We first heard about Rolling Huts from our friend Sandra. Rolling Huts is a modern alternative to camping, designed by Tom Kundig of Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects in Seattle. It is a group of 6 modern “cabins” located about 15 minutes away from Winthrop (~4 hours from Seattle). There are six huts, forming “The Herd”. We were convinced the moment we saw the pictures. I’m sure you’d agree….
Photo Copyright: Tim Bies/Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects
COOLEST. CABINS. EVER.
The huts are equipped with a small refridgerator, microwave, heating and even has Wi-Fi!
Together with our friends, Sandra & Vincent, we went for a weekend camping trip to Rolling Huts in mid-March 2011. The only classic “camping” thing we really did was sleep in our sleeping bags! The huts are equipped with a small refridgerator, microwave, heating and even has Wi-Fi! A modern wood-burning fireplace supplies additional heat. A little balcony at the back of the cabins lets you enjoy views of the mountain without having to leave your cabin. There is a sleeping platform that fits two adults and a living area that can fit another two on the floor. There’s a honey-bucket style toilet adjacent to the huts and a fully heated bathroom that is complete with hot/cold showers and flushable toilets just a few steps away.
Our assigned hut (Hut #6)
They are also pet friendly, so we brought along Tamago – Sandra & Vincent’s puppy.
TIP: Photos above were taken using a Nikon D40x DSLR (no longer being sold) along with a must have, versatile traveler’s lens, the Nikkor 18-200mm. An equivalent DSLR would be the Nikon D3000.
CREATIVE SOLUTION
Turns out, the elevated wooden huts are a creative solution to a local zoning code that only allows RVs in this area. The huts are put on rusted wheels as a workaround which enabled the huts to be classified as mobile homes, which met the regulatory requirements. The wheels are what gave the huts their name – “Rolling” Huts. It was a moment of eureka when we figured that out 🙂 Firewood is stored under the huts, in between the wheels.
LUXURY ALL THE WAY
As if the heating, the wifi, heated bathrooms and hot shower was not luxury enough, there’s also a restaurant just steps away from the huts at the entrance to this “campsite”. So if you didn’t want to bother bringing your own food, you can always just take a short walk to the restaurant and have your meals there. The weekend we were there, the restaurant was closed, so we brought our own food. We used the both the gas grill and charcoal grill to cook our marinated chicken wings, pork rib and salmon! It was delish!
FARMHOUSE
Right opposite the six huts, adjacent to the bathrooms is a two-story house called “The Farmhouse”. We learnt that it is also available for rent, sleeps 8 comfortably (3 rooms) and has all the amenities of a home (including bathrooms). We loved our camping weekend so much that we decided to go back and rent the Farmhouse for a weekend to celebrate a friend’s birthday. We’ll be doing that this coming month of May!
The Farmhouse is not advertised on Rolling Hut’s website, so you’ll have to call if you want to reserve it. It is $250/night for the entire house with a 2-night minimum reservation.
GETTING THERE
From Seattle, it’ll be about ~4 hours drive through the North Cascade Scenic Highway. On the way to Rolling Huts, you’ll pass through the tiny town of Winthrop that has preserved its “American Wild West” building design & architecture.
- Address: 18381 HWY 20, Winthrop, WA 98862.
- Cost: Each hut is $125/night with a minimum 2 night reservation.
- Website: http://www.rollinghuts.com/index.htm
The town of Winthrop (this is it – this one street!)
Local gas station in Winthrop
Local bank in Winthrop
City’s Town Hall
Wild West themed town that has become a popular tourist destination
Cascade Loop Scenic Highway – This is the view as you’re driving to and from Rolling Huts
We had a wonderful weekend there. It was so peaceful and quiet that we ended up not doing any hiking or activities. The view was simply stunning that we spent our time reading on the balcony, taking the puppy for walks, eating, drinking, enjoying each other’s company and played monopoly into the night! Ah, the simple pleasures of life.
For the more adventurous, there are plenty of trails to hike and if you go in the winter, there are also snow-shoeing, dog sledding and other winter activities in the vicinity for you to enjoy.
For those of you who don’t like the ruggedness of camping, this is the PERFECT “camping” trip to get you started!
- There are only six huts ($125/night), so they do get booked up fast, so remember to reserve in advanced through their website.
- For the “Farmhouse” ($250/night), you’ll need to call them as they are not advertised anywhere online.
- There’s a restaurant called “Three-fingered Jack Saloon” that you can check out in Winthrop town (apparently the oldest legal saloon in Washington state). Their lunch menu was so-so. Dinner menu looked better (we didn’t get to try dinner). So if you’re going to stop by the saloon, try stopping by for dinner instead.
- The drive there from Seattle passes Steven’s Pass, so you may need chains (check the weather forecast for the Pass).
- Bring your sleeping bags!
- You can leave your mattress pad for the sleeping bags behind because they provide thin mattresses at the huts.
- You do not need to bring your own toilet paper! Only need it if you use the honeybucket adjacent to your cabin.
- Drive there during daylight if possible, so you can enjoy the Cascade Loop Scenic Highway. On the way there, you will also pass by the town of Leavenworth (worth a stop if you’ve never been there before).
- As always, don’t forget to bring your camera!
- TIP: Most of the photos above were taken using a Nikon D40x DSLR (no longer being sold) along with a must have, versatile traveler’s lens, the Nikkor 18-200mm lens. An equivalent DSLR would be the Nikon D3000.
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31 Comments
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These are amazing! I need to try one out, immediately. I can see a road trip in my near future 🙂
Ashley recently posted..Italy: A detour in Pisa!
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It is truly fun! I would highly suggest that you go when the grounds are covered in snow! It was more beautiful at that time compared to the time we went back in spring. The view remains as stunning as ever of course 🙂
Idelish (Jeremy & Shirlene) recently posted..{India} Paradise on Earth, Taj Mahal
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Holy crap, you’ve been to Winthrop! I went to high school there 🙂 my dad was the brewer there, the brewery is the red school house at the end of the street. Makes for a funny photo 🙂 the saloon is okay, but “the duck” has better food and atmosphere, great desserts. Mud pie. Highway 20 is such an epic drive! But its worth noting that its closed for most of the winter because of the snow. You mentioned you were planning on going back, the spring, right after they reopen 20 is probably the prettiest time of year. Im glad you enjoyed your stay 🙂
faith recently posted..Achievement Unlocked: Chopsticks-
LOL! What a small world, huh! Winthrop and the Rolling Huts were beautiful and you’re right about the drive there. We did go back in Spring to stay at the Farmhouse. All the snow was gone but the scenery driving there and back was still beautiful. We didn’t get a chance to stop by “the duck” and the brewery! We’re definitely keeping that in mind next time we go back!
Idelish (Jeremy & Shirlene) recently posted..{India} India’s Golden Triangle, 7-day Itinerary
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Wow- these are incredible- and I love the browns, yellow doors and icy snow. Gorgeous!
jade recently posted..Sunsets over Guana River, Florida-
Thanks Jade! Yes, the yellow colored door contrasted with the rust colored metal and brown wood, topped with the icy snow just made it look incredible! That’s why we recommend that people go only when there’s snow. It’s not as pretty without the white snowy background when we went back later in spring!
Idelish (Jeremy & Shirlene) recently posted..{India} Juleh, the Magic Word in Leh
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Love love love this one! Modern but rustic…great use of space.
Grace recently posted..Up in a Hot Air Balloon-
It was definitely an awesome experience staying in a smart design cabin!
Idelish (Jeremy & Shirlene) recently posted..{India} Juleh, the Magic Word in Leh
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{USA} Modern Twist to Camping at Rolling Huts http://t.co/FlorxMb
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Had a great time with you both this weekend – the farmhouse is great for a big group!
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It was a fun weekend wasn’t it! Can’t wait for our next group “camping” trip! 🙂
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I’m not much of a camper anymore, but I could definitely stay in one of these huts, what a creative solution.
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Hi Laurel,
Have you seen this: http://www.toxel.com/inspiration/2009/07/18/12-unusual-and-creative-hotels/
Looks like in Germany – there’s a “prison” turned hotel that you can check out 🙂
http://atelier29.blogspot.com/2008/10/prison-hotel-alcatraz-hotel.htmlI am still laughing from reading your post on German Sauna! I was in Finland myself and shy-ed away from the co-ed saunas the entire time I was there. I know.. I’m too chicken!
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Those huts are beautiful!
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They absolutely are! Thanks for stopping by to check out the post!
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OMG. As a Seattleite I MUST try these out. They look fantastic!
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Let us know how you like it when you visit!
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What a fancy way to camp! Growing up, my family didn’t do much of that. Camping to my mom was a budget hotel. However, this is something she might actually do. As for me, I really do enjoy camping now but still don’t do it very often.
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You should definitely recommend it to your mom. Am sure she’d enjoy this “beginner camping” experience – where she gets to “experience camping” by sleeping in her sleeping bag. The rest of you can even pitch a tent in the balcony! 🙂
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Great post. I love these huts and I want to go there!
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What’s stopping you? 🙂 I think the view would be nicer when there’s snow and snow capped mountains, so consider going at the start of Spring or end of fall. Summer would be great too for any camping of course but I think this will be my “snow capped mountain” camping destination 🙂
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