PATC Cabin Rental FAQs

Reservation Questions

What has changed, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic?

Please review our updated cabin rental policies here, and contact the Cabin Coordinator with questions. Before renting a cabin, please note the additions to our terms of service, with special attention to the COVID-19 Addendum. 


When are weekday rates in effect? Weekend rates?

Weekend nights include Friday and Saturday. Weekday nights include Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday.


What time can I check-in? What about check-out?
Check-in on the day of arrival after 3:00 p.m. Check out on the day of departure before 1:00 p.m.

When can I rent for a single night?

Single-night reservations are accepted within 30 days of the date of arrival.


How can I rent a cabin within seven days?

The Cabin Reservations Desk is open on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. A volunteer will be available at (703) 242-0315, ext 102 to accept reservations that begin within seven days. Before calling, please take a moment to review and accept our cabin rental terms of service agreement form. You must submit the form, in order to place a reservation by phone. Guests should be prepared to cover the cost of priority shipping for a cabin key packet or retrieve a packet from the 24-hour drop box at PATC Headquarters in Vienna, VA.
 

What is an advanced reservation?

An advanced reservation describes a rental booked more than 60 days, but fewer than 365 days, in advance of the date of arrival. These reservations are subject to: (1) a three-night minimum; (2) an increased rental rate (double the standard rate) and; (3) a more severe cancellation penalty. To book an advanced reservation, call the Cabin Coordinator at (703) 242-0315, ext. 108 on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Before calling, please take a moment to review and accept our cabin rental terms of service agreement form. You must submit the form, in order to place a reservation by phone.

I’ve chosen to cancel my reservation. Can I request a refund?

Click here for information on PATC cancellation and refund policies.

 

When should I worry if I haven’t received the Cabin Key Packet? What are my Cabin Key Packet mailing options? 

Depending on the location of your residence, relative to our office in Vienna, VA, you should consider contacting us abut five days prior to your reservation if you have not yet received your Cabin Key Packet. At that point, we will offer you one or more of the following options:

1. Pick up a new Cabin Key Packet from the 24-hour drop-box at PATC headquarters at 118 Park St SE, Vienna, VA 22180.

2. Accept an extra $8.95 charge for USPS Priority Shipping.

3. Accept an extra $26.95 charge for USPS Priority Express Shipping.

Please make sure to confirm that the original Cabin Key Packet was mailed to the correct address, and consider checking with your local post office.

 

Why do I need a membership to rent some cabins? Does a membership get me discounts on cabin rentals?

Most public cabins are located on government property, such as Shenandoah National Park, and are operated and maintained by the PATC through agreements with the responsible government agency. Most of the public cabins are primitive. Members-only cabins, located on PATC-owned land, are reserved as a perk for the exclusive use of the club membership. A membership does not afford discounted cabin rates, however. 

For other membership perks or to purchase a membership, click here.

Click here to find out which cabins are public and which require a membership. 

 

What cabin rental perks are available to PATC volunteers? 

On a yearly basis, PATC members who volunteer for the club are allowed to rent a cabin at standard rates within 67 days of the arrival date. In order to use this privilege, volunteers should contact the Cabin Coordinator and provide verification/evidence of their service. 


Cabin Questions  
 

What should I expect at a primitive cabin versus a semi-primitive or modern cabin?
Primitive cabins are rustic and backcountry. While they do not offer running water or electricity, each is equipped with an outhouse, a woodstove and/or fireplace, and some have an outdoor grill. Water should be collected from the nearby spring and purified. Semi-primitive cabins are also rustic and backcountry, but these cabins vary in their amenities. In most cases, semi-primitive cabins offer electricity with lights and possibly an electric burner and/or microwave for cooking, and refrigerator. Some may have running water for kitchen use, but do not include a shower or indoor bathroom and require the use of an outhouse. Wood stoves provide the means for cooking and heating semi-primitive cabins. Most modern "cabins" are houses located either in the woods or near towns. Modern cabins have indoor plumbing, electricity, and will occasionally offer heat and air conditioning.

How should I prepare for my cabin stay?

Each cabin is equipped with different amenities that will affect how you should pack for your trip. About a week prior to the reservation, you should receive a Cabin Key Packet with recommendations particular to that cabin. Expect each cabin to have basic cookware, flatware, and other utensils appropriate for the cabin’s stated capacity. All primitive cabins have a wood stove, and every cabin will have mattresses—though the size will vary.

In general, we recommend packing: cleaning supplies and any preferred personal protective equipment, matches, battery-powered flashlights or headlamps, toilet paper, toiletries and towels, dish washing liquid, sponges, dish towels, trash bags, sleeping bags, pillows, sheets and/or blankets, as well as a water purifier and camping stove (for primitive and semi-primitive cabins).  
  

Who can I contact about a cabin emergency?

If there is an emergency relating to the cabin, please contact the volunteer maintainer and the Cabin Coordinator as soon as possible. Contact information for the maintainer will be included at the bottom of the cabin direction sheet, with information on access to emergency services in the immediate area of the cabin.

 
How do I report a lost or found item at a cabin?

If you believe you or a member of your party forgot a personal item at a PATC cabin, please contact the Cabin Coordinator immediately. The longer you wait to report, the less likely it is that your item will be returned. Please allow time for the return of the item, as travel and shipping from the maintainer to PATC headquarters can be a lengthy process. Do not expect the return of belongings not of a personal nature, like lamps, flashlights, or the like.

 

If you find an item at a PATC cabin that appears to be of a personal nature (i.e. keys, wallet, jewelry), you should report it to the Cabin Coordinator upon your departure. If you find PATC Cabin Keys at the cabin, please return them with your Cabin Key and Condition Report.   

 

How can I purchase a Cabins Book?

The 2021 Cabins Book is available through our online store. Click here to purchase your own copy today. While we make an effort to ensure that the Cabins Book is accurate upon release, remember that the information therein is subject to change. Please refer to our website for updates, before placing a reservation.

 

How can I check the status of Skyline Drive? What can I do if Skyline Drive is closed and I’ve rented Argow, Corbin, Doyle’s River, Pocosin, Range View, Rock Spring, or Schairer Trail Center? 

To check the status of Skyline Drive, call 540-999-3500 and select option 1, twice. 
If Skyline Drive is closed, experienced hikers may choose to follow the alternate hike-in directions. Click here if you choose not use the reservation during a closure. 

  

Can I bring my dog on my cabin visit?

Pets are prohibited at Blackburn Trail Center, Catoctin Hollow Lodge, Dunlodge, Glass House, Highacre, Horwitz, Huntley, Old Rag, Olive Green, and Rosser Lamb. Violators will be penalized.


If you choose to bring your dog to a pet-friendly cabin, plan to provide bedding for your companion. Be considerate of your pet in the weather and on the hike-in, and do not leave any animal in the cabin for extended periods. Ticks and venomous snakes may occupy areas around the cabins, so please use caution.  

Accessing Cabins - Cautions and Hazards

Renters assume the risk of traveling to and from our cabins, including hazardous driving and hiking conditions. The roads to our rural cabins are often not paved, may be rutted and can be unpredictable, especially during inclement weather. Renters should use care driving. Many situations may require a vehicle with high clearance and/or four-wheel/all-wheel drive. Occasionally, access may be blocked by fallen trees, high running water, or deep snow. In such a case, parking at an alternate location and hiking in over a longer distance may be required, should you decide to continue to the cabin rather than turning back.

If you are at a rural cabin and weather conditions are deteriorating, consider leaving the cabin if you do not have sufficient supplies or are concerned about your ability to leave the cabin once conditions have deteriorated. Refunds will not be provided for early departure, but you should always consider your safety first. If you decide to stay, you are assuming the risks associated with that decision. You should not expect the PATC or any other organization to rescue you, should you become stranded.
 
CABINS ACCESSED BY SKYLINE DRIVE IN SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK (SNP):
There are seven PATC Cabins normally accessed by Skyline Drive: Argow, Corbin, Doyles River, Pocosin, Range View, Rock Springs and Schairer Trail Center. The following rules apply to these seven cabins:

1. Be prepared to pay the entrance fee to Shenandoah National Park (SNP).

2. Skyline Drive Entrance Gate Closures: Call SNP at 540/999-3500, option 1, option 1 for information before heading to the cabin.

3. SNP may close Skyline Drive, or parts of it, due to hazardous conditions or inclement weather. If you cannot drive to the normal cabin trailhead because all or part of Skyline Drive is closed as of noon on the day of your rental, and you do not go to the cabin, you are eligible for a refund, less the $10.00 processing fee. You must submit a request for a refund to the Cabin Coordinator within 48 hours of the start of your reservation in order to remain eligible for a refund by emailing cabincoordinator@patc.net or calling (703) 242-0315, extension 108. This is the only exception to the general rule that there are no refunds within seven days of the arrival date for cancellations for any reason, including hazardous road conditions or inclement weather. 

4. If you have difficulty leaving SNP, contact SNP's emergency number: (800) 732-0911 or (540) 999-2227.