor hot tub for an indulgent soak under a canopy of stars.
A woodland cabin in Vermont
A short hike is required to reach this charming tiny home hidden among the trees.
Airbnb
Book this Vermont cabin on Airbnb
Typical starting price: $145
Town: West Bolton
Sleeps: 2 guests/1 bedroom
Rating: 4.90
The 20 acres of land surrounding this home in the foothills of Vermont’s Green Mountains are thick with vegetation and woodland charm. This purpose-built so-called tiny house delivers on its off-grid promise with a look that is seemingly out of a fantasy novel or fairy tale. Knotted wooden beams and timber combines for a magical, whimsical feel that delivers a pioneering spirit.
Amenities include a wood-fired stove and fireplace, but there is no refrigeration outside of a cooler, so plan accordingly. Solar power heat water but there is no electricity or Wi-Fi.
Instead, come for the hiking, rock climbing, and swimming holes (and skiing in the winter), and wait to update social media with photos when you reluctantly return to real life.
A desert adobe in New Mexico
The breathtaking desert landscape outside of this rustic adobe inspired Georgia O'Keefe's artwork, "Perdernal."
Book this New Mexico adobe home
Typical Starting Price: $192
Town: Abiquiú
Sleeps: 5 guests/2 bedroom
Rating: 4.97
This peaceful rural adobe is set in the picturesque Cerro Perdernal desert, the same landscape famously painted by Georgia O’Keefe. Located halfway between Santa Fe and Taos, this rural home offers beautiful, unobstructed sunset and mountain views from its porches, and modern southwestern decor made up of soft neutral colors, wood-beamed ceilings, and earthen tiled floors.
The living room connects with a fully equipped kitchen with a fireplace and a vintage gas stove. Each bedroom has simple furnishings, Queen-size beds, and sandstone floors. However, the main bedroom stands out with a large stone fireplace, access to the outdoor patio, and a full bath decked out in Talavera tiles.
This adobe structure feels secluded but shares the property with an on-site guesthouse that may be rented together or separately. There are nearby scenic hiking trails and lakes for nature excursions as well.
Mountain cottage in Oregon
From the family room's built-in bar to the game room, there's plenty of room to spread out at this rural cottage.
Turnkey
Book this Oregon cottage on TurnKey
Typical starting price: $200
Town: Sisters
Sleeps: 13 guests/5 bedrooms
Rating: 4.5
A wonderfully rural five-acre wooded lot welcomes up to 13 guests at this five-bedroom house surrounded by picturesque lakes and mountains.
The amenities are extensive with a game room, outdoor hot tub, TV, internet, and the chance to craft evening cocktails at the built-in bar while someone strikes up a suitably suave tune on the piano.
Venture beyond the compound and find the scenic links of Aspen Lakes Golf Course a mile away, and the HooDoo Ski Area is 25 miles away.
Vineyard chalet in Oregon
Enjoy a complimentary bottle of wine that welcomes you to this picturesque vineyard chalet.
Airbnb
Book this Oregon chalet on Airbnb
Typical starting price: $203
Town: Roseburg
Sleeps: 4 guests/1 bedroom
Rating: 4.99
The vast expanses of the Pacific Northwest are laid out before guests at this remote chalet, some 90 miles south of Eugene. Tens of acres of wine country surround the property, with vineyards and hills transporting visitors to an idyllic setting akin to Tuscany or the South of France.
The vines may be decades old, but the property is modern with polished wooden floors and windows that show off the picture-postcard surroundings. Oenophiles will love the location and touches such as the wine barrel vanity, and there’s also a rain shower, fast Wi-Fi, fresh eggs from the on-site chickens, and of course, a bottle of wine to welcome you.
A charming woodsy cabin in Oklahoma
Get cozy near multiple stone fireplaces throughout this lavish cabin.
Book this Oklahoma Cabin on Airbnb
Typical starting price: $243
Town: Broken Bow
Sleeps: 4 guests/1 bedroom
Rating: 4.75
Tucked within the pine trees of Eagle Mountain, this remote woodsy cabin boasts luxurious touches with midcentury modern furniture and elongated windows that frame enthralling views of the surrounding lush forest.
The stocked kitchen has sleek black cabinets and appliances, while an indoor fireplace keeps things cozy alongside an outdoor gas fireplace and hot tub.
One bedroom with a sultry soaking tub makes this an ideal pick for a romantic getaway, though there are also twin air mattresses available should you want to book this home for a small family or group.
Cabin on a private reservoir in Montana
This backwoods log cabin is nestled along a private reservoir and comes with a kayak to use.
vrbo
Book this Montana cabin on Vrbo
Typical starting price: $250
Town: Lewistown
Sleeps: 8 guests/2 bedrooms
Rating: 5.0
Equidistant between the National Parks of Helena-Lewis and Clark and River Breaks, there’s a real frontier feel to this home, which enjoys a coveted spot overlooking its own reservoir, almost four miles outside of Lewistown.
The property makes for a sweet angler’s getaway with plum fishing spots along the nearby waterways.
The cabin itself is comprised of elaborate wooden interiors bedecked with animal hides and wood-burning amenities for a strong rural ambiance. Fire up the grill on the large deck and trade fishing tales as you cook up the catch of the day. There’s little phone coverage, and no internet, so trade being online for days out paddling with the included kayak.
A log cabin on the river in Colorado
Warm up with this exquisite log cabin's hot tub or fire pit after a day of skiing at nearby Eldora Mountain.
Airbnb
Book this Colorado cabin on Airbnb
Typical starting price: $255
Town: Black Hawk
Sleeps: 4 guests/2 bedrooms
Rating: 4.98
A set designer for a movie would be hard-pressed to come up with a more classic log cabin-looking property than this two-bedroom delight in the heights of Black Hawk, Colorado.
The sense of seclusion is palpable, though within 15 minutes you can drive to the nearby town of Nederland or the Eldora Mountain ski resort.
The handsome, sturdy log structure is built onto a gentle, lush green hillside. Gather on the deck around the fire pit while steam gently rises from the outdoor hot tub.
The smell of timber fills the interior, and the place comes fully loaded with modern conveniences such as Wi-Fi, cable TV, a music system, as well as a wood-burning fire, games, and an irresistible hammock.
Mountain tree house in the forest in California
This luxe treehouse has scenic forest views and bright sunlight that pours in from huge picture windows.
Airbnb
Book this California tree house on Airbnb
Typical starting price: $286
Town: Big Bear
Sleeps: 5 guests/2 bedrooms
Rating: 4.94
To call this home a tree house feels like underselling the property somewhat, as it falls more within the luxury cabin arena. Surrounded by trees outside Big Bear, the town and ski resorts are around a 15-minute drive away, and the National Forest is right there as you open the curtains.
Huge picture windows allow scenery and daylight to flood the living spaces, and vaulted ceilings open the home up in dramatic fashion. Hardwood floors, wooden panels, and exposed beams create a chalet-like ambiance, while the furniture shows off the hosts’ flawless taste with an elegant, midcentury modern theme.
A statement stone fireplace keeps things warm in winter, while outside a propane grill and wraparound balcony invites you to linger.
A charming yurt on a farmstead in Colorado
Indulge in ranch life at this Mongolian-style yurt.
Airbnb
Book this Colorado yurt on Airbnb
Typical starting price: $294
Town: Carbondale
Sleeps: 4 guests/1 bedroom
Rating: 4.84
Views of stunning Mount Sopris and 110 acres of seclusion await up to four guests at this impressive glamping yurt.
The Mongolian-style yurt offers the right balance of adventure and comfort, with a supremely commodious, wood-framed canopy under which to sleep. The space feels akin to something from a period drama but comes with Wi-Fi, a kitchen, and a bathroom (with a piping hot shower) that won’t test anyone’s standards of comfort too stringently.
Ranch life here comes with its own array of amenities beyond the space and scenery, mostly in the form of fresh food from the farm owners, including, but not limited to, eggs, milk, poultry, and cuts of meat for your barbecuing pleasure.
There are hiking paths up through the neighboring National Forest, and if you don’t bring your own horse (which you are encouraged to) then you can rent one and hit those dusty trails. Private stargazing sessions and alpaca yoga add to an enticing menu of activities.
See more of the best yurt rentals in the US
Farmhouse on 100 acres in Pennsylvania
This bright red farmhouse is 15 minutes from a charming colonial area once known as America's coolest small town.
Airbnb
Book this Pennsylvania farmhouse on Airbnb
Typical starting price: $356
Town: Lititz
Sleeps: 8 guests/4 bedrooms
Rating: 4.92
It’s hard to imagine a cuter farmhouse than this bright red beauty set on 100 acres of land in the rolling Pennsylvania countryside. There are a few small villages within striking distance, but tiny Lititz is an 18th-century hamlet that was named “America’s Coolest Small Town” in 2013 by Budget Travel and is only 15 minutes away.
Inside the Hopeland Farm Red House, modern windows and doors mix with vintage furniture and midcentury pieces for an updated yet rustic look. Old wood burners and an antique piano are complemented by abstract art and abundant daylight.
Enjoy farm life here where your only neighbors will be chickens and ducks on your way to buy vegetables and eggs from the hosts.
Dog-friendly retreat in Texas
Set on 104 gorgeous acres of land with ponds, this spacious home is a good pick for those looking to bring pets along.
Airbnb
Book this Texas home on Airbnb
Typical starting price: $420
Town: Blanco
Sleeps: 6 guests/3 bedrooms
Rating: 4.88
You have to zoom out pretty far on your phone’s map feature to see the closest places to this exceptional Texas ranch house. Blanco, a good 15 minutes by car, is technically a city, but with a population of around 1,700 people, it’s more of a sleepy little town where people come to fish and buy lavender.
This home spreads out on a whopping 104 acres and on-site ponds and the nearby Blanco River add to the scenic environs, the latter being great for fishing and tubing.
The house, which welcomes pets, is awash with daylight thanks to huge windows and striking vaulted ceilings. A casual contemporary look includes stone fireplaces, mounted hunting trophies, high-end leather sofas and armchairs, as well as granite worktops and stainless steel appliances. Have a cook-out under those huge skies with the grill and outdoor dining area.
Large lakefront home in Maine
This expansive lakefront home has spectacular views of Graham Lake.
vrbo
Book this lakefront home in Maine on Vrbo
Typical starting price: $425
Town: Mariaville
Sleeps: 17 guests/6 bedrooms
Rating: 5.0
This delightful lakefront house can welcome up to 17 people with almost 4,000 square feet to sprawl out. There’s also plenty of room to claim for yourself outside amid the natural expanse of Hardwood Hill Island Nature Preserve and nearby Acadia National Park. Graham Lake sits right outside, as well.
The house has multiple large living areas and plenty of amenities for group meals, both indoor and out. There’s also Wi-Fi and the home comes with its own dock and kayaks to get out on the water.
Home with a lake and pool in New York
Dip into this farmhouse's private lake or saltwater pool for a refreshing escape.
Airbnb
Book this Red Hook house on Airbnb
Typical starting price: $495
Town: Red Hook
Sleeps: 4 guests/2 bedrooms
Rating: 5.0
Red Hook itself isn’t much more than a village, just north of Poughkeepsie in Upstate New York, two hours from Manhattan.
This wonderful farmhouse is a good 10-minute drive from even that small development, along remote country lanes. Its sprawling 120 acres will deliver a serious dose of isolated tranquility, and the land contains both a private lake and a saltwater pool.
The house itself is a beautifully converted red brick barn, with wooden beamed ceilings and a contemporary look that you might more associate with an urban warehouse. Polished wooden floors, reclaimed wood furnishings, and sleek top-of-the-range appliances fill the open-plan living space.
Open the curtains each morning to admire sun-drenched paddocks, or in the winter, there’s snow-shoeing or skiing nearby. Guests can hike, bike, and buy fresh eggs year-round.
A secluded tree house in Montana
A mesmerizing spiral staircase wraps around a Douglas fir tree that grows through this dream tree house.
Vrbo
Book this Montana tree house on Vrbo
Typical starting price: $499
Town: Whitefish
Sleeps: 4 guests/1 bedroom
Rating: 5.0
On seven acres of private woods, this two-story tree house is unique and plenty remote while still featuring creature comforts like two decks, a breakfast nook with a handmade wooden bar, fast Wi-Fi, and plush bathrobes.
The showstopping piece is a spiral staircase custom crafted around a Douglas fir tree that grows right through the home. There is one true bedroom, but the house can sleep up to four guests thanks to padded seating areas that double as extra sleeping space.
While secluded, the location is close to the entrance of Glacier National Park and the slopes of Whitefish Mountain Ski Resort.
FAQ: Remote vacation spots
How can I find remote rentals near me?
Most remote cabins and vacation rentals are located amid forests, deserts, woodlands, and national parks. They balance the feeling of being remote with vehicle access to shops and gas stations, etc, within 30 minutes drive or so. This might mean it is near a city or a village, but we looked for properties that are largely set on their own grounds for a strong sense of isolation.
Search on places like Airbnb, TurnKey, and Vrbo in small towns and remote settings well outside major cities. The best way to do this is to select an area, and then search listings by map view.
What kind of facilities do remote homes have?
Remote vacation rental facilities vary — some have Wi-Fi and air conditioning, whereas others are more like an elevated camping situation with shared bathrooms and showers.
We included a wide selection as people have differing levels of how off-grid they want to get.
Many remote homes are located in delicate environments so be sure to check the listing carefully when you book. Hosts will have listed the specific requirements, for example, if you can cook outdoors, and you may incur extra costs if you do not comply with these rules.
What should I pack with me?
Check the more detailed listings via the links to the property pages and see what the hosts suggest, especially as to whether they supply linens, towels, and kitchen essentials.
Where can Americans travel right now?
The CDC recently said people who are vaccinated can travel safely within the US. However, there are certain countries where Americans can travel without restrictive entry requirements.
Are vacation rentals safe?
If you’re wondering whether vacation rentals such as Airbnbs are safe, we spoke with experts who said staying at a private vacation rental, as opposed to a hotel may actually be one of the safer travel options, because booking an entire house eliminates interactions with hosts or other guests.
Airbnb also implemented new procedures and cleaning policies, which all hosts must follow.
How we chose the best remote vacation rentals
The vacation rental is for the entire home in line with social distancing guidelines.Homes are located in remote settings amid mountains, woodlands, lakes, deserts, and national parks, surrounded by nature but with access to nearby towns or villages for supply runs.All properties are highly-rated listings with a minimum past guest rating of 4.5 out of 5.0. Vacation rentals boast unique features such as interesting architecture ranging from simple adobe huts to deluxe compounds, as well as inviting decor, and plush amenities (think pools, hot tubs, and great outdoor space).Prices start between $99 and $499 per night to accommodate a wide variety of budgets and group sizes.All of the properties adhere to strict COVID-19 cleaning policies.All of the properties have availability to book over the coming weeks or months, as of publishing.
More great vacation rentals to safely enjoy the outdoors
Airbnb
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