Close banner

Support Outside Online

Love Outside?

Help fund our award-winning journalism with a contribution today.

Contribute to Outside
TravelDestinationsNorth America
The Ultimate Road Trip

The Most-Wishlisted Off-the-Grid Airbnbs in the U.S.

These eight rentals are the ultimate social-distancing hacks

Text by

Due to the changing nature of state-to-state travel advisories, check both state and individual websites for safety protocols and potential closures before you hit the road.

Light
Photo: Courtesy Airbnb

Based on data from Airbnb, these are the remote homes that made it onto most people’s wishlists. It’s easy to see why—each property promises seclusion, breathtaking views, and plenty of adventure right from your doorstep. 

The Cargill-Earl Guesthouse, Livingston, Montana 

Forget staying at a dude ranch. The best way to experience Montana’s big skies is from this two-bedroom house (from $308), which sits atop one of the many rolling hills looking out on the Absaroka Range. Located just 45 minutes from Yellowstone National Park, it’s also a good base camp for swimming in nearby Chico Hot Springs, hiking Gallatin National Forest, fly-fishing the creeks of Paradise Valley, and scuba-diving Hyalite Canyon. The guesthouse is part of Erik’s Ranch, a 230-acre property that operates as a nonprofit run by young adults with autism. Staff offer guided hikes, ski instruction, and horseback tours.

Photo: Courtesy Airbnb

Cabin at Juniper Lane, San Juan Island, Washington 

An affordable option in the San Juan Islands, this two-bedroom cabin (from $223) is a little over a mile from the town of Friday Harbor and its ferry terminal, where you’ll find numerous sea-kayak tour operators who specialize in orca sightings. If you’d rather see the killer whales from land, head eight miles west to Lime Kiln Point State Park, considered one of the best lookouts for viewing the creatures in the world. There’s also plenty of wildlife spotting to be had back at the cabin from the deck that faces Beaverton Valley, which during the summer is filled with deer, sheep, and bald eagles.

Photo: Courtesy Airbnb

Off-Grid itHouse, Pioneertown, California 

If this house (from $380) looks familiar, it’s probably because you’ve seen it on Instagram or featured in a design magazine. (Dwell has named it one of the “Best Homes in America”.) Along with being 100 percent off-grid—it’s powered only by solar panels—the glass-walled house offers stunning views of the iconic Joshua Tree–like landscape. The park itself is just a half-hour east by car.

Photo: Courtesy Airbnb

Tiny River House, Damascus, Oregon

This 200-square-foot home (from $160) feels like a remote getaway but is only 30 minutes outside Portland. It’s set right on the bank of the Clackamas River, making it an ideal outpost for fishing, rafting, and swimming. Despite its size, the house comes with everything you need for a self-contained trip, including a full bathroom and kitchen.

Photo: Courtesy Airbnb

The Cottage at Spindle Hill Farm, Nellysford, Virginia

If you’re looking to make the 469-mile drive along Blue Ridge Parkway to hit Great Smoky Mountains and Shenandoah National Parks in one trip, this five-person cottage (from $207) is the perfect stopover. Stargaze from the cedar hot tub, collect fresh eggs for breakfast in the adjacent chicken coop, and trek up to 13 trails that start in town, many of which connect to the Appalachian Trail.

Photo: Courtesy Airbnb

Skyfarm, Los Angeles, California 

A small slice of the countryside just minutes from downtown, this four-person yurt (from $150) is part of an urban farm that has everything you wouldn’t expect to find in L.A., from a chicken coop and a goat pen to beehives. Built by photographer Meeno Peluce and artist Ilse Ackerman, the property has all the makings of a creative’s home, with bright colors and souvenirs from the couple’s travels, plus luxuries like a soaking pool and an outdoor claw-foot tub.

Photo: Courtesy Airbnb

Glass House, Hudson Valley, New York 

Not to be confused with Philip Johnson’s sprawling estate in New Cannan, Connecticut, this house (from $250) is just 180 square feet but makes up for it with expansive surroundings. The two-person getaway is located on a 30-acre farm in the Hudson Valley, 90 minutes north of New York City, and comes with a full kitchen and bathroom. Quick day-trip options to consider are Storm King Art Center, a notable outdoor sculpture park, and Minnewaska State Park Preserve, with plenty of hiking trails, including a popular 6.4-mile loop.

Photo: Courtesy Airbnb

Cherry Blossom Yurt, Rising Fawn, Georgia 

Perched on a cliff overlooking the Chattanooga Valley, this two-person yurt (from $121) is all about the views. Most visitors use it as an access point to Cloudland Canyon State Park, known for its thousand-foot-deep canyons, large network of waterfalls, and trail system—64 miles for hiking, 30 for biking, and 16 for horseback riding.

Filed To: North AmericaCoronavirus

Read this next

Your Complete Guide to Visiting National Parks in Winter

By: The Editors

These Trails Will Make You Want to Become a Nordic Skier

By: Megan Michelson

Our Favorite Airbnbs Near Winter-Friendly National Parks

By: Megan Michelson

What the Vaccine Distribution Timeline Means for Travel

By: Megan Michelson
More Travel