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Some of the trails on the east side of Bluff Country Retreat

November 27, 2020 derrick

Posted by derrick on November 27, 2020November 27, 2020

Derrick Hongerholt 612-283-0591

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Reviews from our guests:

5.0

201 reviews

5

194

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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

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

Brent V.

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

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

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. The property was quiet and just what we were looking for. - 10/08/2022

Janet Swenson

positive review

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

Deborah Ely

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

Shelly Ochsendorf Herrmann

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

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. The property was quiet and just what we were looking for. - 10/08/2022

Heather McClellan

This place is so great. There’s more than enough space here to have a big group of crafters. The house is stocked with so many supplies, the owners thought of everything. The view is amazing also. - 2/10/2018

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

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

Sheryl Strain

Very very nice. - 3/06/2022

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

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

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

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

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

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

Randy & Bonnie G.

Exceptional place to stay. Quiet and peaceful.
Further away from the Root River bike trails than we anticipated. - 10/03/2024

Marika

Derrick was easy to communicate with and had a clean place on beautiful property. We had a few hiccups (WiFi, fireplace, construction workers) but Derrick was responsive and courteous. Overall, a nice getaway. - 10/23/2021

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

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

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 : ) - 4/15/2019

Michelle Karjala Torrey

positive review

Bluff Country Retreat was a fabulous experience. Absolutely stunning views and an amazing work space. The owners have thought of everything. A full kitchen with almost everything you might need to cook a meal. Amazing accommodations including walk in showers and a jacuzzi tub. - 9/16/2018

Kristina Lynne

positive review

Awesome place for scrapping - 3/30/2019

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

Samuel

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

Bou V.

Best Cabin Ever Spacious cabin. There were a lot of supplies to utilize in the kitchen. Many activities/games to use as well. There were enough beds/bathrooms. We had a great time hiking and using the bonfire. It was nice meeting Derrick. He was very nice and accommodating overall. We had a great stay and would rent again. Thank you! - 8/28/2019

Rachelle M.

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

David

Wow, both my wife and I were very impressed with this place - from start to finish! Excellent accommodations, very friendly hosts, newer place and so very well furnished! Thank you Derrick, I hope that many others will be able to enjoy this place like we did! - 6/04/2023

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

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

Fred O'Connor

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

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

Kenton P.

Gorgeous cabin with an even prettier view of the river valley. - 8/15/2021

Tasa Scanlan Deden

positive review

This place exceeded any and all expectations! Absolutely God's Country and the house has EVERYTHING you could possibly imagine! Highly recommend this house! ❤ - 10/22/2018

Melinda Selchow

- 12/15/2020

Mike

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

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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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

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

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

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. - 7/04/2023

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

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

Brent V.

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

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

Terry K.

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

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

Iain W.

Pristine bunkhouse Very clean well appointed bunkhouse. Drive time to Lanesboro is not an issue. - 9/30/2020

Bao

Held a sisterhood union with my cousins here and the place is amazingly peaceful and clean. Derrick is a wonderful host and provided great suggestions for what is in the surrounding area but we had so much fun just staying at the house and hanging outside with the beautiful view. We will definitely come back again. - 8/10/2019

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

David

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

James M.

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

Jessica

Beautiful spot over looking the valley. Clean, provided everything we needed, and quite. Perfect spot for a nice peaceful get away! - 6/08/2025

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

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

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

David

Great quiet place to get away and work remotely. Snug little cabin with beautiful views. - 1/28/2024

Nicolle A.

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

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

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

thomas m.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sylvia

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

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

Sarah D.

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

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

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

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

Jen

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

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

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

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

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

James M.

Beautiful bluff top property! - 10/12/2020

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

Andy

This place was absolutely perfect. The views during the day and sunset were beautiful. I would highly reccomend planning a trip out to Lanesboro, and staying at this place. There's plenty of space for larger groups, everything is labeled and organized for ease of use, and its all-in-all just a perfect secluded getaway! I'd give it more than 5 stars if I could.

If you plan on coming out in the winter, I would recommend 4 wheel drive as the road out to the place got a little wild for some folks in our group when the winter storm came through in full force and gave us 8 inches of snow in a short period of time. However, this is most certainly not a complaint. The host had this road/driveway plowed in a more than sufficient amount of time. - 1/20/2019

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

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

Katrina

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

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

Brian C., Iowa City, IA

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

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

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

Stephan S.

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

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

Tammy Price-Troska

What a wonderful place to gather and create. We will definitely come back! - 3/16/2020

Melanie D., Chicago, USA

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

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

Ceil

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

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

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

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

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