Getaway House Big Bear With 3 Dogs: Our Honest Review (Now Postcard Cabins)
Quick Answer: Yes, Getaway House Big Bear (now called Postcard Cabins) welcomes dogs, with a flat $50 pet fee per stay, not per dog or per night. The current policy lists a maximum of 2 pets per cabin, and the cabins run about 140 to 200 sq ft. We stayed with our three small dogs after letting them know ahead of time, so if you have three too, contact the cabin before you book. Dogs stay leashed whenever they are outside.
Traveling with our pups is hands down our family’s favorite thing to do, but packing up for a weekend getaway with three dogs always feels like a full-blown moving day.
Between our 14-year-old senior dog who is still obsessed with trail walks and sniffing out every corner, and our two energetic 3-year-olds who lose their minds over every single pinecone, picking the right spot takes a lot of careful thought.
Every time I saw those iconic picture window photos of Getaway cabins on Instagram, I couldn’t help but wonder: “Can three dogs actually relax in a tiny 140 to 200 sq ft cabin without driving us crazy?” Or, “are we going to be that loud neighbor bothering everyone else?”
If you have multiple dogs and have been hesitating for the exact same reasons, this post is for you. Beyond a simple journal entry or dry rule sheet, I wanted to share our real experience and practical tips you can actually use.
Here is our honest review of spending a peaceful weekend with three dogs at Getaway House Big Bear in Running Springs, California, along with how we made the small space work effortlessly.
| Where | Postcard Cabins Big Bear (formerly Getaway Big Bear), 2001 Wilderness Rd, Running Springs, CA 92382 (Google Maps) |
| Our stay | 2 nights, 2 adults and 3 small dogs |
| Cabin size | About 140 to 200 sq ft: queen bed, mini kitchen, small bathroom |
| Pets | Dogs only, maximum 2 per cabin on the current policy |
| Pet fee | $50 per stay, not per dog or per night |
| Outside the cabin | Dogs on leash |
| Nights | Cold. There is an electric heater inside, so bring dog sweaters for potty walks |
| Cell service | Spotty on the drive up, so download maps and check-in details first |
| Best for / Good to know | Best for 1 or 2 dogs and a quiet forest weekend. Good to know: with 3 or more dogs, clear it with the cabin first, and there is no full kitchen. |
Policy checked October 2026 on the Postcard Cabins Big Bear page.
Where Is Getaway House Big Bear Located?
Getaway Big Bear is nestled in Running Springs, California, tucked high up in the scenic San Bernardino Mountains. It feels peaceful and deep in the forest, yet it is a straightforward drive up the mountain from the rest of Southern California.
📍 Address: 2001 Wilderness Rd, Running Springs, CA 92382
Getaway House Dog Policy & Pet Fees
Before booking, the pet policy was the first thing we checked. Compared to standard hotels or typical vacation rentals, Getaway is genuinely dog-friendly, and their rules are straightforward and reasonable.
- Number of Dogs: The policy page lists a maximum of 2 pets per cabin, which makes sense for a space around 140 to 200 sq ft. We told them ahead of time that we were bringing our 3 small dogs, and they fit fine space-wise. If you have three, ask the cabin before you book instead of assuming.
- Flat Pet Fee: Instead of charging per night or per pet, Getaway charges a flat $50 cleaning fee for your entire stay. Even if you stay multiple nights, you only pay it once, which makes it super budget-friendly for multi-dog parents.
- Leash Requirement: You must keep your dogs on a leash whenever you are outside the cabin. It keeps the local wildlife safe and respects the quiet privacy of neighboring cabins.
Tiny Cabin Reality: Is It Too Small for 3 Dogs?
Getaway cabins are compact, container-style spaces, around 140 to 200 square feet. When we first walked in, the bathroom definitely felt a bit tight. But the overall layout is so well-designed and functional that our family of two adults and three dogs spent two nights without ever feeling cramped.
The Queen Bed & The Signature Picture Window
The queen bed takes up a big chunk of the floor plan, right next to the massive picture window. The calming mood this window creates is hard to put into words. For our 14-year-old pup, lying on the soft, warm bed while watching the tall pines and birds in the sun was pure therapy. The two younger ones loved curling up next to us too, quietly watching nature instead of getting restless.
Utilizing the Hallway Floor Space
There is a narrow walkway between the bed, the mini kitchen, and the bathroom door. During the day, laying down a thin travel mat or dog bed gives the younger dogs their own cozy corner to snooze in without getting under your feet while you move around.
5 Practical Packing Tips for Multi-Dog Families
- Bring an Extra Bed Cover or Large Throw Blanket
Getaway provides crisp, clean white bedding. If your dogs love jumping on the bed, throw a large blanket over the duvet as soon as you check in. It saves you from worrying about dusty paws or loose fur after outdoor trail walks. - Set Up a Paw Towel Right by the Door
Mountain trails are full of loose dirt, pine needles, and morning dew. Keeping a microfiber paw towel right inside the entrance makes it super easy to wipe their feet every time they come back in, keeping the tiny floor clean and dry. - Pre-Portion Food and Treats at Home
Counter space and mini-fridge capacity are limited inside the cabin. Portioning each meal into individual zip-top bags before leaving home saves tons of fridge space and makes mealtime quick and mess-free. (If your crew eats homemade food like ours does, our homemade dog food recipe has a freezer-portioning trick that travels really well.) - Pack Warm Sweaters & Extra Blankets for Chilly Nights
Mountain temperatures drop fast once the sun goes down. The cabin has an electric heater to keep the inside cozy, but if you want to hang out by the fire pit or take quick evening potty walks, having warm fleece coats or sweaters for your dogs is a must. - Prep a White Noise App and Offline Maps
Cell service gets spotty as you drive up the mountain, so download your check-in details and Google Maps offline ahead of time. At night, the forest gets whisper-quiet, meaning sudden wind gusts or falling pinecones might put alert dogs on edge. Playing soft white noise or gentle music on your phone helps everyone sleep through the night without unnecessary barking.
If being hard to reach is the part that makes you nervous, it is worth thinking through before you book. We went all the way with it at a beach campground with zero bars, and what three days with no cell service actually felt like surprised both of us.
Traveling with a senior dog too? If joint support is part of your daily routine like it is for our 14-year-old, check out our daily dog supplement routine before your next trip. It is easy to pack and keeps their routine consistent even on the road.
Postcard Cabins Review: Our Key Takeaways
- The current limit is 2 pets per cabin. We told them about our 3 small dogs before our stay, and they fit fine with smart packing. Do the same if you have three.
- The pet fee is a flat $50 per stay, not per dog or per night.
- A travel mat for the hallway space and a paw towel by the door are the two upgrades that made the biggest difference for us.
- Dogs can never be left unattended in the cabin or outside, so plan activities around keeping everyone together.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you only remember two things from this post: the pet fee is a flat $50 per stay, and the policy now caps it at 2 pets per cabin, so ask before you book with three. After that, a travel mat for the hallway and a paw towel by the door are what made the tiny cabin work for us.
Planning meals for a stay like this? Our kitchen packing list and the campfire meals we grilled outside are in the Getaway House cooking guide. And if a cabin is not your style, Leo Carrillo State Park is where we go when we want a tent site closer to the water, or a campground as our base for a dog friendly San Francisco day. Have you stayed at a Getaway or Postcard cabin with your dogs? Tell me how it went in the comments.
