8 Hidden Cabins and Cottages in Wisconsin
These Wisconsin cabins and cottages are anything but ordinary. They capture the rustic beauty of the Northwoods, provide luxury comforts like full kitchens and whirlpool tubs and offer access to the magic that comes with living the lake life year round. If you’re looking for a great getaway to enjoy with your favorite people, you’ve come to the right place.
Black's Cliff Resort - Hazelhurst
Slow the frenzied rhythms of daily life under a calming canopy of pines and birches at Black's Cliff Resort in Hazelhurst, aptly called the "quiet side of the Northwoods." A sandy beach and 4,000 feet of water frontage make for plenty of fun swimming, fishing, boating and sunbathing. Or, visit in the winter to experience the peaceful snow-covered scenery.
The resort has 13 cabins for rent, ranging from cozy two-bedrooms to spacious four-bedroom lodges. Character and modern comfort come together in these renovated log structures, some of which are close to one hundred years old. Ten of the cabins include a gorgeous stone or brick fireplace perfect for cozying up with loved ones.
Gaze out over Lower Kaubashine Lake from the swinging bed suspended from the ceiling of your screened porch and spend hours of fun in the game room with the kids. Extra goodies at this family and pet-friendly resort include a sauna and treehouse!
Namekagon Waters Retreat - Trego
Through the canvas of this roomy yurt at Namekagon Waters Retreat – a traditional Mongolian tent, though it feels more like a permanent dwelling very close to nature - you and your group can hear northern Wisconsin’s peaceful sounds: ospreys and eagles, bears and deer. Windows surrounding the cozy, clean octagon brighten the indoor space characterized by blond wood, hardwood floors and latticed walls.
Not quite a cabin or cottage, the Namekagon Waters Retreat is for those who are looking for a genuine northern Wisconsin experience yet love comfort. Depending on the season, you may swim in the pristine Namekagon River, cross-country ski on well-kept trails, golf, snowshoe, hike or canoe. On-site massages are even available by appointment. Follow up with a genuine Finnish sauna for the ultimate Wisconsin getaway.
Anaway Place - Richland Center
If unique is what you’re after, then the magical cabins at Anaway Place, formerly Candlewood Cabins, in Richland Center are a wondrous option. Cabins like their Woodland House, with its striking exterior and warmly comforting interior, make for a cozy place to create memories with family and friends.
Perhaps the most unique cabin at Anaway Place, the Glass House is nestled in a forest like that of a fairytale. While the Glass House is equipped with curtains, privacy is not an issue in this secluded forest, and leaving the curtains open will invite a true nature experience. You might, of course, see deer, badgers and raccoons, but nothing is quite so magical as watching the fireflies on a warm summer night from the comfort of a cozy warm bed. A full bath and a kitchenette are attached via a small wooden bridge.
Hawks View Cottages - Fountain City
Hawks View Cottages were built on picturesque wooded bluffs above the limestone cliffs of the Mississippi River Valley. From far away, the cottages blend in with the landscape, and inside they offer the relaxed romantic comforts perfect for a weekend away with your favorite person.
The dramatic view of hilltops and the valley below often includes migrating eagles flocking around the river which here never freezes over. A whirlpool and a communal sauna are just two of the comforts that add to the perfect romantic cottage getaway. The Marsh Hawk cottage in particular has breathtaking views of the Mississippi River and is wheelchair accessible.
Visit historic Fountain City nearby, and make sure you drive along the Wisconsin side of the scenic Mississippi. During the day, take a tour of Seven Hawks Vineyard and enjoy a complimentary bottle of award-winning local wine.
Hunt Hill Audubon Sanctuary - Sarona
Within a five-minute walk (on steep wooded paths), the environmentally diverse Hunt Hill Audubon Sanctuary offers an exceptional abundance of habitat: prairie land, marshes, bogs, mystical old-growth forest, lakefront, as well as more recently cut forest.
Though the two rustic log cabins available for rent have road access, inside the cabin you will forget about daily life. Here, you can disconnect from screens and reconnect with nature and the people you bring along. With access to seven miles of hiking trails open year-round, as well as cozy fireplaces to keep you warm in winter, the cabins in this sanctuary are made for one-of-a-kind getaways. Nature lovers, especially birders, will relish their Hunt Hill experience.
Big Bear Hideaway – Boulder Junction
The six log and stone cabins at Big Bear Hideaway are what Northwoods dreams are made of – they’re rustic, charming, filled with oak furniture and bunk beds and all the moose, bear and fish-themed décor your heart desires. Every detail, right down to the old wooden rocking chairs, captures the feeling of being Up North, and each fully furnished room makes for an exceptionally comfortable stay.
Outdoors, the full breadth of Northern Wisconsin adventure awaits. Hop on the paved bike trail for a ride through the woods, take in some fresh air on a hike, gather around the bonfire or borrow one of Big Bear’s canoes for a morning paddle. Every kind of adventure here makes for magical memories with your favorite people.
Amherst River Dance Cabin - Amherst
Amherst River Dance Cabin, located on winding Tomorrow River near Amherst, is an eco-friendly vacation spot with solar water heat and recycled building materials, meaning you can feel extra good about your stay. But this Wisconsin cabin is beyond eco-friendly, it is fully Zen.
The eclectic interior decoration – stairs built around a tree trunk, a beautiful hand-carved canoe hanging from the ceiling, kitchen table and counters hewn from the same tree – all contribute to the sense of spirituality and of being deeply connected to nature around you. Bike on lovely country roads, or paddle your canoe on Tomorrow River with your whole crew.
Whitetail Ridge – Lake Delton
Set atop a bluff looking over the Wisconsin River, Whitetail Ridge (available through Sand County Rentals) boasts the kind of breathtaking natural beauty that’s worth traveling for. Inside this impressive log cabin, you’ll find all the modern comforts of home, plus a healthy dose of cozy charm – hewn wooden beams, patchwork quilts, a loft and a great stone fireplace, begging to be curled up in front of with friends and family. An extra-large, two-sided porch wraps around the home, providing a picture-perfect look across the water.
Stay secluded if you’d like, or head down the winding, tree-lined road to check out downtown Wisconsin Dells – you’d never know it’s only two miles away. For some old-school fun, spend an evening at the Big Sky Drive-In; it’s one of Wisconsin’s only remaining drive-in theaters, and just up the road from the cabin.
Explore more cabins and check out our top trip ideas to discover more hidden gems.
