Minnesota Houseboating & Log Cabins: A Trip Report
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Minnesota
Minnesota Houseboating & Log Cabins: A Trip Report
Here is our review of a beautiful Northern Minnesota houseboating lake. We just got back from a great trip to Northern Minnesota, on beautiful, peaceful Lake Birch. We wanted to let others know about
Here is our review of a beautiful Northern Minnesota houseboating lake. We just got back from a great trip to Northern Minnesota, on beautiful, peaceful Lake Birch. We wanted to let others know about Timber Bay Lodge and Houseboats. Timber Bay is located in Babbitt, Minnesota in a beautiful woodsy setting. They have a number of log cabins you can rent, as well as a small fleet of very nicely kept houseboats. We think the houseboat vacation is the way to go-- more contact with nature, the water, more seclusion as you can boat to private areas of the lake, dock your boat and swim and read all day by yourselves. We found the owners and their staff to be very helpful and friendly, the lake was absolutely beautiful, everything was clean and well kept and overall our vacation was wonderful. Here is the Timber Bay website: http://timberbay.com/index.html. Bring lots of OFF bug spray and binoculars to see the eagles, loons, beaver, deer, herons, ducks, etc... If you get lucky you might even spot the rare bear or moose. Plus with 100 degree heat in some parts of the country in late July, it was only 80 degrees in Northern Minn. Try this vacation -- it was great!
It's nice to hear someone not complain about the mosquitoes for a change:) Northern Minnesota is a great place for a vacation. The pace is much slower than other places and there are so many wonderful places to see. We spent a week in Grand Marais over Christmas last year and had a fantastic time!
Your vacation sounded just like what I'm looking for. Are you are to tell me about meals, bringig your own provisions, etc., or is that available from the Web site (which I intend to check as well)? I live in NJ; what airport do you fly into and how do you get to your destination from there?
Birch Lake is a beautiful little lake here in Northern Minnesota, but if you are feeling more adventurous, try Lake Vermilion, only 30 miles from Babbit at Tower. Lake Vermilion also has houseboat rentals at Vermilion Houseboats [(218) 753-3548] and dozens of resorts on a Lake that has 1000 miles of shoreline and 365 islands. Although much of the Lake is developed, there are still miles and miles of empty shoreline and always a quiet spot to anchor your boat. Lake Vermilion also boasts a wonderful resort hotel and casino, Fortune Bay, owned by the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa. Welcome to Minnesota and if you are coming this year, you are in luck! Few mosquitoes and wonderful weather! This is a lake that could take a lifetime to explore!
Northern Minnesota is indeed a beautiful place I live in Minneapolis and I can't get up there enough. There are many lodges with restaraunts and houseboat rentals in that area. Check out Explore Minnesota @ http://www.exploreminnesota.com/ they have a lot of info.
Great info. My husband and 2 dogs and I are planning a trip to Northern Minnesota and up around Lake Superior. Any thoughts on good places to stay, visit, sites to see? We plan on going next summer (2004) Thanks in advance for you advice.
To the person who asked about provisions to take to Timber Bay....
Be sure to bring: Charcoal for your houseboat's bbq grill, a big cooler with meat to grill, pop, bottled water, snacks, OFF, sunscreen, books to read, board games to play, paper towels and cleaning spray, flashlights, several bath towels, sheets and blankets, binoculars, fishing gear, cups and paper plates, condiments (ketchup, mustard, etc.) Bring all the food you'll need-- there are no general stores on this secluded lake-- and don't forget the ingredients for s'mores-- You make a campfire each night! And bring lake rafts/floaties- the water is nice!
Available at their boathouse to purchase: ice, campfire wood and live bait for fishing.
Provided in the houseboat: propane run refrigerator and stove/oven, sink with hot water, dish soap, pots, pans, silverware, spatulas, plates-- full kitchen stuff, toilet paper and flushing bathroom, comfy pullout beds, pillows, bbq grill, extra big cooler, patio furniture (chairs, tables and loungers), radio with tape deck, "electric" lights for nightime reading/games.
We drove up, so I don't know about airports, but call their number at Timber Bay and the staff can direct you about that.
When I fly to N.J. I leave from Minneapolis/St. Paul and fly into Newark. From the Twin Cities you can rent a car, then drive anywhere you prefer. It'll take about three hours to get to northern Minnesota, depending on where you want to go...it's a big area!
We are going up to Birch Lake the end of September with our camper, but are staying at Birch Lake RV Park and Campground. We're brining our camper and our ATVs. There is a trail to ride across from the campground. It's so beautiful up there! We're from Iowa and can't wait to get back up there.
It is a lovely state. I particularly like the Ely area. The Boundary Waters (between the US and Canada) offer amazing canoeing. Your dogs would be happy. The water is clear and the boreal forest breathtaking.
I'd also suggest, as have many others, the exploreminnesota web site. It is quite good.
Have you checked out the Frommer's Magazine for June/July 2003? It had a whole feature on road trip where the author drove all the way around Lake Superior and camped out along the way.
Note-worthy sites- the Glensheen Mansion and the Canal Park Corp of Engineers Museum (free)in Duluth, Jay Cooke State Park (south of Duluth), Gooseberry State Park (North of Duluth), and the Gun Flint Trail at Grand Marais.
Also, double check with the Duluth Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau. I live in Minneapolis and do 2-3 spur-of-the-moment long weekend trips to the Northern Shore per year. I have found that loding in and around Duluth can be hard to find and pricey the weekend of the Jazz Festival and the Marathon.
Can anyone tell me about Voyaguers National Park in Northern Minnesota? Do you know anything about the Deerhorn resort or have other resorts to recommend? What is there to do up there besides boating? Thanks
