If you’re looking for a weekend retreat in the mountains or need a place to base yourself to explore Washington state’s North Cascades region then you should consider a stay at the Elk Track Cabin in Packwood.

This charming and cozy cabin is centrally located to Washington’s most famous natural attractions like Mt Rainier National Park. The cabin sits on a large acreage and is surround by mountains and lush forests that are guaranteed to help you relax and rejuvenate.

The cabin is perfect for nature lovers who are looking to either relax in a peaceful setting or for those who are interested in pursuing outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, and ATV riding. There is even a ski area nearby if you are planning a winter visit to Packwood.

Where Is The Elk Track Cabin Exactly Located?

The Elk Track Cabin is located on Highway 12 just outside of Packwood, a small rural town that lies on the outskirts of Mount Rainier National Park. The town of Packwood has a small grocery store, a brewery, and a handful of dining options.

What Was Staying At The Cabin Like?

The cabin sits on ten private acres so it felt very secluded, private, and quiet. We stayed for three days in the fall so we could explore the eastern side of Mt Rainier National Park and to visit Mt Adams.

The cabin provided a cozy and relaxing environment to come home to after long days adventuring in the cold.

The Elk Track cabin has a wood stove to keep the home toasty and warm. We slept upstairs in the loft and the heat was more than adequate but there is also electrical heat if you don’t want to build a fire.

The cabin has a lot of nice touches that give it character such as a beautifully carved wooden dining table, the window trims and coffee table made out of red cedar live edge, and other woodsy interior styling.

There is internet and cable TV but during our stay the connection was a little spotty but that was a good thing as it forced us to unplug from social media and television.

PROPERTY FEATURES

One bedroom with queen-sized bed.
A loft sleeping area with TV & DVD player.
Kitchen with stove, oven and new fridge.
Small dining area.
Cable TV & internet
Hot tub and outdoor fire pit.

Trails On The Property

As mentioned previously the cabin sits on ten acres. There are a number of short trails through the woods that on the property that lead to a small clear river behind the cabin. I can only imagine how nice the river would be during the summer months.

Other Features Of Elk Track Cabin

The cabin has an outdoor fire pit and plenty of space for tent camping if you want to bring extra friends or family to stay with.

There is also a brand new hot tub for you to relax in and take in the fresh mountain air.

One of the coolest things about this property is that the resident Elk that live in Packwood regularly visit this cabin.

If you are quiet and get up early enough, it is more than likely you will get to see a herd of 10 to 20 elk grazing right outside the cabin.

During our stay we even had a local black bear that slept right outside only a few feet away from the cabin deck. It was caught on the property camera trap otherwise we would not have known.

If you would like to stay at the Elk Track Cabin book it here on Airbnb.

If you’ve never used Airbnb before, sign up here and get $55 off your first nights stay!

What Makes Packwood So Special?

Packwood is most famous for it’s resident Elk population regularly seen cruising through town, nibbling at low hung branches on the sides of the road, and just hanging out on residents front lawns. If you want to see them they are definitely not hard to find!

Another nice thing about Packwood is it’s central location to Washington state’s most popular and beautiful attractions such as Mt Rainier National Park, Mt Saint Helens, and Mt Adams. So if you plan on visiting all three parks Packwood is a good place to base yourself.

Fall Colors In Packwood

Packwood is especially beautiful in the fall when all the tree leaves change color. Because the surrounding area is not heavily visited it is easy to find stunning back roads to ramble that are quiet and allow you to drive slowly and enjoy the forest views.

Some of the roads we recommend taking a road trip along include Cispus Road beginning in nearby Randle heading towards Mt Adams and Skate Creek Road to Longmire.