If you want to explore all that Phoenix offers without missing out on the natural beauty of the surrounding desert and forests, consider a cabin. North of town, many cabin rentals feature the grandness of the Prescott National Forest and the Tonto National Forest as a backdrop, making them worth the drive from downtown. Imagine morning coffee with mountain views, where you can step out and smell the ponderosa pines. Spend the day hiking and biking the Mogollon Rim or paddling the Rim Canyon Lakes. A cabin keeps you cool by day in summer, while cozy cabins enhance the winter vibe. (Of course, the rest of the nation might laugh at what is considered winter in much of Arizona; however, upper elevations do get snow) Cabins can range from off-grid glamping to luxurious log cabins, all within an easy drive of Phoenix.