3 Questions to Ask Before Renting a Cabin in the Wilderness
Sometimes, the best vacation is just getting far away from it all. For many families, the idea of a remote cabin in an isolated location where they can unplug completely from the outside world and get back to nature sounds like an ideal way to spend a spring or winter break or summer holiday. But before you jump at the first idyllic cabin in the wilderness that you find, take a look at some questions you should ask before signing a rental agreement.
What Can You Expect the Roads to be Like?
The thing about remote, isolated destinations is that they often aren't that easy to access. That's often the reason why they're isolated in the first place. You can't expect that a picturesque cabin in the woods will be as easy to drive up to as a hotel in the city. Before you've decided that this is the place for your next vacation, you'll need to find out if you need to take any extra steps to access it.
Roads may be steep, unpaved, or made of gravel. You may need a four-wheel-drive or all-terrain vehicle to access the cabin and other locations you intend to use during your vacation. Make sure to ask the owner about the condition of the roads so that you can make arrangements for the appropriate type of transportation.
How Far Is It to the Nearest Town?
It's possible that the cabin's owner won't reveal the exact location of the cabin you want to rent until you've signed a rental agreement or paid a deposit. This is a common security measure. However, you can ask questions about the proximity of the cabin to essential resources. For example, where is it in relation to the nearest grocery store? Are there restaurants, amenities, or tourist sites within a few miles?
Ideally, your remote cabin won't be so remote that you can't travel to a nearby town for supplies if you need to. You never know what you might run out of or forget to pack. Even if you plan on roughing it, you'll want to be sure that you can get to a place that sells batteries, canned goods, water, and other essentials. Additionally, some families may not want to spend their entire vacation alone in an isolated cabin. You may want the option of taking a night off from nature to go out to eat or visit an attraction. In that case, it will help to know that there are amenities within reasonable traveling distance.
What's Your Refund Policy?
When you plan to spend a vacation in a remote location, it's best to be prepared for the unexpected, and this applies to your ability to get to the cabin in the first place. If you're planning your vacation for the winter, what happens if an unexpected snowstorm blocks the roads and prevents you from getting to the cabin in the first place? Will you be able to get a refund?
Even without blocked roads or dangerous weather conditions, any number of things could happen to prevent your planned vacation, from illnesses to unexpected work demands. It's always a good idea to find out what your refund options are if your plans fall through.
A get-back-to-nature vacation can be a fun family activity and a way to reset before returning to your busy, connected life, but it also comes with a few more challenges than a typical vacation. Asking the right questions before you rent a remote cabin can help you ensure that you're ready for any problem.
To see some cabin rental options that are available to you, check out businesses like Best of Ruidoso today.