You Can Buy a Cabin in a National Forest With The Recreation Residence Program

The Recreation Residence Program was launched in 1915 and is intended to give people unfettered access to the pristine wilderness at national forests. This program allows you to buy a cabin in a national forest while leasing the land it sits upon.

Live John Muir’s Dream

Known as the father of American conservation, Muir’s mission was to preserve natural resources and impress upon the rest of us the need to protect our national forests. 

Due to his life’s work, an untold number of new parks were created as well as the all-important U.S. Forest Service. The forest service manages 193 million acres of public lands in the form of grasslands and national forests.

There is little doubt that Muir would have been the first one in line to participate in buying and owning a cabin in a national forest. According to NationalForestHomeonwers.org the “Cabin in the Woods” program exists in 24 states and Puerto Rico. There are nearly 14,000 cabins spread out amongst 114 different national forests.

And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.

John Muir

Own The Home, Lease The Land

The way the program works is the cabin and its improvements are the property of the homeowner. They are issued a special use permit which is renewed yearly. The Cabin Fee Act allows for a special use permit renewal with associated fee tiers that depend on the base value of the lot. 

You are also responsible for the property taxes. The appraisal of a typical lot can vary between each recreation residence location.

But what are the benefits of having a second home in the woods?

The purpose of a vacation is to get away from it all and relax. That is why a cabin in the woods is a perfect solution for a second home at your most favorite national forest.

The cabins are located in the woods. No loud neighbors or Airbnb party houses with different guests every couple of days. Your closest neighbors are wildlife, streams, and hiking trails.

A total of 42 percent of cabin ownership is passed on to family members. So you will be buying a second home next to people who value the peace and tranquility of really getting away from their everyday lives and communing with nature.

Muir said, “Between every two pine trees is a doorway leading to a new way of life.” Your new way of life could begin when you buy a cabin at a national forest.

To learn more about buying a cabin in the woods go here.