Private 40-acre retreat directly surrounded by the 23,100-acre Giant Mountain Wilderness Preserve. A babbling brook runs behind the cabin; the Owl's Head Lookout trailhead is steps away, with the High Peaks further down the path. Gather at the fire pit each night, wake to the sound of a mountain stream. Fully stocked: wood stove, screened porch, firewood, games, library, full kitchen. Guests call it "food for the soul." Four seasons.
Owl's Head is our family's personal vacation home — and it shows. Everything here reflects how much we love this property, from the curated library and game dresser to the firewood stacked and waiting. As one guest put it: "When we visit it truly feels like we are staying at a friend's cabin. Hands down our favorite place in the ADK."
Outside: A brook runs behind the cabin — audible from the screened porch, the open deck, and through the windows at night. The fire pit sits right at the water's edge. The Owl's Head Lookout & Giant Mountain trailhead is steps from the driveway, with the 23,100-acre Giant Mountain Wilderness Preserve surrounding the property on all sides. If you want a shorter hiking adventure, we have our own marked private trails for you to explore.
Inside: Queen bed downstairs. Upstairs loft with one queen and one single, plus a reading corner and DVD collection. Full bath with shower downstairs. Fully equipped kitchen. Screened-in porch with futon — usable as a guest bed in warm weather. Open deck with gas grill, table, and chairs.
Everything included: Linens for all beds, towels, firewood and kindling, coffee and cooking essentials, bath products, first aid kit, binoculars, trail guides, board games, and a full DVD library. Bring food and clothes. That's it!
Guests have full access to the entire house, garage, and all 40 acres. Explore the private nature trails, follow the brook downstream, cross the 40-foot suspension bridge, or simply relax by the fire. The driveway is mostly flat — no four-wheel drive needed in normal conditions. In winter, the driveway is plowed by our local property manager.
We don't live on the property but we're actively involved in every stay. We respond quickly by phone and email, and a local caretaker is nearby if anything needs attention on-site. A few days before your arrival, we'll send you full check-in details via email. The cabin is thoroughly cleaned and all linens freshly laundered after every stay.
Fully unplugged: There is no WiFi and no cell service on the property. A land line is available for phone calls, and cell service returns about five minutes toward Elizabethtown if needed. Our guests consistently tell us it's one of their favorite things about staying here.
Summer booking structure: Summer stays run Saturday to Saturday, 7 nights minimum. This reflects the rhythm of the High Peaks season and allows our crew to properly prepare the cabin between guests. Two-week summer stays are available at a discount with the same Saturday cadence. Off-season bookings are flexible with a 2-night minimum.
House rules agreement: Because this is our family's personal home — fully outfitted and cared for — we ask all guests to review and sign a house rules agreement before arrival. It's straightforward and simply reflects the standard of care we put into the property.
Essex County, NY Certificate of Occupancy Number: OCC-000189