If you are a Minnesotan, you know that renting a cabin is a big deal. It’s a way of life. If you’re not from Minnesota, you’re in for a treat. Minnesota is home to many fantastic cabin rentals for vacations. We’ve distilled down the best cabins in Minnesota to help you get away and explore.
If you are looking for a cabin, you are in luck. In Minnesota, you’ll have a ton of options and a ton of locations to choose from.
I’ve scoured and stayed at as many options as possible to help you find the ultimate cabin spot for either your family, friends, or even just a simple, easy getaway.
Table of Contents
Where should you find your cabin in Minnesota?
Airbnb
Airbnb is arguably the best place to find the best cabins in Minnesota. Everything you need to select the perfect accommodation is right here, from idyllic lake houses with beautiful waterfront views to modern lofts oozing with artsy charm.
Depending on the location, you may book a cabin instantly, send a request, or ask questions before committing. You’ll have to complete a profile, so your hosts know a little bit about you before confirming your request (some guests require that you have a verified ID or profile photo to book).
Home2Go
Are you looking for the best travel deals? HomeToGo is a metasearch engine that allows you to compare hundreds of vacation rental websites so you can find one that offers the most bang for your buck.
HomeToGo’s unique selling point is the sheer amount of websites that it can aggregate and its capacity to sort hundreds of results to offer relevant information to its users.
You can also save as much as 35% by being flexible with the period of your travel.
VRBO
VRBO’s primary goal is to pair homeowners with families looking for great places to stay. Today, its library consists of over 2 million homes around the world. Unlike Airbnb to To help you find the best cabins in Minnesota, VRBO comes with a slew of robust search tools that allow you to filter preferences and highlight destinations located within driving distance.
It also comes with a host of group planning tools that will enable you to find the best accommodations, no matter what your budget is.
8 Best Cabins in Minnesota
Let’s break down some of the most epic, Instagrammable cabins in Minnesota to plan an ideal getaway.
1. This dreamy 1-bedroom cabin
Why it’s worth it: If you’re looking to disconnect, this charming cabin offers lots of nature without being too inconvenient (top-notch establishments are within walking distance)
Location: Kerrick
Price per night: $78
Sleeps: 4
Minimum stay: 2 nights
When all you need is a respite from the hustle and bustle of the city life, this quaint cottage located on the famous scenic byway to Duluth will not disappoint. This humble abode is just minutes away from the Nemadji State Forest and within walking distance from a stellar barbecue restaurant (with the most lip-smacking in-house smoked ribs) and a general store.
This rustic cottage offers a little bit of everything. If you’re looking to nature hop, cycle along the scenic route to Duluth, hit the trails, or go fishing. You can also stay closer to home and fire up the barbecue – the yard comes complete with a fire pit and an outdoor grill.
If modern comforts are what you need, visit Moose Lake for craft beer, a cup of Jose at Joe Jitters Coffee House, or dine at any of the town’s restaurants. Looking for more activities? Check out more things to do in Duluth at Viator.
2. This stunning A-frame cabin overlooking a lake
Why it’s worth it: This cabin gets five stars for aesthetics. It’s gorgeously designed and decorated – a surefire way to rack up flood likes on Instagram.
Location: Lutsen
Price per night: $165
Sleeps: 10
Minimum stay: 2 nights
The photos are enough reason to book a night’s stay, but if you need more convincing, listen up. This gorgeous A-frame cabin really impresses once natural light gets in. In the afternoon, expansive glass windows bathe the wooden walls with a golden glow.
A stunning spiral staircase leads up to a spacious loft with a lovely sitting area and a king bed. Larger families have enough space in this spacious cabin with additional bedrooms (one with a king bed, and another with a twin and double bed).
Once you’ve rested, there’s tons of space outdoors for socializing, complete with picturesque views of the lake and a private firepit. Go fishing or swimming in Ethel Lake, or explore the area over water with a pontoon boat rented from the homeowners.
3. This picture-perfect Scandinavian Lake House tucked in the woods
Why it’s worth it: Rustic with modern comforts, this gorgeous Scandinavian chalet comes with a hefty price tag, but every dollar spent promises luxurious comforts that will make you feel at home in the woods.
Location: Lutsen
Price per night: $525
Sleeps: 8
Minimum stay: 2 nights
Looking for the perfect escape? Nestled deep in the woods and tucked on the shore of Caribou lake, this stunning lake house is one of the best cabins in Minnesota.
Flanked by water on both sides, offering access to over 500 feet of lakeshore, this lake house cabin comes replete with everything you need in a modern abode, including a sauna house, deck, dock, canoes, screen porch, and spacious driveway. It’s a short drive from the ski hill and just 20 minutes away from Grand Marais.
Once inside, it’s easy to marvel over the aesthetics. The cabin boasts of stunning Scandinavian design: wide-open spaces that maximize light, hand-finished columns of fir, cedar, pine, natural stone, and a pared-back style that offers understated elegance.
This gorgeous cabin offers three bedrooms and three walk-in showers, offering lots of space for a group of 8. All guests get access to the dock, sauna house, and boats.
4. This lavish wood-paneled lakeside cabin
Why it’s worth it: This spacious Airbnb sits on 1.6 acres of gorgeously landscaped property. Elegantly designed interiors promise a luxurious night’s stay, but outside, nature beckons. Its strategic location offers plenty of activities for the outdoorsy!
Location: Grand Marais
Price per night: $536
Sleeps: 14
Minimum stay: 3 nights
Aptly named “Always Grace”, this airy, luxurious abode is one of the best cabins in Minnesota, and it’s easy to see why. Elegantly designed for affluent travelers, the interiors feature stunning wood-paneled walls, vaulted ceilings, floor to ceiling windows that offer spectacular views of Lake Superior, and an airy patio where coffee seems to taste sweeter every morning.
Five bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a spacious living room provide more than enough space for 14 guests. Here, leaving your house is always a treat. The spacious kitchen allows guests to prepare large meals or sit down together by the beautifully hand-crafted table.
Guests have easy access to Grand Marais for shopping or Gunflint Trail for some outdoor adventure. Pincushion Mountain Trail, with its popular hiking trail, is just 4 miles away.
5. This remote-access only cabin hidden above Farm Lake
Why it’s worth it: If your ultimate goal is to disconnect, this cabin guarantees that you get the respite you need from the real world. As a remote-access-only abode, only those willing to ski-out during the winter or paddle out during warmer months will be rewarded by the private comforts of this hidden gem. You may want to leave your gadgets behind – you won’t get Wi-Fi coverage or even electricity here.
Location: Fall Lake Township
Price per night: $150
Sleeps: 6
Minimum stay: 3 nights
Planning to go off the grid? This charming lakeside cabin has everything you and your family need to disconnect. Without a road leading to the property, guests will have to ski or snowshoe during the winter to access the cabin or paddle out with a boat to reach the dock during warmer months.
This hidden gem is located remotely, but guests won’t be skimping on simple comforts. This cabin houses a well-appointed kitchen, a sauna, and a wood-burning stove that heats the cabin during colder seasons.
While cozying up inside is a real treat, there is much to explore outdoors. Explore the area with the provided canoes, fire up a barbecue on the fire pit, or go fishing on the lake.
6. This remote Civil War-era log cabin
Why it’s worth it: Don’t let its non-descript appearance fool you; this log cabin is nearly 150 years old and steeped in history. Surrounded by 40 acres of woods and void of electricity, this is one of the best cabins in Minnesota for travelers looking to go off the grid.
Location: Long Prairie
Price per night: $60
Sleeps: 4
Minimum stay: 1 night
Erected nearly 150 years ago by James Maynard after the Civil War, this charming abode was beautifully rehabilitated and to this day, is one of the best log cabins in Minnesotta.
Today, it sits on a meadow at the edge of the woods and features a few amenities, including a complete kitchen, period furnishings, wood stove, and a downstairs sitting room. Two spacious beds (both genuine antiques) with handmade quilts and feather pillows offer just enough space for four.
For those who enjoy stripped-down living, there’s plenty of charm in this place. Travelers taking a digital detox will be happy to know the lack of electricity here. Once night falls, illumination becomes limited to old-fashioned kerosene lanterns setting the right mood for some scary story-telling around the outdoor fire ring and barbecue.
7. This cool timber frame cabin with excellent views of Lake Superior
Why it’s worth it: Just four miles from Grand Marais and some of the best campgrounds in Minnesotta, this airy cabin offers just the right distance to make you feel lost in the woods while still being able to make a mad dash to town whenever you feel like it. Wide windows offer unobstructed views of Lake Superior, while modern comforts such as full-size appliances and an Apple TV offer a slice of home.
Location: Grand Marais
Price per night: $263
Sleeps: 4
Minimum stay: 1 night
If you’re looking for a lakeside cabin with the best views, this gorgeous timber frame cabin easily tops our list. It’s nestled within a 10-acre parcel, surrounded by evergreen trees. Inside, wide windows offer panoramic views of Lake Superior and its thriving community of flora and fauna, from birds (the neighboring spruce tree is home to a family of bald eagles) to butterflies, wildflowers, and berries.
The cabin snugly fits four guests, but eight big windows and a cathedral ceiling offer an airy, modern, and spacious look. At night, guests can stargaze from the huge skylight situated in the open loft. Modern amenities abound, from full-size appliances to a well-appointed kitchen, a TV and a DVD player, a fire pit that overlooks Lake Superior, and a vegetable garden.
8. This cozy Scandinavian dovetail log cabin
Why it’s worth it: For couples looking for a romantic honeymoon, this Scandinavian Dovetail cabin is one of the best cabins in Minnesota. Snuggle up with your significant other amidst modern interiors designed by a local carpenter and North House Folk School instructor. Just like our previous favorites, this charming cabin forces you to unplug – there is limited cell phone reception and no Wi-Fi here.
Location: Grand Marais
Price per night: $133
Sleeps: 2
Minimum stay: 2 nights
This log cabin is small, but it doesn’t skimp on style. The limited 11’x20’ space is beautifully designed and decorated by a North House Folk instructor featuring wood-paneled walls and wide windows.
In true backpacker fashion, guests are required to rough it up just a bit. After preparing your dinner in its fully-functional kitchen, hop in the wood-fired sauna using water from rain barrels (or you can even melt snow for bathing). There is no running water or a cleaner, so you’ll have to pack-in drinking water and linens.
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