This cabin tucked away in Oregon's Mount Hood National Forest is a dream escape for camping fans looking for an upgrade over a plain old tent.
The one-bedroom home, listed for sale at $50,000, offers a scant 330 square feet, spread across the main floor and the small sleeping loft above the dining space. And while there is a roof for protection from the elements, this home exists more in the elements than outside of them.
"You're literally outside and inside at the same time," says listing agent Liz Warren of Merit Properties. "It's almost like camping out."
Indeed. The home has no electricity or running water -- although it does have a cute, A-frame outhouse. With the windows and doors open wide and the breeze running through, you'll find this home is more of a shelter than a creature comfort.
But a cute shelter it is! Built in the '60s, the home combines rustic elements -- the two wood-fired stoves (one for heat and one for cooking) and benches aplenty -- with Mid-Century Modern details such as the asymmetrical design of the roof and the series of thin windows running up the back wall.
Not to mention the stark minimalism. "A lot of people are attracted to its simplicity," says Warren. "They see it and like the fact that it's so original -- and doesn't have modern amenities."
You couldn't pick a better location for camping. The Zigzag River runs by just 200 yards from the front door, and a nearby hiking trail leads to Trillium Lake. Furthermore, Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort is just a short drive away.
Despite the home's proximity to Portland -- only an hour away by car -- its location feels private.
"Seclusion is one of the best things about this cabin," Warren says. It's one of 550 cabins hidden in the forest. While many of the others are clustered together, this particular property is tucked away in the woods. You couldn't see your neighbors even if you wanted to.
The property's only downside is that you don't actually own the land -- the new buyer must pay the national forest a yearly $1,900 lease fee. And if you're planning on setting up camp year-round, think again. The lease requires owners to maintain a primary residence elsewhere.
But, if you're looking for a second home that feels more like an adventure than a house, this itty-bitty forest escape might just be your dream.