Top 10 Most Secure Cabin Cities
- Lake Arrowhead, California (83%)
- Big Bear Lake, California (78%)
- Joshua Tree, California (75.7%)
- Blue Ridge, Georgia (74%)
- Broken Bow, Oklahoma (73.6%)
- Pigeon Forge, Tennessee (70.8%)
- Gatlinburg, Tennessee (67.7%)
- Lake Wallenpaupack, Pennsylvania (62.2%)
- South Lake Tahoe, California (58.0%)
- Lake Hartwell, Georgia (56.5%)
Bottom 10 Least Secure Cabin Cities
- Sun Valley, Idaho (13%)
- Big Sky, Montana (16.1%)
- Traverse City, Michigan (17.1%)
- Cody, Wyoming (17.3%)
- Moab, Utah (17.8%)
- Jackson Hole, Wyoming (18.9%)
- Driggs, Idaho (22.7%)
- Ely, Minnesota (23.2%)
- Canaan Valley, West Virginia (23.6%)
- Victor, Idaho (23.7%)
California stands out as a top destination for safety-conscious travelers. Lake Arrowhead leads the way, with 83% of its vacation cabin rental listings featuring security cameras. Big Bear Lake and Joshua Tree follow closely behind, with 78% and 75.7% of rentals showing similar safety features, respectively.
These high percentages suggest that hosts in these popular spots are prioritizing guest security. At the other end of the spectrum is Sun Valley, Idaho. Only 13% of its cabin rentals list security cameras, making it the least secure among the destinations we studied.
For budget-conscious adventurers, Flagstaff, Arizona, offers the most affordable cabin getaway. A five-night stay there averages just $930.13, leaving more room in your budget for experiences. In contrast, Big Sky, Montana, tops the list for cost. A five-night cabin stay in this area averages over $3,500, which shows how location can significantly impact the price of peace and quiet.
What to look for in a safe rental for your cabin getaway
Whether you're escaping to the mountains or relaxing by a lake, safety should be part of your travel checklist. The right smart features can offer peace of mind even when you're miles from the nearest town.
| Cabin Safety Checklist: Smart Features & More To Look For |
| Feature |
Why It Matters |
Quick Tip |
| Exterior security cameras |
Monitor who comes and goes, even when you're not outside. |
Look for listings that mention camera coverage. |
| Smart locks / Keyless entry |
Prevent lost keys and control who has access to the rental. |
Avoid properties that use hidden spare keys. |
| Motion-activated lighting |
Deters intruders and helps you safely navigate the property at night. |
Lights near doors and driveways are ideal. |
| Doorbell cameras |
See and speak to visitors without opening the door. |
Great for deliveries or unexpected guests. |
| Monitored entry points |
Adds a layer of real-time protection against unauthorized access. |
Check if the listing mentions monitored alarms. |
| Secure Wi-Fi network |
Protects personal data and smart device access. |
Ask the host if the network uses a password. |
| Recent guest reviews |
Insight into real-world guest experiences and safety-related feedback. |
Read reviews from the past 3–6 months. |
When you're booking a vacation rental, especially in a remote or unfamiliar area, smart security features like exterior cameras, smart locks, and motion-activated lighting aren't just conveniences. They're essential for feeling safe from the moment you arrive.
Look for cabins with outdoor camera coverage and smart locks that allow keyless entry,.These features not only protect your belongings but also remove the hassle of managing physical keys or worrying about who else might have access.
Cabins that include monitored entry points, doorbell cameras, and secure Wi-Fi networks provide an added layer of protection. You'll feel more relaxed knowing your entryways are covered and your digital footprint is secure.
When you're staying far from city limits, situational awareness and smart tech go hand in hand. Cabins with visible exterior lighting and up-to-date security systems can help you stay safer. These tools give travelers confidence and help prevent unexpected surprises.
For added peace of mind, it's also a good idea to read recent guest reviews and confirm what safety features are listed in the rental description before booking.
Methodology
Our dataset, collected from 65 popular cabin destinations, includes up to 300 listings per location, the maximum Airbnb allows users to access due to a 15-page pagination limit. We used flexible search settings (e.g., one-week trips in July or August) and identified listings with security cameras based on feature tags. Each listing in our dataset also includes a five-night price, which we then used to determine the average cost of a five-night stay for each location. These prices reflect what travelers might typically pay for a short cabin getaway in peak summer months.
Limitations:
- Per Airbnb's policy, search results may include listings outside the specified geographic location, depending on availability, quality, and algorithmic prioritization (e.g., Superhost status or rating). Therefore, while we aimed to isolate specific destinations, the resulting data may reflect broader areas.
- We identified listings with security cameras based on feature tags. It's important to note that this information relies on host disclosure; some listings may include cameras without listing them explicitly. As a result, our reported percentages reflect only what is publicly declared in the scrape-accessible data.
- Since Airbnb can only pull 300 listings per location, these percentages and average prices only reflect those, not all listings.
- Prices may change based on time of year of rental
Fair use statement
We welcome the sharing of this study's findings for noncommercial purposes. If you reference or republish any information, please include a link back to this page to credit Vivint and give readers access to the full report.
