Skip to content

Home
About
Accommodations
- Main House
  - Craft room
  - Bedrooms
  - Bathrooms
  - Living
- Bunk House
Reservations
Contact
Photo Gallery
Posts & Reviews

November at Bluff Country Retreat

November 21, 2018 derrick

Posted by derrick on November 21, 2018November 23, 2018

Search for:

Reviews from our guests:

4.9

233 reviews

5

221

4

12

3

0

2

0

1

0

Tart Farms

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

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

Jess B.

Wonderful Getaway We had a great time in the "bunk house" over a 4-day weekend. Perfect location, within 20 minutes of all of each of the quaint small towns you want to see. Just a 3 minute drive in to the heart of Lanesboro and the beautiful Root River bike trail. The location is very private with great walking trails that are very well maintained if you want to stay on the property. The unit has everything you would need for a home-away-from-home. Even without an oven/stovetop, you have everything you need to make a great meal with the people you are with. The owners have thought of everything for you. We just can't say enough wonderful things about the stay we had and hope to be back! It was a weekend in the 90 degree weather, and the air conditioning worked great - kept up with the heat very well. The place is spotless, comfortable, and all we needed was there. My husband has an achy back on soft mattresses, and the Queen mattress was a little too soft for him, but he slept great in one of the twin beds. And I got the Queen to myself! haa. Wonderful place and very easy-to-work-with owners. Highly recommend if you are visiting the area. - 6/22/2021

Kim

Extremely clean and well kept property. Everything as described. We did not have time to explore the property and walk paths but found it peaceful and restful while at the property. - 6/18/2023

Jody Mack Key

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

Dyanne P.

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

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

Jenny Overby

This place is well stocked! Kitchen has high end items, well organized, small scrap store even!!! Highly recommend it! Booked for November and April! - 11/12/2017

Brian C., Iowa City, IA

Fantastic, quiet, clean, and central location to so much! We loved our stay!! - 10/11/2021

Emily

Great place for my family of 4. It was clean and on beautiful property. After spending the day biking around the root river trail, we would walk the trails on the property. Close to the Whalen bike area and aroma pie shop. - 7/18/2021

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

Suzanne

An excellent getaway with a cute bunk house and friendly owner. The cabin is very clean with everything you need. Over 4 miles of walking trails with awesome views. - 6/14/2020

Megan

This retreat was nothing short of amazing. From the moment we arrived, we could tell that there was an incredible amount of pride in ownership and hosting guests. The bunk house was welcoming and clean. We were impressed by Derrick's great communication so we could easily find everything we needed. The setting was breath taking! A true "retreat" from the chaos of everyday life. The drive in felt magical and the sunsets were the perfect end to both our days visiting. Everything about our experience was nothing short of 5 stars! Hoping we can journey back this way in the future for another stay at the Bunk House at Bluff Country Retreat! Highly recommend! - 5/23/2021

Sarah M.

The location was perfect for our bike riding adventures! Very clean and comfortable. - 6/15/2022

media thumbnail 0

Chichong L.

Great getaway home This property is very well maintained and organized. The check-in process was easy and everything met our expectations upon arrival. The property felt very welcoming to us with everything we needed to enjoy our stay. It's a huge property with plenty of things to do in and out of the house around the property; plenty of games for the family and a long trail to enjoy nature with a beautiful view of the valley. We got to see the thick fog passing though the valley which was amazing. It was a great home to get away from the city and just enjoy quiet family time. Thanks. - 9/05/2020

Jill M.

Great stay Clean and spacious. Well stocked with the comforts of home. Garage parking was a bonus. Location was great and fit our hunting party amazingly. Wifi was not strong enough to work, was able to do low quality netflex. Wish the living room accommodated more sitting and had a bigger TV. - 1/08/2022

Jane Smith

This home offered everything we needed. Beautiful location and great amenities! - 9/30/2023

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

Mary

What a great find in Lanesboro! Cabin was so welcoming and homey, had everything we needed. Very clean. Our host Derrick was reachable and timely in his responses. Wifi was very strong, including clear (Hidden by Airbnb) video calls needed for work. Wonderful mowed walking paths to explore behind the cabin, we greatly enjoyed our stay! - 5/23/2022

Carolyn T.

Great weekend get away. Well stocked and maintained cabin on a beautifull bluff overlooking the Root River. Nicer than we expected...listing does not do justice. Close to Lanesboro and multiple trouts streams. We saw tons of wildlife and the views from the groomed waking trails were beautiful. Would recommend 👌 - 6/17/2024

Debbe C.

This is an excellent rental property. We highly recommend it. Everything exceeded our expectations. We have zero complaints or suggestions. - 7/21/2022

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

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

Dannette C.

This place is so beautiful and quiet and has mowed trails available to hike conveniently on the property. It’s about 5 min drive from the Whalen root river trail crossing: very convenient.. the host was very nice and provided prompt answers to my many questions. The patio out front is awesome for breakfast and just resting and there is a fire pit with wood available in the back. Very nice, very clean -And the washer and dryer were a bonus!!!! - 6/21/2025

Amy

We absolutely loved our stay in the bunk house! We hiked the grounds on the trails and it was so beautiful, especially at sunset! The bunk house was decorated so well and had every single thing we needed. It was also one of the cleanest AirBnBs I’ve ever stayed in, so well cared for! - 9/09/2024

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. - 8/01/2020

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

media thumbnail 0

media thumbnail 1

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

christopher K.

Great base for exploring Lanesboro The bunkhouse is very nicely situated at the top of a hill overlooking a number of farms which provides for some great views. There are also a lot of trails cut into the surrounding land which are fun to explore.

There's not a lot of privacy in the bunkhouse since everyone is sharing the same sleeping/living quarters, but we found it easy enough to just head outside to the porch (or use the firepit) after the kids went to bed, to create some separation. All in all, this was a nice, affordable place for our home base as we explored Lanesboro, Whalen and Preston during the day. - 8/10/2020

Twila F.

All in one cute room Everything was great and nothing about the inside of this “little” cabin grossed me out! Clean sheets, everything was easy to find, we watched many Laura Ingalls shows as we took our own movies along. The only thing maybe a new mattress would be a good ide?! I woke up with back ache both nights and thought it’s just because I’m 22 weeks pregnant and that’s just part of growing a human. But hubby said something on Sunday about a sore lower back that he thinks might have been the mattress. Just something to keep in mind if anyone else says something! Thanks for going “the extra mile” with a fully stocked kitchen, games, movies, extra towels and washcloths, privacy/good blinds and the many light options thruout the house. Loved the lights about the kitchen cupboards for an extra touch at night when I woke up to, you know, use the restroom again🙈🙂 - 12/07/2021

Autumn Keune Fruth

This place exceeds all expectations! We are looking forward to our next retreat this Fall! Chris is super thorough with all the details of the home and is excited about sharing their beautiful, relaxing retreat with you! - 2/14/2018

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

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

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

Laura C.

Peaceful It was the best! So fully stocked . Fully equipped kitchen . It was so peaceful and beautiful for our family to be together !! Very kind owners too! And homemade honey down the road ! We loved it all! - 7/05/2023

Neil S.

Excellent in all regards. This is a beautiful well-equipped property and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Derrick and Chris answered all of our questions and provided lots of information about the area in general. They were excellent with whom to work and made us feel welcome from the onset. While there were only six in our group, the home could certainly accommodate larger groups. I recommend them and their property highly! - 6/11/2021

stanmary henderson

23 of us: 4 children and spouses, 12 grandchildren and one grandchild is engaged, that makes 24 of us that really enjoyed our stay at Bluff Country Retreat. Activities included touring the town of Lanesboro, talk around the fire ring, golfing, tubing down the river, Kiaking down the river, playing some yard games, playing cards, eating and walking the trails.Stan Henderson - 4/15/2019

Sarah D.

Excellent by every measure! Highly recommend. - 10/12/2025

Jody Houghton

positive review

Beautiful home located in the country with all the amenities one needs! our group loved the spacious, warm cozy concept. We enjoyed the natural light, comfortable beds. For crafting we enjoyed working on solid wood tables, having individual cutting mats and optional extra lighting for work areas. we had sewers and scrapbookers and plenty of space for all! Bluff Country really thinks of their guests so time can be well spent enjoying commeraderie! - 3/03/2019

Sarah L.

The setting is gorgeous and the house is very spacious. We loved the trails! - 7/10/2023

Baylea

Derricks place was beautiful, clean, quiet. The shack has everything you need for a perfect get away. We wish we could’ve spent more time there but will definitely be back. Hospitality was amazing! We were more then satisfied with our stay! - 7/13/2020

Sarah L.

This home was the perfect spot for our family reunion! There was plenty of room for everyone, and the location was gorgeous. We enjoyed hiking nearby and having bonfires at night. Will definitely be back! - 8/20/2023

Todd Henderson

Bluff Country Retreat was a great place for our annual summer get together! We have people aging in range from Senior Citizens to 6 years old, including teenagers and they all enjoyed the atmosphere and location. It was very clean, very comfortable, spacious and overall and very relaxing fun place to be. The morning views of overlooking the fog in the valley below and seeing the wildlife added to the enjoyment of the weekend. Highly recommended by all in the Henderson family. Thanks for a great weekend!
My dad mistakenly gave it a 1/5 stars, he meant to leave a 5 : ) - 8/06/2018

Elvis

Beautiful Location , Great Communication, Easy access , Plenty of pillows and linens. Very very clean . Great Place . Highly recommended. - 12/30/2023

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

George

We had a great stay! We would stay again! It was very clean and relaxing! - 8/02/2026

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

Ronalee H.

Secluded and cozy retreat near Lanesboro I was searching for a COVID friendly option for a short vacation near Lanesboro and found this cute bunkhouse which seemed to fit the bill. Boy did it ever! Impeccably clean, the bunkhouse was beautiful throughout, had a nice bathroom and beautiful main room with kitchenette. We were even able to check in remotely. The property is full of hiking trails and is about 6 miles outside Lanesboro. I would absolutely consider staying here again. The only cons are that the last mile of county road is quite steep and the queen bed is very firm. I found it better than advertised! - 9/23/2020

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

Melinda Selchow

- 12/15/2020

Jesse

As advertised. Great place, location, views, etc. - 3/23/2025

Melinda Ritola Knuttila

- 5/09/2018

Stanley

We had an excellent stay at this beautiful location. Derrick was helpful in solving a problem that we had - 6/26/2024

Nancy F.

This is a beautiful and well-equipped property in a very peaceful setting. The host is wonderful! We had misplaced the instructions to get into the bunkhouse and Derrick emailed, texted, and called until we were able to connect and get in. We highly recommend it! - 6/13/2026

Kelly K.

The bunkhouse was perfect! The bunkhouse exceeded my expectations! It was perfect for our girls bicycling weekend. The hosts thought of everything to make our stay perfect. The location was beautiful and the bunkhouse was perfect! I’ll definitely be back!!! - 8/16/2023

Mary

Feels like the top of the world! Views from the property are stunning. High quality furnishings and very clean! Peaceful and comfy, just what we needed after a long day on the bicycle! - 10/09/2022

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

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

Steve M.

Great stay in the Driftless region! Came to the area for a trout fishing weekend with friends. The very peaceful and expansive property in the country was central to numerous great rivers and streams. Spent much of our time outdoors (fire pit view is awesome) but must also say the luxury house is excellent as well! - 10/13/2020

Janet Swenson

positive review

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

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

Linda G.

Everything was perfect! The house had all the amenities we needed. - 6/01/2022

Nicolle A.

AMAZING WE LOVED THIS SPACE! perfect for a girls trip!! great in every way! - 7/20/2020

William T.

Great place near Lanesboro, secluded and very good for families. The kitchen is for chefs! We cooked up a storm. Nice fire pit with views of the valley.Needs a few double beds. - 7/09/2018

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

Mary Kay

In one word, Fantastic! The bunkhouse is a great cozy space in the beautiful bluffs. It was impeccably clean and beautifully decorated - we felt at home immediately! Everything we needed to enjoy a winter break! The mowed walking trails were wonderful to explore, and to our delight, mother nature provided 4" of fresh snow while we were there. We were then able to enjoy the trails in the beauty of a winter wonderland on our cross-country skis - just gorgeous! Derrick did a super job of communicating with us and was very responsive to any of our needs - going above and beyond what we could have expected. We'll definitely be coming back with our bikes in the summer or fall to enjoy all that the Root River Valley has to offer. - 12/31/2021

Beth

We like to bike on the Root River Bike Trail and it was our first time at an Airbnb. Such a wonderful cabin with everything you would need. Very peaceful and cabin fully equipped. We will definitely be back !! - 7/09/2020

Briget Fields

- 10/09/2017

mary r.

cabin stay Great experience. Loved the bluff top trails. Cabin was well appointed and very comfortable. The bluff country is so relaxing. Caught my personal best brown trout in the Root River. - 5/03/2022

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

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

Brent V.

Summer Fun
Great spot. Will stay again if available. - 7/25/2023

Mark T.

We really enjoyed our stay. The only downside was that the WiFi was a bit spotty at times. Otherwise, the views from the porch were simply breathtaking! - 7/10/2023

Jane Smith

The cabin was spacious and well-maintained. We enjoyed our stay, but wish there were more towels provided. - 9/29/2023

Sylvia

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

Wayne

What a great place! It was easy to get into and very clean. Derek was a great host and we would definitely stay here again. - 6/23/2024

Rachelle M.

Beautiful & peaceful Quiet and beautiful location in the bluffs. Extremely clean, comfortable bunk house. We'll stay again! - 8/13/2021

Mike T.

This was exactly what we needed to relax and unwind. Very clean and well-kept. - 5/30/2023

media thumbnail 0

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

Christina

We enjoyed staying at the Bunkhouse! It is hands down the cleanest Airbnb we have stayed at. It felt just like home and was well stocked. It was close to Whalan and Lanesboro to bike the trail, eat pie and enjoy a fantastic play at the Commonweal. We would definitely stay here again! - 7/07/2025

Paul

na - 9/13/2021

Heidi Hanson

- 4/11/2021

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

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

Stephan S.

Beautiful place! Had a great stay here with extended family! Thanks for the hospitality! - 1/05/2020

David

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

Jen

Pictures do not do this place justice, easy checkin, quick response, beautiful surroundings, and SUPER clean! - 3/28/2021

thomas m.

Clean, updated with nice amenities. Would stay again! - 9/07/2025

Rachelle M.

Beautiful & peaceful
Quiet and beautiful location in the bluffs. Extremely clean, comfortable bunk house. We'll stay again! - 7/29/2021

Katrina

Beautiful home, great walking trails on the property. The perfect weekend getaway! - 1/01/2019

Linda E.

The property was clean and ready for our use. Derrick contacted us prior to arrival to make sure the heat was turned on and the unit was warm before we got there. We had a slight issue with Netflicks but a quick call to Derrick resolved the problem immediately. We would definitely rent this again and are considering renting the big house and bringing our entire family. - 10/20/2022

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

Paula H.

Gorgeous spot out on the bluffs. Beautiful accommodations and great host! - 7/12/2026

Marilyn J.

Very clean and organized bunk house! Gas fireplace was perfect to sit by and read early in the morning, watching the sun come up. Great bedroom with lots of open space. Location was also perfect to travel to and from various towns. I would highly recommend this place for couples or family with using the 2 twin beds. - 3/01/2026

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

Roxanne B.

The home was well equipped and was close to the bike trails. We had fun on the trails and in the towns near the home. - 7/13/2025

Kathy Tesmer

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

Douglas C.

Country charmer. Enjoyed our stay in this "shack" combining cabin-like country charm with modern conveniences. - 10/16/2020

Patrick B.

great host, great property excellent property, quiet location.very well equiped.owner is excellent communicator .highly recommend - 8/20/2023

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

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

Wild flowers in bloom
New microwave
New sign
Live From The Field
New dishwasher

Archives

Categories

Uncategorized

Meta

Log in
Entries feed
Comments feed
WordPress.org

Home

Theme by Tesseract