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The River Lodge - a place for family & friends!

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Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
7 bedrooms, iron/ironing board, travel crib, free WiFi
Smart TV, fireplace, DVD player, table tennis
Terrace/patio
Interior

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire cabin

7 bedrooms5 bathroomsSleeps 24436 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Pet friendly
  • Washer
  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor Space
  • Air conditioning

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire cabin to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

The River Lodge - a place for family & friends!

WELCOME TO THE RIVER LODGE –a place to gather with friends and family! This unique home sits on a peaceful five acres on the banks of the Mississippi River. It features three levels with 7 bedrooms plus additional sleeping areas in the loft and the game room, making it possible to fit up to 24 guests (see below for details). The great room with its double height ceiling and loft balcony provides a large gathering space which is perfect for reunions and retreats. Additionally, there are 3 other living rooms all with smart TVs, 5 bathrooms, a game room with ping pong, several outdoor sitting areas, a beautiful fire pit patio and several lawn games to enjoy.

THE AREA
The towns of Aitkin and Crosby are just a 15 minute drive from the lodge. Both have a wonderful variety of cafes, restaurants, antique shops and events throughout the year. Also a short drive away are the famous Cuyuna mountain biking trails! In the winter, cross country, snowshoe and snow-mobile trails are all nearby.

BEDS AND BEDROOMS
Bedroom 1: King bed (main level)
Bedroom 2: Queen bed (upstairs)
Bedroom 3: Queen bed (upstairs)
Bedroom 4: Queen bed (upstairs)
Bedroom 5: Queen bed and bunk bed (basement)
Bedroom 6: Queen bed (basement)
Bedroom 7: Queen bed (basement)
Loft: 2 daybeds with trundles (upstairs)
Game Room: 2 bunk beds (basement)

LODGE RULES & INFO
-Dogs allowed (up to 3) with pet fee - inquire for pet rules and fee questions
-No parties allowed
-Only guests who are part of the reservation may be on the property at any time. Small weddings allowed with additional fee, only up to 50 guests. Please inquire for details.
-No confetti or glitter allowed
-The Mississippi River is not easily accessible and swimming is never recommended. There is a boat launch just a couple miles down the road and several great lakes nearby with beaches as well. We would be happy to provide more details.


HOME FEATURES & AMENITIES
Kitchen
-All basic utensils and cooking tools
-Pots, pans, bakeware and dishes
-2 drip coffee makers, 2 french press, 1 chemex (pour over), 1 aeropress
-Blender
-Slow cooker
-Hand mixer
-Griddle
-Toaster
-Gas grill (propane is provided)
-Salt, pepper and olive oil
-2 refrigerators
-Pantry
-Paper towels and dish soap

Linens & Toiletries…
-100% organic cotton sheets and pillow cases
-Bed quilts and fleece layering blankets
-Towels and washcloths
-Hair dryer
-Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash and Body Lotion

Other…
-High speed WiFi
-Bluetooth speakers
-Smart or Apple TVs with soundbars in all living room areas
-Walkout basement with radiant floor heating
-Custom built extra long dining table with seating for 16 people
-Fireplace
-Pack and Play
-High chair
-DVDs, books and games
-Fire pit and roasting sticks
-Swings and Hammocks
-Outdoor tables for dining al fresco
-Lawn games

Property manager

Andrew and Joy Ballard

Languages

English, Spanish

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach towels

Ski

  • Close to skiing

Internet

  • Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Onsite parking
  • Car required

Kitchen

  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Toaster
  • Blender
  • Coffee grinder
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 7 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided

Bathrooms

  • 4.5 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Soap
  • Towels provided
  • Hair dryer
  • Toilet paper
  • Shampoo

Living spaces

  • Fireplace
  • Living room
  • Dining room

Entertainment

  • Smart TV
  • Table tennis
  • Arcade/game room
  • DVD player
  • Books
  • Stereo
  • Video library
  • Games

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Firepit

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer
  • Near laundromat

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • 3 total pets
  • Welcoming dogs only

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • On the river
  • On the waterfront
  • In a rural location
  • Near a hospital

Things to do

  • Cycling nearby
  • Snowmobiling nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Hiking nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector installed (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector installed (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • First aid kit
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Unit size: 4693 sq ft (436 sq m)

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Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
3 total pets
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property at the number on the booking confirmation
Note from host: $100 fee for 1st dog, $50 for each additional dog

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Note from host: Please beware of stairs and river bank.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings and weddings) are allowed on site; maximum attendees: 50
Note from host: Small events allowed with an additional fee.
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

We should mention

A car is required for transportation to and from this property

Property is also known as

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About the neighborhood

Map
Aitkin, MN

What's nearby

  • Nelson Lake - 8 min drive
  • Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area - 18 min drive
  • Cuyuna Lakes Trail - 20 min drive
  • Gull Lake - 46 min drive
  • Brainerd International Raceway - 47 min drive

Getting around

  • Brainerd, MN (BRD-Brainerd Lakes Regional) - 33 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Woodtick Inn - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Bridge Tavern - ‬10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The River Lodge - a place for family & friends! pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 3 total).

What time is check-in at The River Lodge - a place for family & friends!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The River Lodge - a place for family & friends!?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is The River Lodge - a place for family & friends! located?

This family-friendly Aitkin cabin is located on the waterfront, within 3 mi (5 km) of Mississippi River and Nelson Lake. Milford Mine Memorial Park and Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area are also within 9 mi (15 km).

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The River Lodge - a place for family & friends! Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 161 out of 168 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 168 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 168 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 168 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 168 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Jess P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Staff Retreat
We stay here every year as part of our school staff retreat. We love the location, the house, amenities and it's neat to see the new updates every year. We'll be back again next year!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dan B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place!
We always have a wonderful experience here!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Shee X.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful stay!
The River Lodge is such a beautiful space! Very clean and we had everything we needed for our 3 night stay. We would love to visit again!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Emily N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wedding Weekend
The River Lodge is gorgeous and very spacious. We were able to host our intimate wedding ceremony and dinner (30 guests) and the property was beautiful. One guest booked their future family reunion after experiencing the lodge! We would definitely recommend staying here! The hosts have great communication and are very responsive!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dan B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Cabin
We loved this beautiful cabin and it had plenty of space for our extended family.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2020

10/10 Excellent

evan z.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Annual Family Trip
Our group had a great time at the River Lodge. We loved the large gathering spaces, both inside and out.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Women’s winter break
This is the second year our group had stayed at this wonderful property! Fully stocked kitchen, great spaces for sharing and quiet nooks if you need a little quiet time. Hosts are responsive and amazing; it is a wonderful place for our group of 24 to stay at!!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rob B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Weekend Retreat
The lodge and property were perfect in every way. Perfect for a large gathering. So much room for meeting together and break-out spaces for small group conversations. The lodge is so well appointed. Andrew and Joy thought of everything! Super clean and so comfortable. And the river - beautiful!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jessica L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place for a get together
This is a great spot for a get together, this is our 3rd time using this location for a friends get together and are looking forward to coming back. The hosts are great with responses and working with you to make the stay easy.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Say Y.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
It was a beautiful place huge house with lots of room for everyone.
Overall we love it got everything we need it for our group.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jordan T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful Property
The River Lodge was as advertised if not better! Andrew and Joy were excellent hosts and very accommodating.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Amanda S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fantastic family get together
This was the perfect place for 2 families to meet. Plenty of space to spread out and yet get together at the same time. The Hosts were very accommodating! We appreciated their hospitality and would recommend 100%
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Marika P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Another great stay under our belt at Riverlodge
We are returning for our fourth stay at Riverlodge and continue to be impressed with the care that is given to this space. We had activities for all ages and were excited to see the solar panel addition! We love Riverlodge.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Matt C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent getaway
This is a great spot for a family, or multiple families. A nice alternative to lakefront properties.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2020

10/10 Excellent

Angie R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We loved our stay at the River Lodge!
Great property. Beautiful home. Owners are thoughtful and checked in to make sure we had what we needed for our stay. Highly recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2020

10/10 Excellent

Vera M., Aberdeen, South Dakota

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful place
Easy communication with owners
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Whitney S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great stay
The cabin was beautiful and Joy was very communicative when we had any issue. The bugs were slightly annoying, but we would definitely stay here again. I especially appreciated the extra crafting tables that were available.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jessica P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Another Successful School Staff Retreat
As always, we love this location! The hosts/owners are responsive and accomodating. We are on the books again already for next year.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Daniel S.

This is a wonderful Property!!
We loved our stay at the River Lodge! It is very spacious, beautifully laid out and decorated! Everything we needed was provided and the communication with Andrew and Joy was excellent!! Highly Recommend!!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2019

10/10 Excellent

Marika P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing times again and again
Third time staying at Riverlodge. Each time exceeds expectations and the memories we create linger
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Harry D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
40th Wedding Celebration
It was the perfect place for our family to come together and celebrate our anniversary. Lots of room for the 19 of us. Very clean and had all the amenities we needed.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Melissa G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family Reunion
The River Lodge was the perfect place for us to hold our first ever family reunion! It has lots of room for the kids to run and yet is cozy enough for the adults to relax and have some fun also!
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Joe B., Crystal, Minnesota

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place!
A fun place with LOTS of space for larger gatherings. Plenty of things to do. Easy drive to town. Well done.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Mary Z.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wedding Venue
Communication was awesome! Property was perfect for our small wedding.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Dana R., Shakopee, Minnesota

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Relaxing River Lodge
The River Lodge was the perfect location for our extended family to unwind and reconnect. The accommodations are top notch! The sweet owners answered all of our questions immediately and were very easy to communicate with. We were sad when we had to leave and look forward to staying again!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022