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The River Lodge - a place for family & friends!

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Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Smart TV, fireplace, DVD player, ping pong
Interior
7 bedrooms, iron/ironing board, travel cot, free WiFi
Terrace/patio

Reviews

10 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire cabin

7 bedrooms5 bathroomsSleeps 24436 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor space
  • Kitchen

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

  • Cross-country skiing nearby

Internet

  • Available in the cabin: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Car required
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee grinder
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Griddle
  • Hob
  • Kitchen island
  • Microwave
  • Mixer
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 7 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

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

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room
  • Separate dining area

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • Smart TV
  • Stereo
  • Video library

Outdoor areas

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

Laundry

  • Laundromat nearby
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming dogs only
  • 3 pets total

Suitability/Accessibility

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

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

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

Things to do

  • Arcade/game room
  • Table tennis
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Snorkelling nearby
  • Snowmobiling nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby

Safety features

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

General

  • Garden
  • Unit size: 4,693.1 square feet

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Policies

Check-in

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

Check-out

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

Special check-in instructions

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

Pets

Pets are allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
3 total pets
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property on 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 that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
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 transport to and from this property

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About the area

Map
Aitkin, MN

What's nearby

  • Nelson Lake - 8 min drive - 4.5 km
  • Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area - 18 min drive - 15.0 km
  • Cuyuna Lakes Trail - 20 min drive - 18.2 km
  • Gull Lake - 46 min drive - 44.0 km
  • Brainerd International Raceway - 47 min drive - 52.1 km

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!?

Checkout 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 miles (15 km).

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

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 158 out of 165 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 165 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 165 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 165 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 165 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Susanne B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect family vacation
This was our second stay at the Lodge. It works so perfect for our family with 7 bedrooms and numerous
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Our summer getaway
Our family has been staying at the River Lodge for the past 4 years and we all love it. The host is extremely responsive.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jill S.

Liked: Cleanliness
A lil Piece of Heaven
This Lodge is the perfect place to unwind and spend quality time with family or friends. It was peaceful and cozy. There is so much room for everyone to have their own space. Beautifully decorated, spacious bedrooms and baths. There is nothing you need to bring besides food and your necessities. The kitchen is fully stocked and with two fridges lots of room for food! We did not want to leave as you feel right at home the minute you walk in. The 12 adults in our group all agreed this was the PERFECT get away!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sandy E.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect set up for a group
Large, nice areas to relax and have conversations, beautiful view, calming. Plus the owners communicated well with us.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect place for families
We loved having our family vacation here. There was so much room and so much to do for all ages. We could gather together for games and puzzles, or be reading and still with everyone. The kitchen had everything needed for each family to take a turn at making a delicious supper. The fire pit and the hot tub were popular. There were lakes nearby for fun on the water. You’ll enjoy your time here, and the host is great.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jess P.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

Emily N.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

Rob B.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
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

Tom R., Gainesville, Florida

Liked: Cleanliness
Christmas Hygge Gathering
We really enjoyed our family Christmas celebration at The River Lodge. Together we had 19 people of a variety of ages 4 - 70+, who gathered. There was more than adequate room for a puzzle table, multiple reading corners, and time together sharing wonderful meals! (The kitchen was well equipped for large family cooking) We enjoyed two evenings together watching favorite Christmas shows! The sleeping accommodations were spacious. Thank you, by the way, for the ramp up to the front door. It was a gift for the elders in our family! One night we enjoyed a fire in the pit outside, watching the stars. Our hosts were very responsive whenever we asked questions. Thank you!
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer M.

Liked: Cleanliness
3rd Family Vacation
We again had a wonderful time at the River Lodge. Two suggestions we have would be to screen in the upper deck so we can enjoy it during the evening (mosquitoes are very bad), and replace the mattress in the upstairs north/river facing bedroom. That mattress was too soft and creaky.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jamie G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing family vacation!
We spent our annual family vacation at The River Lodge this year & it was by far our favorite place we’ve stayed! The lodge was very clean, well stocked with supplies, & Joy was very communicative, attentive, & great to work with. We had 10 adults, 5 kids & a pup & never felt cramped. It was spacious with many different spots to watch movies, read, or visit with family. The wrap around porch & the yard were our favorite! The lodge is also decorated beautifully, & the property is so peaceful. We hope we can return soon!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Marika P.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

Joei H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Summer Family Vaca
My family and I had the best time during our 5 day stay. We had 20 of us staying and this place worked and accommodated our family so well. The open deck, the space in rooms and bathrooms, the decor and kitchen space and big living room we all could be in together made our trip so enjoyable and relaxing. Communication was amazing between us and the hosts. We definitely plan on booking again. One really neat thing we all enjoyed was watching the robin nests all week on the deck. By the end of our week they had learned to fly off, every day we were eager to check. This was a blessing for my mother to have all her family together and so good for us all to reconnect and see the older kids enjoy time together. Memories definitely made!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Brenda G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family Get Away
This cabin was the perfect place to accommodate our family of twenty. We could all gather and have fun with each other; but also find a quiet place if you needed any alone time. Everything was so neat and clean. owner's were so good about communicating before and during our stay. They are excellent hosts! We hope to come back some day.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Janice O.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful spacious family reunion paradise.
Numerous conversation areas and seating areas. Well-maintained and lovely decor. We especially liked the large open kitchen with table to seat. 14 people. Very private. Enjoyed the ping pong table and hot tub.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Susanne B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect family reunion lodge
We had a fabulous time at the River Lodge. We were very impressed with all the space and it worked perfect for our annual family reunion. The River Lodge is well equipped and provides all the basic necessities. It has space on every floor for hanging out, playing games or just reading a book. We will be back
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Amanda S.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

8/10 Good

Darlis M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful family vacation house!
We loved this house. So many different common areas, wonderful kitchen with everything you need to cook home style meals, a beautiful yard with lots of room to run and play!! Online discription was misleading to river access and close proximity to bike trails, but with everything else there was to do we adapted. Even room for a kickball field!!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Diane K.

Liked: Cleanliness
60th Birthday Celebration
We rented the property for a 60th birthday celebration for a group of friends. It was a very enjoyable experience. The lodge is beautiful. There are enough bedrooms and bathrooms and living spaces to accommodate a very large group. We would highly recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Aurora L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great for family gathering
This property was amazing it’s big enough that out group of 21 did not feel crowded but still felt like we were in a home. It’s amazing the kitchen is set is both functional and stylish and the large table makes a great place to play games plus we could all eat together when we pulled a folding table from the panty even with all those people in the kitchen at one time it didn’t feel crowded. The deck off the kitchen was so nice we put our coolers out there for easy access plus the dogs loved be able to go in and out with us without a leash. My only real complaint was the stairs going to the lower level were very dark and the railing only goes about half way down. A brighter light would be helpful. Otherwise we all loved it so much and hope to return in the future
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Julie W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect lodge for our family of 17!
From the moment we entered the lodge we were hooked. It is open and roomy from top to bottom. Everything you would expect and need was available from a huge table for all to eat together, gorgeous great room with fireplace and chairs, couches, tables for games, etc.!! The lighting is fun Edison lighting all around the lodge. A very spacious deck looking towards the river. There is a patio fire pit and we used it every night every night and sat in the outdoor sauna also. Very comfy beds and plenty of rooms to accommodate our big family. The hosts were the best...always available and willing to help or answer any questions. Great VRBO...dont miss it!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jessica L.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Snowshoeing getaway
It was so easy and property is just beautiful. The hosts are very responsive; we all enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. Well stocked kitchen and just a beautiful space for our group of 15.would highly recommend. Great snowshoeing at nearby Cuyuna State Park.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Xai X.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family retreat
Host was super nice and responsive. The property look just like the picture. Very clean house with everything you need in a kitchen. This is a beautiful home for a large group like my family size. We had a great time and would book this place again.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022