It’s The Dream: a cabin tucked away deep in the woods, where your only neighbors are tall pines, birdsong, and the hush of the forest! Not a rental, not a campground, but your cabin—rustic, personal, and set on land in a National Forest. It’s possible through this little-known, century-old program!

Welcome to the U.S. Forest Service Recreation Residence Program (RRP)—often just called “the cabin program” by those in the know. Established quietly by Congress in 1915, it’s one of the best-kept secrets in public land use. And yes, you can be part of it.

Yosemite National Park.

At its core, the RRP allows private individuals to own cabins on public land. You own the cabin and handle all the improvements, but lease the land it sits on from the U.S. Forest Service through a Special Use Permit, renewable in 20-year terms. It’s a legal, structured way to have your own “cabin in the woods” without needing to buy a plot in the middle of nowhere. It’s not glamping. It’s not Airbnb. It’s not a vacation rental. These are real cabins, often handed down through generations, nestled in some of the most scenic corners of the country. Read more.

Technically, anyone can become a cabin owner—if you can find one for sale and if you’re willing to take on the unique responsibilities of ownership under the program. These include:

• Complying with strict Forest Service guidelines.
• Paying an annual use fee (based on your cabin lot’s assigned fee tier).
• Reading and understanding the Recreation Residence Program Overview document (yes, it’s mandatory).
• Accepting that this isn’t full-time living—cabins are for recreation, not permanent residence.

Mortgage financing is rare due to the permit-based land use, so most buyers pay cash or find alternative financing options like borrowing against other assets or arranging seller financing. Read more.

Cabin in Tennessee.

There are nearly 14,000 cabins in the program today, scattered across over 800 tracts in 114 National Forests in 24 states and Puerto Rico. Want specifics? Here are just a few dreamy regions where these hidden gems exist:

• Tahoe National Forest, California – Think alpine lakes, towering pines, and snowy winters.
• White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire – Fall foliage paradise.
• Superior National Forest, Minnesota – Deep woods and endless lakes.
• Gunnison National Forest, Colorado – High-altitude beauty and crisp mountain air.
• Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, Georgia – Lush green forests and mild winters.

Many cabin tracts are organized into local cabin associations, giving owners a built-in community and shared support system for everything from road maintenance to wildfire preparedness.

Can I communicate through the listing site to a seller?
No. Every listing provides the seller’s contact info (email and/or phone) to initiate contact directly.

Is NFH paid a commission for this service?
No. NFH is not a real estate agent or broker and is not involved in any transaction.

Has NFH established any practices or standards sellers must follow?
No. NFH offers no warranty regarding sellers or their cabins and takes no responsibility for buyer-seller interactions.

Are cabins typically purchased with mortgage financing?
No. Because you don’t own the land and cabin use is subject to a 20-year permit, most financial institutions won’t provide traditional financing. Alternatives include seller financing, borrowing against assets, or paying cash.

How much does it cost to use the land?
Cabin owners pay an annual fee based on their lot’s assigned fee tier. Fees adjust annually for inflation only. Check with the seller to learn the exact fee.

The cabin program is not for everyone—there are responsibilities, regulations, and real limitations. Still, for those who get it, this is the dream: a cabin in the woods, your name on the mailbox, and no hotel check-in required. Just… maybe don’t tell too many people, okay?

Cabin in the forest in winter.