I love a good backpacking trip as much as anyone, but hiking to a cabin for the night? I’m a lazy lady, and that’s absolutely my jam. I’ve been to the Sierra Club Hikers Hut down the trail at Sam McDonald County Park. In May of 2023, Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) began operating the Audrey Edna Cabin in conjunction with San Mateo County Health’s Park Rx, and open for the public to use when it’s not occupied.
The Audrey Edna Cabin serves participants with San Mateo County Health’s Park Rx first, as a part of POST’s commitment to improving equitable access to nature. The cabin is primarily booked on the weekends as a part of the partnership with San Mateo County Health’s Park Rx, although occasionally there are weekend dates that pop up due to last minute cancellations. As of writing, there is an opening for this upcoming weekend. However, your best bet at scoring a stay at the Audrey Edna Cabin is Sunday through Thursday.
POST acquired the cabin, located within Alpine Ranch, but accessible via Sam McDonald County Park in 2012. A historic building built in the early 1900s sat where the cabin currently stands. It was deemed unsuitable for guests and was fully reconstructed and brought up to code in 2018.
The price for booking this cabin is steep, but it has plenty of amenities like a fully equipped kitchen, electricity, running water (read: flushing toilets). Additionally, all proceeds from the cabin go back to POST to protect open space for the benefit of all.
How to Get to the Audrey Edna Cabin
To get to the Audrey Edna Cabin, you’ll have to park at Sam McDonald County Park. From there, you’ll hike on Towne Fire Road up to the Hikers Hut (labeled Hikers Hut, and not to be confused with the cabin). From the Hikers Hut, hike up the hill approximately 5-10 minutes, past the electrical tower thingy, and you’ll be at the gate to the cabin. This is the most direct way there.
If you do not take the turn for the Hikers Hut, you’ll still be able to reach the Audrey Edna Cabin. It is just slightly longer, as it loops a little bit more.
If there is someone in your party with mobility issues, driving up to the cabin is an option. It does need to be coordinated with POST, so let them know via the Hipcamp booking.
What is Available at the Audrey Edna Cabin
- Running, potable water
- Electricity
- Games and puzzles. They have a Magic Puzzle Co. puzzle. It’s pretty involved but such a very cool concept for a puzzle. No joke, we stayed up until 3AM trying to complete it.
- Mattresses
What to Bring
- Cash or a check. Parking at Sam McDonald County Park is $6 per day and they take cash or check only.
- Sleeping bag and pillow
- A warm jacket. The weather might be nice, but at night, it gets chilly up here.
- Top sheet. The mattresses get a little grody. Protect that sleeping bag with a sheet that you can easily toss in the wash.
- Food. The kitchen is fully equipped. Bring things to bake! The possibilities are endless.
- Binoculars
- A good book
- Eye mask. The Audrey Edna Cabin has lots of windows and light. It gets bright.
- Ear plugs. Doors creak and toilets flush. Cramming people into a cabin gets noisy, no matter how quiet you try to be.
How to Book the Audrey Edna Cabin
The Audrey Edna Cabin is available to book on Hipcamp. Availability is fairly open during the week.
