Innermost Cabin
A 1915 cabin at the edge of the woods
The Innermost Cabin is a rustic cabin at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, built in 1915 and rented to Mass Audubon members 18 and older for $65 a night. It sleeps three adults, or two adults and two children, and has no electricity, running water or wood stove. It stands at the edge of the woods off the Innermost Trail, about 100 feet from the parking area, and the sanctuary's public restroom is a few hundred feet away.
Mass Audubon pitches it as an off-the-grid retreat: a star-filled sky at night and birdsong in the morning. Rentals are nightly by request on days the sanctuary is open, and Mass Audubon's programs page lists the season as May to October.
The Cabin at a Glance
Inside the Cabin
The cabin is roughly 9 by 16 feet. It has a single bed and a bunk bed, with room for a small air mattress, plus a small table and two chairs. Outside there's a picnic table, which is where all cooking happens. Mass Audubon doesn't allow cooking inside.
What You Bring
- Bedding: sheets, pillows and sleeping bags.
- Battery-powered lights.
- A camp stove or hibachi, pots, pans and utensils. Contained cooking is allowed outside only.
- A cooler and ice.
- Water and water jugs.
Cabin Rules
- No tents outside the cabin.
- No pets.
- Cars stay in the visitor lot for unloading and overnight; you can't drive up to the cabin.
- No candles, oil, propane or open flame of any kind inside.
- No smoking, no alcohol, no firearms or fireworks.
- No fire pits or open fires.
- Take all trash and recycling with you.
Booking and Check-In
To book, call the visitor center at 978-887-9264 or email the sanctuary with your dates. Full payment completes the reservation. You can join Mass Audubon or renew your membership when you book. Check in between 2:00 and 4:00 pm at the visitor center; if you'll be later than 4:00, call ahead. Check-out is 11:00 am. See contact details.
Changes and Cancellations
Give at least seven days' notice to cancel or change a booking; with that notice you can move to another date. Without it, the fee is forfeited, and Mass Audubon doesn't give refunds for late cancellations. If Mass Audubon cancels for severe weather or a problem on the sanctuary, it refunds you in full.
Cabin or Island?
The cabin is the easy overnight: a short walk from your car, a roof, beds and a restroom nearby. Perkins Island is the adventure: a canoe trip with all your gear to a tent site with no facilities, at $120 a night for up to six people, canoe included. Both are for members only.
Good For / Maybe Skip If
- Good for a first night outdoors with kids, close to the car and a restroom.
- Good for early-morning birders who want to be on the trails at dawn.
- Maybe skip if you want a campfire — open fires aren't allowed at the cabin.
- Maybe skip if you need power for a device or a CPAP; there's no electricity.
Cabin FAQ
Can you stay overnight at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary?
Yes, if you are a Mass Audubon member: in the Innermost Cabin ($65 a night) or at a canoe-access tent site on Perkins Island ($120 a night).
How much is the Innermost Cabin?
$65 per night, for Mass Audubon members 18 and older. Book by phone or email; full payment completes the reservation.
Does the Innermost Cabin have electricity?
No. It has no electricity, running water or wood stove. Bring battery lights, water and a camp stove for cooking outside.
How many people fit in the Innermost Cabin?
Three adults, or two adults and two children. There's a single bed and a bunk bed, with space for a small air mattress.
Can I bring my dog to the cabin?
No. Pets aren't allowed at the cabin or anywhere on the sanctuary; service animals are welcome.