The Most Exclusive Hunting Retreats, and How to Get In

For hunters, the right home base can make an outdoor trip considerably easier. A well-placed cabin offers convenient access to public lands, guided excursions, and areas known for deer, elk, waterfowl, and other game. It can also provide a quiet retreat for fishing, hiking, and relaxing long after hunting season ends.

Some of the best hunting towns remain relatively unknown outside local outdoor communities. Their appeal lies in nearby wilderness, established hunting traditions, and easy access to essential supplies and services. For frequent visitors, purchasing a small cabin may even offer a more comfortable and practical alternative to booking accommodations each season.

Here are several destinations worth considering for a hunting retreat. Before making plans, always research local seasons, licensing requirements, property rules, and public-land access, as regulations vary by state and species.

45. Camp Douglas, WI

• Median home value: $108,000 (1.8 times income)
• Median household income: $58,750
• Total population: 739
• Hunting opportunities: Big game, small game, waterfowl, migratory bird, upland bird, turkey, fish

44. Brandon, WI

• Median home value: $145,400 (1.8 times income)
• Median household income: $79,688
• Total population: 842
• Hunting opportunities: Big game, small game, waterfowl, migratory bird, upland bird, turkey, fish

43. Newellton, LA

• Median home value: $46,600 (1.8 times income)
• Median household income: $25,614
• Total population: 896
• Hunting opportunities: Big game, small game, waterfowl, migratory bird, turkey, exotics, fish

42. Preston, IA

• Median home value: $147,900 (1.8 times income)
• Median household income: $81,542
• Total population: 1,005
• Hunting opportunities: Big game, small game, waterfowl, migratory bird, upland bird, turkey, exotics, fish

41. Bridge City, TX

• Median home value: $172,200 (1.8 times income)
• Median household income: $95,688
• Total population: 9,461
• Hunting opportunities: Waterfowl, fish

40. Towner, ND

• Median home value: $90,300 (1.8 times income)
• Median household income: $51,500
• Total population: 456
• Hunting opportunities: Big game, small game, waterfowl, migratory bird, upland bird, turkey, fish

39. Spillertown, IL

• Median home value: $118,300 (1.7 times income)
• Median household income: $68,125
• Total population: 315
• Hunting opportunities: Big game, small game, waterfowl, migratory bird, upland bird, turkey, fish

38. West Frankfort, IL

• Median home value: $71,700 (1.7 times income)
• Median household income: $41,974
• Total population: 7,168
• Hunting opportunities: Big game, small game, waterfowl, migratory bird, upland bird, turkey, fish

37. Marine View, WA

• Median home value: $97,100 (1.7 times income)
• Median household income: $57,500
• Total population: 336
• Hunting opportunities: Big game, waterfowl, migratory bird, upland bird, fish

36. Middle River, MN

• Median home value: $93,300 (1.7 times income)
• Median household income: $55,417
• Total population: 272
• Hunting opportunities: Big game, waterfowl, upland bird

35. Rio Hondo, TX

• Median home value: $97,700 (1.7 times income)
• Median household income: $58,487
• Total population: 2,295
• Hunting opportunities: Big game, small game, migratory bird, turkey, exotics, fish

34. Patrick, SC

• Median home value: $50,500 (1.7 times income)
• Median household income: $30,263
• Total population: 500
• Hunting opportunities: Big game, small game, migratory bird, upland bird, turkey, exotics, fish

33. De Soto, IL

• Median home value: $86,300 (1.6 times income)
• Median household income: $53,188
• Total population: 1,684
• Hunting opportunities: Big game, small game, waterfowl, migratory bird, upland bird, turkey, fish

32. De Valls Bluff, AR

• Median home value: $37,400 (1.6 times income)
• Median household income: $23,056
• Total population: 560
• Hunting opportunities: Big game, small game, waterfowl, migratory bird, upland bird, turkey, exotics, fish

31. West Orange, TX

• Median home value: $98,200 (1.5 times income)
• Median household income: $63,409
• Total population: 3,444
• Hunting opportunities: Waterfowl, fish

30. North Hartsville, SC

• Median home value: $109,800 (1.5 times income)
• Median household income: $71,000
• Total population: 3,261
• Hunting opportunities: Big game, small game, migratory bird, upland bird, turkey, exotics, fish

29. Cotton Plant, AR

• Median home value: $27,700 (1.5 times income)
• Median household income: $18,250
• Total population: 425
• Hunting opportunities: Big game, small game, waterfowl, migratory bird, upland bird, turkey, exotics, fish

28. Goreville, IL

• Median home value: $110,400 (1.5 times income)
• Median household income: $73,523
• Total population: 1,146
• Hunting opportunities: Big game, small game, waterfowl, migratory bird, upland bird, turkey, fish

27. DeWitt, AR

• Median home value: $70,500 (1.5 times income)
• Median household income: $47,147
• Total population: 3,017
• Hunting opportunities: Big game, small game, waterfowl, turkey, exotics, fish

26. Thomson, IL

• Median home value: $100,700 (1.5 times income)
• Median household income: $67,500
• Total population: 1,284
• Hunting opportunities: Big game, small game, waterfowl, migratory bird, upland bird, turkey, exotics, fish

25. Casa Colorada, NM

• Median home value: $164,300 (1.5 times income)
• Median household income: $110,167
• Total population: 259
• Hunting opportunities: Waterfowl, migratory bird, upland bird

24. Mount Carroll, IL

• Median home value: $95,200 (1.5 times income)
• Median household income: $63,992
• Total population: 1,560
• Hunting opportunities: Big game, small game, waterfowl, migratory bird, upland bird, turkey, exotics, fish

23. Swan Quarter, NC

• Median home value: $97,500 (1.5 times income)
• Median household income: $65,806
• Total population: 293
• Hunting opportunities: Big game, small game, waterfowl, migratory bird, upland bird, turkey, exotics, fish

22. King Cove, AK

• Median home value: $118,200 (1.5 times income)
• Median household income: $79,844
• Total population: 1,108
• Hunting opportunities: Big game, small game, waterfowl, migratory bird, upland bird, fish

21. Elaine, AR

• Median home value: $57,800 (1.5 times income)
• Median household income: $39,196
• Total population: 544
• Hunting opportunities: Big game, small game, waterfowl, migratory bird, upland bird, turkey, exotics, fish

20. Johnston City, IL

• Median home value: $75,800 (1.5 times income)
• Median household income: $51,429
• Total population: 3,377
• Hunting opportunities: Big game, small game, waterfowl, migratory bird, upland bird, turkey, fish

19. Holiday Beach, TX

• Median home value: $136,800 (1.4 times income)
• Median household income: $95,066
• Total population: 291
• Hunting opportunities: Big game, waterfowl, exotics, fish

18. Jet, OK

• Median home value: $73,800 (1.4 times income)
• Median household income: $51,450
• Total population: 251
• Hunting opportunities: Big game, small game, waterfowl, migratory bird, upland bird, turkey, exotics, fish

17. Savanna, IL

• Median home value: $64,700 (1.4 times income)
• Median household income: $45,474
• Total population: 2,783
• Hunting opportunities: Big game, small game, waterfowl, migratory bird, upland bird, turkey, exotics, fish

16. Bush, IL

• Median home value: $75,400 (1.4 times income)
• Median household income: $53,125
• Total population: 324
• Hunting opportunities: Big game, small game, waterfowl, migratory bird, upland bird, turkey, fish

15. McBee, SC

• Median home value: $80,500 (1.4 times income)
• Median household income: $56,964
• Total population: 1,046
• Hunting opportunities: Big game, small game, migratory bird, upland bird, turkey, exotics, fish

14. De Soto, WI

• Median home value: $114,600 (1.3 times income)
• Median household income: $86,996
• Total population: 539
• Hunting opportunities: Big game, small game, waterfowl, migratory bird, upland bird, turkey, exotics, fish

13. Zeigler, IL

• Median home value: $53,700 (1.3 times income)
• Median household income: $41,518
• Total population: 1,503
• Hunting opportunities: Big game, small game, waterfowl, migratory bird, upland bird, turkey, fish

12. Cherokee, OK

• Median home value: $96,500 (1.3 times income)
• Median household income: $75,547
• Total population: 1,556
• Hunting opportunities: Big game, small game, waterfowl, migratory bird, upland bird, turkey, exotics, fish

11. Ridgecrest, LA

• Median home value: $48,900 (1.3 times income)
• Median household income: $38,472
• Total population: 855
• Hunting opportunities: Big game, small game, waterfowl, migratory bird, turkey, exotics, fish

10. Reid Hope King, TX

• Median home value: $100,200 (1.3 times income)
• Median household income: $79,894
• Total population: 926
• Hunting opportunities: Big game, small game, migratory bird, turkey, exotics, fish

9. Royalton, IL

• Median home value: $55,400 (1.3 times income)
• Median household income: $44,313
• Total population: 1,067
• Hunting opportunities: Big game, small game, waterfowl, migratory bird, upland bird, turkey, fish

8. Brenda, AZ

• Median home value: $61,300 (1.3 times income)
• Median household income: $49,040
• Total population: 716
• Hunting opportunities: Big game, small game, upland bird

7. Holton, IN

• Median home value: $82,000 (1.2 times income)
• Median household income: $65,714
• Total population: 652
• Hunting opportunities: Big game, small game, turkey, fish

6. Orient, IL

• Median home value: $46,700 (1.2 times income)
• Median household income: $37,938
• Total population: 311
• Hunting opportunities: Big game, small game, waterfowl, migratory bird, upland bird, turkey, fish

5. Gillett, AR

• Median home value: $79,700 (1.2 times income)
• Median household income: $65,341
• Total population: 491
• Hunting opportunities: Big game, small game, waterfowl, migratory bird, upland bird, turkey, exotics, fish

4. Pine Ridge, SC

• Median home value: $56,900 (1.1 times income)
• Median household income: $49,545
• Total population: 640
• Hunting opportunities: Big game, small game, migratory bird, upland bird, turkey, exotics, fish

3. Tivoli, TX

• Median home value: $48,900 (0.8 times income)
• Median household income: $63,636
• Total population: 628
• Hunting opportunities: Big game, waterfowl, exotics, fish

2. Mattawa, WA

• Median home value: $32,400 (0.7 times income)
• Median household income: $45,500
• Total population: 3,506
• Hunting opportunities: Big game, waterfowl, migratory bird, upland bird, fish

1. Basin City, WA

• Median home value: $40,800 (0.4 times income)
• Median household income: $104,025
• Total population: 1,570
• Hunting opportunities: Big game, waterfowl, migratory bird, upland bird, fish