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Photo courtesy Prowhouse
With a culture rich in the outdoor lifestyle, Maine has plenty to offer for those seeking some ~nature time~, regardless of the season. In addition to its snow-capped peaks and 32 state parks (including the AMC Dark Sky Park for unparalleled stargazing), the Pine Tree State is home to over 3,000 miles of coastline and countless islands—including famed Acadia National Park and well-known town of Bar Harbor. Sure, the water is cold, but the cabins are aesthetically-pleasing, the food is farm fresh, and the living is easy. What's not to love?
Want to experience all that Maine has to offer? Grab your Bean boots and Old Town Canoe and check out our list of best cabin rentals within reach of Portland, Maine.
The 12 Best Maine Airbnb and VRBO Cabin and Cottage Rentals
Turner, ME — The Little Green Cabin
Vibe: Laidback Lakefront Luxury
The Little Green Cabin lives up to its name with a vibrant green roof and green shingle siding to match the color palette of the boreal forest that surrounds it. The quaint, lakefront abode has a glossy wood-paneled interior that has a spacious living room, full kitchen, and an electric fireplace (there’s a fire pit outside if you want the real thing!). It’s only an hour from some of Maine’s best skiing and 45 minutes to downtown Portland, or, borrow a kayak to take a paddle on the lake and seek adventure a little closer to your home away from home.
Rate: $229/Night
Machiasport,ME — Prowhouse
Vibe: Secret Beach
Easily the coolest Maine cabin rental on the list is the Prowhouse cabin, perched on a cliff some 130 feet above the Atlantic with unobstructed ocean views. Its name and angular form are both derived from the prow of a boat, which was all brought to life by local poet and sea captain, Phillip Rose. Inside, it’s decked out with vintage mid-century pieces and a view of rugged coastal Maine. Nearby hiking trails and one of the most epic private decks make this rental one worth planning well ahead for.
Rate: $274/night
New Gloucester, ME — Cedar Brook Cabin
Vibe: Livin' Large
Located near the idyllic Maine Midcoast and a short drive from downtown Portland, this tiny house gives you easy access to beaches and mountains and lakes. Despite its small square footage, it has a full kitchen, soaking tub, and two bedrooms. During colder months, unwind inside near the electric fireplace, and when the weather allows, enjoy the outdoor picnic area with its scenic views.
Price: $249/night
Bethel, ME — The North House
Vibe: Rustic Meets Modern
Find a soothing sanctuary in the clean, wood and white-walled design of this three-level ski chalet in the heart of Western Maine. Its traditional log cabin exterior has a nostalgic New England cabin feel with a rustic mid-century style on the inside that boasts an open-concept dining area and living room complete with a large fireplace. Spend a day skiing at the local ski mountain, Sunday River, just ten minutes away, and be sure to indulge for dinner thanks to the wood-fired pizza oven.
Rate: $375/Night
Kingfield, ME — Kingfield Chalet
Vibe: Post and Beam Daydream
This two-bedroom cabin is the perfect spot to kick back after a day of skiing, mountain biking, or hiking in Maine’s mountainous Carrabassett Valley. Tucked away on nearly four acres of secluded forest land, it’s within striking distance of Sugarloaf Mountain, Maine Huts and Trails, and downtown Kingsfield. A wood stove adds to the cozy ambiance of this inviting post-and-beam cabin, which is carbon neutral by design to safeguard the beautiful outdoor places where we get to play.
Price: $301/Night
Oxford, Maine — Farmhouse at Oxbow Beer Garden
Vibe: Nordic Ski-In, Ski-Out Retreat
A stay in this light and airy restored farmhouse in the foothills of Western Maine puts you 35 minutes away from alpine skiing, less than an hour from Portland proper, and a only short walk from a picturesque network of cross-country ski trails and the lively vibe of the indoor/outdoor Oxbow Beer Garden. Outdoor recreationalists and craft beer enthusiasts alike will appreciate its close proximity to both, while design lovers will appreciate the historic home’s rustic wooden beams, vintage aesthetic, and playful modern touches.
Price: $302/Night
Camden,ME — Dock House
Vibe: Vintage and Nautical
If an oceanfront cabin with a lobster boat lounge doesn't feel quintessentially Maine then we don't what does. Roughly 90 minutes north of Acadia National Park, the Dock House is small and sun-drenched, complete with a private beach. Inside, a blend of nautical and Mid-Century decor gives off just the right kind of Gilligan’s Island vibes. We’ll meet you in the lounge for scotch and games of chance at 8.
Rate: $226/night
Georgetown,ME — Treehouse
Vibe: High in the Pines
Light and airy, this secluded treehouse is situated up high on a hill in a classic Maine coastal town near Reid State Park. The entire treehouse includes two separate structures that are connected by a bridge, each featuring south-facing windows to fill the cozy interior with sunlight. Just when you thought it couldn’t get better, there’s a wood fired hot tub and screened-in porch to make this an unforgettable getaway on the Maine coast.
Rate: $249/night (4-night min)
Starks, ME — Peaceful and Private Cabin
Vibe: Serenity in Starks
This warm, wood-clad cabin can sleep as many as eight guests or act as a roomy getaway for a smaller group with room to spare. Situated on a large swath of private land, the cabin is under an hour away from the Carrabassett Valley, the charming downtown of Farmington, and nearby hiking trails. Spend the day exploring the area or take in the scenery, hang by the fire pit, and choose to connect to the wilderness around you instead of the wifi.
Price: $79/Night
Appleton, ME — Breeze Treehouse
Vibe: Cozy Cabin in a Treetop Canopy
Spend a night 40 feet up in the air on over 120 acres of secluded woodland in this modern treehouse in Maine. Only a half hour drive from the coastal towns of Belfast, Rockland, and Camden, this sky high escape is equipped with a full kitchen, a large deck, and access to a wood fired hot tub and outdoor sauna. For those who want to get out and explore, there are hiking trails, ponds, and streams nearby, or just relax and enjoy the view from the large windowed walls. The treehouse is pet-friendly, but if your pup isn’t able to safely get up and down steep stairs, or be carried, then leave your furry friend at home!
Price: $204/Night
Harpswell,ME — Classic Cottage
Vibe: Serene Seaside Escape
From elevated ceilings to the wraparound deck and uninterrupted ocean views, this earthy cabin epitomizes what it means to go back to nature. Traditional design elements like beadboard paneling and a stone fireplace mix with modern touches for a soothing ambiance. Cable knit sweaters are encouraged, but not required.
Rate: $203/night
Harpswell, ME — Scandinavian Cottage
Vibe: Modern Minimalist
Thanks to a sleek and clean design by Portland design firm Barrett Made, this modern cabin blends into the landscape. Natural light floods in through the floor-to-ceiling windows and doors via a cantilevered deck. Kick back—all the way back—as you relax on your private beach and pier. It doesn't get much better than this.
Rate: $385/night
Published 02-22-2023
