This is an extraordinary wilderness retreat with three large ponds and two remote cabins surrounded by 200 acres of old-growth forest. Teeming with wildlife and trails, Cabinaki is completely private and irreplaceable.
Hidden off of the end of a quiet dirt road in the town of Thetford, Vermont is a rare and private wilderness called Cabinaki. Encompassing 201.28 surveyed acres, Cabinaki is a world of its own, mostly untouched and self-sustaining. Because of current regulations, it would be impossible to recreate the ponds today.
The Three Ponds
At the heart of the land are three large ponds, each flowing one into the other south to north. The ponds are fed by mountain streams which originate on the property. Each pond supports an abundance of aquatic life including perch, trout, turtles and salamanders. They are completely private and ideal for swimming, fishing, and paddling. On the south pond, there is a rope swing—rigged high up between two hemlock trees—offering an exhilarating ride out over the water before letting go and plunging into the pond below. You can then swim out to the raft beyond or back to shore. At the far end of the northernmost pond, a natural spillway leads to a graceful waterfall.
The Land
The ponds are framed by old-growth forest—towering hemlocks, maples, and yellow birches—and a mosaic of moss-covered ledges, fern-filled valleys and hilltops one of which offers long-range cascading views of Mount Ascutney. The cabins are located almost a mile in from the south entrance and accessed via a private gravel road that winds through the beautiful and rugged terrain. Hiking trails and forgotten logging roads extend into the forest, inviting exploration on foot that could also be used for mountain biking.
The Swedish Cope Log Cabin
Beside the south pond is a full-scribe Swedish cope log cabin, built by renowned craftsman John Nininger of The Wooden House Company. The front porch overlooks the water, while next to it, a stone platform provides the launch point for the rope swing. Inside, rustic comforts blend authenticity and charm: a cylinder wood-fired cookstove with side-mounted water tank and oven, a bunk bed built from reclaimed boards and logs, and a twin bed. The inward-opening windows are secured with wooden kerfs, and the rough-sawn hemlock floors anchor the space with rugged simplicity. Some of the pine logs measure 16 inches in diameter—one weighing over 1,200 pounds—demonstrating the skill and strength required to craft such a rugged structure. Both the floor and ceiling are insulated, ensuring warmth in winter and comfort in summer.
The Spruce Log Cabin
Looking out over the middle pond is a second, larger log cabin with screened porch across its west-facing gable end. Inside, a woodstove set inside a fireplace provides warmth, complemented by a propane cookstove and propane lights. A second-story loft provides sleeping space with both a king-sized bed and a twin. The cabin was built in the early 1960’s using logs cut onsite when the ponds were originally built. Each cabin is privately located and hidden from the other, but connected by a trail as well as the private gravel gravel road.
Trails & Wildlife
Hiking trails and remnants of old logging roads wind throughout the property. Wildlife thrives here: owls call from treetops, deer and bear move quietly through the forest, and bobcats slip along rocky outcrops. A perfect evening is listening to the sounds of nature as a full moon rises over the mountain and reflects across the pond.
A Retreat and Legacy
Wild and serene, Cabinaki is secret one-of-a-kind oasis where forest, water, and sky meet in perfect balance. More than a place to visit, it is a landscape to experience, protect, and pass on.
Cabinaki is owned and being offered for sale by the Langs.
Sitting by the campfire and listening to the sounds of nature during a full moon in July is truly special. The bullfrogs dominate with an occasional screech owl adding to the mix.
Winter
By comparison, the wonders of winter are equally inspiring as the snow falls, walking across the frozen ponds and warming up inside.
Fall
Fall is gorgeous and a perfect time of year. Warm days and cool nights, hiking through the forest in all its glory.
Spring
Come spring, when you are eager to shed your coat and wonder about, you can literally see new life unfold before you.
