Cozy Cabin in Lassen

Cozy cabin near some of California's most pristine pine forest, waterholes and fishing, and only 9 miles from the Lassen National Park's Southwest Visitor Center. The town of Mineral is a small island of private cabins surrounded by a sea of National Forest and National Park lands. An adventurer's dream. You could walk out the backdoor of the cabin, into the forest, and arrive at the Lassen Visitor Center without crossing a single paved road, or seeing another human. Just bears. Our happy little cabin is about 1,000 square feet, with one bedroom downstairs, and the other up a steep, narrow staircase that leads into a bright room with giant windows, giving the impression you are tucked comfortably among the trees. People say it's their favorite room in the cabin. You'll see why. All the beds are new Tuft and Needle mattresses. The recently renovated bathroom has a restored Victorian claw foot bathtub -- awwwwww -- and a separate shower. Find your zen with a candle and a book (and if you're coming from the Bay Area you can stop at the organic loofah and lavender farm, MoonBeam Farm, in the valley below the cabin.) The kitchen is compact, but we added a gas-burning stove and accoutrements for those of you who like to cook big. The Mineral Lodge in town also has dining, and is about a 5 minute walk from the cabin. We have a wood stove. It was custom built by a small company outside of Sacramento. It has little gnomes on it. They're cute. And you can put wood in it, get cozy, and stay warm. But remember, it gets hot. Real hot. Burn you hot. Fun fact: Our cabin was originally built in 1928. And when we renovated it, we found the original blueprints for the two-story addition added more than 40 years ago -- and we uncovered some of the original siding and paint (bright red!) now nearly 100 years old. It was originally built shortly after Lassen volcano last erupted. We have a dirt driveway with parking for two cars. Located right near the entrance to Lassen National Park, the town of Mineral is a mountain hamlet, with about 123 residents, surrounded by nature. It's a real mountain gem. You can walk to a general store, restaurant and bar (it's all the same place -- the Mineral Lodge). I recommend the buffalo chicken salad, and for the adults, the volcano shot, which includes flames. There is so much National Forest, Park and Wilderness land around the cabin. It's amazing. So bring your hiking boots, bikes, skis, climbing gear, swim suit, fishing poles, and all the outdoor stuff that brings you joy. I have some hiking books and maps at the cabin. But you might wanna do some map exploring before you get here. There is a swimming hole and waterfall in town, plus Lake Almanor about 30 minutes away, also Ishi Wilderness down the hill, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Lassen Volcanic Wilderness, Caribou Wilderness, Thousand Lakes Wilderness and, of course, Lassen National Forest. It's why the travel writers constantly call this area the hidden gem of California.