The River Lodge - a place for family & friends! - Reviews, Photos & Rates

See all properties

Entire cabin·Private host

Choose dates to view prices

Dates

January 2025

February 2025

Smart TV, fireplace, DVD player, ping pong

7 bedrooms, iron/ironing board, travel cot, free WiFi

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

Exceptional

Entire cabin

7 bedrooms5 bathroomsSleeps 24436 sq m

Popular amenities

Parking available

Washer

Pet-friendly

Barbecue grill

Outdoor space

Kitchen

Explore the area

Aitkin, MN

Nelson Lake
8 min drive
Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area
18 min drive
Gull Lake
46 min drive
Brainerd, MN (BRD-Brainerd Lakes Regional)
33 min drive

Room options

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire cabin to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

The River Lodge - a place for family & friends!

WELCOME TO THE RIVER LODGE –a place to gather with friends and family! This unique home sits on a peaceful five acres on the banks of the Mississippi River. It features three levels with 7 bedrooms plus additional sleeping areas in the loft and the game room, making it possible to fit up to 24 guests (see below for details). The great room with its double height ceiling and loft balcony provides a large gathering space which is perfect for reunions and retreats. Additionally, there are 3 other living rooms all with smart TVs, 5 bathrooms, a game room with ping pong, several outdoor sitting areas, a beautiful fire pit patio and several lawn games to enjoy.

THE AREA
The towns of Aitkin and Crosby are just a 15 minute drive from the lodge. Both have a wonderful variety of cafes, restaurants, antique shops and events throughout the year. Also a short drive away are the famous Cuyuna mountain biking trails! In the winter, cross country, snowshoe and snow-mobile trails are all nearby.

BEDS AND BEDROOMS
Bedroom 1: King bed (main level)
Bedroom 2: Queen bed (upstairs)
Bedroom 3: Queen bed (upstairs)
Bedroom 4: Queen bed (upstairs)
Bedroom 5: Queen bed and bunk bed (basement)
Bedroom 6: Queen bed (basement)
Bedroom 7: Queen bed (basement)
Loft: 2 daybeds with trundles (upstairs)
Game Room: 2 bunk beds (basement)

LODGE RULES & INFO
-Dogs allowed (up to 3) with pet fee - inquire for pet rules and fee questions
-No parties allowed
-Only guests who are part of the reservation may be on the property at any time. Small weddings allowed with additional fee, only up to 50 guests. Please inquire for details.
-No confetti or glitter allowed
-The Mississippi River is not easily accessible and swimming is never recommended. There is a boat launch just a couple miles down the road and several great lakes nearby with beaches as well. We would be happy to provide more details.

HOME FEATURES & AMENITIES
Kitchen
-All basic utensils and cooking tools
-Pots, pans, bakeware and dishes
-2 drip coffee makers, 2 french press, 1 chemex (pour over), 1 aeropress
-Blender
-Slow cooker
-Hand mixer
-Griddle
-Toaster
-Gas grill (propane is provided)
-Salt, pepper and olive oil
-2 refrigerators
-Pantry
-Paper towels and dish soap

Linens & Toiletries…
-100% organic cotton sheets and pillow cases
-Bed quilts and fleece layering blankets
-Towels and washcloths
-Hair dryer
-Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash and Body Lotion

Other…
-High speed WiFi
-Bluetooth speakers
-Smart or Apple TVs with soundbars in all living room areas
-Walkout basement with radiant floor heating
-Custom built extra long dining table with seating for 16 people
-Fireplace
-Pack and Play
-High chair
-DVDs, books and games
-Fire pit and roasting sticks
-Swings and Hammocks
-Outdoor tables for dining al fresco
-Lawn games

Our customers tell us they can't get enough of the helpful staff at this cabin. During your stay, you're just a quick walk from Mississippi River. An arcade/game room is available. The cabin offers free WiFi and a kitchen.

Air-conditioned cabin with kitchen, washing machine, and 4.5 bathrooms
Free WiFi
Steps from Mississippi River and 8 minutes by car from Nelson Lake

This cabin offers its guests barbecue grills, an arcade/game room, and a garden. The front desk is open around the clock.

This Aitkin cabin is smoke free.

Property manager

Andrew and Joy Ballard

Languages

English, Spanish

Property amenities

Beach

Beach towels

Ski

Close to skiing

Internet

Free WiFi

Parking and transport

On-site parking
Car required

Kitchen

Fridge
Stovetop
Microwave
Oven
Dishwasher
Blender
Mixer
Coffee grinder
Electric kettle

Dining

Dining table

Bedrooms

7 bedrooms
Bed sheets provided

Bathrooms

4.5 bathrooms
Bath or shower
Towels provided
Soap
Hairdryer
Shampoo
Toilet paper

Living spaces

Fireplace
Living room
Dining room

Entertainment

Smart TV
Ping pong table
Games room
DVD player
Stereo
Games
Books
Video library

Outdoor areas

Balcony
Barbecue
Garden
Outdoor furniture
Firepit

Laundry

Washing machine and dryer
Near a laundromat

Comfort

Air conditioning
Heating

Pets

Pet friendly
3 total pets
Welcoming dogs only

Suitability/Accessibility

If you have any requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
Wheelchair-accessible
Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

On the river
On the waterfront
In a rural location
Near a hospital

Things to do

Mountain biking nearby
Golf nearby
Wildlife and game walks nearby
Snorkelling nearby
Scuba diving nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Jet skiing nearby
Snowmobiling nearby
Fishing nearby

Safety features

Carbon monoxide detector installed (host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector installed (host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property)
Fire extinguisher
First aid kit
Deadbolt lock

General

Unit size: 4693.1 sq ft (436 sq m)

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM

Contactless check-in available

Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets are welcome
Only dogs are allowed
Maximum 3 pets
Restrictions apply
For more information, you can reach out to the property at the number on the booking confirmation
Service animals are exempt from fees
Note from host: $100 fee for 1st dog, $50 for each additional dog

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome.

Note from host: Please beware of stairs and river bank.

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy

Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges

Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed

Parties and events (including family gatherings and weddings) are allowed on site; maximum attendees: 50

Note from host: Small events allowed with an additional fee.

Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property

Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property

Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock

This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions. You will also receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account which will enable you to manage your booking.

We should mention

To make arrangements for your pet, contact the property directly using the information on your booking confirmation.

Property is also known as

Beautiful 5BR Lodge Now Available Weekend in January! Book Now!

River Lodge Perfect Gathering Place Large Groups Aitkin

River Lodge Perfect Gathering Place Large Groups

River Perfect Gathering Place Large Groups Aitkin

River Lodge Perfect Gathering Place Large Groups Aitkin

River Lodge Perfect Gathering Place Large Groups

River Perfect Gathering Place Large Groups Aitkin

River Perfect Gathering Place Large Groups

Beautiful 5BR Lodge Now Available Weekend in January! Book Now!

Beautiful 5BR Lodge New hot tub Just Installed

The River Peaceful Getaway

The River Lodge - Peaceful Getaway! Cabin

The River Lodge The Perfect Gathering Place for Large Groups!

The River Lodge - Peaceful Getaway! Aitkin

Beautiful 5BR Lodge Now Available Weekend in January! Book Now!

Beautiful 5BR Lodge New hot tub Just Installed

The River Lodge - Peaceful Getaway! Cabin Aitkin

The River Lodge Peaceful Getaway Currently Reduced Rates!

The River Lodge The Perfect Gathering Place for Large Groups!

The River Lodge - a place for family & friends! Reviews

Exceptional

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10 Excellent

Susanne B.

28 Nov 2024

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfect family vacation

This was our second stay at the Lodge. It works so perfect for our family with 7 bedrooms and numerous

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer M.

19 Oct 2024

Liked: Cleanliness

Our summer getaway

Our family has been staying at the River Lodge for the past 4 years and we all love it. The host is extremely responsive.

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jill S.

29 Aug 2024

Liked: Cleanliness

A lil Piece of Heaven

This Lodge is the perfect place to unwind and spend quality time with family or friends. It was peaceful and cozy. There is so much room for everyone to have their own space. Beautifully decorated, spacious bedrooms and baths. There is nothing you need to bring besides food and your necessities. The kitchen is fully stocked and with two fridges lots of room for food! We did not want to leave as you feel right at home the minute you walk in. The 12 adults in our group all agreed this was the PERFECT get away!

Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sandy E.

20 Aug 2024

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfect set up for a group

Large, nice areas to relax and have conversations, beautiful view, calming. Plus the owners communicated well with us.

Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

24 Jun 2024

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfect place for families

We loved having our family vacation here. There was so much room and so much to do for all ages. We could gather together for games and puzzles, or be reading and still with everyone. The kitchen had everything needed for each family to take a turn at making a delicious supper. The fire pit and the hot tub were popular. There were lakes nearby for fun on the water. You’ll enjoy your time here, and the host is great.

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jess P.

6 Jun 2024

Liked: Cleanliness

Staff Retreat

We stay here every year as part of our school staff retreat. We love the location, the house, amenities and it's neat to see the new updates every year. We'll be back again next year!

Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Emily N.

20 May 2024

Liked: Cleanliness

Wedding Weekend

The River Lodge is gorgeous and very spacious. We were able to host our intimate wedding ceremony and dinner (30 guests) and the property was beautiful. One guest booked their future family reunion after experiencing the lodge! We would definitely recommend staying here! The hosts have great communication and are very responsive!

Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rob B.

25 Apr 2024

Liked: Cleanliness

Weekend Retreat

The lodge and property were perfect in every way. Perfect for a large gathering. So much room for meeting together and break-out spaces for small group conversations. The lodge is so well appointed. Andrew and Joy thought of everything! Super clean and so comfortable. And the river - beautiful!

Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

16 Jan 2024

Liked: Cleanliness

Women’s winter break

This is the second year our group had stayed at this wonderful property! Fully stocked kitchen, great spaces for sharing and quiet nooks if you need a little quiet time. Hosts are responsive and amazing; it is a wonderful place for our group of 24 to stay at!!!

Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tom R., Gainesville, Florida

31 Dec 2023

Liked: Cleanliness

Christmas Hygge Gathering

We really enjoyed our family Christmas celebration at The River Lodge. Together we had 19 people of a variety of ages 4 - 70+, who gathered. There was more than adequate room for a puzzle table, multiple reading corners, and time together sharing wonderful meals! (The kitchen was well equipped for large family cooking) We enjoyed two evenings together watching favorite Christmas shows! The sleeping accommodations were spacious. Thank you, by the way, for the ramp up to the front door. It was a gift for the elders in our family! One night we enjoyed a fire in the pit outside, watching the stars. Our hosts were very responsive whenever we asked questions. Thank you!

Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer M.

26 Aug 2023

Liked: Cleanliness

3rd Family Vacation

We again had a wonderful time at the River Lodge. Two suggestions we have would be to screen in the upper deck so we can enjoy it during the evening (mosquitoes are very bad), and replace the mattress in the upstairs north/river facing bedroom. That mattress was too soft and creaky.

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jamie G.

19 Aug 2023

Liked: Cleanliness

Amazing family vacation!

We spent our annual family vacation at The River Lodge this year & it was by far our favorite place we’ve stayed! The lodge was very clean, well stocked with supplies, & Joy was very communicative, attentive, & great to work with. We had 10 adults, 5 kids & a pup & never felt cramped. It was spacious with many different spots to watch movies, read, or visit with family. The wrap around porch & the yard were our favorite! The lodge is also decorated beautifully, & the property is so peaceful. We hope we can return soon!

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Marika P.

10 Aug 2023

Liked: Cleanliness

Another great stay under our belt at Riverlodge

We are returning for our fourth stay at Riverlodge and continue to be impressed with the care that is given to this space. We had activities for all ages and were excited to see the solar panel addition! We love Riverlodge.

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Joei H.

6 Aug 2023

Liked: Cleanliness

Summer Family Vaca

My family and I had the best time during our 5 day stay. We had 20 of us staying and this place worked and accommodated our family so well. The open deck, the space in rooms and bathrooms, the decor and kitchen space and big living room we all could be in together made our trip so enjoyable and relaxing. Communication was amazing between us and the hosts. We definitely plan on booking again. One really neat thing we all enjoyed was watching the robin nests all week on the deck. By the end of our week they had learned to fly off, every day we were eager to check. This was a blessing for my mother to have all her family together and so good for us all to reconnect and see the older kids enjoy time together. Memories definitely made!

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Brenda G.

3 Aug 2023

Liked: Cleanliness

Family Get Away

This cabin was the perfect place to accommodate our family of twenty. We could all gather and have fun with each other; but also find a quiet place if you needed any alone time. Everything was so neat and clean. owner's were so good about communicating before and during our stay. They are excellent hosts! We hope to come back some day.

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Janice O.

13 Jul 2023

Liked: Cleanliness

Beautiful spacious family reunion paradise.

Numerous conversation areas and seating areas. Well-maintained and lovely decor. We especially liked the large open kitchen with table to seat. 14 people. Very private. Enjoyed the ping pong table and hot tub.

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Susanne B.

10 Jul 2023

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfect family reunion lodge

We had a fabulous time at the River Lodge. We were very impressed with all the space and it worked perfect for our annual family reunion. The River Lodge is well equipped and provides all the basic necessities. It has space on every floor for hanging out, playing games or just reading a book. We will be back

Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Amanda S.

1 Jul 2023

Liked: Cleanliness

Fantastic family get together

This was the perfect place for 2 families to meet. Plenty of space to spread out and yet get together at the same time. The Hosts were very accommodating! We appreciated their hospitality and would recommend 100%

Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

8/10 Good

Darlis M.

30 Jun 2023

Liked: Cleanliness

Wonderful family vacation house!

We loved this house. So many different common areas, wonderful kitchen with everything you need to cook home style meals, a beautiful yard with lots of room to run and play!! Online discription was misleading to river access and close proximity to bike trails, but with everything else there was to do we adapted. Even room for a kickball field!!

Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Diane K.

17 Apr 2023

Liked: Cleanliness

60th Birthday Celebration

We rented the property for a 60th birthday celebration for a group of friends. It was a very enjoyable experience. The lodge is beautiful. There are enough bedrooms and bathrooms and living spaces to accommodate a very large group. We would highly recommend.

Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Aurora L.

7 Apr 2023

Liked: Cleanliness

Great for family gathering

This property was amazing it’s big enough that out group of 21 did not feel crowded but still felt like we were in a home. It’s amazing the kitchen is set is both functional and stylish and the large table makes a great place to play games plus we could all eat together when we pulled a folding table from the panty even with all those people in the kitchen at one time it didn’t feel crowded. The deck off the kitchen was so nice we put our coolers out there for easy access plus the dogs loved be able to go in and out with us without a leash. My only real complaint was the stairs going to the lower level were very dark and the railing only goes about half way down. A brighter light would be helpful. Otherwise we all loved it so much and hope to return in the future

Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Julie W.

12 Feb 2023

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfect lodge for our family of 17!

From the moment we entered the lodge we were hooked. It is open and roomy from top to bottom. Everything you would expect and need was available from a huge table for all to eat together, gorgeous great room with fireplace and chairs, couches, tables for games, etc.!! The lighting is fun Edison lighting all around the lodge. A very spacious deck looking towards the river. There is a patio fire pit and we used it every night every night and sat in the outdoor sauna also. Very comfy beds and plenty of rooms to accommodate our big family. The hosts were the best...always available and willing to help or answer any questions. Great VRBO...dont miss it!

Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jessica L.

7 Feb 2023

Liked: Cleanliness

Great place for a get together

This is a great spot for a get together, this is our 3rd time using this location for a friends get together and are looking forward to coming back. The hosts are great with responses and working with you to make the stay easy.

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

16 Jan 2023

Liked: Cleanliness

Snowshoeing getaway

It was so easy and property is just beautiful. The hosts are very responsive; we all enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. Well stocked kitchen and just a beautiful space for our group of 15.would highly recommend. Great snowshoeing at nearby Cuyuna State Park.

Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Xai X.

10 Dec 2022

Liked: Cleanliness

Family retreat

Host was super nice and responsive. The property look just like the picture. Very clean house with everything you need in a kitchen. This is a beautiful home for a large group like my family size. We had a great time and would book this place again.

Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022