Book Your Next Staycation: A-Frame Cabins in Washington
Instagram has led me to believe that people are obsessed with a-frame cabins and I am guilty as charged. Why is that? Is it their small footprint, how aesthetic a triangle roof looks, or their location - often found hidden between large trees and ferns? For me, it’s all of that!
As much as I wish I could live in an a-frame (maybe one day), for now I’ll just rent them out for a weekend with friends or with my boyfriend for a little getaway. I’ve spent a lot of hours researching cabins in western Washington and in the last year, I’ve stayed at 3 a-frames in Washington State that I think are worth sharing for you to enjoy as well.
1. Snow Owl Cabin
Snoqualmie Pass, Washington
The Snow Owl Cabin is available to rent from Airbnb. I rented this cabin for a small group of girlfriends in October 2018 and wow, I envy the owners of this quaint abode. See the highlights and considerations below before booking:
The Facts:
1 hour east of Seattle along Snoqualmie Pass
~$145/night (does not include cleaning or security fees)
Sleeps up to 6 (1 queen, 2 twins, 1 sofa bed, 1 floor mattress)
Full kitchen with utensils and appliances (no dishwasher though)
Full bathroom
Washer and dryer
Pets welcome
The Highlights:
Convenient location, as you’re right across the street from Snoqualmie Pass Ski Area and next door to the tubing center. If you stay during the winter, there are lots of opportunities to do snow sports right out the front door.
Even with being close to the hustle and bustle of Snoqualmie Pass, the cabin feels tucked away enough from the main road to feel like you are in your own world, if you desire to stay in and be cozy.
Close to restaurants and grocery stores on the Pass if you need to stock up on supplies or don’t feel like cooking - you are on vacation after all! My recommendations:
The Commonwealth - American eats with a full bar; Serves lunch and dinner, but they also have a coffee bar if you’re looking for a quick pastry and some espresso to fuel you in the morning.
Dru Bru brewing - They offer a rotating selection of beers that are brewed onsite. There is often a food truck out front in case you get hungry or you can bring in food of your own.
Beautifully designed and clean interior. The cabin has wall heaters as well as a wood-burning fireplace. There is plenty of fire wood stocked, they just ask that you resupply wood before you leave and remove the ashes.
Easy check-in and check-out with a lockbox. Owners are rated as “super hosts” on Airbnb and they had great response time!
Close to many hiking trails for a range of abilities. Check out:
Franklin Falls (easy; good for kids; due to the easiness, this trail gets popular in the winter when the falls freeze over and it feels like you’re in Narnia)
Denny Creek Trail (easy; good for kids, can make the trail as short or as long as you want)
Melakwa Lake (moderate; starts out on same trail as Denny Creek but the further you go towards the lake, the crowds start to lessen)
Gold Creek Pond (easy; good for kids or elderly as there is a paved trail to the lake; this is a popular snowshoe hike in the winter)
Snow Lake (moderate; very popular in the summer - avoid going on a weekend)
Note: Read the requirements for parking at the trailhead before you go. Almost all trails require either a Northwest Forest Pass or a Discover Pass.
The Considerations:
Booking fills up quickly, so probably not the best idea for a spontaneous getaway (although it doesn’t hurt to check!). I recommend booking 2-3 months out when there is greater availability, especially if you can only manage to go on a weekend.
The cabin has a 2-night stay minimum. Recommended to book on a weekday if you’re visiting during the busy months of summer or winter, when the pass is bustling with hikers or skiers. We stayed Friday-Sunday in October and it was very quiet.
The driveway is very difficult to find, especially if you are arriving after sunset. Do not follow Google Maps. The owner will give you specific instructions via email after you book your stay. We arrived well past sunset and went back and forth for like 15 minutes on the road before calling the host to get more specific directions.
There might be snow - it is on a mountain pass after all! Expect snow between November - March and check pass conditions before leaving. Make sure you have the proper equipment like chains or good snow tires.
There is no wifi or TV so bring board games and books to keep you occupied! We did have cell reception though.
2. Tye Haus
Skykomish, Washington
You’ve seen it. You’ve heard of it. You’ve probably even looked it up online to see how much it was and if it was available. If you want to stay in the Tye Haus, chances are it is booked out several months in advance. BUT, if you do get lucky and are able to stay here - it will be well worth your while! I’ve stayed here two times now - the first being for just one night in the fall and the other was for 2 nights to celebrate my birthday weekend with some girlfriends in the spring. I loved both visits, but would definitely recommend staying here for more than 1 night if you can swing it!
THE FACTS:
1.5 hour drive from Seattle
~$292/night (does not include cleaning or security fees)
Sleeps 5 guests (2 double beds, 1 sofa bed)
Nestled in the Timberlane Village community, just 15 minutes west of the Stevens Pass Mountain Resort
Full kitchen with utensils and appliances (no dishwasher though)
Pets allowed but for an extra $50
THE HIGHLIGHTS:
The cabin just went under a big remodel. Search @tyehaus on Instagram or their hashtag and you could see the external and maybe interior changes. The big change from when I stayed there is that they added new windows to the front and removed the upstairs bedroom loft that was over the living area, making the ceilings appear even taller when you’re hanging out downstairs. This doesn’t win or lose points in my book, it still remains to be one of the most charming and photogenic a-frame cabins out there.
If you are a cabin lover, then you will love that the Tye Haus is just one of many cabins in the Village. The owners of the Tye Haus also own the Foss Haus and Sky Haus, right next door. Take a walk around the neighborhood and you’ll find so many charming homes to admire and capture #cabinlove.
Special amenities include a hot tub, outdoor fire pit, and there are even hammocks provided for you to set up and lounge at your leisure.
Nearby attractions include multiple hiking trails, hot springs (which are amazing!), and the Stevens Pass Mountain Resort. Suggested hiking trails include:
Barclay Lake (easy; great for kids and you get great views of Mt. Baring for not much effort at all)
Evergreen Mountain Lookout (moderate-hard; short but steep climb rewards you with 360 degree views of the Cascades, plus your summit includes an old fire lookout that is available to rent)
Blanca Lake (hard; bring plenty of water and maybe your swimsuit. The deep turquoise colors of the lake are hard to resist jumping into! Plus, the alpine lake will feel refreshing as you’ll have worked up quite a sweat getting there)
Lake Serene (moderate; for those that want to enjoy an alpine lake but with half the effort of Blanca Lake. Pro tip: extend your hike just a little by veering off to Bridal Veil Falls on your way to Lake Serene)
Note: Read the requirements for parking at the trailhead before you go. Almost all trails require either a Northwest Forest Pass or a Discover Pass.
Cabin is well equipped with movies, board games, and even has wifi.
THE CONSIDERATIONS:
Situated close to Highway 2, a noisy freeway, and close to your neighbors. If you are looking for a total outdoor escape from civilization - this might not be the place for you. Personally, it didn’t bother me much.
Limited parking out in front of the cabin but there are designated parking spots nearby if you and your guests run out of room. Just make sure to obey the signs on where you’re allowed to park to avoid a fee.
The closest place to grab food or supplies is in the small town of Skykomish, which has limited eatery options. I recommend bringing most of your food to prepare in the cabin yourself.
This cabin is expensive and requires a 2-night minimum on weekends. The cleaning fees were almost $100 when I stayed. Plus we brought our dog, which was an extra fee, so it definitely adds up quickly.
3. Cozy River Cabin
Packwood, Washington
Located in the small town of Packwood, Washington the Cozy River Cabin is just like it sounds - super cozy and right next to the Cowlitz River. The owner of the cabin is a woodworker and there are many unique furniture pieces in and outside the home. My understanding is that the cabin hasn’t been for rent for very long, so it’s a great gem to escape to before it becomes more well known and books up quickly.
The Facts:
2.5 hour drive from Seattle
Book via Airbnb
~$199/night (does not include cleaning or security fees)
Sleeps 6 (1 queen, 1 double, 1 sofa)
Equipped with kitchen utensils and appliances (no dishwasher)
Pets allowed (no additional fee)
the highlights:
The cabin is literally RIGHT on the river, which offers peaceful views and a tranquil sound to rock you to sleep. There’s quite a story behind how much the owner and the community worked to save the cabin from quick-rising rivers located in the house manual - worth reading! Luckily, the cabin was saved and is available for you to rent.
In immaculate condition! I was blown away by how spick-and-span the cabin was when I walked in. And there are ample amenities including soap, conditioner, shampoo, coffee, tea, etc.
I loved the wood-burning fireplace and it heated up the space very quickly. Plenty of firewood was chopped when we arrived, just make sure to restock before you leave.
Dog-friendly meant we could bring our little pup, which makes our lives so much better and easier when traveling.
We didn’t explore any nearby hiking trails during our stay, but the cabin is located right outside the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and is close to the White Pass Ski Area.
The considerations:
Depending on the time of year you go, access to Mt. Rainier National Park may be limited. When looking at the cabin location, it looks like it’s very close to Mt. Rainier National Park (which it is), but to actually access the Paradise visitor center, you have to drive out and around (~3 hours, one-way). Of course, there are other places in the Park to visit that are closer if you don’t want to spend that much time in the car.
There is a 2-night minimum when you book.
Coming from Seattle, it was quite a drive to reach our destination with traffic. Totally worth it, just make sure you have plenty of snacks and water to keep you fueled up. Or consider traveling during non-peak hours.
Packwood has some eatery options, but most of it appeared to be taverns with greasy bar food. We opted to cook our meals during our stay, but we did swing by the Mountain Goat Coffee Company on our way out of town for some coffees and blueberry muffins. It was the perfect complement to our rainy drive home.
I hope this helps you plan your next cabin getaway in Washington, whether you live here or are visiting from out of state. As always, thanks for taking the time to read and leave your questions and comments below.
xo,
a little rainey