Escape to the country in this bright and cozy semi off-grid tiny cabin, nestled on a secluded, wooded hillside on our 110-acre farm. This nature getaway features a modern farmhouse interior with rustic accents. Take a moment to unwind on the front porch in comfortable Amish crafted Adirondack chairs. Put a record on and sip a glass of wine as you enjoy the sunset. Perfect for a couple or individual seeking to connect with nature, this rural pet-friendly retreat is the ideal tranquil getaway.
The space
Big Oak Hillside Retreat
● Luxury 270 sq. ft. secluded tiny cabin in the woods + 180 sq. ft. of deck space for enjoying the views of nature
● Rustic farmhouse features with modern amenities
●Family owned farm. We reside on the property and are available 24/7 to accommodate the needs of our guests.
● 110-acre farm with miles of hiking trails and vegetable and flower gardens throughout for exploring
● Cabin is stocked with essentials.
● Pet-friendly
●We installed an EV charger for our guests! Grizzl-E Classic Level 2 Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger up to 40 Amp.
● Bird-watching opportunities on our property and nearby Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge & Preserve
● Cabin is inaccessible by car. Walking path from parking to cabin or transport in owner driven UTV.
● We do not discriminate based on age, gender, race, citizenship, religion, political beliefs, or sexual orientation.
●There will be NO RUNNING WATER NOVEMBER-MARCH (only) due to potential freezing temperatures and to avoid freezing pipes. Guests will be provided drinking water, water for cooking, cleaning, and showering with a submersible pump. We also provide dry shampoo and conditioner, and body wipes.
● Looking for specific dates but we are booked? Be sure to check back with us often for last minute cancellations and weekday availability. Also check the availability of our other property, Fern Oak Off-Grid Treehouse.
Our rustic smoke-free cabin in the woods is the ideal tiny cabin experience for the nature lover that enjoys the outdoors but appreciates the essential creature comforts of home. This nature retreat is a five-minute walk from our house and parking. The 270 sq. ft. tiny house includes modern and rustic farmhouse features using reclaimed materials where possible, giving it a warm and cozy feel. The interior amenities include a luxurious queen-sized bed with a hybrid gel infused memory-foam and pocket spring mattress, fully stocked kitchenette, dorm size refrigerator, toaster oven, large four-burner gas grill, tv with blu-ray/dvd player, movies, record player, and a small library of books. There is no oven or freezer. We have coolers available for use if the mini fridge is not sufficient. We offer bags of ice for $5.00, or they can be purchased at our local County Market located one mile from our home. We provide guests with two gallons of potable drinking water.
NO WIFI-. The cabin does not have wifi. Our remote cabin retreat is meant to encourage guests to briefly disconnect and unwind during their stay.
CELL SERVICE-Most guests have said they had cell service at the cabin. The cabin is remote, so we suggest you check your cell service upon arrival.
COMPOSTING TOILET
**Due to the off-grid features of this cabin, we are required to maintain the composting toilet daily. We message guests once daily using the Airbnb app, to determine if they have any needs such as more firewood, extra drinking water, ice, etc. and in determining a convenient time to service the toilet.
Our light-filled tiny cabin offers beautiful views of the wooded hillside with wild and planted flowers throughout the landscape that attract birds, bees, and butterflies. Guests can venture up a wooded trail from the cabin to relax on a rustic bench in view of our long-standing oak tree and inspired namesake to enjoy the surrounding sights and sounds of nature. Our cabin is the perfect escape to inspire artists, writers, and nature lovers alike.
For the adventurer, the property includes marked, natural terrain hiking trails varying in difficulty to explore. Guests should wear appropriate hiking footwear as the trails can be muddy. We also ask that you remain on the trails as there are hidden hazards that can cause injury. A map of the trails, two pairs of hiking poles, and safety vests are available for guest use. You are not permitted to bring your own off-road vehicles to use on our property.
We offer flower and vegetable gardens in season throughout the property that guests are welcome to explore. Guided tours are available upon request. A small vegetable and flower garden is also located near the cabin for guests to enjoy and harvest from for cooking purposes.
KITCHENETTE
WE PROVIDE:
A 2-night stay is furnished with the following complimentary food items:
Salt, pepper, grilling seasonings
½ gal. lactose free milk
Fresh fruit
Olive oil/ butter/margarine spread
Local honey
Herbs and other seasonings (garden fresh available in season)
½ loaf bread
Ketchup, mustard
Regular & decaf coffee
Coffee creamer
Assorted tea
Sugar
Flour
2 gallons drinking water (more available upon request)
Hot chocolate (cooler months)
2-small individual bottles of orange juice
6 eggs
Peanut butter
2 yogurts
4 snack bars
4 individual cereals cups
2 packs microwave popcorn
Smores ingredients (graham crackers, marshmallows, Hershey’s chocolate)
Free vegetables from private guest vegetable/flower garden (seasonal) near cabin
**Stays over 2 nights, include more of the above food/drink items as needed.
KITCHENETTE APPLIANCES/COOKING SUPPLIES PROVIDED:
Mini fridge
Toaster oven (no full-size oven available)
Pots, pans, storage containers
Microwave
Toaster
2-burner portable electric cooktop
Coffee maker
Teapot
Outdoor gas grill with side burner (lp tank provided)
Grilling kit/accessories/skewers
French press
Basic eating/cooking utensils
Cups, plates, bowls, glasses
Cutting board
Cutting knives
Paper plates, napkins, paper towels, plastic utensils
Sandwich & gal. storage bags, aluminum foil, saran wrap, garbage bags
Wine glasses/bottle opener (corkscrew)
Salad strainer
Popcorn bowl
Wash/hand towels, pot holders
Folding table for extra work surface
BATHROOM
Composting toilet, toilet paper, wash cloths, towels, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, soap, hand soap, shave cream, razors, blow dryer, Q-Tip’s, cotton balls, toothpaste, and tooth brushes.
OUTDOORS
Firepit
Picnic table, table cloth, firewood provided, kindling, 2-person hammock at firepit area, 2 lanterns, roasting sticks, complimentary smores kit, lighter, insect repellent and wagon for transporting supplies to firepit.
Hiking
5+ miles of private marked hiking trails guests have full access to, hiking poles, insect repellent and trail maps.
Outdoor Dining
Separate patio area with table and chairs, front deck with Adirondack chairs, firepit with picnic table and picnic basket w/blanket for the adventurer.
ENTERTAINMENT/GUEST FAVORITES
Miles of private trails to walk, hike & explore
Pet friendly environment to bring your dog and share the outdoor experience with them
Books/reading, board games, ukulele
Quality time reconnecting with each other
Lounging on front porch watching wildlife, butterflies, hummingbirds
Grilling and secluded firepit
Stargazing
Television w/Bluetooth speakers, DVD player/movies
Record player/assorted vinyl collection
NO WIFI=Opportunity to briefly disconnect from technology=improved mental health
Flower and vegetable gardens to explore, birdwatching, wildlife viewing
Peaceful environment for writing, meditating and relaxing
Art supplies & easels
Yoga (mats provided)
Multiple seating areas for relaxing in nature, small pond with bench seating
Nature and wildlife photography
Guest access
The cabin is located on 110 acres of private land. Guests have access to the cabin, marked trails, and the vegetable and flowers gardens. In addition to the necessities (including towels, sheets, pillows, bedspreads, dishes, and pans), we also provide a bundle of firewood, two battery lanterns, firepit, hammock, binoculars for bird watching, and a wagon to haul your bags or we can transport you and your belongings in our UTV.
Other things to note
COMPOSTING TOILET
**Due to the off-grid features of this cabin, we are required to maintain the composting toilet daily. We message guests once daily using the Airbnb app, to determine if they have any needs such as more firewood, extra drinking water, ice, etc. and in determining a convenient time to service the toilet.
The cabin is comprised of one large room containing the bedroom, kitchenette, and living room. Bathroom facilities include an indoor, separate but attached bathroom with a high-end sanitary no smell Nature’s Head composting toilet and regular sized shower. (There is no running water Nov.-March due to freezing temperatures)
We provide an air conditioner for warmer weather and a space heater for cooler nights.
We installed an EV charger for our guests! Grizzl-E Classic Level 2 Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger up to 40 Amp.
The cabin is inaccessible by car. Guests and their belongings must be driven to the cabin in our UTV or may transport their belongings using our pull-behind cart. Guests are not permitted to bring their own off-road vehicles to ride our trails.
Well-behaved/potty trained dogs are welcome -$15/pet/night. We love that we can share our cabin with guests and their pets. We ask that you leave the cabin the way you found it upon arrival. Please clean up after your dog and do not allow them on the furniture at any time so that we can continue to keep our tiny home dog friendly. We provide supplies such as a food and water dish, dog runner, old towels, and bags to clean up after your pup. We also have dog crates available if needed.
We have two rescue dogs that remain inside our house most of the time. However, they are territorial and will bark at strangers and other dogs. We ask if you do bring a pet, you always keep them on a leash for their own safety and do not leave them unattended in the cabin for any reason. They should be put in a crate or taken with you if you leave the cabin. Wild animals-coyotes, bobcats, raccoons, opossums, etc. live and roam throughout and near our property and can be a danger to your pet.
No smoking, fireworks, incendiary devices, hunting, guns, or weapons of any kind are permitted on our property.
Use the hammock and hike the marked trails at your own risk. We have included these amenities for the enjoyment of our guests but ask that you use them carefully for your own safety. Please respect our property boundaries and do not venture beyond our fenced property lines or trespass on neighboring property.
WAIVER-All guests will be asked to sign a waiver before staying at Big Oak Hillside Retreat to guarantee you are aware and accept the potential dangers you may encounter on our property. The waiver can also be found in the rules section of this listing. By accepting this reservation, guests agree expressly to assume the risk of any harm arising from their use of the premises or guests they invite to use the premises. The owners are not responsible for any accidents or illnesses that may occur while on the premises. We are also not responsible for the loss of personal property or valuables of the guests.
During the warmer months, you will encounter a variety of insects such as mosquitos, ticks, bees, wasps,etc. Guests are encouraged to bring insect repellent. We do provide some if needed. Depending on where you are on the property and time of year, you may hear light traffic in the distance, farm machinery during planting and harvesting, and distant neighbors occasionally target practicing. This is country living.
Please respect our cabin and property, leaving it in the condition you found it. We ask that you pick up and discard all trash in the outdoor garbage can, wash your dirty dishes, put used items back where you found them and place wet (human) towels in the supplied laundry bag before you leave.
There is a TWO-NIGHT MINIMUM stay at our cabin.
Big Oak Hillside Retreat is in the middle of our 110-acre farm in the woods and offers a fully-stocked glamping experience for guests seeking a comfortable experience in nature. However, electricity and hot water are limited. Guests must monitor their electricity and water use to prevent tripping the breaker or running out of hot water.
There will be NO RUNNING WATER NOVEMBER-MARCH (only) due to potential freezing temperatures and to avoid freezing pipes. Guests will be provided drinking water, water for cooking, cleaning, and showering with a submersible pump.
Rules
No smoking
No loud noise after 9:00 pm.
No parties or events
No unapproved guests
No littering or destroying of property. All trash should be disposed of in the trash cans provided. Please leave the cabin in the condition that you found it.
Check-in is between 3 p.m.-7 p.m. Check out time is 7:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
Parking-Guest parking is free. However, guests must park up at the main house and be transported with their belongings to the cabin in our UTV.
WAIVER-All guests must sign a waiver before staying at Big Oak Hillside Retreat to guarantee you are aware and accept the potential dangers you may encounter on our property.
Open fires except for the fire pit are strictly prohibited. Please extinguish the fire in the firepit when done using the water provided.
Property access guests have access to the cabin, firepit area, marked trails, mowed paths, and gardens.
No motorcycles, UTV’s or ATV’s permitted for use on the property
No hunting of any kind
No illegal drug use
No fireworks, flares, or incendiary devices allowed.
No guns or weapons
No swimming in the pond.
Outdoor shoes should be removed before entering the cabin.
Private property-guests must remain within our property lines. Trespassing on neighboring property is strictly prohibited.
Dogs are welcome but must remain on a leash when outside the cabin to guarantee their safety. Pets should never be left unattended in the cabin. We have pet crates available.
The use of the hammock is at your own risk.
The use of the trails is at your own risk.
