A 400-acre nature resort near Big Bear recently launched a program to sell custom-built, modern micro-cabins, with prices starting at $295,000.

The Fawnskin property, which Southern California News Group reported on sale in 2021 for $12 million and previously for lease at $12,000 a month in 2020, is still under the same ownership and now accepting reservations for cabins. Two distinct models designed by Santa Monica-based architecture and interior design firm BA Collective aim to attract middle-income Southern Californians to the ranch’s scenic terrain where horses graze in the meadow, surrounded by National Forest land.

Renderings show the views are visible from within these light and airy cabins, which come fully furnished. The more affordable of the two models, known as “Chiquita,” is a 290-square-foot wood-and-glass recentagular structure with floor-to-ceililng windows.

Despite its compact size, the cabin can accommodate up to four people.

The floorplan includes a kitchen, a full bathroom, a bedroom with a closet and a queen-size bed, and a sitting area with a sleeper sofa.

Outside, a 185-square-foot deck runs the length of the cabin, just over 28 feet.

The “California” model, characterized by its asymmetrical roof resembling an alpine chalet, accommodates up to six people and starts at $495,000. This model spans nearly 500 square feet and features a dramatic 17-foot tall glass wall that illuminates the open-plan living area, which includes a kitchen and a combined dining and living room with a sleeper sofa. The entry level also consists of a full bathroom and a bedroom with a queen-size bed.

Near the front door, a floating staircase leads to the sleeping loft, which also holds a queen-size bed.

Ample storage is available throughout, and there is an option to add a front deck that spans the entire 28-foot-plus length.

These cabins will be connected to septic, water and power systems.

A monthly $1,800 membership fee will allow cabin owners access to the ranch’s open space, recreation and amenities. “It’s not an HOA since this is more of a hospitality destination,” said Brock DeSmit, managing partner of Holcomb Valley Ranch and a partner registered architect at BA Collective.

DeSmit explained that the business model intends for the cabins to serve as vacation retreats rather than as permanent residences. When not in use, they can be placed in the rental pool, as the ranch continues to be a destination for campers, special events and film shoots.

“Holcomb Valley Ranch will be onboarding a professional hotel management team to manage the nightly rental of the cabins when not in use by the owners,” he said. “The income from the hotel should help to offset the membership fee and other associated costs of cabin ownership at Holcomb Valley Ranch.”

According to the Forest Service as previously reported, Holcomb Valley Ranch operated as Southern California’s largest gold rush and mining settlement from 1860 to the early 1900s. In 1916, the ranching trio behind the Y Double H Cattle Company bought some mining claim parcels, including one owned by cattle rancher William Hitchcock.

He constructed a cluster of historic buildings and his family’s residence, some of which still stand today. After his death in 1954, the Boy Scouts of America took ownership of the ranch until the early 1960s and held a summer camp there until 2012, when the program ended.

The property has since transitioned into a public camp under its current ownership.

An LLC conceals the names of the owners, but records indicate Holcomb Camp LLC purchased the property from the Greater Los Angeles Area Council Boy Scouts of America in May 2019 for $3.5 million in a multi-property deal.

To reserve a cabin, go to holcombvalleyranch.com and scroll down to “own a cabin.” The page will open to “cabin ownership,” where you can “learn more” about the two models and submit a reservation agreement and $5,000 fully-refundable deposit that secures a place in line.

Reservations are held on a first-come, first-served basis.