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Back country skiing

December 18, 2022 derrick

Posted by derrick on December 18, 2022December 18, 2022

The trails and snow were perfect for cross country skiing.

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Reviews from our guests:

4.9

258 reviews

5

244

4

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3

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Jacquelyn H.

The Bunk House Hubby and I decided on a weekend away to southern MN. The Bunk House served its purpose. A very nice cabin/home. - 7/05/2023

Nicci Songas

Chris is an amazing host! She went well above and beyond a typical host. It’s a bit tough to get to with fresh, not yet plowed snow and we got stuck. Chris came to get us in her truck, helped get us unstuck, and then found a place for us to keep the car until the plow came through. Then she and her dad went to get the vehicle once plowed so we didn’t need to go out in the bitter cold! The place is amazingly beautiful and comfortable. Great place for getting projects done! - 2/12/2019

Maribeth L.

Excellent accommodations for a family getaway! Family vacation with 7 children five years and younger! Very spacious for the kids inside and outside! Adults also had plenty of room. The home was generously furnished from the kitchen, to the bathrooms, to the patio and everything in between! Owners great to work with! Highly recommend! - 8/08/2021

Annette Evenson

Stayed here with a group of gals for two nights in November.
What an amazing place to kick back, relax, work on crafts, watch some fun chick flicks and have quality bonding time!
Over the top with charm and everything one needs for a getaway!!!
We will most definitely be back soon!
Thanks to the owners for creating a peaceful retreat in this beautiful countryside � - 11/12/2017

Fred O'Connor

My first retreat and it was fantastic! This place is so cozy and relaxing. - 2/11/2019

Joshua

You can expect very clean place to stay! Comfy bed, cabin like feel, warm fireplace, and a very quiet atmosphere! There are beautiful views, lots of deer, and great walking trails on the property. - 3/13/2022

Janet C.

Beautiful, clean properties with all the amenities we needed! Will definitely be coming back to this place another time! - 8/07/2022

Dan B.

Communication with the owner was great and he even updated me on a road closure situation due to storms. It’s a small place, basically one room, which was just great for the wife and me.Everything was well maintained and clean. We would choose it again if we need a place in the area. - 7/02/2025

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Alex

Had an Excellent weekend at the Bluff Country Retreat. The Bunkhouse was perfect for two people, and was exceptionally clean. The property is also fantastic to stroll around. Would visit again. - 10/25/2020

Emily Johnson

Lovely view of the valley and great amenities. Would recommend! - 9/15/2023

Melinda Selchow

- 12/15/2020

Kevin P.

This place is perfect for relaxing and unwinding. The outdoor space was fantastic. Will return! - 2/14/2023

jane

Most gorgeous settings......loved every minute!! Lovely home....perfect in every way!!! The view was amazing and having outdoor fires in the evening, priceless!~~ - 8/19/2020

Michael Brown

We had a great experience! The cabin was clean and well-maintained. A few more kitchen supplies would be helpful. - 8/30/2023

Adam and Mariah J.

Quiet Escape! Great place for our family of three to stay! Comfortable and very clean. We found the kitchen to have everything we needed and some nice additional items. Convenient to area sites, as well as restaurants for take out. Appreciated the ability to take hikes/walks right on the property! Very nicely maintained trails. Would definitely stay again! - 11/02/2020

Emma Brown

The perfect getaway! Comfortable and peaceful. Loved every minute of our stay. Will be back! - 5/10/2023

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Sarah Davis

Absolutely loved it! The patio and fire pit were perfect for evenings. We will return! - 8/20/2023

Tammy Iverson Schoppers

positive review

Everything! Beautiful home with all amenities amongst the serene , beautiful bluffs of Fillmore County. Gracious owners too! - 4/06/2019

Stephanie K.

Great place! We really enjoyed our stay in the bunk house. The owners were really easy to communicate with, the property was incredibly clean and well stocked of all the necessities. - 10/08/2022

Nanette G.

This rental property was comfortable, clean, and inviting. There isn't one thing we needed that wasn't already provided. We actually spent more time at the property then we have other years on our annual "Girl's Weekend" when we have rented VRBO's. This by far was the nicest and most accommodating place we have stayed at. Everyone loved it. Thank you Derrick and Chris for a wonderful experience. - 10/22/2018

Melinda Ritola Knuttila

- 5/09/2018

Emily Brown

Everything was perfect! The house was spacious and had all the amenities we needed. Thanks for a great stay! - 5/12/2023

Mike

Excellent host and great property. Highly recommend. - 4/06/2021

Olivia W.

One of the best rental experiences ever! The owner was responsive and helpful. Highly recommend! - 1/10/2023

Micah

The Bluff County Retreat house was clean, well-prepared and in a beautiful location. It was a great experience for my friends and I. - 8/13/2023

Jane

This house was a perfect place for our group of eight bicyclists to enjoy our annual trip. Incredibly clean and well organized. We loved the very well equipped kitchen and the comfortable places to hang out. We enjoyed drinks by the firepit with a beautiful view of the lush farmlands. Beds were very comfortable and the area is so quiet. Loved having four bathrooms, as cyclists need to shower!! Derrick, you thought of so many amenities. Thanks for a perfect getaway. - 8/06/2018

Dana B.

The property is beautiful with great hiking trails.
My friends and I stayed at this place to have a girls trip to lanesboro. The property is a perfect retreat. The owners were friendly and the cabin was clean and had the perfect amount of space. We will definitely revisit! - 6/14/2021

Julie K.

We had a three night stay with our group of sisters, husbands, cousins and grandparents. The home was great and had everything we needed. Plenty of beds, showers, and a wonderful outdoor fire pit with an exceptional view of the surrounding bluffs. The kitchen was well equipped. We made almost all our meals there and sat out at the picnic tables to eat. We played lots of card games, read books, took naps. The miles and miles of grassy pathways was a real treat. We took several sunset walks (and a few stargazing walks as there was a meteor shower happening.) We spent each night by the fire pit. In the morning, we drank our coffee out back and watched the fog lift from the valley.. breathtaking. The home is a short drive to Whalen to hop on the bike trail (gravel hilly road prevented us from riding to the trail, but that was not a big deal.) We also spent an afternoon floating down the Root River. The home was a wonderful place to come back to and relax after that adventure. You really do feel like you're away from everything. The home is very clean and well organized and the Hongerholts were super attentive and easy to work with. - 8/16/2018

Paul

na - 9/13/2021

John Smith

The location is fantastic with lots of activities nearby. The house was clean and well-equipped. Would definitely recommend! - 6/15/2023

Joseph

Beautiful cabin on a beautiful piece of ground. Derrick was great to work with to rent out his cabin. - 6/07/2026

Terry K.

Wonderful place. Trails on property to walk and enjoy wildflowers. Near the root river trail. Well taken care of. - 8/12/2024

Randy & Bonnie G.

Exceptional place to stay. Quiet and peaceful. - 10/03/2024

Carol B.

Great Stay We came to Lanesboro for a biking weekend. My mom, sister and I enjoyed the small, cozy bunk house. Everything was clean and working. The walking trails were great- lots of butterflies in the prairie. The owner communication was outstanding. Thanks for a great weekend! - 8/29/2022

Lee

I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at Derrick’s cabin. The cabin was absolutely beautiful and very well done. It was extremely clean and well proportioned with all the comforts of your very own home. Derrick provided great communication and instructions for everything from check in to check out. I highly recommend your stay at his cabin. - 9/17/2023

Sarah Davis

Great place for families. Kids loved the outdoor fire pit! - 7/23/2023

Kim

Beautiful location! The Bunkhouse was perfect, very clean and had everything we needed!! Enjoyed relaxing by the fire after a long day of biking. Close to town with good restaurants and the community was very friendly.
Derrick was a great host , very responsive and gave great instructions on staying at the bunkhouse.
Thanks for a great vacation!! - 5/21/2023

Mike Johnson

What a warm and inviting space! The Bunk House had everything we needed for a comfortable stay. Loved the kitchenette! - 8/28/2023

Shawna

This place is amazing! We loved our stay with my husband’s family! We were able to enjoy the outdoors, games and puzzles! We hope to be able to enjoy staying here next year!!! Thanks for making our stay amazing!!! - 6/30/2019

Jacquelyn H.

A very nice cabin/home. - 7/04/2023

Kenton P.

Gorgeous cabin with an even prettier view of the river valley. The owners were great throughout, the house was perfect for our group, and the views off the back porch/fire pit were as good as it gets in MN for a property that's not directly on a lake/river. Would definitely recommend this property to my friends and family! - 8/15/2021

Tammie

We had 10 senior ladies on our annual kayak trip to explore the Root River. The accommodations were excellent! Plenty of space and bathrooms for all of us. Comfort and ease in all the details. Highly recommend! - 8/19/2025

James M.

Beautiful bluff top property! Centrally located and a comfortable clean cabin. Would use again! - 10/12/2020

Andy

Derrick is a fantastic host!!!! He worked with us on a "washed out" because of local flooding in his community. Despite having to cancel at the last minute he worked with us to make it a positive experience. We really look forward to getting down to his beautiful place and enjoy everything that the community there has to offer. - 7/05/2026

Julie Broadwtaer

Bluff Country Retreat is a beautiful home located on the bluff above the Root River in southeast Minnesota. The amenities are numerous and the description and pictures on the website do not do this retreat justice. Ample craft space on the main floor, large soaking tub, walking trails, fireplaces, TVs...it's just amazing! This is my fourth stay and I'm looking forward to the two weekends booked for 2019! This is the perfect get away! - 10/28/2018

Mark Johnson

This home exceeded our expectations. The kids loved the trails and the fire pit was a hit! - 7/10/2022

Todd Lori Henderson

positive review

Bluff Country Retreat worked great for our family get together. The views were beautiful, there was more then enough room for people to spread out and spend time together and relax. The place is very well stocked and when we had an issue with the pump on the well not working and we ran out of water, they went above and beyond to get it fixed, even in the middle of the night! Thanks for providing a great place for a large group gathering. - 8/06/2018

Jody

The Bunk House was even better than we expected! Derrick thought of many details that made our stay pleasant and comfortable like shampoo, conditioner and body wash in the shower, ziploc bags to take home leftovers, plenty of extra blankets, comfy chairs to sit and have a chat. The grounds were beautiful with lovely views. Derrick was particularly considerate by texting me about a forecast storm with hail. He gave me the code to put our car and bikes in the garage. So thoughtful! - 5/16/2021

Mary Zimmerman

I have gone to several retreat destinations, but this one is top of the line! It is in located in a beautiful country setting with an awesome view of Bluff Country! The home is beautiful with spacious rooms for relaxing and working on projects. It has a very well stocked, organized kitchen making it easy to serve meals and snacks to your group. There are also several bathrooms and comfortable beds! I highly recommend this place for your quilting or scrapbooking retreat! - 1/07/2018

Eileen B.

Great place for large family gathering Beautiful setting in bluff country with great views. Spotless home, perfect for our 3 generation family, ages 8 to 70. We enjoyed cooking in the best equipped kitchen ever and all the space to spead out and relax. The hosts were very helpful with suggestions and quick to respond to any questions. We enjoyed the walking trails on the property, the firepit for smores, visiting Mystery Cave, watching movies and playing games from the large selection provided in the home. Thank you Derrick and Christine for a fabulous vacation experience. - 6/18/2019

Verified traveler

Thank you for sharing your property with us. The trails on the property are beautiful. - 8/01/2020

Andy J.

Thank you! It was great meeting this couple. Very pleasant. - 8/01/2026

Jane Doe

The views are stunning and the house was exactly as described. Highly recommend! - 6/10/2023

Dyanne P.

Perfect for me for a fishing getaway. Had everything I needed. - 4/26/2024

John Doe

We had an incredible time at this spacious home. Perfect location for exploring the Root River. - 9/20/2023

Jody Mack Key

Wonderful place! Have been there fours times now, and never disappoints. - 12/12/2021

Mike Johnson

Had a great time with friends. The amenities were top-notch and location was serene. - 4/22/2023

Rachael

My mother and I stayed in the bunkhouse for 3 days for her 73rd birthday. We chose the place because of the location (close to the root river trail and local hiking). When we got there, we were amazed at the beautiful property! Derrick had trails mowed for us to hike, the place was spotless and the wildlife was all around us! We look forward to coming back to stay here and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in taking in the beauty of SE Minnesota! - 6/18/2020

Andy

Derrick is a great host, and again, did not disappoint! We love the place and would love to come back again next year, for our annual guys retreat! So much room for our larger group, and the amenities are all awesome! Everything is clearly labeled and extremely well organized. We love it. 10 out of 10 would recommend this place to anyone! - 2/09/2020

James M.

Beautiful bluff top property! Centrally located and a comfortable clean cabin. Would use again! - 10/12/2020

Janet Swenson

positive review

Beautiful, comfortable, spaceous, homey, clean and welcoming! - 10/22/2018

Sylvia

Beautiful place to stay! Was very satisfied! - 6/22/2024

Andy J.

Cool place, will look to come again - 8/16/2026

John D.

We had a fabulous family reunion at this spacious home. The kitchen was well-equipped, and the outdoor fire pit was a hit! - 8/01/2022

Pamela D.

Perfect Getaway We had a fabulous long weekend. We have rented many VRBO places and this was one of the best. The bunkhouse was very well equipped and was impeccably clean. There was plenty of wood for fires and mowed trails for exploring. It is only a few miles to access the Root River trails. The host was easily reached when needed. The property is very private but yet close enough to town in case you are interested in shopping or eating out. We hope to visit the property again. - 9/21/2021

Peggy Merkel

positive review

Had a great long weekend at Bluff Country Retreat. Beautiful scenery and a great place to relax and craft with friends. See you again next fall! - 10/30/2018

Sarah K.

Great place, great service! We had an amazing time! The home was beautiful and in amazing condition, and we had access to everything we needed. Thank you!! - 6/04/2019

Emily Brown

The home was clean, spacious, and has everything we needed for a relaxing stay. - 5/05/2023

Tom Harris

This beautiful home had everything we needed and more. The kids loved exploring the property! - 2/28/2023

Deborah Ely

This is a super awesome place to go for a weekend scrapbooking retreat! Love it. - 2/06/2022

Andy S.

The house was even better than described! Tucked away in the country, it felt like you were in your own little world. Nestled in the woods with a great view of the valley, we enjoyed waking up to the fog lifting off the tops of the trees exposing the beautiful greenery for miles around. Everything in the home was VERY clean (for all those that are OCD about cleaning like myself…this is your place!), tidy and beautiful. It's a large house for entertaining several people or just 2 like my husband & I. We’ve stayed at other homes listed on VRBO and they’ve all been lovely but this is definitely hands down my favorite! Every detail was thought of when the house was built. The kitchen is built for entertainment and includes all the items you’d need for cooking...nice items not left-overs or items that should be discarded. All that you need to make your own meals and more is in this house! You can tell it is loved and well cared for. We spent our days riding bikes on the Root River Trail and the nights cooking, sitting by the fire pit and walking around the property. The fire pit was a great end to a fantastic day as we sat by it each night with a great view of the stars and not a sound around us. It truly is an amazing home. Derek and Chris were fantastic and very responsive. Everything that we needed was provided for which made for a truly wonderful stay. On the 2nd day of our stay, we booked a return trip. Thanks Again for sharing your awesome retreat! - 7/12/2018

Randy P.

The location and grounds are great, with just a short car drive to the bike trails. The bunkhouse was very nice, well stocked and very clean. The host communicated well and even offered an early check-in, which unfortunately we couldn't take advantage of. We hope to stay there again. - 6/07/2026

Jane Smith

The house was perfect for our family reunion. Plenty of space and very clean. Will definitely come back! - 9/18/2023

Colin

The guest house was great. It was small and cozy but provided everything we were looking for. The walking trails were a great option as well to get out for an hour and walk. It was also off the highways and very quiet and relaxing to just sit outside and enjoy the time. - 5/24/2020

Al O.

The facility itself was excellent--well appointed and all small kitchen appliances and needs were very adequately met. Very comfortable with both heat and air conditioning accessible as needed. The only thing I was a little disappointed in was the road needed to get to the property (gravel and a little distance from the big trail). I would, however stay there again because of the tranquility and quietness. - 9/29/2025

David

Beautiful spot in the bluffs. About 6 miles from Lanesboro. - 4/24/2021

Michael Johnson

The property was nice but didn't meet some of our expectations based on the listing. Overall, a decent stay. - 4/22/2023

Adam G.

Trout Heaven We had an awesome stay. The trout were practically jumping out of the water and we couldn’t have handled that if we didn’t have a great place to stay - 1/30/2022

Verified traveler

Beautiful quiet getaway.
Thank you for sharing your property with us. The trails on the property are beautiful. We enjoyed our getaway to southeastern MN. - 7/01/2020

Christina

This place is perfect for relaxing in such a beautiful area. Very quiet and has everything you could possibly need. Very clean and organized. We enjoyed it so much we are hoping to come back next year! - 9/26/2021

Roberta

Derrick’s place is amazing, beautiful and scenic. Hospitality the best. He gave us all kinds of information and ideas of things to do locally. Would recommend to anyone looking for a peaceful place to relax. - 7/07/2019

Laura

Derrick had superb communication and was overall a great host. We took advantage of the bike path's in Lanesboro and Derrick's place had everything we needed after a long day on the trails. Thanks for the accommodating stay! - 7/14/2024

Zach J.

Beautiful little spot on top of the SE MN bluffs. The cabin was very clean and cozy. The only thing it was missing was an oven. Close to lots of local attractions and a variety of opportunities for outdoor fun. The host was great, easy to communicate with and very accommodating. Would certainly stay again! - 4/26/2024

Steve L.

This was our second time staying in this spot. We were here last September as well but this time we stayed for 3 nights instead of 2. We love coming to the Lanesboro area in September. We highly recommend this spot and this host. Derrick is great to work with. - 9/18/2024

Randy & Bonnie G.

Cozy getaway Exceptional place to stay. Quiet and peaceful. Further away from the Root River bike trails than we anticipated. - 9/01/2024

Henry F.

The large, roomy facility was spotless, kitchen extremely well-supplied with everything, location remote and quiet with trails and birds. The kitchen faucet broke, but the host responded immediately and went to search for replacement part. This place was comfortable and scenic. - 5/13/2026

Thomas

My wife and I had a wonderful stay in the shack at the Bluff Country Retreat. It must be a new structure because it was so immaculately clean that it had to be new. Communications from the host were friendly and helpful. I gave five star ratings across the board. If we travel back to the area we will certainly look to book at the Bluff Country Retreat again. - 8/05/2021

Anne Kuderer

What a great place! Every amenitiy you can think of is provided. Beautiful setting, great walking trails and plenty of space to craft! Highly recommend booking your next getaway with friends here! - 4/15/2019

David

Beautiful place on top of the bluffs. Derrick is an excellent host. - 6/19/2021

Shelly Ochsendorf Herrmann

Best scrapbook retreat I have ever been too! Fantastic country setting, spacious for scrapbooking & relaxing! - 4/30/2018

Briget Fields

- 10/09/2017

Peter Martin

What an absolute perfect find! We hosted a number of married couples at the Shack during the day and everyone was very impressed by everything. It is perfectly located and the trails were well-groomed allowing for many people to enjoy the scenery. Amazing! - 10/08/2018

Brian

We really enjoyed our stay. The property is beautiful with lots of trails to walk. Derrick is great and provided information to all questions and very responsive for any questions. Probably the most detailed list of items, utensils, etc. we have seen at an ABNB. Makes it easy to plan for what to bring. The bunkhouse is attached to large machine shed and across the parking lot from the main house and is very nice inside, with beautiful touches to make it feel very homey. The small kitchen had everything we needed to make meals during our stay. It is 3 miles from the Root River trail at Whalen. We enjoyed the 4.6 mile bike ride to Lanesboro, where we spent an enjoyable afternoon. This was a 5 star stay! My wife and I are excited to go back again to enjoy what the area offers. - 9/19/2021

Beautiful house and gorgeous setting. This house is beautiful! It is immaculate and is so well stocked with absolutely everything you might need. The outdoor areas are great for hiking, grilling, and campfires. It’s also close to biking trails, tubing, and shopping. We had a great time! - 7/29/2019

Kate Hoover

positive review

Definitely enjoyed my weekend! By far the nicest retreat I’ve stayed at. Beautiful house that is very well maintained, beautiful location and the workroom and workstations are large and comfortable. I will definitely return for another weekend of crafting! - 10/07/2018

Kathy Tesmer

What a fantastic weekend. Beautiful views, fantastic accommodations, and a warm welcoming host. Definitely on the repeat list. - 2/12/2019

Marla

What a perfect place for our family of 12! Such a beautiful home inside and the views outside match it. Never have we stayed in a more clean place. SO, SO clean! WE enjoyed the surrounding towns and Niagara cave. Such nice hosts. We didn't need anything from them however because this house already had everything we needed! WE are making plans to stay here again next year. We would love to tube down the Root river and bike the trail! - 5/19/2019

Vrbo

Private setting on 80 acres overlooking the Root River Trail. The Bunk House is attached to the shed and includes heat, air, bath, and a Kitchenette. It is decorated with a log cabin theme, has tile, carpet, and granite counter tops. The Kitchenette has a full size refrigerator, microwave, hot plates, and coffee makers (Keurig also - bring your own k-cups). There is a charcoal grill available, stored behind the bunkhouse. We also supply firewood for use in the fire pit.

For single night rates you can make a request and we can evaluate.
The house on this property is also rented out. It is about 100 feet from the bunkhouse. Guests do not share common areas such a fire pits or patio areas. Trails are accessible to all guests.

The property is ~3miles from the trail access in Whalan, MN and ~7 miles from Lanesboro. We have several miles of mowed walking trails throughout the property that are available to all guests. Great opportunities for walks, snowshoeing, or cross country skiing.

There is a security camera mounted to south side of the house above the garage. It provides a view of the driveway as you enter the property.

Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees. - 4/01/2024

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Zachary

Beautiful, clean, quiet stay. Excellent communication, easy check in and check out. The trails are great for a walk and the room excellent for relaxing. Beware of the note in the description regarding the house next door being rented out. We knew that but expected a family or another couple there. It is actually a huge house, about ten cars and a pile of guys hanging out in the front yard made for an awkward first impression when we arrived. If you're ok with neighbors this is a wonderful place to stay, highly recommended. - 7/31/2022

Jeffrey T.

Great place, very remote The facilities were clean and modern, very nice. I was under the impression this was close to the bike trails. This is not the case. If you want a retreat from everything this is perfect. If you want cycling, you will need to commute to the trail. - 9/15/2020

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