Welcome to Your Home Away from Home!
Nestled on 8 acres, our property includes 4 rental units and our cozy log house surrounded by peaceful ponds. Close to state lands, lakes, and rivers, only 20 minutes from Banning State Park. Within 3 miles of Chengwatana Forest, St. Croix River access, and St. Croix State Park. Nearby Cross Lake and Snake River for boating and fishing. Just 7 miles from Grand Casino, Hinckley, perfectly positioned between Duluth and St. Paul. Excitingly, we now offer bike rentals with the Willard Munger paved trailhead in Hinckley.
Old Blue
Guests cherish the serene beauty, seclusion & nature of the cottage. Nestled on 8 acres at Wooded Retreat, includes a lofted full-size bed, private bedroom, full kitchen, and AC. Relax by the fire pit & enjoy your private Bathhouse with a seasonal hot shower & camping toilet.
The Wild West Tiny Hotel
Explore one of 6, soon to be 7 escapes across 8 acres at The Wooded Retreat. The Wild West Tiny Hotel presents a plush, full-size brass bed and vintage appeal. Indulge in the well-equipped kitchen and private bathroom. Unwind by your personal pond, embracing nature's tranquility.
B & B Suite
Relax in this quiet wooded setting! Such a beautifully furnished luxury home. The B & B Suite sleeps four very comfortably. Our B & B Suite is located on the upper level with 800 square feet of peace and quiet with a large bedroom, living area, and full bath, all private for our guests. The suite is spacious, with tons of natural light and a gorgeous view of mature woods, ponds, and flower gardens.
Little Wooded Retreat
The Little Wooded Retreat offers a full-sized bed and mid-century modern furnishings in this 8x8 sleeping cottage that includes a private separate rustic toilet and bucket shower. Immerse yourself in its unique character as you step through the door. Within is a 32-inch TV and Wi-Fi.
“The Office” Tiny Home
An 8 x 12 Tiny Home that packs a punch.
Adorable Tiny home! Full sized comfy leather sleeper sofa and upper memory foam twin.
Sleeps up to three adults with a full working kitchen, heat and air conditioning. Private outdoor bathroom with bucket shower on a gorgeous campsite with your own private pond.
The Dome Tent
This 16×16 totally off grid Dome tent on a 20×20 platform overlooks a quite large private pond filled with wildlife. Vintage furnishings and cloud like Mattress with plenty of quilts are only the beginning.
Events
Plan your own event, or let us plan one for you. Everything from weddings/reunions/business gatherings /family gatherings up to 80 people seasonally. Sleeping arrangements for up to 19 people year-round.
Spa Cottage
Every guest has access to this charming cottage, nestled in the woods. Located behind the main house, it contains everything you need for a fabulous workout, sauna, and our many spa services.
Testimonials
Testimonials
Katie
Rochester, Minnesota
August 2023 Stayed one night
I had a quick but relaxing 1 night stay! Cute little cabin on a beautiful property. Very cozy and quaint! The camp bathroom was very nice, considering. I would love to stay again and have already recommended this cabin to friends!
Caleb
Lee's Summit, Missouri
November 2023 Stayed a few nights
This was the perfect place to get away for a weekend!!
Isabelle
Orono, Minnesota
January 2024 Stayed one night
This was one of my favorite stays. The hosts are kind and very responsive, and provided all the information we needed to feel comfortable. Everything was labeled clearly, which was helpful. The house was perfectly snug and decorated nicely. It felt very inviting. Thank you for such a great stay!!
Natalie
Rosemount, Minnesota
February 2024
Stayed a few nights Stayed for a weekend in the Tiny Wooded Retreat with my boyfriend. The space is small for two people but we still enjoyed our time and had lots of laughs while trying to creatively maneuver about in the space. Needless to say, this was the tiniest BnB we've ever stayed in!
Deborah included breakfast, which was amazing!! Deborah was very helpful, responsive, and even helped us find the parking area in the dark! She's an amazing host! We have stayed at one of her other BnBs before on the property, and I can't wait to stay in the other ones in the future!
Myah
Fargo, North Dakota
February 2024 Stayed a few nights
Staying with Deb and Paul was such a wonderful experience! It was my first time "camping" and I had some trouble starting a fire a few times and paul helped me! On my second night, they had their kids over for dinner, and made me a plate and it was delicious! I cannot wait to be back! Such a lovely property and lovely hosts.
Doug
Woodbury, Minnesota
March 2024 Stayed a few nights
We had such an amazing time staying at lil wooded. Deborah and Paul are just amazing hosts. Always so responsive and friendly. The location and privacy is really nice as well. Can't recommend it enough!
Wanda
Osceola, Wisconsin
April 2024 Stayed one night
Cute little camping cabin. I was only there for one night. The bed was very comfortable. Deborah was very responsive to all questions and kept me we'll informed.
Holly
Lakeville, Minnesota
April 2024 Stayed a few nights
Between the property itself, and the wonderful hosts, I highly recommend this to anyone looking for an outdoor getaway. Deb and Paul were very friendly and accommodating, while also respecting our privacy. I traveled with my service dog, and they made special accommodations for him, and were very sweet and welcoming towards him. Deb and Paul work very hard on making their place a very unique experience. I also loved the camp fire set up at each dwelling, and Paul even helped me with my fire as I clearly didn't know what I was doing. I very much appreciated these hosts and the feel of the place during my stay.
Zoe
Duluth, Minnesota
April 2024 Stayed a few nights
What a wonderful place to have a weekend away! I was looking for a nice spot I'm the woods where I could relax and step away from the world for a bit - and I found it in this airbnb. Deb was very communicative, helpful, and made the place feel homey. I would definitely come back again!
Tany
Sartell, Minnesota
May 2024 Stayed one night
Our stay was amazing, Deborah met us and explains things to us, very sweet lady. It was peaceful and calm. Just what was needed.
Austin
Minneapolis, Minnesota
May 2024 Stayed a few nights
This was perfect for my weekend solitude retreat. Super comfortable bed and all the amenities needed for a comfortable stay. Deb and Paul are super friendly and quick to respond you can tell they enjoy being hosts and have put a lot of thought and care into every detail of the place. Highly recommend!
Brian
Burnsville, Minnesota
June 2024 Stayed one night
It felt a little like glamping but with better amenities and a very unique setting. More private from other rented spaces than most campsites. Fun, whimsical touches galore. Enjoyed a little time with hosts nearby in community area. Thanks and looking forward to another time and maybe trying one of the other spaces!
3 weeks ago Stayed a few nights
Fantastic hostess. The cottage we stayed in was perfect(little wooded retreat). I can't wait to go back. We have been telling all of our friends about it. I just wish we could have stayed longer. Deb love your smile. Your place is perfect just like you. Hope to see you again soon. We had a blast.
Seth
Fairfield, Montana
2 weeks ago Stayed one night
This place was great. Deborahs place was very peaceful and cozy. we slept great and the sauna and weights were great.
Sarah
Minneapolis, Minnesota
2 weeks ago Stayed one night
This place is little as expected but so cute and cozy! Perfect for a small weekend getaway. Deborah was very kind and helpful with us getting a fire started, she also was very communicative and gave precise instructions on the property. Would definitely stay again.
October 2021 Stayed one night
We arrived and our host was waiting to show us around and welcome us. We could not have been more impressed with the beauty, cleanliness and the relaxing stay. Deborah and Paul are wonderful people and were attentive to assist us with everything. We have stayed in a lot of rentals and this was by far the best. Thank you for such a great and relaxing stay. Brian & Becky.
The Story of the Wooded Retreat
Paul and Deb… A logger and a nurse but more than that… a team. With only one of four children left at home, we decided to rent the upper level as an Airbnb. It had a slow start, but once people caught on it was crazy busy! People from all over the world would stay with us. Eventually we became licensed as a restaurant as well. The problem was…the space we rented was our bedroom. So, we slept in a 4×6 very discreet tent in the backyard, hidden from the view of guests. Occasionally we would get the dreaded question “Where do you stay”. We somehow managed to evade those awkward moments! We didn’t want our guests to feel bad, knowing we were in a tent! Some of our friends thought we were crazy; our family was not overly supportive, but we kept going. After 6 months and into November in a tiny tent sleeping on the ground, Deb wanted a bed, heat, you know, basic luxuries. We decided to bring over an 8×8 playhouse from a property we had in Wisconsin, used a hand come-a-long and a chain to get it on a trailer and pull it home. Very sketchy! Paul went to work grinding the old paint off, then we tore down part of an old barn and used that wood for the interior siding and leftover lumber for the ceiling and extra vintage inspired wallpaper from the rental. Paul made bookshelves from the window valances from the historic home. ‘ Old Lady Chic’ was the look and Deb loved it. Midcentury modern furniture, tiny chandelier and 32-inch TV with a super soft memory foam bed made it home. We added an electric tea kettle, mini fireplace and cabinet hand built by Paul’s industrious mother out of scraps. This was pure heaven!
We thought we were done until we shared our space with one of our guests who wanted to rent it. Back to the tent! We then made plans for a private off grid bath house for this tiny cabin but the cottage we found (a former playhouse as well) was simply too cute to be converted into a bathroom, so…. We decided to put it on the edge of the property while we figure out what to do. That was the beginning of the craziest adventure of all. Finally, we found a rough looking but sturdy fish house that Paul turned into another adventure getting it off Chisago Lake in the dead of winter.
Paul worked his extraordinary talent and turned it into a bathhouse! He used all repurposed materials, over 40-year-old wood and tin and even older furnishings and added a chandelier, and it was now glamour in the woods. This beauty, thanks to our daughter-in-law, became “old Blue” She even made us road signs and signs for the cottage and bath house, perfecting the look. Old Blue became an instant overnight success. Covid-19 hit, and it was rented almost every night and over half of the months, even in the winter. Then we received more inquiries for events and weddings, but where would we put people? We need more cottages! Besides, go big or go home, right? We added a dome tent on a platform, a Wild West Tiny Hotel, A Tiny Home we call “The Office” and started plans for the Tiny Farmhouse which was to be the piece resistance. But every time Paul would try to work on it, he would get pulled away. There was always something more important…a privacy fence, bathroom remodel, major storm damage and a spa cottage. But it was for the best because all these other things made the Wooded Retreat even better, allowing us to have a massage therapist on site and plans for spa retreats. Who could have known. This gorgeous 8-acre property with 5 ponds will always be changing and growing, but has become a retreat for so many. We have lived amidst and crossed paths and had phenomenal guests who are amazing, beautiful and kind people, and we will be forever grateful to for their contribution to the Wooded Retreat. We have worked tirelessly to put love and care into the spaces and the hospitality to our guests, but The Wooded Retreat wouldn’t exist without the beautiful people who have stayed here and given us the passion to create, build and keep going. You know who you are, thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Paul and Deb,
Owner/Operator’s
Wooded Retreat