Entire cabin

The River Lodge - new look, same place!

Choose dates to view prices

Where to?

Dates

July 2025

August 2025

Smart TV, fireplace, DVD player, table tennis

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

Exceptional

Entire cabin

7 bedrooms5 bathroomsSleeps 244693 sq ft

Popular amenities

Dryer
Washer
Parking available
Fireplace
Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Aitkin, MN

Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area
‪24 min drive‬
Crosby Memorial Park
‪24 min drive‬
Cuyuna Lakes Trail
‪26 min drive‬
Brainerd, MN (BRD-Brainerd Lakes Regional)

Room options

About the neighborhood

Aitkin

This cabin places you next to Mississippi River and within a 3 miles (5 km) of Nelson Lake. The cabin includes a kitchen, a fireplace, and a balcony.

View more Cabin Rentals in Aitkin

What's nearby

Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area - 24 min drive - 10.2 miles
Crosby Memorial Park - 24 min drive - 11.7 miles
Cuyuna Lakes Trail - 26 min drive - 12.6 miles
Gull Lake - 46 min drive - 32.3 miles
Brainerd International Raceway - 53 min drive - 38.5 miles

Getting around

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

Restaurants

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

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 - new look, same place!

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

The cabin is air-conditioned and features a kitchen, 4.5 bathrooms, and a balcony. There's space to spread out with 7 bedrooms and a dining area. Guests can expect to find free WiFi and a Smart TV with a DVD player. Other standard amenities include a washing machine, a fireplace, and a coffee maker.

Property manager

Andrew and Joy Ballard

Languages

English, Spanish

Similar properties

Smart TV, fireplace, DVD player, foosball

Hot Tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer

Property amenities

Beach

Beach towels

Ski

Cross-country skiing nearby

Internet

Available in the cabin: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

Car required
Parking on site

Kitchen

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

Laundry facilities
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.
Wheelchair accessibility
Smoking not allowed

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
Fishing nearby
Golfing nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Jet skiing nearby
Kayaking nearby
Motor boating nearby
Mountain biking nearby
Scuba diving nearby
Snorkeling 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

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

This property welcomes pets
Dogs only
3 total pets
Restrictions apply
For more information, guests can reach out to the property at the number on the booking confirmation
Service animals exempt from fees
Note from host: $100 fee for 1st dog, $50 for each additional dog

Children and extra beds

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

Check-in: 4:00 PM
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Minimum check-in age: 18

We should mention

Details about charges, deposits, or other important information:

This property is managed by a private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business.
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary depending on the property's policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges, as well as a government-issued photo ID, may be required at check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in and can't be guaranteed. Certain requests may come with additional charges.
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.
Onsite safety features include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock.

Property is also known as

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Frequently asked questions

What is there to do close to this cabin?

This cabin is located in Aitkin, just steps from Mississippi River. Nelson Lake is also within a driving distance of 2.8 mi.

Will I be able to park at this cabin?

No, this cabin doesn't offer parking.

Is this cabin next to a casino?

No, this cabin is not connected to a casino.

Will I find an indoor pool at this cabin?

No, there is no indoor pool at this cabin.

Is The River Lodge - new look, same place! a good place to stay for couples?

Amenities that appeal to couples at this riverfront cabin include a fireplace, a kitchen, and a smart TV.

Are there hot tubs at The River Lodge - new look, same place!?

No, this cabin doesn't have a spa tub.

Does this cabin offer breakfast?

No, this cabin doesn't offer breakfast.

Will this cabin allow pets to stay for free?

Although dogs can't stay for free, they are welcome at this cabin.

Does this cabin have connecting rooms?

No, there aren't connecting rooms at this cabin.

How close is the airport from this cabin?

The closest major airport to this cabin is Brainerd, MN (BRD-Brainerd Lakes Regional), which is 21.2 mi away (33 minutes by car).

Are there rooms with balconies that I can book at The River Lodge - new look, same place!?

Yes, every cabin at The River Lodge - new look, same place! comes with a balcony with some featuring water views.

The River Lodge - new look, same place! Reviews

Exceptional

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10 Excellent

T G.

Jun 13, 2025

Liked: Cleanliness

Absolutely stunning home on a beautiful piece of property. Quiet, peaceful, and super clean! Can’t recommend enough!

Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Arlys S.

Feb 1, 2025

Liked: Cleanliness

Class reunion organizer

Your house is perfect for our group! So many different places to be for large or small group conversations. A lot of separate sleeping rooms which we wanted. A lovely kitchen too!

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jeremiah S.

Feb 1, 2025

Liked: Cleanliness

Family All Together

What an amazing job they have done to this place. We had so much fun as a family staying at the River Lodge. We are already thinking about when we want to go back. It had plenty of space for the family to hang out, play games, watch movies and just enjoy time together. We highly recommend it to any larger families looking for a place to all be together.

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Susanne B.

Nov 28, 2024

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.

Oct 19, 2024

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.

Aug 29, 2024

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.

Aug 20, 2024

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 traveler

Jun 24, 2024

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.

Jun 6, 2024

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.

May 20, 2024

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.

Apr 25, 2024

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 traveler

Jan 16, 2024

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

Dec 31, 2023

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.

Aug 26, 2023

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.

Aug 19, 2023

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.

Aug 10, 2023

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.

Aug 6, 2023

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.

Aug 3, 2023

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.

Jul 13, 2023

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.

Jul 10, 2023

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.

Jul 1, 2023

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.

Jun 30, 2023

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.

Apr 17, 2023

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.

Apr 7, 2023

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.

Feb 12, 2023

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