Courtesy of Vacation Wimberley
Since the 1930s, Airstream trailers have been synonymous with the open road—their shiny aluminum bodies both a symbol of the go-go-go automobile age and an illustration of their rugged utilitarianism. These days, many of those retro rides have been, quite literally, put out to pasture, living out their days as Airbnbs in funky beach towns, on organic farms, next to scenic wineries, or out in the middle of a desert. Quarters may be tight, but Airstreams offer their owners the opportunity to show off their design creativity, turning these spaces into comfortably cozy tiny homes. And best of all, these stationary trailers operate as they were originally intended when they were crisscrossing America’s interstates: introducing you to far-flung corners of the country and inviting you to spend your time outside, soaking up the scenery.
Here are 12 of our favorite Airstream Airbnbs, each of which has an overall rating of 4.9 or higher and has been vetted as part of the site’s Guest Favorites program, which means it’s in the top 5 percent of eligible listings based on ratings, reviews, and reliability.
Courtesy of Airbnb
A 1974 Airstream on a California avocado ranch
- Location: Carpinteria, California
- Sleeps: 2
- Book now: airbnb.com
A perfect spot for restful seclusion, this 33-foot 1974 Airstream sits surrounded by an avocado orchard on a five-acre working organic ranch, which is itself tucked into a canyon five minutes outside the retro surf town of Carpinteria. There’s a decidedly western vibe to the property, complete with rawhide rugs and tan leather furnishings, plus a separate, corrugated-tin-lined bathroom area with a washer/dryer and walk-in rain shower. Outside, you’ll find a succulent-lined deck, a firepit, and a dedicated bird-watching area, complete with a swing and a birdbath, that host Delia created after a cheerful flock of parrots dropped in one day. And don’t worry if you can’t ID those feathered friends: She’s also provided a birds of California field guide to help out first-timers.
Courtesy of Airbnb
Airstream overlooking a Washington State vineyard
- Location: Wapato, Washington
- Sleeps: 3
- Book now: airbnb.com
What’s better than enjoying one or two (or more) glasses of wine at a gorgeous vineyard? Sleeping within stumbling distance of the tasting room so you don’t have to give a second thought to who’s the designated driver. This well-appointed Airstream is located steps away from the chic, architect-owned Freehand Cellars in Washington’s Yakima Valley, about 150 miles southeast of Seattle. Back at your crashpad, you’ll encounter a private deck, a firepit, and a hot tub. It’s tempting to lounge around and take in the valley views with a bottle of Freehand moscato, cab franc, or oaked chardonnay, but leave time to roam: As a guest, you’ll have access to eight acres of orchards, grapevines, and rose bushes.
Retro Airstream on the Potomac River
- Location: Knoxville, Maryland
- Sleeps: 2
- Book now: airbnb.com
Located along the Potomac River where Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia meet, this renovated 1976 Airstream Ambassador is about a 15-minute drive from Harpers Ferry, the site where abolitionist John Brown made his famous raid. While the camper only sleeps two, this is a surprisingly handy location for group travel: Gypsy, as the trailer is known, is set on 10 acres of retired farmland called Tiny Haven, which comprises a second Airstream (the boho-inspired Daisy), two tiny houses (Ginger and Egret), and a clear-topped geodesic dome, perfect for stargazing. You can rent out the entire property, which sleeps a total of 15 (plus 4 more in seasonal glamping tents), for less than $2,000 per night.
Photo by KZ Photo Inc.
Dog-friendly “Glamper” on a Pennsylvania farm
- Location: Columbia, Pennsylvania
- Sleeps: 2
- Book now: airbnb.com
Though this 1975 Airstream Land Yacht is located within Lancaster County, the epicenter of Pennsylvania’s Amish community, the vibe inside the Glamper is far from rural and homespun: With its bold floral prints, clear chairs, statement wallpaper, and white faux-fur throw, the decor almost evokes the disco-tinged excesses of the decade in which the camper was created. The outdoor kitchen, with its Big Green Egg and gas grill, is the stuff real estate dreams are made of, and don’t be fooled by what the hosts modestly call an “outhouse” in their listing; the separate bathroom is a modern, skylit bathroom that’s nicer than what you’d find in most city apartments. If you need a reminder that you’re actually out on a farm in rural Pennsylvania, look no further than the fresh eggs and blueberry scones provided by the hosts—or the donkeys who also live on property.
Courtesy of Airbnb
Serene Airstream in the Georgia woods
- Location: Good Hope, Georgia
- Sleeps: 3
- Book now: airbnb.com
Set on a wide-open patch of grass in the middle of the Georgia woods, this 1962 Airstream offers a rural retreat less than a half-hour’s drive outside of the progressive college town of Athens. But this isn’t exactly roughin’ it: The interiors are subtly sophisticated, with gingham curtains, mismatched textiles, an over-bed bookshelf, and a cute coat rack with carved birds in place of hooks. The camper opens out onto a shaded deck with a gas grill and some much-needed ceiling fans to cut through the Georgia humidity, and the fire ring is a perfect spot from which to gaze at the stars or spot lightning bugs in the surrounding meadow. Guests also have access to kayaks and life jackets so they can explore the meandering curves of the nearby Apalachee River.
Photo by Diane Deaton with Deaton Street Photography
The Grace Airstream in Louisville’s Progress Park
- Location: Louisville, Kentucky
- Sleeps: 6
- Book now: airbnb.com
With its reclaimed wood floors and concrete counters, the 31-foot-long 1974 Airstream Sovereign Land Yacht is a surprisingly spacious glamping option that can comfortably sleep up to six adults. If you’re rolling deep with an even larger crew, you can add on one or more of the other rental options at Progress Park, a 12-acre Louisville retreat that includes two rental houses, eight Airstreams, and a bunkhouse. Without ever leaving the resort, you’ll have access to one of four on-site beaches (assigned to your group when you check in), which come equipped with kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and life jackets, in addition to hiking trails, picnic tables, and catch-and-release fishing ponds stocked with bass, catfish, and bluegill.
Courtesy of Airbnb
Oceanfront Airstream in Half Moon Bay
- Location: Half Moon Bay, California
- Sleeps: 4
- Book now: airbnb.com
About a 40-minute drive south of San Francisco sits Half Moon Bay, a laid-back beach town known for its teeming tide pools and world-famous surf breaks. For one of the best panoramic views on this stretch of coastline, book this new Airstream Bambi model, which is perched on a cliffside and can sleep three adults or two adults and two kids. Home cooks will love the outdoor space, which has both a grill and a pizza oven. Other perks include a firepit with a complimentary bundle of firewood, pour-over coffee, and a Bluetooth sound system. The host also rents out another nearby Airstream, a limited-edition collaboration with Tommy Bahama that fits up to five people.
Courtesy of Vacation Wimberley
Retro Daisy Airstream in Texas Hill Country
- Location: Wimberley, Texas
- Sleeps: 2
- Book now: airbnb.com
At this Hill Country retreat, you’ll share 10 acres with the owners, but there’s plenty of privacy: The retro Daisy Airstream is hidden among a grove of elm and oak trees along the banks of spring-fed Smith Creek. You’ll love the sustainable details here, including eco-friendly soaps and cleaners, recycled paper products, and an EV charger. The interiors are painted a bold green with red banquettes and subtly western details, like vintage cowboy and cowgirl figurines and a cactus-print shower curtain. Outside, string lights hang above the deck, adding a touch of whimsy to a yard area where you’ll find a hot tub, outdoor shower, and barbecue grill. From here, it’s just three miles to the cute town of Wimberley, known for its boutiques and swimming holes.
Photo by Caitlin O’Hara
Vintage 1967 Airstream Overlander in an artsy Phoenix neighborhood
- Location: Phoenix
- Sleeps: 2
- Book now: airbnb.com
This 1967 Airstream Overlander proves that a vintage trailer doesn’t need to be located in some rustic desert or forest to be cool: In fact, this one is in the heart of America’s fifth-largest city, Phoenix, in the historic Coronado neighborhood. Local interior designer Joel Contreras kitted out the interiors with honey-colored wood, clean midcentury silhouettes, and stylish amenities like a Smeg toaster and a Tuft and Needle mattress. But it’s the details that show how much thought went into the project: locally roasted coffee beans for your provided French press, black makeup remover towels, and a magnetic reading lamp that you can move around with you. Done up in a monochromatic black palette, the sleek backyard includes a modern steel firepit, desert landscaping, and two beach cruiser bikes for exploring the surrounding district.
Courtesy of Airbnb
Tropical oasis with pool and sauna in Atlanta
- Location: Atlanta
- Sleeps: 3
- Book now: airbnb.com
Squint and you might think you’re in Hawai‘i. Though it’s located about 14 miles outside of downtown Atlanta, the 1956 Airstream Island is decidedly more South Pacific than Deep South, with a just-this-side-of-kitsch design scheme that includes beaded curtains, a neon pink flamingo lamp, a portrait of a be-lei-ed Elvis Presley, colorful tiki cups, and even a Trader Vic’s co*cktail recipe book. Out back, among banana plants, you’ll find a bamboo-lined pool, a wood-burning hot tub, and a barrel sauna—plus the occasional plastic pink flamingo. Does it make any sense in suburban Georgia? Probably not. Does it totally work anyway? Of course.
Courtesy of Airbnb
RhodoDen in the Blue Ridge Mountains
- Location: Swannanoa, North Carolina
- Sleeps: 2
- Book now: airbnb.com
This 1974 Airstream Argosy gets its name—the RhodoDen—because it’s surrounded by blooming rhododendrons in the Blue Ridge Mountains, 15 minutes from Asheville, with a porch that looks out toward picturesque Watch Knob. To match the cozily hip decor (colorful tapestries and area rugs, vintage plates with horses on them), the hosts have provided a record collection and a small library of books that are perfect for reading with a soundtrack of the nearby trickling stream. Dogs are welcome, but be aware that there are other pets on the property, so make sure yours plays well with others. And if you choose to make s’mores at the bonfire ring, you need to clean up after yourself: A bear and her cubs frequent the area in the spring and summer.
Photo by Shutterstock
New Airstream on five acres outside of Joshua Tree National Park
- Location: Joshua Tree, California
- Sleeps: 3
- Book now: airbnb.com
Surrounded by scrubby desert plants and sweeping mountain views, this 27-foot Airstream sits on five acres about a 15-minute drive from the West Entrance Station of Joshua Tree National Park. After a day out on the trails, you will have plenty of ways to unwind back at the trailer: cooling off in the cowboy tub, stargazing from the hammock, lounging on the pair of hammocks, or making s’mores around the firepit. The propane grill setup, complete with a side burner and sink, makes barbecuing a cinch, and the stylish outdoor dining table with a tree-stump pedestal practically begs you to eat all meals outdoors. Inside, there’s a queen bed and a sofa that can be converted into a full-size bed in case you’re traveling with a kid or a friend.
This story was originally published in 2022; it was most recently updated with new information on June 4, 2024.
Nicholas DeRenzo
Nicholas DeRenzo is a freelance travel and culture writer based in Brooklyn. A graduate of NYU’s Cultural Reporting and Criticism program, he worked as an editor at Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel and, most recently, as executive editor at Hemispheres, the in-flight magazine of United Airlines. His writing has appeared in the New York Times, New York, Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Sunset, Wine Enthusiast, and more.
