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Sometimes, travel is all about getting out there into the world and experiencing new adventures. But every once in a while, we just want to get far away from everything — particularly human civilization. The good news is that for those of us daywalkers who prefer the cool, dark embrace of a subterranean lair to the sunshine and party vibes of a tropical island vacay, there are some surprisingly good options available right here in the United States.
Whether you’re looking to hide out Al Capone-style from your annoying in-laws or you’re quietly researching potential places to ride out the coming zombie apocalypse, the American landscape is full of secret nooks and crannies to hunker down in. From dreamy hobbit holes to nuclear bunkers to secret underwater headquarters, we’ve combed the nation in search of hidden sanctuaries for your next vacation. Hang onto your headlamp as we look into 12 of the most interesting underground accommodations you can actually stay at in the United States.
Titan Ranch in Arkansas
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If you’re in the market for a luxury chill spot to ride out the apocalypse, you can’t do much better than the beautifully appointed underground lair at Titan Ranch in Arkansas. The whole thing is housed in the former residence of a now-retired nuke. A product of the Cold War, the ambitious Titan program first kicked off in 1955 to serve as a backup to its contemporary program, the Atlas. The end product was the Titan and its 9-megaton successor, the Titan II multi-stage liquid-fueled Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM).
To safely house this 103-foot-tall beast, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers engineered an equally formidable steel and concrete-reinforced underground silo that was capable of surviving a nuclear blast. The defunct silo’s current owners picked up the property in 2010, putting in extensive renovations that included the removal of groundwater flooding and 25 feet of dirt, gravel, concrete, and scrap iron. One decade and a gorgeous industrial modern minimalist glow-up later, the silo became available for event rentals and overnight stays.
The 3,500-square-foot self-contained subterranean crash pad features five flights of spiral stairs, two bedrooms, and three baths. With three beds available, the silo can accommodate up to six guests. It’s pet-friendly and boasts all the comforts of home including a well-stocked kitchen and projector wall that’s perfect for gaming your way through the apocalypse.
Gary and Raul’s Cold War Relic Missile Silo
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If you’re into comparative silo experiences, you’ll want to add this one to your bucket list. This Cold War-era bunker-turned-guest room is converted from an Atlas silo, the predecessor to the Titan series. Not only does it rock some serious retro “Fallout” vibes, but it’s also in Roswell — Ground Zero for all the best alien conspiracy theory lore. The space is owned jointly by husband and wife team Gary and Eva Baker and Eva’s cousin Raúl Bernal.
Once the home of a 4-megaton ICBM, today the 186-foot-deep silo functions as an Airbnb with a pretty sweet apartment with a fully stocked kitchen. Like a visit to the Titan silo, a stay here is more than just an overnight visit. It’s also a chance to learn about United States military history. The owners love walking guests through the story of the silo, offering up complete tours of the grounds as part of the experience. And they’re really not stingy about letting guests explore on their own. As an Airbnb reviewer named Shiree put it, “The appeal of this place is obvious but what stood out to me was the freedom of access. The hosts really did work to make it feel like the place was your’s to explore and enjoy.” Guests will find the place stocked with all sorts of goodies: vintage magazines, books, snacks, and even DVDs on the Atomic Age. And be sure to pop up above ground and check out Roswell’s spectacular night sky.
The Hill Hobbit Hole in Middletown Springs, Vermont
If you’re looking for a hobbit hole with more of a Middle Earth aesthetic, The Hill Hobbit Hole at Higher Ground is what you want. Set on a 12-acre homestead, this charming abode with its Tolkienesque exterior looks like it could have been rendered by Thomas Kincaid — its lush gardens, grassy roof, crawling flowers, and decorative glass windows have to be seen to be believed. Fairytale elements like a rustic stone fence and cobblestone walkway evoke the sense that guests will find Gandalf just on the other side of the front entrance. The entire home is situated inside a grassy hillside with a rooftop that’s perfectly suited for stargazing under the Vermont sky.
The interior is loaded with treasures like a player piano, board games, various arts and crafts, and plenty of the loveliest antiques. With its wood accents and homey lighting, this dreamy little cottage feels like the welcoming tavern in a fantasy roleplaying game. Guests are invited to go fishing or take a swim in the Hill’s spring-fed pond, collect fresh eggs, or check out the archery forest. The property is fairly isolated, adding to the sense that guests have been transported to the Shire. As one Airbnb reviewer put it, “As authentic an experience you can get for a place that doesn’t exist in our realm.”
Jules’ Undersea Lodge in Florida
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If you’re looking to hide out from the world and you love the water, it doesn’t get much quieter than Jules’ Undersea Lodge, an underwater hideout that’s sure to tap into your childhood secret clubhouse nostalgia. But you can’t just elevator down to your room — you’ll have to get SCUBA-trained to take advantage of this adventure. Fortunately, you can do that here. The Lodge is situated in Key Largo Undersea Park, a tropical mangrove habitat featuring a marine archaeology exhibit and the MarineLab underwater research and education center. The park’s Emerald Lagoon is a sheltered lagoon with a 30-foot maximum depth where guests can earn their SCUBA or Open Water certifications.
The underwater hotel sleeps up to four guests and is only accessible by SCUBA. It’s an experience that one Tripadvisor reviewer called “James Bond meets Jacques Cousteau.” After swimming down, you’ll pop up through the moon pool into a pressurized cabin. And although the accommodations are fairly cozy, the experience is hardly austere. The hotel features a WiFi connection, TV, and landline, and guests can transport their personal devices and other gear down ahead of them so they can share the adventure with friends and loved ones. The rooms are also stocked with snacks like muffins, fruit, and bagels, as well as popcorn, soda, and candy for movie time. Underwater pizza delivery is a can’t-miss part of the experience, or if you’re in the mood for something else (like a birthday cake), it’s easy to arrange.
The Lincoln Bomb Shelter in Marfa, Texas
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If you’re in the market for accommodations with the ambiance of a nuclear missile silo without all those spiral stairs to contend with, the Lincoln Marfa Bomb Shelter is a solid bet (even if the stairs are still a bit steep). This sweet bug-out bunker can be found in the desert town of Marfa, Texas, a community known for the same type of quirky, artsy spirit found in places like Eugene, Oregon, and Eureka Springs, Arkansas. It’s part of the Lincoln Marfa, a super hip boutique hotel with 14 rentals available, including a cute little pink house called the “Mary Todd.” But when you book the authentic vintage bomb shelter, you don’t have to worry about the other guests’ vacation shenanigans keeping you up all night.
At just 120 square feet, this cozy little underground hangout is just big enough for two guests and doesn’t leave a lot of elbow room. But it’s still loaded with all the creature comforts you could want in a subterranean sabbatical, including a high-speed internet connection, Smart TV, fridge, hot plate, bathroom with shower, French press, dishes, sink, and microwave. The hotel itself offers plenty of perks including a bocce court, koi pond, desert gardens, and communal fire pits. There’s also a cowboy soak tank on the grounds. The whole thing is located in the heart of Marfa, a fun community where many fantastic food and shopping options are just a short stroll away.
Eureka Springs Hobbit Caves
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Any way you look at it, hobbits know how to live. They love relishing in life’s simple pleasures — the company of good friends, the natural perfection of a well-groomed garden, a shelf full of comforting old books, and a healthy pint of ale. They eat six meals a day, which sounds a whole lot like vacation eating to us. So when it comes time to book your next vacay, it makes perfect sense to take a page from the book of Bagginses and arrange for a hobbit hole to hunker down in.
Officially known as “smials” in the world of J.R.R. Tolkien, hobbit holes are literally built into the ground. With their characteristic rounded doors and earth-sheltered roofs, they are the ultimate in snug, cottagecore living. You don’t have to travel to New Zealand to experience hobbit bliss, either — you can get a taste of Hobbiton’s habitats in the magical, hilly countryside of the Ozark mountains thanks to a super cool resort called Eureka Springs Treehouses, Caves, Castles, & Hobbits. With enchanted guest quarters like the Avatar treehouse or the Four Mystic Cottages of Hogsveil from Harry Potter, there’s a little something for everybody. And for those of us in search of an underground respite from the world above, there are one of three hobbit caves to choose from. Nestled into the hillside at the end of a winding path, these curvy little caverns are carved out of rock. Inside, modern amenities and decor contrasted against rough stone walls add to the romantic ambiance.
Summit at Big Bend Cave Hotel
With its landscape dotted with bright white geodesic domes, Summit at Big Bend in Texas looks more like a futuristic colony on an exoplanet than a posh glamping resort. Thanks to its endless stretches of desert sky, this destination offers some of the most breathtakingly clear views of the Milky Way to be had within our planet’s gravitational confines. But for those of us who prefer the warm embrace of the earth to the open air, Summit also offers luxury cave hotel rooms built right into the sedimentary rock.
An exercise in stunning simplicity, these cave rooms are minimally appointed with attractive, modern furnishings that don’t overwhelm the natural beauty of the space. The caves are fairly isolated and built right into the hillside, and a large glass door allows a view of the velvet Texas sky from the comfort of a luxurious king-sized bed. Each cave room has running water and double rain-head showers for two. Rooms even come equipped with a coffee pot and mini fridge. As one Google reviewer who stayed in the Onyx Cave put it, “I didn’t want to sleep because the stars out the window were unreal. The sunset and sunrise views from inside a cave room… come on now.”
The Cavern Suite at Grand Canyon Caverns in Arizona
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When it comes to truly earthy digs, it doesn’t get much more grounded than hundreds of feet below the earth’s surface in the cave dwelling at the Grand Canyon Caverns & Inn. The cave formed more than 65 million years ago as part of the largest dry cavern system in the United States. In terms of seclusion, you really can’t do any better than what the owners hail as the “world’s darkest, quietest, and deepest hotel room.” Situated adjacent to the majestic Chapel of the Ages, it’s anything but a mere hole in the ground.
The cavern sleeps six and is outfitted with two queen beds and a futon. Although there’s no plumbing, guests will find the hospitality of a working RV-style bathroom and kitchenette. The suite even boasts a TV and a complete library of DVDs and books. As for dinner? Simply make arrangements with the front desk to have your meals catered from upstairs.
After lights out, you’ll enjoy a level of pitch-black darkness that’s unlike anything most guests will have had a chance to experience. And there’s no need to be afraid of the dark, since the cavern is a dead one — it’s been ages since any bats, bugs, or other critters called the place home. While there, guests can check out the cave’s collection of mummified and skeletal remains.
Beckham Creek Cave Lodge in Northwest Arkansas
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Most cave accommodations have an overall bohemian feel to them. Although beautiful, there’s just a whiff of patchouli baked into their architectural DNA. This is not the case with Beckham Creek Cave Lodge, which feels more like its previous owner was an immensely fashionable Bond villain than a retired hippie. Housed inside a natural cavern nested into a river bluff within the Ozarks’ lush green hills is a gorgeous 5,800-square-foot dwelling designed in the chic urban revival style. It was originally converted by one of the co-owners of Celestial Seasonings, who planned to use it as a bomb shelter in case the unimaginable happened.
The secluded spot sits on a 256-acre property, making it an ideal destination for anyone in need of an escape from the ever-pesky Real World™. One detail that makes these cave accommodations so unique is the way the designers incorporated the cave’s natural formations — like stalactites — into the architectural design and decor of the space. Contrasted against the high, natural cave ceilings, the lodge’s sleek industrial details and lighting add to the overall sense of glamor and grandeur. In the cathedral-esque living room, a natural rock formation waterfall serves as a stunning focal point. Aided by a self-cleaning water purification system, Beckham Creek uses mineral water from the cave system as a safe water source for showering and drinking. The lodge also boasts four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a fully equipped gourmet kitchen, laundry facilities, lofts, and a honeymoon suite.
Bedrock Homestead in Utah
This Boulder cave looks like something you’d expect to find on Tatooine, the lonely and yet surprisingly posh hermitage of a long-retired Jedi. What looks from the outside like a modest hole blasted into the side of the red rock face of the Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument is actually a textbook example of how off-the-grid living doesn’t have to be extreme or austere. While it might not be deep underground, this location is certainly remote. In fact, it’s more than two hours from the nearest stoplight. Guests need four-wheel drive to navigate the final stretch of the private dirt road, which takes their vehicle through a running creek. But what they’ll find there is worth the journey to get there.
The cave itself is a luxury 5,700-square-foot home situated on a homestead where owner Grant Johnson lives off the land, tending to his small organic farm and making music with friends in his impressive jam room. While working as a miner, Johnson blasted out the rock himself over an eight-year period. While the owners actually live there, they will rent out just the cave’s west end or the entire home via Airbnb. The two-level home itself has multiple bedrooms and sitting spaces as well as a finished floor and many modern amenities. Entrances and windows are closed up with glass so as not to impede the breathtaking view of Utah’s natural splendor.
Kokopelli’s Cave in Framingham, New Mexico
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If Fred Flintstone’s house got a few modern updates, it might look like the inside of Kokopelli’s Cave. Built into the 60 million-year-old sandstone 70 feet below the top of the Ojo Alamo cliff formation, this manmade cave was carved out with excavation blasts and hand drilling. Originally meant to house the office of a geologist, the cave would ultimately see its destiny as a bed and breakfast.
One of the most striking things about Koko’s Cave is its size. At 1,700 square feet, this gorgeous suite truly is the size of a house, complete with a living room, dining area, full kitchen, bathroom, and separate bedroom. The suite even includes a replica of a Native American kiva. In the bathroom, guests will find a Jacuzzi and a waterfall shower built right into the rock walls. The cave also includes porch access via two sliding glass doors accessible from the bedroom and main entrance. One of the best things about staying at Koko’s Cave is the view. It’s within visual range of the Four Corners — that magical spot where Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico meet. And the sunsets overlooking the La Plata River valley are said to be nothing short of spectacular. The cave stays a cool 65 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit year-round.
The entrance is accessible via the cliff face, and to get there, you’ll need to walk down a sloping path that’s been carved into the sandstone.
The Cave at Dunlap Hollow in Ohio
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With its sleek architecture and eco-friendly mindset, Dunlap Hollow’s cave feels a lot like the sustainable sibling of Beckham Creek Cave. The interior design is dripping with modern, bookish sophistication and neo-gothic details that imply a super chic 2023 mage or vampire secretly owns the place. Surrounded by the cave’s plentiful ogival arches, crystal chandeliers, and candelabras, one could easily imagine Lestat scrawling out his latest lyrics. Tudor-evoking wood molding, a positively enchanting library wall, and the velvety, blood-red Rococo wallpaper behind a guest bed only add to the sense of magic and majesty.
While the design evokes a sense of historical gravitas, everything is modern, right down to the amenities. An electric car charging station greets guests outside when they arrive, and a roomy hot tub sits adjacent to the wilderness outside, inviting them to wash away the stress of the mortal world for a while. The 1,500-square-foot cave sleeps up to six guests and has a lovely full-service kitchen with an island and dining table. There’s also a pool table inside the Black Hand sandstone cave, and guests are invited to stroll along the property’s private hiking trails. During the building process, the owners excavated only what they had to in order to preserve the cave’s natural beauty. The south-facing, naturally occurring cave also uses passive solar heat gain and natural lighting to help add to its sustainability.
