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Out for a morning stroll

September 13, 2022 derrick

Posted by derrick on September 13, 2022September 13, 2022

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Reviews from our guests:

4.9

258 reviews

5

244

4

13

3

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Jane Smith

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

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

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

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

Emily Clark

What a lovely stay! The Bunk House was warm, inviting, and perfect for a winter getaway. The fireplace was a highlight! - 8/25/2023

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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

Sylvia

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

Deborah Ely

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

Jane Doe

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

JohnDoe

The Bunk House was a perfect getaway. The setting is beautiful and very peaceful. I can't recommend it enough! - 9/01/2023

Kathy Tesmer

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

Mark Johnson

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

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

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

TravelFan123

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

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Katrina

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

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

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

Chris W.

Our family loved this house! It was close to the river, which was ideal for our fishing trip. The facilities were fantastic, and we felt right at home. Thanks for the great time! - 5/15/2023

Tamai

You won't be disappointed with this place! It is everything that is advertised to be. You do travel on gravel roads to reach this destination which didn’t bother us because we are from Iowa and have gravel roads. There is a house on the same property that can also be rented which it was while we were at the Bunkhouse. There was no problem or noise from the people who rented the house during our stay. Also, a good place to watch the sun set! - 9/10/2022

Elvis

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

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

Ceil

We enjoyed our stay. Comfortable beds and clean. - 5/04/2026

Emily Brown

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

Linda W.

Spectacular! The owners went to great trouble to be sure guests have everything needed for a comfortable get away. Beautiful location, beautiful little nest. We couldn’t have been more pleased. The owners are great communicators and followed through with a special request we asked for. You won’t be disappointed. We will book again. 😊 - 7/02/2022

Teresa

I have stayed in numerous air b and b’s. This one has moved to the top of the list as my all time favorite! I have never stayed in one as well appointed as this one. Right down to kitchen drawers labeled what’s inside of them! Seriously! No searching to see where something is, and if it’s even provided! I guarantee it’s provided! Communication with Derrick was easy and prompt. The House manual was extremely detailed and greatly appreciated! If I had one complaint it’s that we only had 4 nights there. That’s our fault! If we ever need a large accommodation in the Lanesboro area again we will certainly look to book again! Thank you Derrick! - 6/19/2023

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

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

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

Janet Swenson

positive review

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

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

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

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

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Colette

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

Paul

na - 9/13/2021

Sarah Davis

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

Melinda Selchow

- 12/15/2020

Anna O.

Serenity The bunk house was immaculate! It was the cleanest VRBO I've stayed at. The property is beautiful and the house had everything we needed. The hosts were very quick to respond and answer any questions. We enjoyed the peaceful get away at the bunk house and when we wanted to explore, Lanesboro was the perfect town to adventure in. We enjoyed bike riding alongside the river and between the bluffs. I highly recommend the bunk house at Bluff County retreat. It was the perfect weekend getaway! - 8/09/2021

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

Tommy

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

Emily Johnson

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

thomas m.

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

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

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

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

James M.

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

SUSAN D.

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

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

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

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

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

Stanley

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

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

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

April

The pictures don’t do this house justice. We rented this property for a long girls weekend and it did not disappoint. The house was extremely clean and was the best well stocked kitchen - we didn’t need to bring anything! The beds and bathrooms were all lovely for our large group, but the star of the show was the view from the back patio. We actually cancelled some weekend plans just to sit outside and enjoy the view on afternoon. The house is HUGE and there’s plenty of space to spread out. Many of our group said it’s been their favorite rental so far. Highly recommended! - 8/09/2026

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

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

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

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

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

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

Michael B.

This property is a hidden gem. Would recommend to anyone looking for a spacious family getaway! - 4/20/2023

Mike

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mike T.

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

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Stephan S.

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

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

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

Rachelle M.

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

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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Tonia Scanlan Boysen Fix

positive review

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

Kenneth N.

Peaceful cabin in the country Wonderful cabin in the beautiful country. Everything was very clean on our arrival. It was just 2 of us that stayed. Don’t plan on watching muchTV as it’s Netflix only and kept freezing up. We came to bike the Root River trail which was pretty quiet and not much bike traffic during the week. If you want to get away from the world and relax this is the place. - 9/17/2022

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

John Doe

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

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

Tom Harris

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

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

Jen

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

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

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

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

Stephanie Jaeger Paulson

positive review

Great craft room, beautiful scenery, fully stocked kitchen, nice bathrooms. love a good crafting weekend with my girlfriends! - 3/10/2020

Joe L.

Very nice accommodations located in the beautiful countryside. - 9/01/2025

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Tasa Deden

This place has EVERYTHING you could possibly need AND more. It seriously deserves more than 5 stars. To say this is "God's Country" is an understatement. Owners are FANTASTIC! We have stayed twice and foresee many more stays! - 2/25/2019

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

Alex T.

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

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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

Dyanne P.

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

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

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

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

Sarah Davis

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

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

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

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