Like hibernating bears, Seattleites use the winter months to catch up on rest over lazy pajama weekends. Vacation rentals offer affordable travel for large groups, allowing you to cook your own food and spend quality time with your friends or family while exploring a new area. Gather your favorite books, movies and games and plan the ultimate veg fest by renting a cabin in one of Washington’s beautiful natural places.

A Cozy River House in Forks offers quaint rentals along the Sol Duc River. Stay for a few nights and listen to nothing but the sound of the river, your own laughter and conversation. The cabins hold 10-12 guests with rates of $250-295 per night (weekly rates available). Indoor and outdoor fireplaces, full size kitchens and large common areas make it a warm and inviting home-away-from-home to base day trips out to La Push and the Hoh Rainforest. No trip to Forks would be complete without  Twilight. These houses have televisions, the entire Twilight DVD collection, as well as Twilight board games allowing you (if you choose) the chance to full immerse yourself in the saga. “Like” A Cozy River House on Facebook and receive exclusive access to specials.

Go on a clam dig and spend the weekend in an ocean front cabin at the Iron Springs Resort on Copalis Beach. Recently renovated, the cabins have all of the modern luxuries so you and your friends can dig, clean, cook and eat your clamming bounty in style. If you are lucky, you will be there during a storm and can snuggle up by a fire all weekend.

Washington State Parks have rustic yurts, cabins, and tent shelters for rent year round. On the Long Beach Peninsula, for example, Yurts in Cape Disappointment are available for $64-74 per night and sleep up to six people. Steps away from the beach, there is plenty of room for daytime exploration and musing. Each of the simple accommodations offers different levels of comfort. These rentals are perfect for an adventurous seeking location over creature comforts as many are without kitchens and bathrooms may also be communal.

In addition to these three ideas there are places all over the state ideal for vacation rentals. Three Bears Lodge in Mt. Rainier and Harmony Lodge in the Skykomish River Valley near Steven’s Pass are good places for winter snow play. Vacation Rentals By Owner gives access to thousands of rentals directly from the owner and Sea to Sky Rentals has vacation rental properties within the city of Seattle for all of your out of town guests. There are hundreds of independent rentals in Leavenworth with mountain views and charm that make it another great Seattle getaway. No matter where you chose to get cozy, the most important element will be the company you keep.