Winter or summer, when the mountains are calling, we must go — and happily, the options for getting away are endless. There's no need to settle on a run-of-the-mill cabin or campsite when sites like Airbnb and Vrbo are filled with unique options, from ultra-modern wilderness crash pads to domes, castles, and train cars. We've tracked down some of the most eye-popping places you can stay in or near the mountains across the country. Here are our favorites.
Cortez, Colorado | Sleeps 3
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Why appreciate the mountain and desert landscape from far away when you can marvel up close (really close)? Built directly into sandstone cliffs, this southwest Colorado marvel brings the outdoors in, literally, and includes the most eye-popping bathroom ever. Mesa Verde is just 40 minutes away.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee | Sleeps 10
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If you need a little more space for a larger getaway, it would be hard to top this luxury cabin with five bedrooms and a spectacular view of the Smokies. Inside, a theater room and game room beckon kids of all ages, while cozy leather couches and a stone fireplace offer adults a place to unwind. Outside, there's a two-level deck with a hot tub, outdoor dining, and a fire pit.
Related: Great Winter Vacation Rentals Under $100 a Night If You Share
Arnold, California | Sleeps 6
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Dome, sweet dome. Tricked out with a wraparound deck, hammock, gas fireplace, gas grill, fully-stocked kitchen, and toys and games for the kids, there may be little reason to leave. Still, you should: Hiking, mountain biking, watersports, wine tasting, golf, and plenty of other activities beckon nearby, as does some of the state's most stunning mountain scenery.
Related: Rentals for Large Groups That Don't Want to Stay in the Same House
Stowe, Vermont | Sleeps 12
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It sure doesn't come cheap, but this luxurious, ultra-modern glass house facing one of Vermont's best ski slopes is the stuff of winter-vacation goals. There's a sauna, radiant heat floors, ski lockers, wood-burning fireplaces, a gourmet kitchen, and a game room, among other amenities. It's just a few miles to bustling Stowe village, and there's a gleaming outdoor pool to enjoy during the warmer months.
Related: Best Ski-In/Ski-Out Vacation Rentals
Buena Vista, Colorado | Sleeps 2
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Talk about rustic mountain vibes. This mining cabin, built in the 1800s, has been fully restored with all the amenities you'll need, but the setting is the big draw. It's set on a rushing creek, and you'll have your very own custom hot springs hot tub to soak in right outside. You'll be close to some of Colorado's highest peaks, most atmospheric ghost towns, rafting, fishing, and much more.
Sundance, Utah| Sleeps 5
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This sweet cottage is perched on a mountain stream amid towering pines. Inside, a cozy fireplace, a modern kitchen, and a loft bedroom offer a warm place to unwind. Outside, there's a spacious patio, stone bridge, a creekside hot tub, and a charming detached "bird house" that offers an additional private sleeping space. There's even a private park with a zipline just a short walk away.
Bostic, North Carolina | Sleeps 2
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Why go camping when you can go glamping? This classic Airstream on 28 secluded acres in the Blue Ridge foothills has a tricked-out campsite indeed. It has its own covered patio; an outbuilding with a washer, dryer, bathroom, and outside shower; and a creekside fire pit. Lake Lure, Chimney Rock, and Asheville are all within an easy drive.
Old Fort, North Carolina | Sleeps 2
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Talk about an unforgettable setting for reconnecting with that special someone. Reach this modern treehouse on 14 acres outside Asheville by walking across a swinging bridge. There's luxury bedding, an LED fireplace, TV, and internet, and a deck with a hot tub and a private outdoor shower.
Related: Incredible Hot Tubs Around the World
Winthrop, Washington | Sleeps 8
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Rough it without, well, roughing it in this brand-new cabin in the lush Cascades. It has a gourmet kitchen, loft, bar, foosball table, and large patio with a grill. Better yet, it's in the thick of plenty of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing.
Related: Best Winter Home Rentals in America
Putney, Vermont | Sleeps 4
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Immaculate and adorable, this tiny timber-frame house on a dirt road graces 9 acres and is close to some of Vermont's best ski resorts. Packed inside are a thoroughly modern kitchenette and bathroom, a king and queen bed, and a cozy couch for lounging. Outside, there's a fire pit and a babbling stream.
Tetonia, Idaho | Sleeps 4
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Thirsting for something a little different? This rental close to the Grand Tetons is styled after an old saloon, and has a wood-burning fireplace and pool table. It sits on 10 acres with a creek and mountain views. A saltwater hot tub and a fire pit provide unbeatable places to relax and do a little stargazing.
Big Bear, California | Sleeps 4
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There's just something about an A-frame cabin that makes for instant wilderness ambience, and this one is the best kind of balance between retro and modern. Sit on the deck and enjoy the pine-scented air, go skiing at nearby resorts, hike or canoe, or enjoy the shops and restaurants in town.
Saugerties, New York | Sleeps 2
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This unique Catskills retreat, fashioned from a 20-foot shipping container, is set on 20 acres of lush forested land. A 30-foot waterfall is just a short hike away, if you can tear yourself away from the cozy bed, wood-burning stove, relaxing patio, or hammock.
Rising Fawn, Georgia | Sleeps 2
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"Fixer Upper" fans will love this rustic-chic cabin in northwest Georgia, near Lookout Mountain. Tall windows make it easy to appreciate the quiet surroundings, and a cherry-red clawfoot tub is just begging for a leisurely soak. Nearby Cloudland Canyon State Park offers some of the state's best hiking.
Related: Fixer-Uppers Under $100,000 Just Begging to Be Pretty Again
Pagosa Springs, Colorado | Sleeps 8
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This "earth house" is a wonder, indeed. Tucked into a hillside on 7 acres surrounded by a national forest, it has an stunning exterior and an artfully curated interior with tall arched ceilings and a light-filled sleeping loft. The star of the show: A three-story observation tower that will get you closer to the starry sky and nearby San Juan mountains.
Lake George, New York | Sleeps 6
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Any good mountain kingdom needs a castle, right? So it is in the Adirondacks, where you can rent this "mini castle" for a royal adventure. It boasts views of Lake George from the regal stone patio, and the interior is filled with arched doorways and other charming touches. Activities including canoeing, golf, tennis, rafting, hiking, and biking are just minutes away, too.
Cresco, Pennsylvania | Sleeps 8
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Party in the Poconos at this modern chalet, secluded but still close to Camelback and Kalahari resorts. It's on 7 wooded acres, and you can relax on a hammock or in the hot tub while listening to a creek tumble down the rocks nearby. Wooden beams and a wood-burning stove warm up the modern, cozy-chic interior.
Deary, Idaho | Sleeps 4
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Why settle for a cabin when you can stay in an immaculately restored train car? Shielded by a depot-like roof, this train car was in service on the Washington, Idaho and Montana Railway until the mid-'50s. It has a living room, bedroom, kitchenette, and modern bathroom inside, and there's a roomy deck for sitting and enjoying the solitude of the fields, forests, and mountains beyond.
Hamilton, Montana | Sleeps 5
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Love a bird's-eye view? Stay in this lookout tower on a 165-acre ranch and survey your Big Sky kingdom. Hiking and trout fishing are practically at your doorstep, and jeep tours are available in the Sapphire Mountains. A masseuse will even come work her magic as you relax on the deck.
Amherst, Virginia | Sleeps 4
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History lovers will feel right at home in this restored log cabin dating to the 18th century. Set on 150 bucolic acres with views of the Blue Ridge mountains, it has a cozy living room with a stone fireplace, a roomy porch with Adirondack chairs for relaxing, and a hot tub ready to melt your worries away.
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Seward, Alaska | Sleeps 5
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If you're heading to Alaska for some true wilderness solitude, this off-the-grid lakefront cabin offers the authentic experience. There's no electricity, cell service, or running water, but there are propane lights, a wood stove, a grill, an outdoor fireplace, and a sauna. Take a boat tour of nearby Kenai Fjords National Park or visit sea lions, seals, and puffins at the Alaska SeaLife Center.
Accord, New York | Sleeps 4
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This old mountain chapel has found new life as a vacation rental for anyone looking for something a little different. Take a swim in the salt-water pool or soak in the hot tub, ringed by tall pines. There's also an enclosed porch with a wood-burning stove and a huge couch that you may not want to leave.
Golden, Colorado | Sleeps 2
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Feel like a kid again at this hideaway in the Rockies, complete with an attached tree fort and zipline. There's a roomy deck and hammock for relaxing, and the loft inside has a skylight so you can spot constellations as you fall asleep. Also on offer: Wi-Fi, a smart TV, and a wood-burning stove with plenty of firewood.
West Augusta, Virginia | Sleeps 2
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This geometric perch, high on a mountainside in western Virginia, boasts panoramic views from its windows and two-tiered deck. Inside, there's a comfortable modern sitting area with a fireplace, full kitchen, and cozy bedroom. It's a short drive to Shenandoah National Park and the bustling college town of Charlottesville.
Related: Most Beautiful Views in the World
Taos, New Mexico | Sleeps 2
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Bring a sense of adventure (and a four-wheel-drive vehicle) to this unique rental, "a vintage Earthship absolutely off all grids" close to some of New Mexico's best skiing. There are unbeatable views from the deck, and the adobe and log interior makes for an ambience that would be hard to match elsewhere.
Related: Best Small Towns to Visit in Winter