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Historic lakefront lodge with full bar, sauna, private boat ramp

Photo gallery for Historic lakefront lodge with full bar, sauna, private boat ramp

Property grounds
Exterior
8 bedrooms, desk, free WiFi, bed sheets
Dining
Combined shower/bathtub, soap, toilet paper

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Laundry
  • Pet-friendly

Explore the area

View map
Deer River, MN
  • Rush Island Lake
  • Little Sand Lake
  • Lake Winnibigoshish
    ‪17 min drive‬

Room options

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About the area

Deer River

When you stay at this lodge in Deer River, you'll be on the waterfront and 14 minutes by car from Lake Winnibigoshish. .This family-friendly lodge is 16.5 mi (26.5 km) from Mississippi River and 5.5 mi (8.9 km) from Rush Island Lake.
View more Lodges in Deer RiverOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Lake Winnibigoshish - 17 min drive - 14.5 km
  • Marcell Family Center - 30 min drive - 27.5 km
  • Civilian Conservation Camp Camp 707-F14 - 30 min drive - 26.0 km
  • Bills Lake - 37 min drive - 24.3 km
  • Deer River Wayside Park - 46 min drive - 43.3 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Riley's Cannibal Junction - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Bowstring Access Restaurant - ‬12 min drive

About this property

Historic lakefront lodge with full bar, sauna, private boat ramp

Amazing and very spacious lake lodge with its own private concrete boat ramp on Bowstring lake. The lodge was a fully functional resort for over 100 years. This is a unique property for an unforgettable getaway experience that includes 8 private bedrooms (2 specious masters) with extra sleeping accommodations. There is a full size once operating real bar and large kitchen with a commercial ice maker capable of 50lbs/day and bar fridge that can hold approximately 15 cases of soda or adult beverages at your disposal. The bar area alone can hold and seat 20+ people, and is larger than most up north bars. Kitchen is overstocked, multiple full size grills on the property, charcoal and gas. Plenty of outdoor seating, picnic table, fire pit with benches, multiple docks on the lake for boat tie ups, sitting on a slight bluff with over 300’ of shoreline for the most amazing views of the lake. The lake shore sauna, Pool table, large shuffleboard table, poker table, darts, foosball table, horseshoe pits, yard games, video game room and many other things to do, ensuring entertainment for all ages. Family gatherings, bachelor and bachelorette parties, fishing/hunting/snowmobile trips are totally welcome!! A fishing row boat is included in the rental. Bowstring lake is one of the top Minnesota's fishing lakes and is over 9000 acres in size. Property is situated on 13 private acres.

Please only Saturday 2pm check ins to Saturday 10am check out bookings for the summer months.
A kitchen is outfitted with a refrigerator, an oven, and a stovetop. A Smart television and a DVD player are provided for your entertainment, while complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected. The bathroom has a shower.Conveniences include a desk and a microwave.
Enjoy recreation amenities such as a sauna or take in the view from a garden. This lodge also features an arcade/game room and barbecue grills.
Guests will find features like internet access and onsite parking.

Property manager

Josh Stay

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Internet access

Things to do

  • Arcade/game room
  • Billiards/pool table
  • Books
  • Foosball table
  • Games
  • Sauna
  • Stereo
  • Video library

Conveniences

  • Laundry facilities

Outdoors

  • Barbecue grill
  • Beach loungers
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • On a lake
  • Outdoor furniture

More

  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathroom

  • 5 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper

Entertainment

  • DVD player
  • Smart TV
  • Video games

Food and drink

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dining table
  • Dishwasher
  • Hob
  • Ice maker
  • Kitchen
  • Kitchen island
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Separate dining area
  • Spices
  • Toaster

More

  • Desk
  • Desk chair
  • Dryer
  • Fireplace
  • Heating
  • Living room

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 2:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

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
2 total pets
Note from host: Please be respectful and responsible with pets.

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

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, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site; maximum attendees: 25
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector and a smoke detector
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

Historic lakefront lodge with full bar, sauna, private boat ramp Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 64 out of 71 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 71 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 71 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 71 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 71 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Becky B.

Liked: Cleanliness
This place was amazing! Our family of 18 had room to explore all the nooks & crannies of this uniquely remodeled historic resort. A bed for each one, All had a favorite place to hangout. The huge great/living room had so many exciting games, nooks for space, TV’s for all to enjoy a show or two. Kitchen well stocked- all the bathrooms were just wonderful. We didn’t have any trouble with internet connect and the bar area was just another way for adventures!We rented a fishing and pontoon boat from a nearby resort, so that made our week.This was a 5th generation trip to MN that has kept us coming back to the shoreline of Bow String Lake and hoping generations will want to share their memories with others.& Josh, our host, was the best to us, went above & beyond to our family and will give this home a 5 star rating.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Trisha C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Huge house with tons of charm and character. Beds were comfortable, kitchen was fully stocked. Main room had so many things to keep us entertained when we weren’t on the water. Communication was easy and prompt.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Catherine B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great Stay!

The resort is large and has every amenity you could ever need. The most I have ever had at a VRBO. There are lots of separate areas for different activities. Tons of games and puzzles. The lake water is very clear and has a sandy bottom. The sauna was new and lovely. Josh was amazing to work with and super responsive. It was a great place for a large family gathering.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Joseph R.

Liked: Cleanliness

Awesome property

The property was awesome. I hosted a corporate meeting at the facility. It was a great setting for a meeting space and team building. I would 10/10 recommend.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jason M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Meyer Family Christmas on Bowstring

This is a great place to stay for a large group wanting to expiriance the history and character of the area as well as the historic Bowstring Lodge. Something for everyone! Bowstring Lake - one of MN better fishing lakes, Games, foosball in the large great room. Had 17 people for a family Christmas. Lots of room to spread out. Had a family fishing contest and foosball tournament. Great place. We would visit again!
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Shirlee T.

Liked: Cleanliness

Character Warmth and Nostalgia

Our best family Labor Day yet!! This former lodge was awesome!! Filled with character, nostalgia and charm. Huge lake with magnificent sunsets. Our host was great on all levels. Easy to reach and prompt responses to our questions. Highly recommend Bowstring Lodge
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Patti W.

Liked: Cleanliness

Fun Get Away

Great area for outdoor activities of all kinds. Kitchen is amazing and fully stocked with anything you might need!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness

Loved it!

Great for all ages! Space for everyone to enjoy and work!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sherly P.

Liked: Cleanliness

family vacation

Perfect!! We had 10 adults and 11 children, 5 families. The layout of the lodge was perfect. The upstairs rooms were not disturbed by the game room or bar noise. The lake is beautiful for fishing or boating. The pool was awesome. This place is very well equipped for large groups. No one was disappointed.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Chris P., Thompson, ND USA

Liked: Cleanliness

A great stay

A very nice property! Weather didn't cooperate with us the whole week as it was quite windy, but there were plenty of things to do inside as well as the pool and sauna. Well stocked and inviting - the bar was a hit with the family and was a evening gathering place. We hope to stay again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brian M., MINNEAPOLIS

Liked: Cleanliness

Bowstring Lodge: a multifamily tradition

I just got home from my third stay at Bowstring Lodge, and my second with the current owner, Josh. Our group included six families, including four teenagers and two six-year-olds. Everyone enjoyed the Lodge, which had plenty to keep everyone busy without feeling crowded. We all came together for meals and movies but, during the day, everyone could do their own favorite activity -- from swimming and fishing, to board games, to television, to sauna, to quiet time overlooking the lake -- on their own schedule. The WiFi is excellent, so those of us who had to check in with the office from time to time had no trouble. All three of my stays have been great experiences, each better than the time before. Josh has been upgrading and improving the property, and the positive changes are noticeable. The customer service was great, too -- Josh was very responsive to every inquiry. And when I pointed out a problem with the sound quality of the television in the common space, there was no fooling around -- a brand-new television was installed by dinnertime, in time for the movie that we had been planning for that evening. I have been renting the Lodge every other year, but this year's guests -- adults and children alike -- had such a lovely time that we want to make it an annual tradition.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Julie E.

Liked: Cleanliness

N Mn lodge

Very authentic northern lodge with many family amenities. The saltwater pool was great!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Terry B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Awesome

Excellent host
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness

Great place to gather with a large family

Lots of places to spread out so we weren't breathing down each other's necks. The weather was not cooperative when we were there, so the game room was perfect to keep teens and small children happy. Caught a couple of mice, but understandable when surrounded by woods and in a vintage cabin. It's life. Used the sauna and the pool. It was a bit cool and would have liked to swim more because the pool was so nice. The little kids 10 and under were thrilled about the mess of blue gill they caught. Thanks, Josh for having a large place to rent!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Jennifer K.

Liked: Cleanliness

Lots of space in a unique cabin

Had a great week- the cabin worked for our large group- the bar area and game room are large and accommodating. We made great use of both. The kitchen is large and well stocked. The outdoor space was great and the pool and sauna were a big hit! Josh was a great host- he was very responsive and helpful. The cabin is a little cluttered with many Knick knacks, partly kitschy- but partly overwhelming. We had trouble finding a boat rental- so we were not able to take advantage of the lake to the extent we had hoped.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jaimee G.

Liked: Cleanliness

Secluded Getaway

Our overall stay was nice. The access to the lake and pool were great throughout our stay. The large yard provided a fantastic place for the kids to play wiffle ball and run around. The inside bar area was a fun place to hangout, eat, and just look around at all the great memorabilia. The game room/great room was a hit for both kids and adults alike, especially when we were stuck inside because of rain. Overall, this was a great choice for our party of 20!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Connie P.

Liked: Cleanliness

Family fishing trip

Perfect size and location for our group!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sheryl F.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great place for large groups!

We had 25 family members stay at the house when we were in the area for a wedding. The lodge was amazing with great character. We brought most everything we needed but the amenities offered were above and beyond what you would expect. Kitchen fully stocked with appliances. Plenty of cold storage! Too many indoor and outdoor activities to list here, but there are activities for every age. Plenty of outside seating if you just want to relax and enjoy the views of the lake. The owner was in contact before, during and after our stay and responded quickly to our messages. Highly recommend this lodge to anyone looking to VRBO in the area.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Erica L.

Liked: Cleanliness

Awesome place

The House was everything we expected!! We plan to be back next year, hopefully with more people!! Josh was super helpful and responsive!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Wendy L.

Liked: Cleanliness

A great getaway!

7 couples stayed very comfortably in Bowstring Lodge. We had a wonderful weekend! The place was very interesting and the owner was great to work with. Would definitely recommend this to anyone!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Carey H.

Liked: Cleanliness

The lodge

The property was awesome. Beautiful lodge.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mike B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Snowmobile trip

25 members of our snowmobile club stayed here for our annual trip. We loved efact that we could all be under one roof. This layout is a little quirky, but it had tons of space for everyone to hang out and socialize, especially in the bar and huge game room. Awesome to see the historic lodge being put to good use.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tammy T.

Liked: Cleanliness

Annual Family Snowmobile Trip

We rated the property, amenities, location to trails a 10/10. The condition of the trails we rated 11/10. Only note: the floors are a little crooked, which adds to the charm, but if you have vertigo or a few beers ... beware ;)
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kerry T.

Liked: Cleanliness

What a gem!!

This place is awesome!! It's a quintessential lake-side cabin. Parts of it date back to 1908 with other parts added on later. We spent Thanksgiving week there with 16 family members (adults, teens, and littler ones) who all fit comfortably. The game room was where we spent most of our time playing pool, foosball, skeeball, or curled up on a couch catching up. The lake was frozen enough to walk on and to try some ice fishing. The kitchen was big enough for several adults to prep meals. The owner was very responsive to any of my questions or concerns and the wifi was shockingly fast. We highly recommend this property for any large groups trying to get away from the chaos to relax.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Joseph T.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great place, great host.

An interesting cabin what appears to be built from a bar for deer hunters. Host was very friendly.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2022