Author
Katherine Englishman
Photographer
via Airbnb
Ah, the Catskill Mountains. It’s more than just a scenic retreat for city dwellers. Under New York state’s constitution, this 286,000-acre stretch of forested land is protected by what’s colloquially known as the “forever wild” law. This means it will be preserved and protected for, well, forever. Pretty epic, right?
Located just a couple of hours upstate of New York City opposite the Hudson Valley, the rolling Catskills landscape offers no shortage of awesome rental cabins—many of which are owned and operated by design-obsessed city dwellers, meaning you'll feel right at home. Tucked away among the deciduous forests are AirBnb rentals a plenty-modern cabins, mid-century A-Frames, cozy cottages, rustic, log cabins, and some that can't quite be described.
And if you're the active type, everything from rock climbing and hiking to fly fishing and mountain biking are all easily within reach, whether you're posted up in Phoenicia or channeling your inner artist near Woodstock in the Hudson Valley.
The cat might already be out of the bag, but there are lots of reasons to love visiting the Catskills (the legendary Phoenicia Diner is reason enough, tbh) and just to be sure, we picked out the twenty-five best Catskills vacation rentals so you barely have to think about it. Who knows? Maybe some of the Catskills' forever wild-ness will rub off on you.
Field Mag's Top Catskills Cabin Destinations
- Roxbury Shell Dome House — Roxbury, NY
- Casa Magda — Windham, NY
- Mid-Century A-Frame — Hancock, NY
- Tiny Catskill Cabin — Kerhonkson, NY
- Hemlock & Cedar Cabin — Krumville, NY
- Getaway Western Catskills— Roscoe, NY
- Black A-Frame – Kerhonkson, NY
- Mt. Guardian Cabin— Woodstock, NY
- Little River Log Cabin — Eldred, NY
- Modern Upstate Escape — Monticello, NY
- Old McDonald Cabin — Hobart, NY
- Creekside Cabin — Chichester, NY
- Stony Clove Cottage — Phoenicia, NY
- Blak House — Shandaken, NY
- Table on Ten Earth House — South Kortright, NY
- River Boathouse — Malden, NY
- Catskill Cottage — Olive, NY
- Wildcat Treetop Cabin — Mt. Tremper, NY
- Modern Glass House — Woodstock, NY
Prefer a hotel stay? Check out our picks for the best Catskills Hotels and Lake Placid Lodges
19 Best Catskills Cabin Rentals for an Upstate New York Getaway
Roxbury Shell Dome House — Roxbury, NY
Vibe: Modern architectural wonder
Distance from NYC: 153 miles
Standout Amenities: Shell house, double height living room, large deck, fire pit, sleeps 10
Nightly Rates: $619
Designed in 1996 by American architect Seymour Rutkin, the Shell Dome House is a beautiful concrete structure shaped like part of an oblate ellipsoid or a type of imperfect sphere in plain English. Lounge in the sunlit living room with 25-foot ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows that offer a view of the 2,000 sq ft outdoor patio complete with a barbeque and firepit. It is modeled on the design idea of what a "utopian single-family home" might be, now it offers the perfect unique escape from the city with your family or a group of friends.
Casa Magda — Windham, NY
Vibe: Design haven
Distance from NYC: 139 miles
Standout Amenities: Group-trip friendly, mood lights, deck, outdoor fireplace, sleeps 10
Nightly Rates: $563
This four-bedroom, two-bathroom cabin is designed for hosting gatherings with friends or family and impressing them with your choice of rental in the process. Decked out in colorful contemporary design and trendy art pieces, relax and be inspired during the day, and turn on the mood lights for an at-home dance sesh by night.
Mid-Century A-Frame — Hancock, NY
Vibe: Your MCM Is My MCM Too
Distance from NYC: 145 miles
Standout Amenities: Renovated 1960s A-Frame, retro fireplace, lakesire, deck, pet-friendly
Nightly Rates: $382
This 1964 restored A-Frame is tastefully outfitted with a retro fireplace, mid-century furniture throughout, a light-filled kitchen and a unique double-spiral staircase. Take in the lakeside and forest views from the various floors of the house or venture into nature and relax on the spacious patio. Dogs are welcome too, so don’t leave your furry friend behind!
Tiny Catskill Cabin — Kerhonkson, NY
Vibe: Alpine-inspired
Distance from NYC: 99 miles
Standout Amenities: Queen bed, full kitchen, screened-in porch, tiny office
Nightly Rates: $164
Despite the no-frills nature of a tiny house rental, this cabin adds just the right amount with everything from a plush queen bed to a full kitchen and a bonafide study—tiny, of course. While the interior offers all the glamping comforts you need for a relaxing stay, the property itself is quiet, quaint, and tucked away in the woods.
Hemlock & Cedar Cabin — Krumville, NY
Vibe: DIY Retreat
Distance from NYC: 103 miles
Standout Amenities: Sleeping loft, large patio, woodstove
Nightly Rates: $238
A perfect balance between a rustic cabin and modern home, this cabin falls into a category of its own. Straightforward furnishings and a sleeping loft nook provide everything you need, and the expansive deck makes an excellent spot to pass the time.
Getaway Western Catskills — Roscoe, NY
Vibe: Weekend trip
Distance from NYC: 121 miles
Standout Amenities: Tiny cabins, kitchenette, double-bed bunk beds, heat, cooling, private bathrooms
Nightly Rates: $250
Getaway specializes in getting city-dwellers offline and outdoors with micro cabin campgrounds popping up across the country. Their Western Catskills outpost features 36 micro cabins with floor-to-ceiling windows, private bathrooms, air conditioning and heat, and one or two beds, while their original Eastern Catskills location in Catskill, NY features 52.
(Use discount code FIELDMAG for $25 off any booking)
Black A-Frame – Kerhonkson, NY
Vibe: Eco-friendly retreat
Distance from NYC: 99 miles
Standout Amenities: Off-grid, solar-panels, A-Frame, deck, fireplace, gazebo
Nightly Rates: $269
Dubbed, “The Coolest A-Frame in New York” by the New York Post, this off-grid, solar-powered cabin is hygge to the max. An open-concept kitchen and dining area feels spacious yet cozy, with a clean and modern Scandinavian feel — like a proper A-Frame should. In the living room, gather around a white-painted brick fireplace with a cup of something strong.
Mt. Guardian Cabin — Woodstock, NY
Vibe: Small yet mighty
Distance from NYC: 107 miles
Standout Amenities: Mountain views, nearby to skill hills, Woodstock, woodstove, pet-friendly
Nightly Rates: $311
This cabin is small in size but big on views. From the cozy confines of the living, dining, and kitchen area you can take in the scenery of the Catskills. Much of the interior decor is handmade, which makes this small mountain haven even more idyllic. Head to the nearby hiking trails, ski hills, or head into downtown Woodstock.
Little River Log Cabin — Eldred, NY
Vibe: Light and dark
Distance from NYC: 90 miles
Standout Amenities: Unique design, streamside, fireplace, sauna, hammock
Nightly Rates: $418
Spend a weekend bathed in the soft light streaming down from the lineup of skylights atop this log cabin. Walk to and fro over the in-house catwalk, sit in the vintage MCM furniture, cozy up by the fire, cook dinner in the full kitchen, read in the loft- there are many options to enjoy this meticulously designed interior. Outside, there’s a fire pit, hammock, bocce set, and a sweet stream bubbling just beyond the cabins doors.
Modern Upstate Escape — Monticello, NY
Vibe: Industrial Mid-century
Distance from NYC: 99 miles
Standout Amenities: Barrel sauna, fireplace, outdoor lounge area, bathtub
Nightly Rates: $203
Although relatively unassuming, this woodland cabin packs some fun design punches once you take a closer look. A corn-cob side table, a convex safety mirror in the dining area, a hand-chair in the bedroom-its all happening, subtly. A newly installed barrel sauna awaits in the backyard for some much-needed R and R and there’s plenty of quaint towns nearby for a day in town.
Old McDonald Cabin — Hobart, NY
Vibe: The House that Shapes Built
Distance from NYC: 159 miles
Standout Amenities: Pool, woodstove, huge windows, working farm
Nightly Rates: $401
Geometric shapes, primary colors, and antique collectibles create a unique, exciting vibe inside this cabin. Remote and set on a working farm, immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of farmers hard at work, or chill in the pool.
Creekside Cabin — Chichester, NY
Vibe: Creekside Cozy
Distance from NYC: 122 miles
Standout Amenities: Loft, nearby ski hill, close to creek, fireplace
Nightly Rates: $181
This cheerfully decorated cabin sits on the banks of a creek, close to the amenities of town but isolated enough to feel private. Inside, there are fun details like pink kitchen countertops and a unique bedroom loft, all highlighted by friendly, modern furnishings. Pet-friendly, too, so bring your doggie along.
Stony Clove Cottage — Phoenicia, NY
Vibe: Suprise Serenity
Distance from NYC: 121 miles
Standout Amenities: Creekside, swimming hole, fireplace, children's toys, crib, outdoor lounge area
Nightly Rates: $289
On the banks of Stony Clove Creek and tucked away in the trees, this unassuming cabin features plenty of color and charm inside. Full of mid-century modern furniture and bright textiles, enjoy the cozy interior or make the short trek to a swimming hole in warmer weather. A good option for couples or smaller families.
Blak House — Shandaken, NY
Vibe: Restored Retreat
Distance from NYC: 125 miles
Standout Amenities: Streamside, fireplace, pet-friendly, WFH set-up
Nightly Rates: $299
A thoughtfully-renovated cabin from the 1960s, this Catskills getaway sits streamside in a scenic valley of the central Catskills. On the outside, its ranch meets log cabin architecture is made modern with black paint, and inside, the bones of the original home are kept intact with a few updates as well. The highlight is the artisan fieldstone fireplace, built using native bluestone and granite that was excavated during the home's construction in 1969.
Table on Ten Earth House — South Kortright, NY
Vibe: Tree Hugger's Home
Distance from NYC: 248 miles
Standout Amenities: Octagon house, 23-acre, passive solar, woodstove, bathtub
Nightly Rates: $248
Two octagons stitched together with a kitchen passageway make up this unique home on a 23-acre property overlooking the Catskill Mountains. A passive solar house, this space works with its Northeast climate, keeping you cool in the summer and warm in the winter months. The interior is homey and elegant, perfect for a weekend of tea-drinking and relaxation. If you're looking for something a little smaller but equally lovely, check out the Studio nearby
River Boathouse — Malden, NY
Vibe: Anchors Away
Distance from NYC: 221 miles
Standout Amenities: Boathouse, nearby ski mountain, fireplace
Nightly Rates: $450
Few things beat a boathouse on the Hudson River—especially one with vaulted ceilings, a cherry red Mid-Century fireplace, and two decks with sweeping views of the river. The clean and well-furnished interior invites a sense of peace and calm that can only be enhanced by the sound of the water gently rocking the boat at night. Head into town in less than ten minutes or have your pick of two ski mountains in a half hour.
Catskill Cottage — Olive, NY
Vibe: Sunny Seclusion
Distance from NYC: 177 miles
Standout Amenities: Fireplace, lakefront, 7 acres, outdoor lounge area, deck
Nightly Rates: $235
At this lofty and sun-filled Catskills cabin, a fully-stocked fridge, plush beds, and wood-burning fireplace is waiting for you. The simple decor has a rustic, bohemian touch, just like the town it’s located in, and with a seven-acre wooded property right outside your door, you can definitely get in touch with your inner hippie here.
Wildcat Treetop Cabin — Mt. Tremper, NY
Vibe: Forever Wild, Cat
Distance from NYC: 114 miles
Standout Amenities: Borders state forest, outdoor firepit, screened-in porch
Nightly Rates: $236
Need a little space? The Wildcat Treetop Cabin is located on 1.5 acres of land with another hundred acres of that forever wild State Forest backing right up against it. Make sure to enjoy the Aztec cone outdoor firepit and lounge chairs out on the stone patio as much as you do the well-furnished renovated rooms that hearken back to its 1940's roots. This is what the Catskills are all about.
Modern Glass House — Woodstock, NY
Vibe: Upscale Escape
Distance from NYC: 107 miles
Standout Amenities: Ultra modern, pool, hot tub, deck, game room, WFH set-up
Nightly Rates: $1,165
Ultra modern and design-driven, this cozy cabin is full of iconic furnishings and fixtures of the MCM variety. Perched above a ravine with the Raybrook Creek down below, visitors can admire a sea of pines through the many walls of glass that make you feel as though you’re totally immersed in nature. Minutes from downtown Woodstock, but tucked away in the woods, this cabin has the best of both worlds.
Published 09-24-2020
Updated 11-12-2023
