Greylag Cabins, Pittsfield NH, USA

In the 1940’s, Greylag Cabins  was a basketball summer camp, which subsequently fell on hard times and was slated for subdivision; fortunately Greylag’s owner was able to purchase 140 contiguous acres of the original camp, located on a small lake in southern New Hampshire.  He has beautifully restored three of the cabins, leaving the majority of the land alone, save for a few hiking trails.  Greylag is only 1.5 hours drive from Boston, but it feels much more remote.

After trolling through listings for dozens of frankly ugly and overpriced cabins in Maine and New Hampshire, we were so excited to find Greylag.  The self-catering cabins are quiet, restful and chinz-free, hitting the right balance between comfort (great beds) and rustic (heated outdoor shower).  The cabins have been beautifully restored and are spotlessly maintained. Carl manages the property following the ideas of conservationist Aldo Leopold, and tries to minimize the impact of the cabins on the environment. Guests are requested to recycle or compost everything they can, which is a no-brainer in a beautiful environment which is home to deer, beavers, chipmunks and the occasional moose.

We stayed in the two-person cabin, though the others can accommodate larger groups.  It’s a beautiful place to do not much – short hikes, a bit of canoeing or sitting around the fire are the level of activity you should expect.  We look forward to going back the next time we’re in New England.