Park Model Cabins: What They Are, and How to Use Them
Is there anything cozier than the sight of a log cabin nestled in the woods? Life’s stresses melt away as the smells of wood smoke and coffee drift through the trees. Dressed in wool and flannel, you leave the cold outside and enter your warm cabin, where you sit on rough-hewn furniture and play games with your family.
Who doesn’t want this experience?
Most people don’t have the time or resources to walk into the woods with an ax and build their own cabin. Whether you want a vacation cabin for yourself, cabins for your campground, or a cabin for an Airbnb, you’re looking for something you can’t pull off by yourself—high-quality, pre-made cabins.
At Lancaster Log Cabins, we construct park model log cabins that are not only gorgeous and well-made but are also move-in ready, so you can start renting it to guests or staying there yourself in no time.
Sound interesting? Let’s discuss some of the advantages and uses of park model cabins!
What is a Park Model Cabin?
Park model cabins are rustic-looking cabins designed for campgrounds. Because of their beauty, functionality, and space efficiency, they’re also popular as tiny homes, Airbnbs, and getaway cabins.
These cabins are built on wheels—since they’re built on trailers and are no larger than 400 square feet, they’re technically RVs, even though they look like log cabins.
Park model cabins come with appliances and furniture as part of the package, so you can park it on your campground or property and begin using it as soon as you’ve hooked it up.
4 Uses for a Park Model Cabin
Let’s look at some ways to use your park model cabin.
Park model cabins in your campground
If you own a campground, you should provide various experiences for your guests. Many people love the outdoors, but not all want to pitch a tent and cook over a fire, and not everyone owns an RV.
Many guests simply want to rent a cabin full of rustic charm, but with all the modern amenities they’re used to, such as a bathroom, shower, heat, air conditioning, and a working refrigerator and stove.
Park model cabins are a charming, cost-effective way to give customers what they want. They come fully turn-key, with beds, furniture, and appliances already in place.
Using a park model cabin as a tiny house
Although park model cabins are designed for campgrounds, they’re also popular as tiny houses!
Here are some advantages of living in one of these trailer cabins:
- Like tiny houses, park model cabins are technically classified as RVs. This opens up more accessible financing options and allows you to bypass some zoning requirements.
- Park model cabins have more space than other alternative living options. Tiny houses are about 225 square feet on average, whereas most park model cabins are a comparatively large 400 square feet (although smaller models are available).
- Park model cabins are competitively priced.
- If your park model cabin is made of brand-new, natural products like real logs, it’s more allergen-friendly than tiny homes or mobile homes made of synthetic materials susceptible to mold.
Despite these advantages, you should be aware that park model cabins are not intended to be permanent residences. They’re designed for seasonal or recreational use. Although sturdier and better suited to full-time living than a traditional RV and many tiny homes, they will never be as robust and sturdy as a conventional home built on a foundation.
Also, although these cabins on wheels can be moved from place to place, they are an oversized load you can’t move yourself. If you want to live in a park model cabin, find a place to park it first, and check the local codes to make sure you can put a park model cabin on it permanently. As you might guess, it’s best to keep your moves to a minimum.
Using a park model cabin as an Airbnb
Do you own property in the woods, next to a lake, or in another scenic location where people would love to vacation?
Consider buying a park model cabin and renting it as an Airbnb!
Many people are looking for affordable, low-stress camping experiences. By putting a trailer cabin on your property, you can give them that experience in a more private, secluded way than a campground can offer.
Airbnb estimates you can earn up to $2,996 per month renting a tiny house Airbnb, although that will vary depending on your location and how many guests you have room for. Our park model homes typically have beds for four people, with an additional futon that can turn into a bed if necessary.
If you pay cash for your park model cabin, you should see a return on your investment in two to four years, depending on what model you buy and how many guests you book. If you opt to get a loan for your park model cabin, the Airbnb income should pay your monthly mortgage with money left over.
Remember: Some areas don’t allow you to rent an RV or trailer cabin as a vacation home. Make sure to check local codes before deciding on any major purchases!
Using a park model cabin as a getaway cabin
Sometimes you just need to get away from it all and explore the lakes and woods with your family.
Owning vacation property may seem like a luxury for the upper class, but it doesn’t have to be that way! With a park model cabin, you can have your own getaway on a middle-class budget.
If you enjoy hunting, you can use your trailer cabin as a hunting cabin to warm up, cook hot meals, and relax on comfortable furniture after a long day of hunting.
You may even consider teaming up with your family to buy a piece of vacation property. Purchasing a park model cabin to put on family land allows you to have your own residence without dealing with the permit restrictions of a permanent structure.
What Makes A Park Model Cabin Unique?
If you’re looking for a small camping structure, you have multiple options, from a hand-built log cabin to a tiny house to a motorhome or camper. And if you’re looking instead for small cheap homes, you also have the option of buying a manufactured home.
What makes a park log cabin unique when compared to these other structures?
Let’s get into it.
Looks/quality
The first distinction of a quality log cabin on wheels, like we make here at Lancaster Log Cabins, is its appearance and the quality of its construction.
These cabins are designed for campgrounds and have a woodsy cabin look. Whether that’s something you want to purchase for your campground, Airbnb, or tiny home depends on whether that’s a look you desire!
Our camping cabins for sale are made with natural wood, and some of our furniture is made by Amish craftsmen. This makes them much sturdier than manufactured homes, RVs, and some tiny homes that use lightweight synthetic materials. It also makes them allergen-friendly.
Turnkey
Our park model homes are completely turnkey, meaning as soon as you set them up, they are ready for move-in. This is perfect if you’re looking to save time and hassle.
If you prefer to customize your look, you’ll have to discuss that with the manufacturer ahead of time. They’ll be able to accommodate some of your customization requests. Still, if you’re looking for complete customization of layout, appliances, and features, a park model home is probably not right for you. Instead, you should talk to a contractor who specializes in making custom tiny homes.
Price
The prices of park model homes are comparable to those of tiny houses, and if you go by square footage, they are often cheaper. Tiny home prices vary but average $300 per square foot. On the other hand, our cabins run from about $150-$200 per square foot, depending on your chosen model.
We also offer discounts if you buy commercial.
Classified as RV
Park model cabins are 400 sq feet or fewer, built on trailers, and technically classified as RVs. This comes with numerous advantages, such as:
- The ability to finance with an RV loan
- No property taxes on the cabin
- More lenient zoning restrictions
However, there are restrictions about where you can park your cabin on wheels and for how long. Make sure to thoroughly research the zoning laws, and check with your municipal planning or building department before purchasing park model cabins.
Where To Buy Quality Park Model Cabins
At Lancaster Log Cabins, we make your rustic log cabin on wheels easy! We have camping cabins for sale that are high-quality, convenient, and cozy.
But don’t take our word for it! Check out our Google reviews and see what our customers say about our products.
If you want a more thorough look at our cabins, check out our project gallery, or watch a walkthrough video of our Sierra cabin.
Although we’re located in Pennsylvania, we sell and ship our cabins throughout the contiguous United States!
Contact us today for a quote, or stop by and tour our cabins yourself.
We can’t wait to hear from you!
We’re very interested in purchasing a park model cabin to put on our property in Big Bay, Michigan, we’ll be visiting you in May when we’re down there for a family reunion in Schwenksville.
Do they need a septic field and tank? What is the water source? Are there gas hookups? Do they have fireplaces?
Hi, Nancy, good questions! For sewer you can either do a septic system or a holding tank buried in the ground, but that would be your responsibility to set up and comply with local building regulations. The cabins need a water source such as public water or a private well. We can add a gas stove and water heater if needed. We don’t offer built-in options for fireplaces, but you could add one after the unit is built. Feel free to call us at 717-445-5522 if you have more questions.
Ryan,
For a septic holding tank that is buried, how does it get emptied? Can it be above ground and taken to a dumping station, much like an RV? Just looking to see if you can elaborate.
Thanks
Hi, Michael, thanks for asking clarifying questions. A cabin owner could attach a portable septic tank, like an RV uses, but it’s uncommon with these cabins. Most cabin owners install a more traditional septic holding tank that can be pumped by a sewer cleaning truck.