Would you like to enjoy camping without having to set up a tent or paying for the gas on a large RV or trailer? Many state parks and campgrounds offer small cabins where you can still enjoy the outdoors in comfort.
Last weekend, I visited McArthur-Burney Falls in northern California and the campground is home to 24 Cavco Cabins. They are insulated, have a locking front door, screened windows, beds, a roomy covered porch, and room outside for a tent, picnic table and a campfire. The cabins have propane heat but no electricity or plumbing. Several of the cabins are accessible for disabled campers.
Currently, the 12 smaller one-room cabins are $65 per night and include two single bunk beds and two extra mattresses. The 12 larger two-room cabins are $85 per night and include four single bunk beds. There is plenty of space inside for chairs or additional sleeping bags on the floor.
Cavco Cabins are one model of Cavco Industries, Inc. based in Phoenix, AZ. Cavco is one of the largest producers of manufactured housing, park model and cabin vacation homes in the US, and has been in business since 1965. They have over 50 Rustic Cabin plans, 175 Park Model plans and over 25 Loft plans to choose from.
The Cabins come in several sizes: 16-22 feet, 23-29 feet and over 29 feet. There are also Bare Bones Cabins which will be found in most campgrounds. Cavco has built cabins for hundreds of campgrounds across the country. You can search for a Cavco Cabin in your area on their website.
Recently, Cavco has announced that they are going green. Cavco is one of the first RV manufacturers to make a recreational park trailer or park model that has solar panels. They are also offering these, plus other materials, on their standard building list:
- Recycled tires and axles.
- I-beams manufactured from scrap, recycled steel.
- J M A’s formaldehyde free fiberglass insulation
- Blow roof insulation
- Low VOC paints.
- PEX water systems (recyclable with no solvent connections)
- Energy Star appliances (most standard models and all up grades)
- Water saver toilets, tub and shower diverters
These green options will make it even easier to enjoy the great outdoors.
I want to extend a welcome to Christina Nellemann of Feline Design Inc. Christina has a passion for tiny houses and will become a weekly guest writer for the Tiny House Blog. I look forward to her insight into the tiny house and simple living world. To learn more visit Christina’s bio at Feline Design Inc.
Kent Griswold – Tiny House Blog
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I will take a cabin over 5-star accommodations any day of the week! I especially like the name of the Bare Bones Cabins! Thanks. I am a loyal subscriber to your Tiny House Blog…Rosemary
I love the look!
Cavco’s come out with a solar cabin and park model
I have stayed in these cabins at the Blue Spruce RV Park at Vallecito Lake in Colorado. I’m throwing that out in case someone wants to try one and Colorado might be closer. We go to Vallecito regularly, but we took the opportunity to stay in one of these cabins, specifically, because we were considering buying one for the same area. We are convinced. We loved the “cabin.” Our only complaint was that the heater woke us up every time it kicked in. The next night we cut the thermostat down and slept fine. I think I would use a ceramic heater for heat at night to cut down on the noise and use the standard heater & blower during the day. The problem isn’t enough to change our minds about buying one.
I’m with Rosemary and Speedmaster! These units are incredible!
These are of tremendous interest to me because they offer “disabled access”. I am in a whheelchair and really would love to trade out into tiny housing. I also love the ideas of composting toilets, rain water cisterns and solar power. Imagine being able to reduce your global footprint and save money while doing so!
Thanks Darlene. Yes, choosing a tiny house off the grid does seem to be the ultimate choice in simplifying your life and saving your hard-earned dollars. I know that it is sometimes hard to find a small or tiny house that is accessible for wheelchairs, but I hope that more tiny house designers and builders take it into consideration.
I always wondered who built those cabins. We’ve stayed in one up above Phoenix last year and it was very cozy when the wind was blowing outside. There was only one with wheelchair access if I remember correctly and it was the only one that wasn’t rented.