"This place is like an undiscovered gem," says Bridget McNees, who along with her husband Mac owns Whit's End Ranch outside of Clifton, Tennessee. Many of Bridget's "camping cabin" guests agree, and once they arrive they can't help but call on their friends to come join them, saying, "You're not gonna believe this place. You have to come out here." As Bridget tells me, one cabin rental often becomes three.

The Ranch is a 307-acre parcel of land. At Whit's End, there is plenty to explore: forest, trails, hayfields where a neighboring farmer cuts hay, 27 acres of pasture, creeks and rivers, and a beach perfect for swimming for kids and adults both. Guests choose from seven secluded cedar cabins made of wood harvested and hand-milled on the property by Bridget and Mac. The seven cabins combined can sleep up to 25. Bridget calls them "camping cabins," but these are far from roughing it in a tent.

The cabins are private, set back in the woods, and come complete with fridges, microwaves, linens, heat, air conditioning, and covered porches. There's also a communal outdoor kitchen and grill. Guests get the perks of a hotel room and of camping, both in one place, and they don't have to pack anything but food. Bridget, who has camped all over the U.S. and Canada, is a warm and amiable host. Guests seem to become quick friends with her (and with each other).

Bridget is more than willing to show guests her various building projects around the property, and to teach them what she knows about construction if they're interested. Guests can also learn to mill lumber and drive the tractor to help with forestry work and maintenance. But most of

them focus on "kicking back and relaxing" on the creek side beach, Bridget says. She tells me she's not planning to build any more cabins, so that the kind of vacation Whit's End offers is always going to be an idyllic, "Pollyanna-type" experience.

The area around the ranch is full of activities: horseback riding at Green River Stables, where Whit's End guests get a special deal, canoeing on the Buffalo River, or golfing at a Jack Nicklaus signature golf course. Despite all the attractions, says Bridget, the area is very quiet for all it has to offer.

The town of Clifton is an historic riverboat port with well-preserved old-time lanterns and cobblestone pathways. The small town has everything you need -- restaurants, a dock, a pharmacy, and Bridget's favorite, a "beautiful little café" that she likes to recommend to guests for breakfast and lunch, and for the "eye candy" antiques that the café owner sells onsite.

Whit's End Ranch offers 7 cabins that rent for $75 (no kitchenette) to $100 (with kitchenette) a night. Cabins sleep up to four guests, and all are welcome to use the outdoor barbeque and common area kitchen.  For more information,including Bridget McNees' contact information, check out the Whit's End Ranch Farm Stay U.S. listing.