Rental cabins are having a moment. Much of the buzz traces back to the lake cottage featured on “Heated Rivalry,” which captured viewers’ imaginations and will soon be listed on Airbnb.
Aaron Christy, founder of Indy Roof and Restoration, built three cabins in Norman, IN, in the middle of the woods. “Cabins are getting popular because people are tired of being on all the time,” he tells Realtor.com®. “Everything is fast. Everything is loud. A couple days in the woods resets you more than most people expect.”
He says renting the cabins out on Airbnb has been rewarding. “Seeing other families come down, and hearing that their kids did not touch an iPad all weekend—that kind of stuff means something,” he explains.
Philip Farina of Miami rents his Glenville, NC, cabin out for short- and long-term stays.
“Cabins in the mountains provide a very different experience than other destinations,” he tells Realtor.com. “They really give travelers the opportunity to relax and unwind in a safe environment. Within a few short days of breathing the air and drinking the spring water, your body and mind feel better. Stress fades away.”
AirDNA—a firm that compiles and analyzes Vrbo and Airbnb data—recently identified the 10 top markets for cabins.
“Most of these markets have affordable options, with median listing prices at or below the national median,” says Joel Berner, senior economist at Realtor.com.
Several of the towns on the list are within easy driving distance of a larger city, as well.
“This offers the best of both worlds, rustic and natural cabin living with city amenities still accessible,” says Berner. “These markets have higher prices but the amenities available may be worth the cost.”
If you’re in the market to purchase a cabin, Berner says it’s important to do your homework. “Many cabins in four-season locales are not intended for four-season use, though some are,” he says. “Given the remote locations of many, some are intended for recreational use more than for year-round residence.”
Top 10 cabin markets
To compile the rankings, AirDNA zeroed in on yield—measuring the average revenue potential of homes on the market against their listing prices. Put simply, the company analyzed how much income a property could produce relative to what it would cost to purchase.
It narrowed its analysis to areas with more than 100 cabins.
Based on that methodology, these are the top towns for owning a cabin property, according to AirDNA.
Beattyville, KY
- Average daily rate: $223
- Annual revenue potential: $34,843
- Average home value: $126,829
- Current yield: 27.5%
Beattyville sits at the gateway to the Red River Gorge, nestled along the Kentucky River in the foothills of Appalachia. With its rugged sandstone cliffs, natural bridges, and proximity to the Daniel Boone National Forest, the region—including nearby Rogers and Stanton—offers a compelling mix of natural beauty and rental income potential.
Logan, OH
- Average daily rate: $392
- Annual revenue potential: $75,002
- Average home value: $277,828
- Current yield: 27%
The Hocking Hills region surrounding Logan—including New Plymouth and Rockbridge—has become one of the Midwest’s hottest cabin rental markets, catering to weekend getaway seekers from Columbus, OH, Cincinnati, and beyond. It’s near Hocking Hills State Park and offers panoramic views of the Appalachian foothills.
Yosemite National Park, CA
- Average daily rate: $471
- Annual revenue potential: $87,677
- Average home value: $373,685
- Current yield: 23.5%
Cabins near Yosemite National Park are among the rarest and most sought-after vacation properties in the country, with limited inventory, strict building regulations, and proximity to one of America’s most iconic landscapes driving premium prices and strong rental demand year-round.
“To even have a home within a park requires the home to have preceded the park and have special dispensation to exist there,” says Berner. “There are not many of them and they have plenty of challenges, including getting utility access and dealing with trespassing by park-goers.”
Fayetteville, WV
- Average daily rate: $242
- Annual revenue potential: $36,812
- Average home value: $167,265
- Current yield: 22%
Fayetteville has emerged as a growing cabin destination, perched along the rim of the stunning New River Gorge—America’s newest national park, designated in 2020. It attracts outdoor enthusiasts from across the East Coast.
Hochatown, OK
- Average daily rate: $425
- Annual revenue potential: $67,235
- Average home value: $311,780
- Current yield: 21.6%
Hochatown has exploded into one of the fastest-growing cabin markets in the country, transforming from a tiny rural community into a booming vacation destination. Nestled alongside Broken Bow Lake and Beavers Bend State Park, the area draws visitors from Dallas, Oklahoma City, and beyond.
“Hochatown has seen exceptionally strong price growth in the past year,” says Berner—with the median listing price increasing by 24.0%.
Brian Head, UT
- Average daily rate: $537
- Annual revenue potential: $60,025
- Average home value: $296,542
- Current yield: 20.2%
Brian Head offers a rare combination of ski resort access and year-round mountain getaway appeal, sitting at over 9,800 feet in elevation among the red rock landscapes of southern Utah. With Cedar Breaks National Monument, Brian Head Resort, and close proximity to Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks, the area attracts winter sports enthusiasts and summer adventurers.
Baxter State Park, ME
- Average daily rate: $271
- Annual revenue potential: $33,149
- Average home value: $163,815
- Current yield: 20.2%
Cabins near Baxter State Park in northern Maine offer a wilderness experience at the doorstep of Mount Katahdin on the Appalachian Trail. Visitors here enjoy off-grid tranquility and access to over 200,000 acres of pristine backcountry.
East Stroudsburg, PA
- Average daily rate: $334
- Annual revenue potential: $55,675
- Average home value: $278,531
- Current yield: 20%
East Stroudsburg sits in the heart of the Pocono Mountains, one of the Northeast’s most established vacation destinations, drawing visitors from New York City and Philadelphia—both just 90 minutes away. The nearby Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is a major draw for hiking and kayaking along the Delaware River.
Branson, MO
- Average daily rate: $268
- Annual revenue potential: $50,823
- Average home value: $257,056
- Current yield: 19.8%
Branson is one of the Midwest’s top vacation destinations, blending Ozark Mountain scenery with a thriving entertainment district that draws millions of visitors each year. The area’s cabin market benefits from proximity to Table Rock Lake and miles of wooded hillside terrain.
Hot Springs National Park, AR
- Average daily rate: $229
- Annual revenue potential: $36,686
- Average home value: $188,511
- Current yield: 19.5%
Hot Springs is home to the only national park located within a city, and its natural thermal springs have drawn visitors for more than two centuries. The surrounding Ouachita Mountains provide a scenic backdrop for a growing cabin market, with close proximity to Lake Ouachita and Lake Hamilton.