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Now that’s a fire!

July 9, 2022 derrick

Posted by derrick on July 9, 2022July 9, 2022

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Reviews from our guests:

4.9

258 reviews

5

244

4

13

3

1

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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

Nanette G.

A beautiful, spacious home and surroundings! 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

Emily Brown

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

Fred O'Connor

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

John Smith

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

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

Cara Wright

Bluff Country Retreat is amazing! The home is top of the line in every detail. It is lovely inside and out, with a well-stocked gormet kitchen, comfortable beds/bedrooms, excellent living areas for relaxing and crafting, most luxurious bathrooms I've ever seen, beautiful grounds to walk through, and a you of the valley to just sit and enjoy. Chris is great with communication and so helpful with every part of the stay! Very highly recommend! - 9/16/2019

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

Paula H.

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

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

Elvis

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

Keith

we very much enjoy our stay. The first thing we noticed when we walked in was how beautifully decorated it was, how clean it was and how nice it smelled. We loved the peacefulness and watching the deer out the windows. Derrick was quick to respond to booking or any questions we may have had. - 6/29/2023

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

Sa

This was perfect for our family of three! Very clean, kitchen had all the necessities, and it was actually bigger than we expected. We took several hikes and saw deer and other wildlife on the property. A short (less than 10 minutes) drive to the bike trail entrance in Whalen. We will definitely be back! - 6/02/2021

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

John Doe

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

Tonia Scanlan Boysen Fix

beautiful home, the owners have thought of EVERYTHING! - 10/19/2019

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

Emily R.

We loved the spacious layout, and our kids enjoyed the outdoor trails. The kitchen had everything we needed for cooking for the whole gang! - 4/22/2023

Emily Brown

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

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

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

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

Alex T.

We loved the trails around the house. The kids were entertained the entire stay! - 7/10/2022

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

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

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

Rachelle M.

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

Thomas

Derrick’s bunk house was great! It’s a great rural setting. Very private. The bunk house was very clean and as advertised. Very comfortable and they have everything you need. Already planning a return trip for next year. - 5/18/2025

Melanie D.

Excellent Getaway Retreat I regularly stay at VRBO’s throughout the US. The Shack was exceptionally clean, well maintained, provided excellent amenities as well as a beautiful private property for a retreat and getaway. I will certainly reserve again. - 8/24/2020

Tammy Schoppers

Breathtaking views, gorgeous home with every anemity you can think of! Highly recommend to everyone! - 4/15/2019

Tammy Iverson Schoppers

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

Verified traveler

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

Marcia S.

Everything was perfect! The house was beautiful, spacious and well appointed. We brought our children, grandchildren and parents and had a great time! There were large areas to gather in inside and out. There was also enough space for people to have privacy if they'd like. The hosts provided everything we could have needed for bedding, towels, kitchen appliances, accessories, etc. We also enjoyed the outdoor area with the trails, grill, picnic table and firepit. Derek and Christine were very responsive. They proactively communicated with us but also responded to questions very quickly. We even got to meet them onsite and had some nice conversations. I'd rent this home again! Thanks! - 9/07/2019

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

Emily Johnson

This was the perfect getaway for us! The cabin was spacious and had everything we needed. Would definitely recommend! - 9/10/2023

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

SUSAN D.

Wonderful Very nice and spacious home in a beautiful country setting. Perfect for a family gathering. - 6/23/2021

Xiong

If you are looking for a place to stay that is both beautiful and convenient with a large group of people, Bluff Country Retreat is the place to stay. It is a place that is beyond one's imagination. The home is located on a beautiful and peaceful location that offers a great view of the surrounding hills.

Derrick was super responsive to questions and requests. Check-in and check-out was super easy. Instruction was simple and clear.

In all honesty, we had a truly wonderful time during our stay. Derrick made our family-getaway a wonderful experience this summer. Bluff Country Retreat is a place where you will want to return year after year. - 7/16/2023

Mike Johnson

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

Jenny Overby

What an amazing place to stay! Everything has been thought of! Cozy and fun! A Scrapper’s paradise! Loved everything about it!! Lots of space for all! - 4/15/2018

Sheryl Strain

Very very nice. - 3/06/2022

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

Star T

This place is AMAZING! I recently spent a weekend at Bluff Country and was not disappointed. The lodging is comfortable, spacious, inviting, and extremely clean (and I'm a clean-freak so that's saying something). The kitchen is well equipped. There's even a nut roaster, which I realized after I toasted some on the range. I spent time on the walking trails which were very peaceful, private, and scenic....plus I saw 19 deer! The hosts are very accommodating and responsive to any questions. Bluff Country is the place to stay if you're planning a stay in the area. I'll definitely stay there again! - 3/01/2018

Nancy R.

Beautiful, knotty pine accommodation! Lots of room. Was just crow of us, but a family of 5 could be accommodated easily. Beautiful vistas! - 8/09/2026

Patrick B.

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

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

Jane

Very clean and comfy accommodations! - 5/29/2021

Suzi

If you want extra clean, beautiful, very comfortable, and totally delightful...consider this place! If you want it close to small towns with charm, character, beautiful bluffs, great food, art AND fun family outdoors, consider this place. This beautiful log home is just a few miles travel but when you're there, you feel like you are on top of the world! This was a GREAT place. We will be back! - 9/07/2020

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

James M.

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

Peggy Merkel

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

George

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

Chris Lee

The owner was responsive and the place was well maintained. A great experience! - 11/14/2022

David

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

Kim W.

Attention to Detail We had a wonderful stay at Bluff Country Retreat Bunk House. The attention to detail was amazing all the way down to the light switches being labeled, which I appreciated. The walking paths throughout the property we nicely mowed for evening walks. This place is truly a paradise! - 7/25/2022

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

Jen

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

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

John Doe

We loved our time at this cabin! The views were stunning and the amenities were top-notch. Perfect for our family reunion. - 9/22/2023

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

Olivia W.

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

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

Jody

The grounds and the house are awesone the Host has thought of everything you might need on your stay. Kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms, outside.......Derrick has created an awesome experience. You will enjoy yourselves! - 5/27/2019

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

John D.

We had an amazing time at this property. The house was spacious and had everything we needed for a relaxing weekend. The kitchen was well-equipped, and the fire pit outside was a great place to gather in the evenings. Highly recommend! - 9/15/2023

Jane Doe

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

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

Steven L.

We were only able to stay for 2 nights, but it was perfect. It's a very nice quaint & quiet place in the country. The home is like new and very well maintained. We liked the fact that it was a quick drive to the Root River trail in Whalan. We really enjoyed the trails around the property. Our only issue was the charcoal grill (because I've never been able to master grilling with charcoal). It would have been perfect if there had been a gas grill, but that's our personal preference. We hope to come back next year and stay 3 nights next time. - 9/26/2023

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

Wayne

Nice, cabin like accommodations close to cross country ski trail and property to ski or snowshoe on.
Very clean and welcoming, Derrick’s hospitality is great, with frequent information before our arrival. - 2/21/2021

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

Chris L.

The Shack was such a great little getaway. Had a few walks on the beautiful trails, loved the fireplace and one-room feel although was even bigger than the photos appear. Will be back! - 4/07/2025

TravelFan123

The views and the trails are stunning. Perfect for a nature lover like me. Highly recommend! - 8/25/2023

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

Edward T.

We stayed for a long weekend that ended up being both snowy and cold outside, but it was nice and cozy inside. Derrick, the owner, went the extra mile in communicating since we were going to be having some weather, but it was fun to be able to hunker down here. The property is great if you are looking to get out for cross county skiing or maybe winter hiking, and we saw all sorts of animal tracks and deer several times. We’ll have to come back in the summertime. - 1/21/2024

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

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

Emily Johnson

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

Linda White

This place is fantastic for larger groups! The space is well thought out, and we had everything we needed. Great hosts too! - 3/30/2023

Brent V.

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

Donna C.

We loved this house and grounds. It was spacious and well equipped. We had a great time and hope to be back! - 7/08/2025

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

Corinne D.

We had an amazing time and love the fact that it had so many twin beds so each of us had our own bed. - 9/24/2024

Colette

Great place worth the extra drive. Loved the view and the bunkhouse was comfortable and well stocked with every need. - 8/26/2023

thomas m.

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

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

Samuel

Great place. The trails were really awesome and it was a thoughtfully constructed stay. - 9/06/2020

Emily

The bunkhouse was very clean and had everything we needed. The property was beautiful. We walked the trails in the evening as well as the morning. We saw and heard lots of wildlife. Nice quiet, private location. Thanks Derrick! - 10/17/2021

Jane Smith

Had a wonderful time with family. Great location! Only downside was the Wi-Fi was a bit slow. - 9/15/2023

Jody Houghton

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

Stephan S.

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