5 Quirky Places to Stay for Nature-Centric Adventures
From desert domes to repurposed shipping containers, these offbeat escapes offer character, comfort, and easy access to the great outdoors
Tired of generic accommodations and unremarkable rooms when traveling? Mix it up with a stay that’s big on experience, even if it’s small in size.
These one-of-a-kind places to stay near US state and national parks—from cozy tiny houses to dreamy domes—make well-appointed base camps for all kinds of outdoor adventure.
Little Arrow Outdoor Resort
Townsend, Tennessee
While most visitors to Great Smoky Mountains National Park flock to bustling Gatlinburg, the quiet side of the Smokies offers less congested access to nature. One of the most unique places to stay on the northwest side of the park is Little Arrow Outdoor Resort, where you can book a tiny house or safari-style tent.
More than a campground, Little Arrow features sprawling gardens, walking trails, a swimming pool, a pickleball court, and direct river access. The tiny homes, glamping tents, and Airstream trailers are thoughtfully equipped with amenities such as comfy porch seating, fire pits, and easy access to unlimited hiking, biking, and even cave exploring opportunities both inside and outside the park.
OutpostX
Beryl, Utah
Billed as a cinematic off-grid sanctuary, this sci-fi escape—located on a Mars-esque dry lakebed in southwest Utah—is truly unique. In addition to three Tattooine-inspired cave dwellings, 10 Viking tents, and four transparent Zen Domes, OutpostX features in-ground trampolines, a space Viking-inspired lounge, an outdoor spa area with hot tubs, and communal kitchens for campers and tent dwellers.
The wide-open space and pitch-black night sky will appeal to nature lovers, and the sand cruisers, which are free for guests to use on-site to explore the desert playa, bring out everyone’s inner child. Bonus: It’s less than two hours from Zion and even closer to miles of national forest.
Grand Lake Lodge
Grand Lake, Colorado
For a quieter stay near Rocky Mountain National Park, head to Grand Lake Lodge—just minutes from the park’s west entrance—and check into one of its four Jupe tents. These design-forward glamping shelters were created by former SpaceX and Tesla engineers.
Each 100-square-foot tent features a private porch and access to all the lodge’s amenities, including a pool with a view. Inside, you’ll find a comfortable bed, screened windows, and extra blankets for chilly mountain nights (there’s no heat or AC), plus access to a shared private bathroom and shower building.
Endless outdoor adventures await nearby, from hiking and kayaking to mountain biking and wildlife spotting.
Tu Tu’ Tun Lodge
Rogue River, Oregon
A stay in one of the 12 glass cabins at the adults-only Tu Tu’ Tun Lodge is sumptuous and unforgettable. Located along the banks of the Rogue River—officially designated as a National Wild and Scenic River—these modern tiny cabins feature floor-to-ceiling windows that offer unobstructed views of the surrounding forest and river. The expansive windows are specially glazed for daytime privacy, while blackout curtains ensure complete seclusion at night.
Guests enjoy access to the main lodge’s fine dining, a heated outdoor pool, and a riverside wood-fired sauna. Spend your days fishing, kayaking, or swimming in the river—or head out on nearby trails for hikes with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, just a few miles away.
Container City
Burnet, Texas
This colorful destination, located in Texas Hill Country—known for its abundant lakes and rivers and just a one-hour drive from Austin—offers six distinctive cabins crafted from repurposed shipping containers, each complete with its own rooftop patio.
Container City guests can enjoy a pickleball court, a disc golf course, and Templeton’s Bar—also built from shipping containers—which serves up craft cocktails, cold beer, and live music under the stars.
Outdoor enthusiasts are perfectly positioned for adventure: Spider Mountain, Texas’ only lift-served downhill bike park, is just next door; nearby Station Mountain offers shuttle-serviced downhill trails; and Reveille Peak Ranch features miles of cross-country trails. For hiking, swimming, and paddling, both Inks Lake State Park and Colorado Bend State Park are just a short drive away.
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Your next adventure-ready accommodations don’t have to be boring. Upgrade from a tent and ditch the cookie-cutter quarters for a unique stay that’s guaranteed to elevate your next outdoorsy getaway.