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Let the country roads take you home to the blissful natural spaces of West Virginia.
For all the mountain lovers, river-jumpers, forest dwellers, and even urbanites who need to unplug and find fresh air, the Mountain State is the perfect place for a restorative retreat in the Appalachian Mountain corridor.
West Virginia is so much more than just Virginia’s offshoot. Charming towns and small cities are scattered throughout large swaths of old farmland and wilderness areas, many of which are federally protected.
Framed by the Potomac River on the northern border and the Blue Ridge Mountains to the east and south, it would be difficult to find a state more perfect for outdoor recreation. And it doesn’t hurt that it’s an extremely affordable place to visit.
If history, art, entertainment, and culture peak your interest more than trees and rivers, you may be surprised to learn that each of the picks below have that in spades. If you’re looking for the best airbnbs in West Virginia, look no further: any one of these impressive cabins, spacious chalets, or punch-packing tiny houses should be perfect for your upcoming adventure.
Related Read: 11 Cozy & Natural Glamping Destinations in Virginia
1. Santi’s Lost Stream
Why you should stay: An A-frame that gets an A+.
- Location: Wardensville
- Sleeps: 6
- Minimum stay: 2 nights
- Rates from: $145/night
So, seriously, what is it about A-frames that just screams “woodland indie rock music video?” This angular abode will be the perfect backdrop for your family’s backcountry getaway. Some standout features include a gargantuan chandelier, an antique sliding barn door on the ritzy main bathroom, and a lofted nook for reading or catching a few daytime Zs. And, of course, it wouldn’t be a proper forest A-frame without a big porch.
Santi’s Lost Stream is in the George Washington National Forest, so you’ll be surrounded by hiking, fishing, and watersports opportunities galore. A 15-minute drive lands you at the towns of either Lost River or Wardensville, each of which has general stores and fresh local dining options. Whoever Santi is, they chose the right place to get lost.
Check AvailabilityRelated Read: 8 Adventurous Treehouse Rentals in West Virginia
2. Escape to Lost City
Why you should stay: The only thing not minimalist is the number of porches and decks.
- Location: Lost City
- Sleeps: 6
- Minimum stay: 2 nights
- Rates from: $207/night
Tune up your best Oprah Winfrey voice, and repeat the following: “You get a porch! And you get a porch! And everyone gets a porch.”
Okay, maybe that’s a bit dramatic. But your group of six certainly won’t be lacking for personal space in this multi-level cabin in the eastern part of the state. This array of porches comes with standard porch amenities: comfy chairs, paintable views, wood stoves, a grill here, and a hot tub there.
The interior is bright and open, with a funky minimalist style that doesn’t take away from the natural beauty of the exterior. A large king suite, a second king bedroom, and a queen bedroom upstairs all ensure maximum comfort for guests – once you’re done with your sunset glass of wine or mocktail, of course. So crank that Bluetooth-enabled record player and kick back in the Lost River Valley.
Check AvailabilityRelated Read: 6 Amazing and Affordable Treehouse Rentals in Virginia
3. 1815 Stone House
Why you should stay: People in glass houses can’t throw stones, but people in stone houses can throw historic weekend getaways.
- Location: Shepherdstown
- Sleeps: 5
- Minimum stay: 2 nights
- Rates from: $78/night
Between its proximity to the Potomac River and the traditional architecture, this rock-steady haunt is way too cool for how affordable it is – it’s definitely one of the cheaper airbnbs in West Virginia.
The interior could be the set of an early-19th century period drama, with whitewashed exposed beams supporting a shiplap ceiling, and walls that have that smooth, warped look characteristic of plastered stone.
The newer part of the home has a full kitchen with a dining area, a bedroom with ensuite, and an additional powder room, all constructed of sheetrock instead of regular rock.
The second-floor deck wraps around the house and looks out over the property’s 450 feet of waterfront, as do the hammocks, patio, and firepit seating. Pop into nearby Shepherdstown for rations, or go explore Antietam National Battlefield for a quick history lesson.
Check AvailabilityRelated Read: 8 Magnificent Red River Gorge Cabins with Hot Tubs
4. Magnolia Cabin
Why you should stay: A spiral staircase inside and a staircase to nowhere outside.
- Location: Berkeley Springs
- Sleeps: 8
- Minimum stay: 3 nights
- Rates from: $251/night
It’s a bit hard to tell if this cabin is a reservable airbnb listing or the featured property in an interior design magazine. Modern forest cabins are often minimalist to emphasize the natural beauty that awaits outside. But this spot is so picture-perfect that you might find yourself looking for excuses to curl up on the couch rather than beneath the trees
With two large bedrooms with bathrooms, a double twin room, and a fourth queen studio bedroom over the separate garage, you can pile all your friends under one roof for a hip woodland getaway. As chic as it is, it also comes with all necessary cabin amenities: two wood-burning stoves, a wraparound deck for tree watching, a firepit with ample seating, and an enchanted wandering staircase to the nearby creek.
Just make sure you don’t turn into a total homebody and neglect the charm of nearby Berkeley Springs.
Check AvailabilityFollow ’em: @magnoliawv
5. Tiny House, Big Trees
Why you should stay: Get a seriously good view when you wake up from a cozy afternoon nap.
- Location: Lost River
- Sleeps: 4
- Minimum stay: 2 nights
- Rates from: $228/night
You wouldn’t know it from the outside, but this tiny house actually has two bedrooms and comfortably sleeps four people. If you don’t mind keeping close quarters, you’ll be rewarded with 23 beautiful private forested acres to explore during the day, plus a pond and nearby state park. Of course, you’ll have a firepit available for hanging out long into the night.
The house is brand new, and the builders even squeezed in a full bathroom, a refrigerator, and a stovetop for added comfort and independence. Lost River and other nearby towns can offer a bite to eat or a small place for provisions.
But with such good proximity to endless recreational opportunities, including George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, you should plan on spending most of your time in the great outdoors.
Check AvailabilityRelated Read: 15 Amazingly Free Things to Do in Washington, D.C.
6. Lost River Modern
Why you should stay: A futuristic enclave in a secluded, natural setting.
- Location: Lost River
- Sleeps: 6
- Minimum stay: 2 nights
- Rates from: $239/night
The contrast between this cabin’s modern prefab architecture and the property’s dense, towering trees and remote setting will make you and your party feel like retired superheroes or international spies, living out your days undercover. Open, airy rooms with extraordinary natural light let the views of the outside come in, though you can experience the views from the comfort of the funky wooden hot tub, too.
Two queen bedrooms and a twin bunk bed would perfectly fit a three-generation family and the large kitchen-dining-living area begs for a pre-dinner dance party or charades. For a calmer crowd, curl up next to the wood stove and grab a book from the cabin’s large collection of reading materials after a day of outdoor exploration in the nearby state parks and national forests.
Check Availability7. Santosha Mountainside Chalet
Why you should stay: Intense starry skies and a telescope to make sure you see every detail.
- Location: Harper’s Ferry
- Sleeps: 8
- Minimum stay: 4 nights
- Rates from: $349/night
In the Shenandoah Valley, this spacious chalet is the ideal stay for large groups looking for a scenic escape. The house boasts comfortable sleeping, dining and living rooms for eight people, a roomy primary suite, two queen bedrooms, and a double futon in the loft. The roomy kitchen is fully stocked and labeled, so no digging around for saucepans or soup spoons on your first night. It’s one of the highest-rated airbnbs in West Virginia at 4.99 out of five stars.
Sink into the sectional couch that wraps around the wood fireplace, put your feet up in a lounge chair on the deck overlooking the valley, or gaze at the night skies with the telescope. Get a lesson in history at nearby Harper’s Ferry, or get a lesson in wine just across the state border in Virginia’s vineyard country. If you’re into quirky experiences, book a Harper’s Ferry ghost tour – the small town has quite a big story.
Check Availability8. Pastoral Tinyhouse
Why you should stay: Two lofts means twice the space.
- Location: Triadelphia
- Sleeps: 4
- Minimum stay: 2 nights
- Rates from: $117/night
Someone cue up John Denver’s “Thank God I’m A Country Boy,” because this farm stay can definitely be described as “kinda laid back.” Built next to an old horse stable on a 70-acre property, the tiny house is backwoods chic, shrunk into a petite package. Wake up to a repurposed wood ceiling over your lofted bed, sip your stove-pot coffee on the deck overlooking the meadow, or even whip up some eggs and bacon on the small stovetop.
The farm’s location keeps you removed, but not remote. You’re just a short drive away from Oglebay Park and the nearby town of Wheeling, which offer shopping, dining, nightlife, and lots of recreational opportunities. This is actually one of the better airbnbs in West Virginia for a big group as there are two other listings on the property, so your group can stay together but still socially distanced.
Check Availability9. Modern Nordic Cabin
Why you should stay: How do you say “I love this cabin” in Norwegian? (Answer: “Jeg elsker denne hytta.”)
- Location: Davis
- Sleeps: 9
- Minimum stay: 3 nights
- Rates from: $245/night
Nestled in the wilderness near Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge and the Dolly Sods Wilderness of the Allegheny Mountains, this expertly decorated cabin awaits a large group of outdoor adventure seekers. Don’t let the house’s dark exterior fool you: inside lies a cozy, minimalist, and Nordic decor scheme with lots of natural light, wood accents, and other funky details – potbelly stove and record player included.
The four-bedroom cabin is stocked with every amenity you could possibly want or need, from lawn games and bikes to snowshoes, video games, and even a desktop computer.
While the cabin’s proximity to skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking opportunities should motivate you to get outside, homebodies can still enjoy the scenery while snuggling up on the couch or staying in bed, thanks to the oversized windows that peer out onto five forested acres.
Check Availability10. Riverfront Bungalow
Why you should stay: One room fits two families’ worth of worn-out kids.
- Location: Elkins
- Sleeps: 10
- Minimum stay: 2 nights
- Rates from: $275/night
Pack up a passel of friends, young or old, and head for the mountains. This riverfront stay is the perfect wooded spot for a reunion, a multi-family vacation, or a getaway with the grandparents, with two queen bedrooms and a third bunk room that sleeps four adults or six kids. Spend your days lounging on the massive wraparound deck or enjoying access to the Shavers Fork River, and settle in for a campfire when the sun goes down.
The beautiful Monongahela National Forest surrounds the property, but the mid-sized town of Elkins lies just six miles away, with all the amenities needed to sustain a large group for a week or long weekend. If bad weather hits, go check out the museums, galleries, and shops in town, and bring back groceries to whip up a feast in the contemporary kitchen.
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Seen in: West Virginia, Where to Stay
