From an article by Country's Best Log Homes

24 ideal areas across the country to find a vacation log home rental

There's a lot to consider when considering mountain log homes and resort cabin rentals. What goes into determining the right location for your cabin? The readers of Country's Best Log Homes chose such priorities as proximity to their primary home, access to activities such as hiking, fishing, or skiing, and negotiating a parcel price that fits the budget. Also important is finding a reasonably priced resort cabin or vacation cabin rental.

For this year's 24 great places to build, buy or rent: we found input from cabin dealers, resorts, producers, realtors, and local chambers of commerce. The areas had to be cabin-friendly; have ample land and lake proximity for vacation homes; and plenty of natural resources for outdoor enjoyment. All the submissions for this year's top locations were steeped in history and had a story to tell.

We list them by state: the top places to go. Big Bear Lake California is first, which is great for those metropolitan dwellers that need a mountain respite from busy city life. It stays cool in the Summer in Big Bear Lake, where daytime temperatures are routinely in the high 70's and low 80's. Click here for the latest cool weather forecast for Western Big Bear Lake.

Big Bear Lake, California

www.bigbearchamber.com

www.BigBearLodging.net

Big Bear Lake is Southern California's premier recreational lake. It has approximately 24 miles of shoreline and is over seven miles long. Outdoor sports opportunities include hiking, biking, horseback riding, off-roading, golfing, boating, waterskiing, parasailing, and fishing. In the winter, activities change to downhill and cross country skiing, snowboarding, and moonlight snowshoeing. The best resort cabin rentals are on the south shore. Our favorite is Golden Bear Cottages. Their summer vacation specials for 2008 include: Free gas for your vacation trip, big discounts on boat rentals and free pet stays for travelers with pets in their exclusive pet friendly cabins with fenced yards. The only resort cabin property to offer these special vacation offers.