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Beautiful border waters lake retreat, 50ft from waters edge! Private dock!

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Exterior
Terrace/patio
Terrace/patio
size of beach depends on water level
Lake, boat, dock... What more do you need? Oh, maybe some fresh bait!

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 81800 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Free WiFi
  • Outdoor Space

Explore the area

View in a map
Ranier, MN
  • Place, Cantilever Distillery
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Ranier Beach
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, City Beach
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Airport, International Falls, MN (INL-Falls Intl.)
    ‪10 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Twin Bunk Bed and 1 Twin Bed

Bedroom 4

2 Twin Beds

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Beautiful border waters lake retreat, 50ft from waters edge! Private dock!

Nestled on beautiful Rainy Lake, on the US/Canadian border, is The Lake House. Owned by Bill and Terry Lahmayer since 1983, this very unique home is situated in the quaint, historic, lakeside village of Ranier, MN, just two miles east of International Falls. Just 50 feet from the water's edge, The Lake House offers stunning sunsets and lake views. Directly across the lake is Ontario Canada. A private, 44ft. dock, lakeside fire pit, and sand-bottom swimming are yours to enjoy. Built in 1936, The Lake House is tastefully decorated in a mix of traditional and vintage furnishings and comfortably accommodates 6-10 guests.

A stone's throw away is Ranier Beach,  Loony's Brew Pub, Tara's Warf ice cream shop, and our local Fishing Hall of Fame fishing guide -- Woody's Fairly Reliable Guide Service. A public boat ramp is right there as well for convenient boat launching.  A few more blocks away is the Ranier Municiple tavern, train depot, post office, darling community building, and wonderful Ranier Park. In winter, a snowmobile trail runs through town, and Ranier boasts two ice rinks (one for pick-up hockey games and the other for free skating), as well as a sliding hill for the kiddies.

Voyageurs National Park, the only national park accessible only by water, is a mere 8 miles east. So whether you are looking to enjoy some fishing, boating, kayaking, swimming, canoeing, biking, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, skating, or just relaxing, we have it all!

It is our desire to bless others with the opportunity for a wonderful getaway on Rainy Lake and all that The Lake House has to offer. So come and spend a few days, a week, or even longer, with us! (Maybe you will even get to experience the incredible Northern Lights!)

Fun fact! Although built as a home in the l930s, the original owners, Merville and Helen Trompeter, converted it into a restaurant in the l950s. Named the Twin Elms -- "Home of hot biscuits", Helen herself did the cooking and baking. People even came by boat for some of Helen's delicious fare! We have incorporated much of the history of the house and the area, into our decorating.


Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Outdoor Space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17
Lake/dock are water hazards. Low windows upstairs.
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No smoking anywhere on property.

Important information

You need to know

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
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

We should mention

A car is required for transportation to and from this property

About the neighborhood

Ranier

Located in Ranier, this vacation home is on a lake. Cantilever Distillery and The River Golf Course are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Voyageurs National Park and Rainy Lake Visitor Center. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
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Map
Ranier, MN

What's nearby

  • Cantilever Distillery - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Ranier Beach - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Ranier City Park - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • City Beach - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Ogard Point - 4 min drive - 2.2 km

Getting around

  • International Falls, MN (INL-Falls Intl.) - 9 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Tim Hortons - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Border Bar Pizza - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Dunkin’ & Baskin Robins - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Coffee Landing Cafe - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪SUBWAY - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Beautiful border waters lake retreat, 50ft from waters edge! Private dock! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Beautiful border waters lake retreat, 50ft from waters edge! Private dock!?

As of Mar 8, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Beautiful border waters lake retreat, 50ft from waters edge! Private dock! on Sep 30, 2026 start from $330, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking?

Onsite parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Beautiful border waters lake retreat, 50ft from waters edge! Private dock!?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Beautiful border waters lake retreat, 50ft from waters edge! Private dock!?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Beautiful border waters lake retreat, 50ft from waters edge! Private dock! located?

Situated on a lake, this vacation home is steps from Ranier Beach, Rainy Lake, and Cantilever Distillery. Ranier City Park and City Beach are also within 10 minutes.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 39 out of 40 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 40 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 40 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 40 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 40 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

This review was submitted before 2018 and can't be verified.

8/10 Good

Jason V., Andover

Great place.

Very nice property and we'll stocked with towels, linens, etc. Thanks for letting us stay.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2017

10/10 Excellent

Tad L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent stay!!

Wonderful and immaculate property right on the lake. Owners were extremely helpful and friendly. We had a wonderful vacation. This place is a gem!
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Will B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Our hosts were amazing. The house was incredible and everything would could have asked for. Very well stocked with anything and everything you could need. Great location that is walking distance to ice cream and a few restaurants. Our kids loved being right on the water and it was walking distance to a larger beach. If we come back to the area we would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2025
This review was submitted before 2018 and can't be verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jon K.

Very organized place with great proximity to Ranier (bars, shops, restaurants) and Rainy Lake.

Home was well appointed with very clean rooms. Nice pier on the lake and a great fire pit and deck area looking over the water. Fishing was OK but accommodations were great.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2017

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great at the lake

The lake house was wonderful, could not of asked for a better place to stay. The host was exceptional . Everyone had a great time
Stayed 4 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Kate M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely late-summer stay!

My family and I stayed here in late August - a perfect time to enjoy the lake and the house! They set up everything to be ready for our 1.5 year old, and the adults had fun with the canoe and kayak. Rainer is a fun little community. We enjoyed walking to get ice cream and to the park.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gerry C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fishing

This property was excellent all the way around very well kept and only feet from a boat launch nice dock with electric would recommend this to any one thanks
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Patricia T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The Lake House on Rainy Lake

This is a beautiful home fully equipped with everything needed for a relaxing vacation on Rainy Lake. We cannot say enough about the lovely, gracious hosts Terry and Bill. They were responsive to all our questions and are a wealth of information on things to do in the area and the best places to fish. We hope to be back soon!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jeannie C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wedding

Our family was in I Falls for our son's wedding. Terry & Bill were very gracious hosts. The house is very organized for all your needs, everything you forgot or didn't think you wanted to bring, was there! Beautiful location, we really were able to enjoy the week, our grandchildren had permanent smiles on their faces.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

LaMont K., Fridley, Mn

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful!!!!!!

The Lake Home was beautiful inside and out. Terry and Bill had everything we needed. The home was very clean and very well kept up and the view of the lake was absolutely breathtaking. Our kids really enjoyed all of the water toys, floaties, goggles, and paddle boat that were provided. I definitely would take my family back here again. It was a home away from home.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Denise D., Northern Wisconsin

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing place to Stay!!!

We absolutely LOVED our stay at this beautiful home on Rainy Lake. The view of the lake is great and we were extremely impressed with everything about this property. Beautiful décor, the place looks exactly like the photographs, even better. There is so much room. The home was very clean, beds were comfortable and the kitchen was well equipped with everything you need. We didn’t use the laundry but it’s great that it’s available. International Falls is close for shopping/dining out and Ranier also has great eating options. Both Bill & Terry were very accommodating, responsive and easy to work with. We highly recommend this property and we can't wait to visit again!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Theresa B., Wantage, NJ

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful house amidst a relaxing community

Where to begin? I can't think of one suggestion to make this lodging better - it is perfect! The house is beautifully decorated, in excellent condition and immaculate. The spacious kitchen is well-stocked which was wonderful for our hiking group of seven adults. We loved having breakfast, cocktails and dinner out on the patio along the lake shore. The view of Rainy Lake is awesome! The beds were very comfortable; we had plenty of space to socialize. The owner, Terry is lovely, friendly and most accommodating. I highly recommend this rental -- if '10' is the highest rating; I'd give it '11'.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Nancylee J., Sandy, UT. A suburb of Salt Lake City

Wonderful elegant well planned and lake views and beach access. The best place to stay ever in Ranie

Wonderful family friendly historic and updated both!!! Do you like Fixer Upper? Magnolia? You will love this beautifully decorated home right on the lake! Great space for a large family or to entertain your friends and family! Fabulous kitchen and really well stocked kitchen. I cooked up a storm. We had two dinner parties outside on the deck and followed up with s’mores cooked over a wood fire on the lakeshore. Best vacation in a little by time. Classy place and classy owners. They made sure to check in to make sure we were comfortable! Hope to be back soon!
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Kevin K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Rainier at The Lake House

Me and my friends had a great time at the Lake House, we enjoyed the fishing but it was the house that made the trip. Fully equipped kitchen, great bedrooms and an awesome living area with a enclosed porch. We played cards two nights and really enjoyed our time there, and there's entertainment close with live music We used all of the property, we tied off on the dock with our fishing boat and with the boat ramp so close we pulled our boat off the lake every night. The back deck and patio was great for grilling and people watching, we enjoyed the late afternoons out there until the mosquito's over took the area and deep woods off did help and we stayed outside into early evening. The Lahmayer's are great hosts and we felt like one of their friends borrowing the Lake House! We are planning another booking!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Maddy H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect family vacation!

We stayed at the Lake House for a week with our family (kids aged 18, 15, 11, 9) and had a great time! The house is clean and fully stocked. Bill and Terry are so kind and communication was excellent. There was enough room for everyone to spread out and have their own space indoors and outdoors. We loved the fire pit, sunbathing on the dock, drinking coffee on the porch, and family movie nights! We brought our fishing boat and spent most days on the lake catching walleye, pike, and small mouth bass. Our son caught a 41”, 13 lb pike and another one just slightly smaller. We enjoyed the Rainy Lake Grill and ice cream at Tara’s Wharf. Parents even got away for a drink at Cantilever, so good! Everything is within walking distance in Ranier. We golfed in International Falls, went to Voyageurs a couple times to hike, and had lunch at Sha Sha Resort. The Lake House was perfect for our family and we will definitely be back!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lori W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

GREAT LAKE HOUSE IN RANIER

We had a great time at the Lake House in Ranier! It is quiet and you are very close to the town. Everything we needed was in the house. It is very clean and contacting Bill and Terry was quick and they are extremely helpful! The lakefront of the home has it's own swimming area, plus there are two beaches in town that are very close. We enjoyed our stay very much and there is plenty of room in the home for your family. Thank you again, Bill and Terry, for a wonderful home for our family to stay!
Stayed 9 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Janette H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful home!! Property was excellent!

Good!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2021

10/10 Excellent

Debra R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Rainy Lake House

This property has an excellent view of the lake. Very nice home, they have a super well stocked kitchen. We really liked the location and plenty of room to relax after touring the area and hiking a few trails.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2020

10/10 Excellent

Ron M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Superb accommodations

Rented many vacations homes in the past. None like this! We cooked all our meals and the kitchen was fully stocked with spices, coffee, creamers etc. All the comforts of your own home. Super clean.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Stephen S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

FISHING TRIP

Very enjoyable stay at Terry & Bill's home. Great location and will return when we return to International Falls.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Myranda H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful lake house

Every part of the process was made so easy. Terry was great about communicating details about the property. It felt like home from the moment we walked in! I don’t think I could say enough nice things about this property. The kitchen was stocked with odds and ends that made cooking at home a lot easier. We loved it here!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Phil C., Rogers,USA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice lake gem

A group of us was at the house for a fishing trip. The house was extremely clean and well-kept we had everything we needed to have a really awesome stay. The owners were very accommodating especially when we had adjust the dates, they were very helpful with anything we needed, we highly recommend this property.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

David B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Comfortable Convenient "home base" for visit to area

Our entire family were delighted with Lahmeyer Lake House, a comfortable and inviting space. Immaculately clean and many many luxuries, conveniences and thoughtful additions to meet our needs including very comfortable beds, high quality linens, black-out blinds, plenty of towels, well-equipped kitchen and appliances, good lighting with dimmers to create just the right lighting, flower beds. Tasteful decor including historical photos. Extra considerations such as first aid kit (which we didn't need, but appreciated being there "just in case"). Our visit for family reunion seemed short; if we are able to visit again, we definitely hope to stay at Lahmeyer Lake House.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Tom & Cindy N., -

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family bonding on gorgeous Rainy Lake

Fantastic home on the shoreline with a huge dock for boating, swimming, with water toys galore. Family bonding while watching sunsets, bonfires each night after frolicking in the many moods of gorgeous Rainy Lake. Such a comfortable house!! Our family intends to make it an annual event!!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2019

About the host

Hosted by Terry and Bill Lahmayer

Host profile image
We (Bill and Terry), purchased The Lake House when we were in our early twenties with a 1 year-old son. Both born and raised in Wisconsin, we moved to Ranier in 1983. Originally we planned to stay in the area for just a "few years", but the people, Ranier, and Rainy Lake captured our hearts. We decided to stay and added two more children to our family along the way. In 2011, we made the very difficult decision to relocate to the Duluth area, but decided to keep our Rainy Lake home as a long-term rental. Because we missed spending time there, we recently decided to try operating a vacation rental instead. That way, we could give others the opportunity to enjoy it short-term, and still have time there for ourselves. I think you, too, will find that it's a very special place.

Why they chose this property

While looking for a home to purchase after our move to the area in 1983, we couldn't find anything that really appealed to us -- until this one. In spite of its unattractive exterior at that time, and it's need for a great deal of work, we fell in love with the place the first time we saw it. The vaulted ceiling, huge living room, massive fireplace, second story railing/hallway overlooking the main living area, and the darling little window --- were just too much to resist! We spent the next 30 plus years updating, replacing and remodeling. With the exception of one of the bedrooms, every single room was taken down to the studs and renovated. Also fascinating to us was the history of the house. Built in the 1930s by the Trompeter family, the house became a restaurant for a number of years in the 1950s. The Twin Elms, as it was called, was known as the -- "home of hot biscuits and honey"! We have incorporated the home's history into it's décor, along with photos of Ranier in it's earliest days. In those formative, wild years, there were many houses of "ill repute". However, our house was not one of them, lol! But even more captivating than the house and it's history, was the beauty of Rainy Lake. It's medicine for our souls and we are so thankful that the Lord has blessed us with it for all these years.

What makes this property unique

With the water's edge just steps from your door, there's no hassling with the hauling of coolers, chairs, toys, blankets, etc. up and down a long stairway or over rocky ground to get from house-to-water. The yard, the dock, the water --- it's all right there! And hearing the gently lapping of the waves at night, is so wonderfully calming. Stunning sunsets never fail to dazzle, no matter how many you've seen. Hearing the call of a loon on a quiet summers evening is a special kind of music. Watching the mama ducks paddle by with their babies in tow, as well as seeing geese, pelicans, seagulls and sometimes beavers and otters, is so rewarding. The sight of a Bald Eagle circling overhead and swooping down to catch a fish in it's talons is amazing. And then there are the Northern Lights! They are not a regular occurrence, but if you happen to catch them, they will take your breath away. Other things we have enjoyed immensely... the privilege of having a boat tied up to the dock, ready to go out for an evening of fishing just down from the Ranier bridge... lounging around on the dock and watching the kids play in the water... And one of my very favorite activities --- having a campfire at the waters edge on a calm, summers night. It can't be beat. However, I have to be honest and say that the mosquitoes can be challenging, especially during the first half of the summer. Fogging the yard and wearing a good bug dope will make a huge difference. While wonderful in many respects, we need to remember that no place is perfect!

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