Woodsy family getaway: private, hiking, wood stove, sleeps 12

Welcome to Elk Meadow Cottage! We've made a ton of wonderful memories here as a family, and we're excited to share it with you.

The cottage is a charming, two-story house just off a paved road in Parks, AZ, and is surrounded on three sides by Kaibab National Forest. It's remote enough that we really feel away — deer, elk, tons of birds (orioles and blue jays among them), chipmunks, and cows, all wander through. At night you can see a million stars and hear the wind in the pines. It's lovely. A full bird feeder right outside the kitchen window, stocked firewood, a gravity lounger for stargazing, and skylights throughout are just a few of the details that make this place feel special.

We're also close enough to everything in Northern Arizona to make a great home base if you're on the go: Flagstaff (30 min), Williams (25 min), Grand Canyon (70 min), Sedona (70 min), Page (150 min).

RELAX — WE'VE THOUGHT OF EVERYTHING
The house is stocked with all the basics: toilet paper, paper towels, shampoo, conditioner, soap, sponges, cleaning wipes, ziplock bags, aluminum foil, and more (full list under the amenities tab — click "See all"). We've also got plenty to make traveling with kids easier, including toys, games, a pack n' play, and more.

SLEEPING
The base rate covers up to 8 guests, and we can comfortably sleep up to 12 (an additional per-person fee applies for guests 9–12). There's a real bed for everyone.

OUR LAYOUT
Four bedrooms plus the bonus Route 66 room.

Downstairs: a king master with a jetted tub and walk-in shower, and the Route 66 room — a cozy den with a TV and a queen futon for movie nights or extra sleepers.

Upstairs: the Red Bedroom (queen, with a built-in library), the Twin Room (four twin beds, one with a pull-out trundle, for 5 sleeping surfaces total), and the Bunk Room (twin over full) — home to a secret loft in the closet that the kids discover every single time.

LIVING & KITCHEN
The main floor features an open great room with a Vermont Castings wood stove (firewood provided), a beloved spinning armchair, and doors to the back deck. The fully stocked kitchen has newer appliances, granite counters, a dining table for 8+, and seating for up to 6 more at the kitchen island — all with forest views, so you'll likely spot wildlife over breakfast.

OUTSIDE
A wrap-around porch, a big back deck with a BBQ, a hammock, a swing, frisbee golf goals, and horseshoes. High-speed Starlink internet throughout.

A COUPLE OF NOTES
Three security cameras cover the driveway only. Cooling is a living-room window A/C unit plus fans — at 7,500 ft it's rarely needed, but we don't have full home A/C.