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10 Cabins, Campers, and Trailers We Dreamed of Escaping to in 2022View 41 Photos

10 Cabins, Campers, and Trailers We Dreamed of Escaping to in 2022

From a camper turned tiny home on the Nicaragua coast to a family’s adorable roving RV, these retreats have us yearning for a field trip of our own.
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Chalk it up to the winter blues or cabin fever in the wake of the pandemic, but nature is calling. From a hideaway in the forests of Oregon, to a DIY tiny home in Portugal, and even an Airstream renovation in Austin that stays put, let these adventurous cabins, campers, and trailers serve as inspiration for when ever you’re able to get out there next.

This Surfer Road Tripped to Nicaragua, Built an $8K Tiny Home, and Decided to Never Leave

"None of this was part of my plan," says architect Dani Serrano of creating a home out of the Pastime Camper he bought for $1,500 in 2019. A passionate surfer and traveler, Dani only knew one thing when he started out on the Pan-American Highway in Oregon: that he was taking four months off from work to drive down the Pacific Coast toward South America in search of the perfect wave. In Aposentillo, Nicaragua, he found a break that fit the bill, a legendary spot known as The Boom.

"None of this was part of my plan," says architect Dani Serrano of creating a home out of the Pastime Camper he bought for $1,500 in 2019. A passionate surfer and traveler, Dani only knew one thing when he started out on the Pan-American Highway in Oregon: that he was taking four months off from work to drive down the Pacific Coast toward South America in search of the perfect wave. In Aposentillo, Nicaragua, he found a break that fit the bill, a legendary spot known as The Boom.

Four months on the road in his camper made Dani a devotee of essentials-only living, and temperate Nicaragua made it easy to keep that up. But with occasional wet weather, he decided to experiment by building a traditional palm palapa as a shelter for the camper. Wanting his new setup to be compact, as sustainable as possible, and inexpensive to operate, Dani relied on locally-sourced materials, like teak wood provided by friends in the area, and metal joints made by a local welder.

Four months on the road in his camper made Dani a devotee of essentials-only living, and temperate Nicaragua made it easy to keep that up. But with occasional wet weather, he decided to experiment by building a traditional palm palapa as a shelter for the camper. Wanting his new setup to be compact, as sustainable as possible, and inexpensive to operate, Dani relied on locally-sourced materials, like teak wood provided by friends in the area, and metal joints made by a local welder.

"I was obsessed with the design side of creating a space that was a disconnect zone; a way to spend more time immersed in a beautiful landscape," says Castillero. He was also keen to create a unit that could be moved away in the future—and the ideal size turned out to be sub-200 square feet. Castillero sloped the roof to accommodate debris from the tree canopy above. This created a short side of the cabin where the toilet, desk, wood stove, and bed all live; the other side houses a compact but highly functional kitchenette and shower. Photo by Rico Castillero

"I was obsessed with the design side of creating a space that was a disconnect zone; a way to spend more time immersed in a beautiful landscape," says Castillero. He was also keen to create a unit that could be moved away in the future—and the ideal size turned out to be sub-200 square feet. Castillero sloped the roof to accommodate debris from the tree canopy above. This created a short side of the cabin where the toilet, desk, wood stove, and bed all live; the other side houses a compact but highly functional kitchenette and shower. Photo by Rico Castillero

Design in place, it was time to start the actual building—and Castillero was going to need a helping hand. "Although I like to have my hands in all aspects of things, I knew I couldn’t do it completely by myself," he says. A new acquaintance, interior designer and stager Duane Reed, was interested in partnering on the project. The two jumped into the construction together—and in the process, built a rich, beautiful friendship.

Design in place, it was time to start the actual building—and Castillero was going to need a helping hand. "Although I like to have my hands in all aspects of things, I knew I couldn’t do it completely by myself," he says. A new acquaintance, interior designer and stager Duane Reed, was interested in partnering on the project. The two jumped into the construction together—and in the process, built a rich, beautiful friendship.

"Our aim was to work with the feeling of being in between the southern and northern part of the surrounding forest and keep the interior private from the neighbors to the east and west," says System Recovery Architect. "We wanted the house to connect to the scenery as much as possible while following all the regulations and a tight budget. Therefore, the house is designed as a small, simple gable roofed timber house."

"Our aim was to work with the feeling of being in between the southern and northern part of the surrounding forest and keep the interior private from the neighbors to the east and west," says System Recovery Architect. "We wanted the house to connect to the scenery as much as possible while following all the regulations and a tight budget. Therefore, the house is designed as a small, simple gable roofed timber house."

The feeling of immersion is achieved on the ground floor, where communal areas open to the surrounding forest through opposing windows that can fully slide into the wall, merging the outer and inner living space. "The home’s footprint is roughly 480 square feet, but still meets all the clients’ needs, including hosting family and friends, for a simple yet comfortable life," say the architects.

The feeling of immersion is achieved on the ground floor, where communal areas open to the surrounding forest through opposing windows that can fully slide into the wall, merging the outer and inner living space. "The home’s footprint is roughly 480 square feet, but still meets all the clients’ needs, including hosting family and friends, for a simple yet comfortable life," say the architects.

With climate change in mind, Claudia García Cardemil and Ivan Petricio decided to move from Santiago and build a home in Chile’s Los Ríos region, where cooler weather prevails amidst a verdant landscape of forests, lakes, and rivers. "It’s a way to remember that nature is the most important thing," Claudia says. "That’s the idea of the house: It’s a place where I can get up really early and drink my coffee outside, watching birds and foxes—but also a place for the family to be together."

With climate change in mind, Claudia García Cardemil and Ivan Petricio decided to move from Santiago and build a home in Chile’s Los Ríos region, where cooler weather prevails amidst a verdant landscape of forests, lakes, and rivers. "It’s a way to remember that nature is the most important thing," Claudia says. "That’s the idea of the house: It’s a place where I can get up really early and drink my coffee outside, watching birds and foxes—but also a place for the family to be together."

Designed by Hebra Arquitectos, the Old Creek House takes the form of a long and thin rectangle with just over 1,000 square feet of interior space. The home straddles the former creek bed almost like a bridge, and stones from the site were milled into cladding for a partially exposed basement/storage level that is nestled into the natural slope. "The house is growing out of the rock," says a confounder of the firm.

Designed by Hebra Arquitectos, the Old Creek House takes the form of a long and thin rectangle with just over 1,000 square feet of interior space. The home straddles the former creek bed almost like a bridge, and stones from the site were milled into cladding for a partially exposed basement/storage level that is nestled into the natural slope. "The house is growing out of the rock," says a confounder of the firm.

Kele Dobrinski and Christina Valencia spent a long time searching for a camper with enough sleeping space for their nature-loving family of five. They eventually discovered a 2008 Starstream Starcraft for sale on Craigslist for $10K. "I saw this funky camper with two pop-out tent sleeping areas, and I jumped on purchasing it," Kele says.

Kele Dobrinski and Christina Valencia spent a long time searching for a camper with enough sleeping space for their nature-loving family of five. They eventually discovered a 2008 Starstream Starcraft for sale on Craigslist for $10K. "I saw this funky camper with two pop-out tent sleeping areas, and I jumped on purchasing it," Kele says.

"Unlike the dated appearance of the interior, we actually loved the look of the aluminum exterior, so we didn’t change it," Kele says. "We spent seven weeks rebuilding the interior in the middle of a Sacramento summer," The couple gutted the camper’s interior and put it back together, employing bright color, simple built-in furniture pieces, and clever storage solutions.

"Unlike the dated appearance of the interior, we actually loved the look of the aluminum exterior, so we didn’t change it," Kele says. "We spent seven weeks rebuilding the interior in the middle of a Sacramento summer," The couple gutted the camper’s interior and put it back together, employing bright color, simple built-in furniture pieces, and clever storage solutions.

After a jaunt in Los Angeles making leather goods with their company, CUERO&MØR, Eugenia Diaz and Pepe Romero decided it was time to head back to Europe. When the Spanish couple returned in 2019, they converted a van into a camper to roam freely, but knew they’d eventually want to settle down. The next step in their journey? Designing and building a tiny home on their own piece of land.

After a jaunt in Los Angeles making leather goods with their company, CUERO&MØR, Eugenia Diaz and Pepe Romero decided it was time to head back to Europe. When the Spanish couple returned in 2019, they converted a van into a camper to roam freely, but knew they’d eventually want to settle down. The next step in their journey? Designing and building a tiny home on their own piece of land.

The gable cabin they designed and built themselves is tiny by every measure—roughly 193 square feet on the ground floor. But as compact as it is, every space has a use: floor-to-ceiling cabinets store household items and clothing; a breakfast table pulls out from the wall; the cooking area features a full stove; and a loft above the kitchen houses a king-size bed. To bring in light, they used polycarbonate panels to create large front doors and paneling in the loft that frames a window.

The gable cabin they designed and built themselves is tiny by every measure—roughly 193 square feet on the ground floor. But as compact as it is, every space has a use: floor-to-ceiling cabinets store household items and clothing; a breakfast table pulls out from the wall; the cooking area features a full stove; and a loft above the kitchen houses a king-size bed. To bring in light, they used polycarbonate panels to create large front doors and paneling in the loft that frames a window.

"We’d just gotten married, and we were thinking about our next step and how to transition out of renting in the volatile housing market in Austin," says the interior designer, principal of Rose Ballard Studio. "I happened upon a trailer listing and sent it to Paul, half-kidding." But joshing around small-space living is a dangerous game when you’re married to an architect. Paul called her bluff, and days later, the newlyweds were the owners of a tarnished silver camper shell.

"We’d just gotten married, and we were thinking about our next step and how to transition out of renting in the volatile housing market in Austin," says the interior designer, principal of Rose Ballard Studio. "I happened upon a trailer listing and sent it to Paul, half-kidding." But joshing around small-space living is a dangerous game when you’re married to an architect. Paul called her bluff, and days later, the newlyweds were the owners of a tarnished silver camper shell.

Their new floor plan placed the living space at the front, and includes "the library, the living room, and the foyer," Paul says with a wink. The sofa faces the window, next to a wraparound counter that frames the view. The kitchen pantry acts as a divider, visually separating the bedroom—and a surprisingly uncramped bathroom—from the rest of the space. Salvaged wood beams from a century-old wood house were hand-milled and laid down as floor boards; more vintage wood was rescued from a teardown 1930s bungalow and installed as the headboard.

Their new floor plan placed the living space at the front, and includes "the library, the living room, and the foyer," Paul says with a wink. The sofa faces the window, next to a wraparound counter that frames the view. The kitchen pantry acts as a divider, visually separating the bedroom—and a surprisingly uncramped bathroom—from the rest of the space. Salvaged wood beams from a century-old wood house were hand-milled and laid down as floor boards; more vintage wood was rescued from a teardown 1930s bungalow and installed as the headboard.

When Lauren and Chad Garcia moved back to South Australia, they took the opportunity to renovate a 1977 camper: a favorite hangout spot in Lauren’s childhood. Once the steel frame was determined sound and the brakes changed, they began on the interior. The dining nook has an L-shaped bench that wraps around a plywood table and can be converted into sleeping space. Lauren upholstered the cushions in macro suede Warwick fabric, and the original four-season hatches were restored to allow air circulation. The ceiling is covered in slatted lining board.

When Lauren and Chad Garcia moved back to South Australia, they took the opportunity to renovate a 1977 camper: a favorite hangout spot in Lauren’s childhood. Once the steel frame was determined sound and the brakes changed, they began on the interior. The dining nook has an L-shaped bench that wraps around a plywood table and can be converted into sleeping space. Lauren upholstered the cushions in macro suede Warwick fabric, and the original four-season hatches were restored to allow air circulation. The ceiling is covered in slatted lining board.

The couple only tweaked the layout by enlarging the bench and main bed, and adding storage wherever possible. The new palette of white and mint pairs with camel-colored accents in the dining nook upholstery, and a wood screen divides the nook from the bed. The last step was to finish the exterior. "That was the most transformative moment for us," says Lauren, who named the camper Marlow, which is painted across the side with the door. "Marlow means to drift, or driftwood. It kind of resembled the slow life for me."

The couple only tweaked the layout by enlarging the bench and main bed, and adding storage wherever possible. The new palette of white and mint pairs with camel-colored accents in the dining nook upholstery, and a wood screen divides the nook from the bed. The last step was to finish the exterior. "That was the most transformative moment for us," says Lauren, who named the camper Marlow, which is painted across the side with the door. "Marlow means to drift, or driftwood. It kind of resembled the slow life for me."

The Berlin-based company Raus collaborated with Danish architect Sigurd Larsen to create a compact cabin clad in charred timber. "The exterior is burned and oiled lark wood that blends with the dark tree trunks of the forested natural surround," Larsen says. "The texture of the wood feels like bark."

The Berlin-based company Raus collaborated with Danish architect Sigurd Larsen to create a compact cabin clad in charred timber. "The exterior is burned and oiled lark wood that blends with the dark tree trunks of the forested natural surround," Larsen says. "The texture of the wood feels like bark."

The rooms are aligned with the course of the sun. In the morning, the east-facing kitchen fills with sunshine. Strong midday light hits the rear facade, which provides shade for the staircase at the entrance. A small terrace to the west provides a place to sit and watch the sunset—or guests can view the spectacle through windows placed near the built-in queen-size bed. The dark-stained wood across the interior "minimizes reflections and lets the views of the surrounding nature become the main feature of each room," Larsen says.

The rooms are aligned with the course of the sun. In the morning, the east-facing kitchen fills with sunshine. Strong midday light hits the rear facade, which provides shade for the staircase at the entrance. A small terrace to the west provides a place to sit and watch the sunset—or guests can view the spectacle through windows placed near the built-in queen-size bed. The dark-stained wood across the interior "minimizes reflections and lets the views of the surrounding nature become the main feature of each room," Larsen says.

A family of four turned to Cast Architecture to expand their two-room getaway cabin in Washington’s Methow Valley. With building instructions provided by the architects, the family constructed a pair 144-square-foot additions themselves.

A family of four turned to Cast Architecture to expand their two-room getaway cabin in Washington’s Methow Valley. With building instructions provided by the architects, the family constructed a pair 144-square-foot additions themselves.

Each tiny home houses a woodburning stove, a living space, a composting toilet, and a lofted bed tucked under a slightly pitched roof. Although compact, they offer all the comforts of home—including lights, outlets, and radiant floor heating. Floor-to-ceiling windows and lofted sleeping spaces make the tiny homes feel larger and brighter than their square footage, and the dwellings provide the additional space and privacy the homeowners desired.

Each tiny home houses a woodburning stove, a living space, a composting toilet, and a lofted bed tucked under a slightly pitched roof. Although compact, they offer all the comforts of home—including lights, outlets, and radiant floor heating. Floor-to-ceiling windows and lofted sleeping spaces make the tiny homes feel larger and brighter than their square footage, and the dwellings provide the additional space and privacy the homeowners desired.

10 Cabins, Campers, and Trailers We Dreamed of Escaping to in 2021

A 1984 Airstream Shines With a Steely-Blue Shell and a Cozy Farmhouse Interior

This 34-foot-long Airstream Excella was gutted and renovated by Innovative Spaces in Santa Barbara, California, for a family in San Antonio, Texas. Equipped with 200-watt solar panels, a 600aH lithium-ion battery bank, a charge controller, and a 2,500-watt inverter, the trailer can go off-grid for three to five days at a time.

This 34-foot-long Airstream Excella was gutted and renovated by Innovative Spaces in Santa Barbara, California, for a family in San Antonio, Texas. Equipped with 200-watt solar panels, a 600aH lithium-ion battery bank, a charge controller, and a 2,500-watt inverter, the trailer can go off-grid for three to five days at a time.

This souped-up getaway on wheels provides a young family with all the comforts of home. The living spaces and back bedroom feature Kahrs’s Oak Johan wood flooring.

This souped-up getaway on wheels provides a young family with all the comforts of home. The living spaces and back bedroom feature Kahrs’s Oak Johan wood flooring.

Architect Jiri Lev’s home is a prototype for forward-looking architecture that could make a positive societal impact in Australia. It’s constructed largely of local pine: radiata for the frame, and macrocarpa for the cladding.

Architect Jiri Lev’s home is a prototype for forward-looking architecture that could make a positive societal impact in Australia. It’s constructed largely of local pine: radiata for the frame, and macrocarpa for the cladding.

The 280-square-foot structure, built at a cost of $65,322, has a flexible design that can easily be expanded upon in the future. In the second phase of the structure, Jiri will test different types of sustainable materials as insulation.

The 280-square-foot structure, built at a cost of $65,322, has a flexible design that can easily be expanded upon in the future. In the second phase of the structure, Jiri will test different types of sustainable materials as insulation.

This pine wood–clad cabin by Iragüen Viñuela Arquitectos sits atop an elevated platform left behind by a previous builder in a failed first construction attempt, and it overlooks the Cautín River. "This river travels through central Chile, but this place is special because it is where the river originates," explains architect Daniel Iragüen.

This pine wood–clad cabin by Iragüen Viñuela Arquitectos sits atop an elevated platform left behind by a previous builder in a failed first construction attempt, and it overlooks the Cautín River. "This river travels through central Chile, but this place is special because it is where the river originates," explains architect Daniel Iragüen.

Inside, the pine walls and ceilings received a dark stain to provide visual relief from the bright snow-covered landscape. The upper-level playroom contains four sets of built-in bunk beds to house children of many generations who often visit the cabin.

Inside, the pine walls and ceilings received a dark stain to provide visual relief from the bright snow-covered landscape. The upper-level playroom contains four sets of built-in bunk beds to house children of many generations who often visit the cabin.

Small, simple, yet fully functional, La Casa Nueva is an off-grid timber camper designed by Ecuador-based architect Juan Alberto Andrade. He created the dwelling as a personal retreat for himself and his partner, Cuqui Rodríguez, to use as they travel throughout the country photographing various forms of architecture. 

Small, simple, yet fully functional, La Casa Nueva is an off-grid timber camper designed by Ecuador-based architect Juan Alberto Andrade. He created the dwelling as a personal retreat for himself and his partner, Cuqui Rodríguez, to use as they travel throughout the country photographing various forms of architecture. 

The beautifully crafted mobile structure is clad with yellow-heart lumber, and teak boards form its structural frame. The interior built-in furniture is constructed from plywood, and a metal trailer, secured with metal plates, allows the camper to be easily transported.  

The beautifully crafted mobile structure is clad with yellow-heart lumber, and teak boards form its structural frame. The interior built-in furniture is constructed from plywood, and a metal trailer, secured with metal plates, allows the camper to be easily transported.  

Thanks to their savvy with salvaged materials and knack for bartering, Nathalie and Greg Kupfer built this micro-cabin for less than $50 in net costs. The tiny structure currently sits on a friend’s property, but it’s designed to be mobile, should the couple need to move it. "It can be dragged away with nothing more than a tractor," says Nathalie.

Thanks to their savvy with salvaged materials and knack for bartering, Nathalie and Greg Kupfer built this micro-cabin for less than $50 in net costs. The tiny structure currently sits on a friend’s property, but it’s designed to be mobile, should the couple need to move it. "It can be dragged away with nothing more than a tractor," says Nathalie.

"We have no cell service, no Internet, and no phone—the lights are powered by the sun, the water comes from the sky, and it’s just wonderful," says Nathalie.

"We have no cell service, no Internet, and no phone—the lights are powered by the sun, the water comes from the sky, and it’s just wonderful," says Nathalie.

High above Christina Lake in British Columbia, Bohlin Cywinski Jackson designed an idyllic retreat for Lori Hudson, her husband, and their two boys.

High above Christina Lake in British Columbia, Bohlin Cywinski Jackson designed an idyllic retreat for Lori Hudson, her husband, and their two boys.

The home is nestled in a stand of cedar, pine, and Douglas fir trees. The family relocated a smaller cabin to make room for their new retreat, and they plan to convert the original structure into a game room for the kids.

The home is nestled in a stand of cedar, pine, and Douglas fir trees. The family relocated a smaller cabin to make room for their new retreat, and they plan to convert the original structure into a game room for the kids.

Lauren and Van Jones turned a school bus into a vibrant and practical home for their family in Birmingham, Alabama. They outfitted the bus with two sofas with built-in storage, a large kitchen area, and a wood-burning stove.

Lauren and Van Jones turned a school bus into a vibrant and practical home for their family in Birmingham, Alabama. They outfitted the bus with two sofas with built-in storage, a large kitchen area, and a wood-burning stove.

"We wanted to be able to move our home anywhere a job was available," says Lauren. "We love to learn to adapt to whatever situation we're living in, chosen or not." The name Butter Bus came from the couple’s three-year-old daughter.

"We wanted to be able to move our home anywhere a job was available," says Lauren. "We love to learn to adapt to whatever situation we're living in, chosen or not." The name Butter Bus came from the couple’s three-year-old daughter.

With windows facing the lake, Donna Creed and Oliver Girling have a front-row seat to the action. "It’s water that you just want to look at every day because even though it’s a vast plane, it changes all the time," says architect Christine Lolley.

With windows facing the lake, Donna Creed and Oliver Girling have a front-row seat to the action. "It’s water that you just want to look at every day because even though it’s a vast plane, it changes all the time," says architect Christine Lolley.

Solar panels clip on to the steel roof, and rainwater runs off smoothly into collecting barrels. The metal roofing also helps to reflect heat.

Solar panels clip on to the steel roof, and rainwater runs off smoothly into collecting barrels. The metal roofing also helps to reflect heat.

Woven into a stand of redwoods on Jason Titus and Nerija Sinkevičiūtė-Titus’s property in the Santa Cruz Mountains, a tree house by San Francisco designer/artist Jay Nelson gives the couple and their three boys a new perspective on the forest.

Woven into a stand of redwoods on Jason Titus and Nerija Sinkevičiūtė-Titus’s property in the Santa Cruz Mountains, a tree house by San Francisco designer/artist Jay Nelson gives the couple and their three boys a new perspective on the forest.

Above the built-in daybed is a porthole—a recurring feature in Nelson’s work—that looks out into the surrounding forest.

Above the built-in daybed is a porthole—a recurring feature in Nelson’s work—that looks out into the surrounding forest.

Set in a clearing surrounded by spruce and birch trees in Kontiolahti, Finland, a cabin known as the Meteorite cuts a striking profile. The structure is made entirely of cross-laminated timber (CLT). Air gaps of various sizes behind the facade keep the interior warm without conventional insulation (even during Finland’s freezing winters) and give the Meteorite its out-of-this-world shape.

Set in a clearing surrounded by spruce and birch trees in Kontiolahti, Finland, a cabin known as the Meteorite cuts a striking profile. The structure is made entirely of cross-laminated timber (CLT). Air gaps of various sizes behind the facade keep the interior warm without conventional insulation (even during Finland’s freezing winters) and give the Meteorite its out-of-this-world shape.

The Meteorite’s interior is clad in spruce from floor to ceiling, and the homeowner, Ulla-Maaria Koivula, furnished the living areas with hand-selected works by Finnish designers. The dining area features a built-in corner sofa designed by Ateljé Sotamaa, with slipcovers and pillows by Klaus Haapaniemi & Co.

The Meteorite’s interior is clad in spruce from floor to ceiling, and the homeowner, Ulla-Maaria Koivula, furnished the living areas with hand-selected works by Finnish designers. The dining area features a built-in corner sofa designed by Ateljé Sotamaa, with slipcovers and pillows by Klaus Haapaniemi & Co.

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Jessica Dailey
Dwell Contributor
Jessica Dailey is a Brooklyn-based editor, writer, and content strategist interested in where and how people live. www.jessicadailey.me

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