Hobbit Holes, Missile Silos, and Other Cool Underground Homes You Can Rent

While caves, hobbit holes, earth houses, and the like might not be the first thing you think about when considering a vacation rental through a site like Airbnb or Vrbo, trust us when we say that there are not only plenty of them out there but that many are über-cool and incredibly unique. Here are 18 examples that show how getting away from it all while being encompassed in the confines of a hillside, cave, or other such natural structure might be just the getaway you've been dreaming about.

Prices and availability are subject to change.

Related: Best Winter Home Rentals in America

Taos, New Mexico | Sleeps 4
Book It

This underground home is nothing fancy, but if you're more about the outdoors and getting away from it all than you are about modern amenities, this rental is close to tons of great hiking and the Taos Ski Valley. Note, however, that when you are home, the house has Wi-Fi, a TV with Netflix, and a large bathroom with a deep soaking tub, so you won't be completely unspoiled.

Related: The Coolest Mountain Hideaways You Can Rent Across America

Ithaca, New York | Sleeps 4
Book It

If you'll take being flooded with natural light any day over fancy furnishings or tons of unnecessary amenities, this earth-sheltered home offers a one-bedroom, one-bath space that is awash in sunshine. Guests will marvel over walking on the roof, and the small, outside sitting area provides a great place for a cup of coffee or a cocktail while taking in the surrounding views.

Related: Spectacular Caves You Can Rent

Fairfield, Virginia | Sleeps 4
Book It

If you're willing to plan ahead, this property — another one with a hobbit-house vibe — has plenty of open dates in 2022. Past guests assert the wait is worth it, with reviewers using phrases like "a world of magic and joy" and "truly wondrous" to describe it. In addition to the mystical feel of the house, guests can enjoy sitting in a lush courtyard with a propane fire pit or they can partake in one of the nearby workshops offered by the property owners, including wizard staff carving, blacksmithing, and vintage broom making.

Related: Best Vacation Rentals With Indoor Pools

Boulder, Utah | Sleeps 6
Book It

Offering isolation and fresh air, this accommodation — located in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument on 40 acres of farmland — requires a four-wheel drive to get to and offers limited 21st-century amenities, but you'll be rewarded with peace and quiet, incredible views, and star-packed nighttime skies. Amenities in this southern Utah rental include a full kitchen, swimming hole, and easy driving distance to a number of the state's incredible national parks and recreation areas.

Related: A-Frame Cabins That Are Perfect for Fall Getaways

Orondo, Washington | Sleeps 2
Book It

Built into a mountainside in the Columbia River Gorge, this cozy Hobbit-style getaway for two has a charming round doorway, cozy stone fireplace, carved wooden sink, inviting tub, and breathtaking views from the patio. Note that there's a short, steep hike from the parking area, and four-wheel-drive vehicles are necessary in the winter.

Related: The Prettiest Floating Cabins Around the World

For more great travel guides and vacation tips, please sign up for our free newsletters.

Saugerties, New York | Sleeps 6
Book It

Nestled in the heart of the Catskill Mountains, this three-bedroom, two-bath house is close to a lot of what northern New York has to offer, including Hunter Mountain ski resort and the nearby towns of Saugerties and Woodstock, both of which have their own unique charm. Or stay near the house and enjoy a walk around the property, meals outside on the picnic table, cooking up some dinner on the outdoor grill, and local wildlife sightings.

Related: Best Ski-In/Ski-Out Vacation Rentals

Clancy, Montana | Sleeps 12
Book It

Just south of Helena, this underground rental is near the foothills of the Elkhorn Mountains and features clean and cozy Scandinavian decor. Intriguing details include a "hidden" bedroom, plus a shower that you enter by walking through a tree trunk. With two bedrooms and one bath, the property boasts 13-foot ceilings, lots of natural light, and tons of outdoor space to get lost in.

Boulder, Colorado | Sleeps 5
Book It

Partially built into a mountainside in the foothills outside of Boulder, this unique three-bedroom, three-bath home is packed with character and tons of handcrafted detail. When you're not amazed by the sights inside, however, you'll find plenty to be awed by outside: the home faces Sugarloaf Mountain and acres of sprawling wilderness. Other amenities include two indoor gardens and a hot tub.

Related: Best Vacation Rentals for Seeing the Northern Lights

Weaverville, North Carolina | Sleeps 3
Book It

When it comes to underground vacation rentals, there's certainly no shortage of spots that would make any "Lord of the Rings" fan as happy as a hobbit at second breakfast. This one, built into a hill, was handcrafted from materials that were found on the property that surrounds it, and the one-bedroom, half-bath space includes incredible views of the gorgeous North Carolina countryside and mountains that envelop it. Another bonus? It's a short drive to Asheville, a popular destination filled with great dining, shopping, and more.

Santa Fe, Tennessee | Sleeps 8
Book It

Just southwest of Nashville, the three huts of Forest Gully Farms provide a secluded retreat from life where you can "be a farmer for a weekend or hang out by the fire pit, hike to the creek and waterfalls, or pick from (the) food forest or veggie garden." The rental includes all three huts — two include beds and one is more of a living/dining/kitchen area — and other amenities include an outdoor grill, fire pit, and all the fresh eggs, berries, and other garden produce you can gather for meals during your stay.

Related: 50 Amazing Airbnbs and Vrbos Across the Country

Parthenon, Arkansas | Sleeps 8
Book It

Gather up some friends for a stay at this northwest Arkansas cavern that's been transformed into a high-end retreat overlooking the Ozark Mountains. There's a catch-and-release pond on the 256-acre Beckham Creek Cave property, as well as a fire pit and lots of hiking trails. The 5,800-square-foot property sleeps 12 and includes four bedrooms, four baths, a fully equipped gourmet kitchen, and other modern amenities like an LED smart TV and WiFi.

Related: 25 Vacation Rentals With Secret Rooms and Hidden Passages

Farmington, New Mexico | Sleeps 8
Book It

You won't be roughing it at this northern New Mexico rental. At 1,600 square feet, it includes a fireplace, TV/DVD, Bluetooth stereo, washer/dryer, and more. Man-made using blasting and hydro-drilling techniques, the owners note it is located 70 feet below the surface. Other amenities at Kokopelli's Cave include a waterfall shower, jacuzzi tub, and two outdoor areas for taking in the sunsets over Shiprock Peak while enjoying a glass of wine.

Related: 20 Exceptional Bed and Breakfasts Across America

Page, Arizona | Sleeps 4
Book It

This hogan — a traditional Navajo dwelling made of earthen materials — requires you to be willing to rough it a bit. For instance, there is no entertainment system, no kitchen, and no bathroom inside the unit (there are communal baths on site), but its proximity to Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell, and the Grand Canyon — no to mention the star-filled nighttime skies — make it a pretty cool place to stay. Breakfasts are provided, but other meals must be sourced elsewhere. Also note that the hogan is considered sacred, so guests must adhere to rules (like no alcohol within the accommodation) and treat it with a sense of respect.

Related: 29 Amazing Treehouse Vacation Getaways

Mount Ida, Arkansas | Sleeps 6
Book It

This home west of Hot Springs, Arkansas, offers the best of both worlds with an underground lower level and a light-filled upper level that includes a loft bedroom (with a nifty spiral staircase that leads to it). It has a total of three bedrooms and two baths, and outdoor amenities like a grill, fire pit area, and a deck that offers views of Ouachita River, which can also be easily accessed from the property.

Related: The Most Remote Vacation Rentals Around the World

Sequim, Washington | Sleeps 5
Book It

In this lovely town north of Seattle with a name that is often mispronounced — you pronounce it "skwim," by the way — is this underground property, which almost recalls a tricked-out vintage RV on the inside. It has one bedroom and bathroom, but you won't need much space anyway because you'll likely want to spend most of your time outdoors in nearby Sequim Bay State Park, visiting the picturesque John Wayne Marina, or exploring any number of great outdoor destinations in the area.

Related: Beautiful Dog-Friendly Vacation Rentals Across America

Pagosa Springs, Colorado | Sleeps 8
Book It

This underground rental is incredibly light and bright thanks to an abundance of white walls and some massive windows. With three bedrooms and two baths, it can host a couple of families (although you'd never know it from the outside) in comfortable, eclectic, and chic modern furnishings. It has two "almost typical" bedrooms, plus two ladder-accessible bunk rooms (translation: great for a mess of kids). Located on 7 acres in the San Juan National Forest, it's close to tons of great Colorado destinations, including the town of Pagosa Springs, which hosts numerous hot springs.

Johnson City, Tennessee | Sleeps 2
Book It

These two connected earth house domes in the Volunteer State's northeastern region are stylish in their own right but are also surrounded by gorgeous countryside, including a lovely rock quarry. Amenities include a large outside seating area with a gas fire pit. Note there is no TV with this rental so you'll just have to amuse yourself with good books, walks around the property, or jaunts into nearby Johnson City for dining and shopping.

Related: Haunted Destinations You Can Rent for a Spooky Night

Vilonia, Arkansas | Sleeps 6
Book It

Want to pretend you have the fate of the world in your hands? How about this vacation rental, which gives you access to the "original Launch Control Center and Blast Lock area" of a decommissioned missile complex. Though this listing says it's a private room, the unit is actually around 3,500 square feet of space — so yeah, enough for you and a few guests. Converted into a two-bedroom, three-bath space that also includes a kitchen, theater, and common spaces, this complex has amenities that include an impressive sound system, TV, WiFi, dedicated workspace, and more.

Related: Cheap Winter Vacation Rentals Under $100 a Night — If You Share