Mahnomen Cottage: Hike, Bike, Fish, & Relax only 2 hrs north of the Twin Cities!

Enjoy time away at our peaceful cottage on 30 acres, just 15 min E of Brainerd & 5 minutes W of Bay Lake & Garrison close to Rutgers Resort. The property is adjacent to a shallow non-recreational lake with a special easement for harvesting wild rice. Local activities include all-season mountain biking at Cuyuna near Crosby (20 min), exploring the lakes, hiking, fishing, hunting (on our land which has its own deer stand(!), snowmobiling (we're right on a major trail), snowshoeing, etc. Families and pets welcome!

We are nestled on many acres of beautiful land adjacent to Rice Lake, which has a wildlife protection easement for the farming of wild rice (hence the name Mahnomen, which means "wild rice" in Ojibwe). Our property offers the opportunity to just wander and "get lost", hike, fish, bike, hunt, cozy up by the fire, snowmobile or snowshoe, and enjoy dozens of lakes just minutes away (our favorites are Bay Lake, 5 minutes away, or Nokay Lake which has much less traffic - both have public access). The property is also adjacent to a protected Wildlife Management Area - the Hesitation WMA - which allows public hunting. We have many outbuildings for storing bikes, boats, snowmobiles or other equipment (included a heated garage), and a deer stand for hunting. We are most encouraging of mountain bike enthusiasts coming to visit Cuyuna, and will offer a place to store and work on mountain bikes or boats. Score!

Please allow yourselves time to take in the scenery and peacefulness of the property, and to enjoy the sunsets from the large deck in front. Popular spots nearby include: Cuyuna trail system (20 min), Paul Bunyan Land (6 min), Brainerd lakes area (15 min), Bay Lake (5 min), Aitkin (10 min) and many other cute towns and areas to explore.

Things to know about the Cottage:

Since we are in a rural area, we are hooked up to well water and a septic system. Therefore, no feminine hygiene items or other such implements can be flushed down the toilet and should be placed in a wastebasket, which is located under the sinks in the bathrooms.

Internet is available and can be used as often as needed as we are hooked up to a fiberoptic network. Please log in to Netflix, Hulu or any other streaming services using your own accounts, and be sure to log out of your streaming accounts before you check out of the cottage.

The gas fireplace can be turned on using the thermostat to the right of the bathroom door in the kitchen - please turn up no higher than 80 degrees, and then to turn it off, turn it back to 60. The thermostat that controls the propane heat for the house is located in the utility room on the wall to the right of the entrance, but you shouldn't need to use it unless the baseboard heaters fail. Be sure the fireplace is turned back down to 60 before you leave.

The 3-person jacuzzi (hot tub!) in the main bathroom is the perfect solution for cold bodies and sore muscles, and the jets are very powerful. Be sure not to fill the tub up too high and aim the jets downward, otherwise it may overflow and complicate the jets.

The wildlife in the area is ABUNDANT. In addition to your typical insects (bring bug spray in the summer and fall!), you will see oodles of birds, rodents, deer, coyotes and even the occasional moose or bear. Wildflowers are plentiful in the warmer months, and the winter scenery is equally stunning.

CHECK OUT DETAILS:

Strip beds and put used bedding on top of beds, along with towels and any
other linens that were used
Make sure you are logged out of streaming services on TVs
Wash your dishes in dishwasher and put them away
Take home (or throw away) any excess food
Take trash out to green bin located in front of garage (or at curb at end of
driveway if there)
Make sure fireplace thermostat is turned back down to 60
Make sure all windows are closed (if you happened to open any)
Turn down heat to base level of 62 (during cold weather)
Turn off A/C unit (during warmer weather)
Close door completely behind you when you leave

I am always available to help out or answer questions if anything weird comes up. Enjoy your stay at Mahnomen Cottage and everything the area has to offer! Simply send a message through VRBO or text 612-229-4191.

Mahnomen Cottage: Hike, Bike, Fish, & Relax only 2 hrs north of the Twin Cities! offers its guests a hot tub, barbecue grills, and a garden. The front desk is open around the clock.

This Deerwood cottage is smoke free.