A-Frame Cabin with Barrel Sauna, Fire Pit, and Fenced Dog Yard

A barrel sauna, a big fully fenced yard for kids and dogs, and wifi that handles two video calls at once: rare finds in an Arnold-area cabin. This design-forward A-frame sits on a quiet cul-de-sac in the pines, 5 minutes from Calaveras Big Trees, and sleeps six, which makes it ideal for a family or two couples.

WHY GUESTS LOVE IT
• Electric barrel sauna for up to four, usable year-round

• Big, fully fenced yard and a gated deck, so your dog can roam off-leash and the kids can play outside safely

• Wood stove, tall A-frame windows and a long dining table for board games

• Loft workspace with wifi for two people on video calls at the same time

• Backup generator that switches on automatically in an outage

• Plowed driveway in winter, AC in summer

• Quiet cul-de-sac set back in the forest

THE SPACE
Uncluttered and comfortable, modern meets rustic mountain lodge. The main floor is open, with vaulted ceilings, a wood-burning stove, a comfy sofa, a TV with streaming, and a long dining table that has hosted plenty of late-night board games.

Sleeping (6 guests)
• Main floor: a queen bedroom and a kids' room with two single beds, plus a full bathroom

• Loft: an open loft with a queen bed, its own full bathroom, a sofa and a workstation facing the trees. Guests say it feels like its own retreat.

• Pack 'n play available

Kitchen and laundry
• Fully stocked for real cooking. Guests have made Thanksgiving, Easter and Christmas dinners here.

• Keurig with coffee pods, plus cooking oil and spices

• Washer and dryer, with laundry detergent

Outside
• Electric barrel sauna for up to four. It takes about an hour to heat, so switch it on before you head out for a hike.

• Big, fully fenced yard: dogs can run off-leash, and kids can sled and build snowmen right outside when there's snow

• Deck, shaded in the afternoon and gated, so your dog can hang out with you while you grill on the Weber

• Wood-burning fire pit with s'more sticks, when fire rules allow. Firewood isn't provided, but there are plenty of fallen branches and pinecones on the property to get it going.

Work and power
• Loft workstation and wifi strong enough for two people on video calls at the same time

• Backup generator that switches on automatically in an outage

• AC for hot summer days; wood stove and central heating for winter

Extras: cabin games, books, cozy throws, snowshoes, and folding chairs for the lake.

SEASONS
• Winter: sledding in the yard, snowshoes at the door, Spicer Sno-Park about 20 minutes away and Bear Valley about 30. Then the sauna and the wood stove.

• Summer: shaded deck, lakes and rivers nearby, AC when it's hot.

• Spring and fall: quiet trails, dogwood blooms and fall color, and the fire pit in the evening.

LOCATION
The whole cabin and its 0.7 acres are yours. The driveway is flat with room for several cars, and there are only a few steps to the front door. We send directions before you arrive, since the cabin is tricky to find after dark.

Nearby by car:
• 2 min: Lube Room Saloon

• 5 min: Calaveras Big Trees State Park (giant sequoias) and Camp Connell General Store

• 10 to 15 min: Arnold for restaurants and gas

• 15 min: Big Trees Market for groceries, White Pines Lake, the Stanislaus River

• About 20 min: Spicer Sno-Park for sledding and snow play

• About 30 min: Murphys, a Gold Rush town with tasting rooms and restaurants, Bear Valley for skiing, and Lake Alpine for summer swimming

GOOD TO KNOW
• Pet friendly: one pet maximum, with a $75 pet fee

• Winter: the driveway is plowed, but Highway 4 can require chains or 4WD during storms, and after a big storm you may need to wait for the plow. Carry chains and bring groceries; the nearest market is 15 minutes away.

• Expect little to no cell service at the cabin. Use the wifi, and download offline maps before you leave the highway.

• Garbage service included: leave trash in the bear box when you go.

• The sauna is electric, so it's available year-round.