Country Road Cabins’ Tricked-out tree houses, geodome, and cozy cabins will cure your winter blues.
When booking your stay, use the code WVLIVING
and receive a 10% discount.
Looking for a unique winter getaway? Or maybe a neutral place for a holiday family gathering? Take West Virginia’s country roads to Country Road Cabins in Hico, located seven miles from the New River Gorge Bridge. With tree houses, cabins, glamping tents, yurts, and a geodesic dome tucked into a scenic wooded area near the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, it’s a place where memories are made.
You may think that the best time to visit the New River Gorge region is in the summer and fall, but don’t rule out the winter months. After the leaves have fallen and flurries begin to fly, this area transforms into an ethereal landscape—and what better way to experience trees bejeweled with icicles and snow than sleeping in one? “We all dreamed of having a tree house when we were kids. We’ve brought that dream to life for grown-ups,” says coowner Heather Antolini, who purchased the property in 2021 with her son and daughterin-law, Michael and Anna Antolini. “Not only are they a unique getaway for adults, they are especially magical in winter.”
The tree houses have bathrooms, outfitted kitchenettes, gas grills, expansive windows, hot tubs, and balconies that make you feel like you are a part of the beautiful surroundings. To get to Holly Rock, a 40-foot hanging bridge takes you to the front door. This octagonal tree house is wrapped around a 75-foot oak tree and is a favorite among couples looking for a romantic experience. Tuscany is their other tricked-out tree house. Perched 20 feet above ground, it can accommodate up to four adults with a private queen bedroom and queen sleeper sofa. It also has a full bathroom with shower, large-screen television, all linens, and kitchenette stocked with supplies.
Always looking to improve and elevate their guests’ experience, Country Road Cabins will be unveiling at the end of 2022 a geodesic dome called Moonshiner. The new 24-foot geodome is perfect for couples or families with children. It contains a king bed, kitchen, and bath, with a queen bed in a loft. “We are calling it a tree dome,” she says. “We’ve had a lot of fun with this one. It’s decorated in a copper moonshine still theme. We placed a copper kitchen sink inside a whiskey barrel, and the lighting is Mason jars. Even the shower is copper. It will be an elevated experience, pun intended.”
Also new to their cabin lineup is Black Bear Cabin at Dogwood Creek. “Black Bear Cabin is fully accessible, perfect for those with mobility challenges. Everything is on one floor, including three bedrooms,” Antolini says. With a total of 25 units to choose from, there’s something for everyone, and they offer pet-friendly options, too. The sizes range from two-person cabins like Almost Heaven and Laurel to the largest, Insignificant, that can hold 15 people. They also offer three sites with RV hookups.
Located between Summersville Lake and the New and Gauley rivers—Winterplace Ski Resort is even a short drive away—Country Road Cabins is a great home base for anyone wanting to explore the region. You can spend the day hiking, rock climbing, fishing, boating, mountain biking, skiing, whitewater rafting, or ziplining—or just cozy up in front of a fire with a good book.
Open 365 days a year, Country Road Cabins pride themselves on creating a memorable experience for their guests that goes above and beyond typical cabin rentals. “All of our units have hot tubs, gas grills, porches or decks, fire rings, kitchens or kitchenettes, indoor plumbing, linens, kitchen utensils, pots and pans, and basic pantry items like oil, seasonings and aluminum foil,” says Antolini. “We fully equip them so that folks feel that it is their home away from home.”
Celebrating a birthday? They’ll have champagne and a custom birthday cake waiting. Interested in booking an anniversary trip or an engagement proposal? Then choose the Romance package—a bed of roses, a basket with chocolates and champagne, and a steak dinner with all the fixings will be waiting. And if you are visiting over the holidays, you’ll find a Christmas tree and wreath. “Come for the holidays, long weekends, girl getaways, friendsgivings, birthdays, weddings—you name it. We want this experience to be whatever the guest dreams of,” says Antolini. “There really is something to do for everyone every season of the year. As we like to say, ‘We are the place where country roads take me home away from home.’”
@countryroadcabins on Facebook
READ MORE ARTICLES FROM WV LIVING’S WINTER 2022 ISSUE
Leave a Reply