Nestled among the towering pines of Arizona’s high country, a storybook A-frame home known as the Lynx Creek Chalet is offering buyers a rare chance to own a fully furnished mountain retreat for less than $500,000.
Located just outside Prescott in the small mountain community of Walker, this charming one-bedroom cabin delivers the kind of forest setting most people only ever experience on vacation.
Even more appealing? The property already functions as a highly successful short-term rental and, according to the listing, ranks in the top 1% of Airbnb listings worldwide.
That success is the result of the passion poured into the property by its current owners, who viewed the once-ramshackle dwelling as something of a “diamond in the rough” when they first found it.
“This A-frame has always held a spot in my wife’s heart,” says owner and listing agent Clyde McKay, who helped transform the property into the standout rental it is today.
“Her walks around the neighborhood would routinely bring her past this home, and she could always see the diamond in the rough.”
So, when the home last hit the market in 2022, McKay and his wife found the opportunity too good to pass up. The couple poured their energy into restoring and refining the little cabin, and the result is the home you see today—which officially opened as an Airbnb in August that same year.
“The little diamond in the rough truly became our diamond after lots of hard work and amazing decorating,” McKay explains. “Lynx Creek Chalet has been a true success from the very beginning.”
The property has maintained an impressive approximate occupancy rate of 86%, producing roughly $42,000 annually in bookings, with the potential for even higher returns.
True to its A-frame roots, the home blends architectural charm with immersive forest views. A steeply pitched roof, signature triangular silhouette, and expansive windows help frame (pun intended) the surrounding pines while allowing natural light to fill the interiors.
But perhaps the most striking feature is the outdoor living space, because there’s a lot of it.
“Lynx Creek Chalet has seven decks—yes, seven,” McKay says. “Every single one has views of the trees and natural surroundings.”
Among them is a favorite upstairs perch that offers the feeling of sitting among the treetops while facing Spruce Mountain. From Juliet balconies to covered lower-level seating near a seasonal creek, the layout encourages year-round enjoyment of the great outdoors.
The property is also situated on a nearly 1-acre lot, which is considered a not insignificant amount in the rental world.
Over the last four years, the home has undergone a variety of updates to further elevate its cozy cabin appeal. Rather than focusing solely on cosmetics, improvements were also made to functional aspects of the home, including new lighting, fans, and even a propane fireplace insert.
Outdoor enhancements like new railings, lighting, seating areas, and additional doors, were also added.
“The result is a property that feels turnkey and well-curated, rather than dated or pieced together over time,” McKay says, noting that the home is being sold fully furnished—down to decor and outdoor seating—making it move-in or rental-ready.
Set at approximately 6,800 feet elevation, the cabin sits within Prescott National Forest, where cooler temperatures and mountain air create a refreshing escape from desert heat. Hiking trails, off-road routes, and Lynx Lake, a popular destination for fishing and kayaking, are all just minutes away.
And the town of Walker also holds a special spot in locals’ hearts, as McKay explains when he describes it as “a place where neighbors genuinely look out for one another,” whether during winter storms or while helping with various projects.
For buyers dreaming of a forest getaway with close proximity to a lively downtown, this mighty little A-frame checks that box too—being just 15 minutes from the restaurants and shops of Prescott.
“That combination of natural beauty and authentic community support is something buyers immediately recognize, and it’s a big part of why demand for properties in this area remains strong,” says McKay. “Walker is truly one of the best-kept secrets in Arizona.”