When it comes to building a log cabin, location is everything. You want a spot that not only offers stunning natural beauty but also provides the peace and quiet of a small-town atmosphere. And you may also want to be within a reasonable drive of the city for work, school, or entertainment.
Below we’ve compiled some of the best places to own a cabin in the United States. We’ve divided these log cabin communities into regions, and each of these idyllic spots are all within a two-hour drive of a city—yet feel worlds away.
West
Hood River, Oregon
Situated on the stunning Columbia River Gorge, Hood River is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. It’s a huge draw for windsurfers, thanks to the area’s summer wind currents. Mountain biking and hiking are also a way of life for residents, while Mount Hood to the south has some of the best skiing in the country. Portland, an arts and culture hub, is just an hour and a half drive away, perfect for weekend trips.
Population: 8,350
Elevation: 279 feet
Ideal for those who love: Windsurfing, hiking, mountain biking, scenic drives
Truckee, California
Located in the heart of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Truckee is a charming mountain town that perfectly blends rugged outdoor adventure with small-town charm. Surrounded by towering pine forests, pristine lakes, and snow-capped peaks, Truckee is an ideal location for building a log cabin. Just 30 minutes from Reno, Nevada, and a short drive from Lake Tahoe, Truckee provides easy access to urban amenities while still maintaining the quiet and seclusion you crave in a mountain retreat.
Population: 16,850
Elevation: 5,800 feet
Ideal for those who love: Skiing, hiking, water recreation, small-town charm
Big Sky, Montana
Located just an hour from the west entrance of Yellowstone National Park, Big Sky has something for every outdoor enthusiast. Log cabin living is a way of life here. Whether you’re passionate about skiing, hunting, fishing, or simply relaxing on the deck with incredible mountain views, Big Sky has it all. And with Bozeman only an hour and a half away, you can easily enjoy the amenities of a larger city while savoring the tranquility of cabin life in your Montana log home.
Population: 2,825
Elevation: 7,200 feet
Ideal for those who love: Hiking, skiing, hunting, fly fishing
Flagstaff, Arizona
This vibrant mountain town in the heart of the Coconino National Forest is your basecamp for adventure, with spectacular views of the San Francisco Peaks. At an elevation of nearly 7,000 feet, Flagstaff has four distinct seasons, making it a great spot for those who love both summer hikes and winter snow sports. Sedona is just a 45-minute drive away, and Grand Canyon National Park is only about an hour and a half from Flagstaff, making it an easy day trip for awe-inspiring vistas and adventure.
Population: 75,900
Elevation: 7,000 feet
Ideal for those who love: Hiking, skiing, exploring national parks, arts and culture
Cedar City, Utah
It’s hard to pick a single location in one of the most beautiful states in the country, but we settled on Cedar City for several reasons. It’s close to Utah’s world-famous national parks, including Zion and Bryce Canyon, and it’s a three- to four-hour drive to Las Vegas and Salt Lake City. Nicknamed “Festival City USA,” Cedar City is a university town with a vibrant entertainment scene. Properties start at just $30-$50K per acre, so you can carve out your own slice of paradise among the area’s beautiful desertscapes.
Population: 38,700
Elevation: 5,846 feet
Ideal for those who love: Seclusion, dark skies, desert vistas, festivals
Estes Park, Colorado
This picture-perfect Colorado mountain town sits at the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. Known for its breathtaking landscapes and abundant wildlife, Estes Park is a haven for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. With a quaint downtown area featuring local shops, restaurants, and galleries, Estes Park is just an hour and a half from Boulder and about two hours from Denver. It provides the perfect blend of small-town mountain living with the convenience of nearby city amenities.
Population: 5,860
Elevation: 7,500 feet
Ideal for those who love: Hiking, wildlife viewing, hunting, historic charm
Midwest
Galena, Illinois
This small town is full of history and character, offering a peaceful setting along the Mississippi River. It’s a great place to build a cabin if you enjoy historic architecture and small-town charm. The city of Dubuque, Iowa, with a population of over 58,000, is just a 20-minute drive away, providing easy access to urban amenities while you enjoy your quiet retreat. You’ll have no trouble finding a wooded lot near Lake Galena for as little as $15,000 per acre.
Population: 3,250
Elevation: 630 feet
Ideal for those who love: History, small-town living, antique shopping, river activities
Bayfield, Wisconsin
Nestled on the shores of Lake Superior, Bayfield is the gateway to the Apostle Islands. It’s an ideal spot to build a cabin if you love water activities and small-town living. The city of Duluth, Minnesota, is two hours away, offering the perfect balance of solitude and access to city amenities. You can find ready-to-build wooded lots for as little as $15K per acre in Bayfield.
Population: 600
Elevation: 830 feet
Ideal for those who love: Boating, kayaking, berry picking, small-town charm
Traverse City, Michigan
Traverse City is surrounded by lakes, vineyards, and forests, making it a prime location for a log cabin. Although it has a small-town feel, the city of Grand Rapids is just two hours away, giving you the convenience of a larger city nearby. Traverse City itself is known for its cherry orchards and wine tasting, offering plenty of activities close to home.
Population: 15,700
Elevation: 625 feet
Ideal for those who love: Wine tasting, boating/sailing, hiking, festivals
Southeast
Highlands, North Carolina
Perched on a plateau in the southern Appalachian Mountains, Highlands is known for its cool climate, scenic waterfalls, and charming downtown. It’s an ideal spot for a log cabin hideaway where you can enjoy the tranquility of mountain living. Asheville, a vibrant city known for its arts and music scene, is just two hours away, providing a perfect blend of rural and urban living.
Population: 1,100
Elevation: 3,850 feet
Ideal for those who love: Waterfalls, mountain living, seclusion, hiking
Dahlonega, Georgia
In the heart of the Georgia mountains, Dahlonega is rich in history and natural beauty. The site of the first major Gold Rush in the US, today Dahlonega is known for its vineyards, quaint downtown, and access to the Appalachian Trail. Atlanta is just an hour’s drive away, offering the best of both worlds: peaceful living with quick access to big-city amenities.
Population: 7,460
Elevation: 1,450 feet
Ideal for those who love: History, wine tasting, hiking, Southern hospitality
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
This picturesque mountain town near the entrance to the world-famous Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers the perfect blend of outdoor adventure and Southern hospitality. Whether you enjoy hiking scenic trails, exploring mountain streams, or visiting local amusement parks, this mountain town has something for everyone. Knoxville is just an hour away, offering easy access to city amenities.
Population: 3,650
Elevation: 1,450 feet
Ideal for those who love: Hiking, wildlife, family-friendly attractions, scenic views
Northeast
Stowe, Vermont
Nestled in the Green Mountains, Stowe is famous for its ski slopes and charming downtown area. With scenic views in every direction, it’s an ideal spot for building a cozy log cabin. Burlington, Vermont’s largest city, is just about 45 minutes away, giving you access to urban amenities while enjoying the tranquility of mountain living.
Population: 5,200
Elevation: 890 feet
Ideal for those who love: Skiing, hiking, small-town charm, fall foliage
Lake Placid, New York
Nestled in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains, Lake Placid is a picturesque village known for its stunning natural beauty. Home to world-class skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating, the Lake Placid area is also a haven for hikers and kayakers, with miles of trails, pristine lakes, and breathtaking mountain views. Just a two-hour drive from Albany, Lake Placid offers a perfect mix of peaceful mountain living with the convenience of nearby urban amenities. You can still find huge, forested lots near Lake Placid starting at $25K per acre for your log cabin retreat.
Population: 2,200
Elevation: 1,800 feet
Ideal for those who love: Winter sports, hiking, lake activities, historic charm
Bar Harbor, Maine
Bar Harbor is the gateway to Acadia National Park, offering dramatic coastal views and endless opportunities for outdoor activities. It’s a picturesque spot to build your log cabin, with the Atlantic Ocean as your backdrop. An incredible 90% of Maine is covered in forest. If you love forest hikes, hunting, and homesteading, this corner of the US is ideal. Bangor is just an hour away, offering a convenient connection to city amenities.
Population: 5,500
Elevation: 60 feet
Ideal for those who love: Coastal views, hiking, hunting, homesteading
Build Your Dream Log Cabin with eLoghomes
We hope you’ve found this list of best places for log cabins helpful. If you’re ready to build your dream home, eLoghomes is ready to help!
We’re one of the nation’s leading log home manufacturers and builders. Choose from a huge variety of log cabin designs in our portfolio, from 400-4,000+ square feet.
Whatever you envision, we can help make it a reality. Find out how we build the best log cabin homes in the industry, then search our portfolio to find your perfect log cabin home!