First of all, a tent is not a cabin. Neither is a recreational vehicle (RV). Or that streamlined and shiny trailer that Mom and Dad hauled the family around in every summer before Uncle Harvey parked it in Granny’s backyard and called it retirement. And of course, hotel rooms and beachfront condos are not cabins. But there are, within driving distance of your home, about 6,000 cabins available for year-round fun, with myriad construction, privacy and accommodations. You can move the entire family to a new weekend experience or the perfect summer excursion with just a finger and a phone. But first, a few simple rules to observe in selecting your getaway hideaway. Don’t expect every cabin owner or agent to allow you entrance to a cabin during the season “just to check it out.” In the cabin business, “renting it” is “checking it out.” This is why an evening on the internet is almost a requirement. If you have pets, be sure to inquire about the rules. The reason people leave happy and fulfilled is the good behavior of those who came before. Be aware that once you are checked in and settled, leaving with a refund in hand because the beds are hard or the icemaker doesn’t work is, in most cases, highly unlikely. (As someone who has rented more than a few vacation cabins over the years, this writer has yet to feel taken advantage of by owners or agents.) Put simply, owners rely on repeat business and word of mouth. If special accommodation is required, bring that up clearly on first contact. Remember, the cabin is a business operation and satisfied customers are the best business. Not everyone travels to find the best fishing or the most secluded forest rentals so the four very different cabins chosen here are far apart, quite different in layout and appearance and only represent some of what you can find throughout Texas and adjoining states. As rates tend to change periodically, we leave pricing to you. You can generally expect a nightly rate from $125 to upwards of $330, somewhat higher for multiple bedrooms.
Lake Tyler Petroleum Club, Tyler TX (just about 90 miles east of DFW). The name indicates ownership. If you are a novice at cabin life, you may prefer more developed surroundings while still soaking up the great outdoors. Lake Tyler PC will make you feel at home. Six cozy cabins, each different, with comfortable quarters, all the conveniences and most of the kitchen supplies you’ll need. However, there is no television and no WiFi: these cabins are designed for relaxation, and all are within walking distance of Lake Tyler and the club pool. Fishing is great and the surrounding pines are ideal for long walks.
Rowdy Coyote Luxury Cabin, Broken Bow Oklahoma (3 hours NE of DFW). Maybe the easiest choice to make because it has everything within walking distance from the two-level front porch: zip line, horseshoe pit, hook & ring toss, hot tub, fire pit, old fashioned barrel arcade with multiple games, memory foam beds, genuine wine barrel table and bar stools and Fios WiFi. All of it is nested on a 1.24-acre wooded lot in the beautiful Ouachita National Forest, surrounded by mountain views.
Gruene Daze Chalet, Gruene (“Green”) TX (4 hours south of DFW, near San Antonio). Stylish A-frame unlike most. Far from the ordinary but close to the best in water fun with the lazy Comal River and Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort, only 17 miles from Canyon Lake. After floating down the river, come back and relax on the sun terrace in your A-frame. Four bedrooms, 3 baths, fully equipped kitchen, TV and free WiFi, plus other amenities that will make you want to come back. An evening of dancing to live music at the famed Gruene Hall is not to be missed.
Boca de la Roca Private Mountain Lodge, Terlingua TX (10 hours southwest of DFW). Great place to escape the world when wanderlust proves too difficult to resist. Kitchen, patio and 2 bath, 2 bedrooms, smart TV and WiFi with all the amenities, surrounded by 7,000ft mountains.
Enjoy your stay and let others read your reviews. It’s The Cabin Way, Cowboy.
You can move the entire family to a new weekend experience or the perfect summer excursion with just a finger and a phone.
Enjoy your stay and let others read your reviews. It’s The Cabin Way, Cowboy.
