Romantic and Remote: 3 Retreats in the Wisconsin Woods

By Pat Dillon

Try a quick fix for cabin fever by facing it head-on—plan a romantic winter stay in a cabin loaded with benefits! Wisconsin is full of options ranging from rustic to luxurious. Here are a few of our favorites.

Rustic Tranquility

This tented yurt, a twenty-four-foot-diameter domed canvas tent over a wood lattice framework, is perfect for adventurists or couples looking for relaxation in uncommon places. The Namekogan Waters Retreat definitely has its rustic side, like an outdoor privy and water source.

But don’t be fooled – its beautiful wood interior and spectacular 40-acre hilltop setting make it a woodland charmer. Snuggle in with a book or game next to a wood burning fireplace, or explore the private trails on cross-country skis or snowshoes.

The retreat's location near the Namekagon River, a part of the St. Croix Scenic Riverway, offers hard-to-find tranquility by day, but when the sun goes down, the still of a star-filled Northwoods sky is unforgettable. Book an on-site massage through Stay In Touch Massage in nearby Trego, or hop in a sauna just a few steps from the yurt.

Top-Notch Luxury

Canoe Bay in Chetek has been called “the perfect couples getaway” for a reason. A stay in one of its beautiful cottages, each one built for a luxury, two-adult experience, may have you going away feeling spoiled forever.

Beauty and comfort are standard issue here. Set on the site of three glaciated lakes surrounded by 300 acres of woodland, Canoe Bay cottages include a king bed, fireplace, private deck and two-person whirlpool tub.

You can also opt for an in-room massage. Select units include heated bathroom floors, carport, steam shower, private sauna and even an elliptical trainer. There’s also a fitness center on-site.

Breakfast is served to your cabin, and an eat-in lunch also is an option. For dinner, feast in the lodge’s dining room and enjoy a seasonal menu with produce grown on site and other locally-foraged sustainable ingredients.

Cross-country ski the resort’s picturesque acreage, or head 25 miles north to Blue Hills for another 20 miles of classic and diagonal stride ski trails.

Secluded Bliss

There’s no reason to skimp on the finer things in life when you’re after rustic sustainability. Sandhill, owned by the Kohler Company, and designed by Mr. Kohler himself, was built as a hunting shack(ish) with a champagne budget and an environmentalist’s conscience.

Every square inch of this drop-dead gorgeous, totally secluded cabin in the woods was reclaimed from six Wisconsin farmhouses. Every item inside was either donated or found at a local antique or second-hand shop.

It sleeps six, with two bathrooms, a chef-inspired kitchen, fireplace and sauna. A bonus: guests have free access to the amenities offered at the nearby American Club in Kohler. 

Snowshoes are provided on-site to roam the 350 acres of wilderness in Mosel!