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Ultimate Northwoods Retreat

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Welcome to LaBri!
Exterior
Living/Dining Room
Interior
Living area

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms4 bathroomsSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • On beach
  • Garage parking available
  • Dog-friendly
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Outdoor grill

Explore the area

View in a map
Boulder Junction, WI
  • Place, Little Crooked Lake
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Heart of Vilas County Bike Trail - Boulder Junction
    ‪17 min drive‬
  • Place, Lake of the Torches Casino
    ‪39 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

2 Twin Beds

Bedroom 4

1 Twin Bunk Bed

4 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 3

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 4

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Ultimate Northwoods Retreat

LaBri is the ultimate Northwoods retreat. LaBri means shelter or calm place in French, and you will understand why as you pull down the drive to an inviting one-level log cabin. The kids will run to the lakefront, en route to the multiple watercraft lined up for their enjoyment. Kayaks, SUPs, canoes, and a 14-foot fishing boat await them, as well as a pontoon boat available for an additional rental fee.

Meanwhile, you will enter the living space to find a true Northwoods retreat. The kitchen is equipped with every modern appliance, including a Sub-Zero fridge, and the cabinets reveal every cooking and baking spice you may need during your stay. Two wood-burning fireplaces and a large screened-in porch will start to paint the picture of your time to come. Games for all ages are available, and the martini glasses stand proudly in the cabinet.

Serenity surrounds you as you listen to the haunting calls of the resident pair of loons zealously protecting a chick or two in the spring or early summer. Eagles circle above. Observe the multitude of wildlife, including birds, squirrels of many colors, otters, and the ever-present deer. Fill the bird feeder and watch from the kitchen window as the deer parade through at night.

Grab a sundowner in the gazebo and listen to the joyful laughter of your children playing in the lake. Muskies await the clever anglers, while the little anglers will find small fish all day long off the end of the dock.

The fire pit by the lake has hosted countless s'mores parties and awaits you. Remain quietly after the kids are gone, and you may be visited by the hoot of an owl.

The forest and trails surrounding LaBri offer endless hiking and biking in the summer, as well as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter. The slopes of Indianhead (Big Snow Resort) and Big Powderhorn mountains lie just 45 minutes to the north in the UP of Michigan.

Come stay with us! It’s very likely you will return.

There is a pontoon boat available for rent at the rate of $1,300 per week.

Please note that VRBO collects the State lodging tax but leaves it up to the owner to collect the local lodging tax of 5.5% that is payable to the owner directly.

Pets are allowed with a non-refundable pet fee dependent on pet type (size, age, breed etc)

Keywords: Log Cabin
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

Add dates for prices

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 9:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs less than 50 lbs per pet (limit 2 pets total)
Pet fee depending on size and type of pet
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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 and a deadbolt lock

About the neighborhood

Boulder Junction

Located in Boulder Junction, this cabin is on the beach. Heart of Vilas County Bike Trail - Boulder Junction and McCormack's Cisco Chain Marina are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Little Crooked Lake and Maple Lake. Take in the nearby slopes with cross-country skiing and snowboarding, or check out other outdoor activities such as snowmobiling and sledding.
View more Cabin Rentals in Boulder JunctionOpens in a new window
Map
Boulder Junction, WI

What's nearby

  • Little Crooked Lake - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Heart of Vilas County Bike Trail - Boulder Junction - 17 min drive - 16.7 km
  • Oxbow Lake - 33 min drive - 37.7 km
  • Lake of the Torches Casino - 39 min drive - 46.5 km
  • Lake Gogebic - 58 min drive - 76.3 km

Getting around

  • Rhinelander, WI (RHI-Oneida County) - 59 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Gooch's A-1 Bar - ‬21 min drive
  • ‪Aqualand Ale House - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Boulder Beer Bar - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪The Guide’s Inn - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Wittig's Point Resort and Tavern - ‬28 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Ultimate Northwoods Retreat pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 50 lbs per pet.

How much does it cost to stay at Ultimate Northwoods Retreat?

As of May 5, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Ultimate Northwoods Retreat on May 6, 2026 start from $510, 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 Ultimate Northwoods Retreat?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Ultimate Northwoods Retreat?

Check-out is at 9:00 AM.

Where is Ultimate Northwoods Retreat located?

Situated on the beach, this cabin is 0.4 mi (0.7 km) from Little Crooked Lake and within 3 mi (5 km) of Maple Lake and Round Lake. Big Lake is 3.1 mi (4.9 km) away.

Reviews

9.6

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. 33 out of 43 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 10 out of 43 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 43 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 43 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 43 reviews

9.0/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Keith B.

Allways beautiful

Stayed there numerous times over the years and always a very relaxing and pleasant stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Liz S.

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

Relaxing

Great location. Nice views of the lake. Very relaxing and fun place.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Barbara K.

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

Northwoods Refuge

A wonderful, quintessential Northwoods vacation home with vintage flavor and modern amenities that accommodated our multigenerational family and dog. Surrounded by natural beauty, we were immersed in the experience for which we hoped, enjoying the screen porch, fishing, cruising on the pontoon boat, kayaking and paddle boarding, swimming, bonfires, relaxing in the gazebo, grilling, exploring the Boulder Junction and Manitowish Waters area and so much more! The wildlife and flora are amazing! The owners are attentive and approachable. We highly recommend LaBri!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kevin R.

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

Nice property and nice accommodations.

Everything was as expected and we enjoyed our time. Rick is a great host and we would love to visit LaBri again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021
Verified

8/10 Good

Mary K.

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

Very private

We enjoyed the privacy of this property. Plenty of room for everyone. The house was well furnished, especially the kitchen. The lake was great for canoeing and fishing.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dean N.

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

Relaxing Stay in the Beautiful Northwoods

This was a perfect setting for 8 of us. We especially loved the screened porch for playing cards, reading and listening to the birds and frogs. Awesome view of the lake. Enjoyed the canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards. Heart of Vilas County Bike trail was accessible and a first class biking experience.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jessica K.

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

Amazing Property!

This property location can't be beat. The hosts were very friendly, and communication was easy. The property had lots to offer, canoes, kayaks, sandbox, and fire pit. Our boys had hours of fun fishing, and catching frogs. Easy drive to Boulder. Lots of space in the house for everyone.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022
Verified

8/10 Good

robert v.

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

LaBri

Very nice vacation place. The whole family had fun. Had a few little things wrong but took care of over the phone. Didn't care for the fire pit. Couldn't get close. Scenery was great.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Debra B.

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

Perfect!

La Bri was ideal for our annual family vacation. Rick and his wife were so welcoming and wanted to make sure our stay was perfect… which it was! He even provided great weather! The home itself was more than large enough for everyone’s privacy but set up for great family time. Mostly secluded (which is what we wanted) and a quiet small lake. Everything was there to make our week fantastic. We have rented many places in the area over the years. This time we found the magic. Thanks Rick and family for sharing your little piece of paradise.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

8/10 Good

Thomas J.

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

Very Pleasant Stay

Property is suitable for all ages, including those with mobility issues, and is very private. House layout offers quite a bit of space and was equipped with everything we needed/wanted. The lake, even in late August, was clean. Although weeds were almost to the surface, there was no algae or stagnation. The lake is small so we didn't make much use of pontoon, preferring instead to canoe. Property owner and manager were extremely responsive and helpful.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mary K.

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

Great place to stay.

We found La Bri to be an older, very well maintained lake home. The on-line pictures and descriptions actually portrayed what we found there. There was newly installed wi-fi that worked great along with a new smart TV. The carpet in the bedrooms looked like it was replaced very recently and the living room carpet looked relatively new also. The stove worked great and the Sub Zero fridge kept food and beverages very cold. We loved the screened in porch. The setting and dock can’t be beat. We had a great time at La Bri!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022
Verified

8/10 Good

Arthur M.

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

Lights out action

We had the entire family together, including pets.The screened in porch and rear yard was a great place to hangout, with a short walk and gentle slope to the lake……the shore was sandy, not mucky or there would have been paw-prints deluxe at all the wrong places……the power/water wouldn’t work after an amazing storm, but nobody cared & we had an excuse not to clean dishes for the last 3 days
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Iwona R.

Great, Wonderful, Amazing, Would Recommend!!!

La Bri is far bigger then the pictures make it appear. Each bedroom has its own bath, there is a screened porch and enclosed gazebo providing respite from mosquitos as well as some quite time. The cabin provides enormous privacy across the entire property. We have been coming to La Bri for at least 20 years over summers and winters (the slopes of Indian Head and Powder Horn Mountains are just 45 minutes away). Our week was perfect as always in this nice secluded and peaceful location. The cabin has some books and DVD's which are great for a rainy day. There are bikes in the garage that we used often and there are plenty of kayaks and canoes by the pier at your disposal. Although the owners live in Illinois, they keep the property in great shape and are always improving the aesthetics around the cabin. We will definitely be back for another great summer at La Bri.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Lisa K.

wonderful stay at LaBri

We had a fabulous one week stay at LaBri and the week is one we will always remember. Rick and Nancy were wonderful with checking in on our stay and everything was very organized and easy to find. We travelled as a family of 4 with 2 small children - ages 1.5 and 5. The highchair and jogging stroller were very convenient and we loved having all of the space. We took advantage of everything LaBri had to offer - meals on the gorgeous screened in porch overlooking the lake, played games in the gazebo on the water, rented the pontoon boat for the day, had fun rowboat rides every day, explored the woods, photographed beautiful sunrises, sunsets, bald eagles, birds, river otters, chipmunks, and more, had smores in the fire pit every evening, saw a lumberjack show, fished, swam, took nature walks, napped on the hammock, so much to list!! It was a week we will always remember and we loved every minute. The lake is so peaceful and quiet - it was just magical to catch the sunrises. The house is very private and I think we saw maybe 3 fishing boats tops a day. The river otters would come out in the afternoon and turtles swam around my fishing lures. I cannot say enough how great the fishing is for a small child. My son is 5 and he would catch a smaller perch or bluegill within 30 seconds of casting. He was so excited to fish and it was great that the water was clear enough to even see the fish get the worm from the dock!! We saw a fun lumberjack show in Woodruff which was fun for the kids. The bedrooms are gorgeous and there is so much space. It was great having a washer and dryer. We did fish with a guide Jeff Winters for a half day and I was excited to catch a pike and Ryan a bluegill. The weather was fabulous and we couldn't have asked for a better vacation. Great memories for sure! We will be back!! Thank you so much to Rick and Helen for sharing your beautiful home with us!!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Richard H.

Northwoods Retreat

My little family of four (two girls aged 6 & 3, Mom and Dad) rented LaBri for a week that ended far to soon! The setting is as pretty as it gets. Only half of Little Crooked is developed, so the cabin looks out on pine forest. The neighbors are well-spaced, lending enormous privacy across the property. The lake has a small resort on the far side, but it can't be seen from the cabin or dock, and we didn't hear anything coming from that direction all week. In fact, it seemed to drive the family of loons (my 3yo called them "goons") into the near bay, which was great for my family of loon-lovers. The dock has a nice sitting area for star-gazing, and there is a gazebo shoreside for bug-free evenings. Although, somehow, we had exactly zero mosquitos the whole week - even at sunset. I have no idea how that happened, but I wasn't complaining. The pictures of the cabin don't really do it justice. The great room is far bigger than the pictures make it appear. The kitchen, dining area, and living area are all open and face two large sliding glass doors. Those, in turn, open onto a huge screen porch with a picnic table that would easily seat 10 and another sitting area. Adjacent to the screen porch is another very large open deck with the BBQ grills. Inside, there are two very large bedrooms on opposite ends of the cabin with equally large bathrooms, another bedroom of more modest size (also ensuite) and a den room which can also be used for sleeping. The kitchen is well-equipped and also has a two-seat breakfast bar. The grounds were kid-heaven. We caught panfish off the dock, took a paddle in one of the two canoes, took out the pontoon boat, swam, and ran around outside like kids (and adults) should. The cabin also has some games and books which were great on the rainy days. The area around the dock is sandy-bottomed, which was great for swimming. There are bikes and other toys in the garage. Although the owners are in Chicago, they were very responsive to questions and concerns during the week. Boulder Junction is a great northwoods town. Favorite local haunts include The Boulder Beer Bar, Headwaters, and the Outdoorsman. The Walmart in Woodruff blew out the last local supermarket, but Coontail Corner still stocks most essentials. There are several knowledgeable fishing supply stores, and local guides, for those wishing to challenge the world record muskie. LaBri is truly a gem of a property - we will definitely be back!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

David C.

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

Serenity on Little Crooked Lake

La Bri was a great fit for our family of 7 adults and 1 pre-teen. We fished, we floated, we kayaked, we paddle-boarded, we sat by the lake enjoying the Northwoods. The screened in porch was almost continuously occupied by someone looking out over the lake. There was plenty of space inside and outside for one to find a place to be by themselves. The house was very well equipped to handle all of us. We are looking forward to a return visit. Thanks for sharing your lake home with us.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

8/10 Good

GREGG P.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness

Family Vacation

We enjoyed our stay at La Bri last week. The lake was beautiful with Loons and Swans that added an amazing atmosphere. We also appreciated the responsiveness from Nancy and Sue in sending our bags since we forgot them. Our only complaint was that we found ants in the living room and it was a negative thing since they were on/in the furniture
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Marsha J.

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

Cousins Reunion

Cousins were looking to recreate their families 1960s summer vacations in the Northwoods. We had the most perfect serene week at La Bri! Morning coffee on the screened in porch or sitting on the pier. Everyone should rent the pontoon boat to enjoy the wildlife on all parts of the lake. We enjoyed using the rowboat, canoe, and bicycles. The wildlife is amazing! Bald eagles, trumpeter swans, ducks, great blue heron, otters, and more! The cabin is spacious and very well stocked. Future stays at La Bri are already planned. For this southern girl, it was a very enjoyable week UP NORTH!!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Susan T.

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

Family vacation

Property was comfortable for our family of 8 plus 2 dogs. The screened porch was great for games and mealtimes. There were plenty of water toys but unfortunately the weeds were bad this time of year for swimming near the dock. The surrounding area offers great biking/hiking trails and we also found a nice sandy beach nearby to enjoy the water. If you are traveling with a group, I don’t think you would find many properties that would comfortably accommodate as well as this one did.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Steve W.

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

Happiness in northern Wisconsin

First of all the location is ideal, on the water's edge, close to town, close to bike paths and hiking trails. There was so much to do for our entire party. La Bri is a large cabin with 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, who could ask for more. It was well stocked and very comfortable seating. The view is spectacular on the water with a large front yard. It comes equipped with bikes, canoes, kayaks, paddle boards, row boat and rental pontoon boat. The lake is medium in size (150 acres), very quiet with mostly fishermen. The loons will wake you in the morning and the eagles soar doing their own fishing. It's quite a site. We highly recommend staying at La Bri.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020
Verified

8/10 Good

Joan H.

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

Wonderful Experience

Everything was as presented to us. There was plenty of room for all eight of us to self distance while we were inside and lots of water toys.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

GARY T.

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

A wonderful place to enjoy the outdoors. Everything we needed for a much needed rest.

Excellent
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mike K.

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

Relaxing! Secluded no crowd. Good fishing swimming boating!

Lake view from front of cabin. Very nice four bedroom cabin. Very well furnished. Gazebo included lakeside.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2020
Verified

8/10 Good

Peter K.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location

La Bri a lovely lakeshore cabin

Our family very much enjoyed our visit to the La Bri. The photos from the listing really don't do it justice. The cabin is quite spacious (more like a large house) and each room has its own bathroom. The master bedroom is huge and has its own fireplace and washer/dryer. There is a really lovely (and large) screened-in porch off the back of the house overlooking the lake that is just about perfect. We had most of our meals and family time there. The lake is peaceful and beautiful -- we saw several loons, bald eagles, and swans -- and the kids enjoyed swimming and searching for clams. The fishing was great, especially for late summer. We caught a whole mess of pan fish, and even bagged a massive large mouth bass to top off the week. The rental included several kayaks, paddleboards, canoes, and a small fishing boat which served our family well. There were several bikes available in the garage too. The bike paths in the area were spectacular – nicer than many roads in Wisconsin – and we were close enough to visit a number of hiking trails as well. Boulder Junction is a quaint town and I’d recommend checking out the Guide’s Inn supper club for a great meal. For those with kids, check out the community park and Ice Shanty Drive-In for ice cream. On the whole, we had a great stay and would recommend La Bri to anyone looking for a relaxing trip “up north.” A few places for improvement: While the accommodations were very very good, there are always ways to make it even better. Here’s a short wish list for next time. - Wi-Fi. It’s great to getaway, but these days Wi-Fi feels like a necessity – especially when looking for restaurants or other attractions to visit in a new area. There is no Wi-Fi at the cabin. And cell reception is iffy. - TV reception. There is no TV channel reception. Not a big deal (we don’t watch much) but it would be nice to confirm the weather each day by checking out the local forecast. Especially without cell reception. - Pack-n-play. While one was included in the rental, it was old and a bit rickety and I’d recommend those with little children bring their own until it is replaced. - Trolling motor. A trolling motor included in the rental, but it was slow going across the lake and the batteries didn’t keep much of a charge. It would be great to have a gas motor included in the rental.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

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

Away from it all!!

A perfect family get away spot! Plenty of room for our family of 6. Cabin is nestled in the trees with a wonderful screen porch overlooking the lake. We spent much of our time on the porch eating, playing cards, doing crafts, reading, talking & just soaking in the peace & quiet. My grandkids (5 &7) loved swimming to the raft & jumping off. Son & kids enjoyed paddle boarding and daughter took delight in canoeing at dusk. No one missed TV or the internet as there was so much to do al, week!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019

About the host

Hosted by Rick Sweitzer

Host profile image
Rick, Helen, Christopher, Taylor, and Anna Sweitzer are the proud owners of LaBri. Rick owns and runs an adventure travel company, The Northwest Passage, and Helen is an artist, who runs the Women's program for a large refugee resettlement agency in Chicago. We all love the outdoors, with an emphasis on quiet sports. Skiing, hiking, biking, and paddling are high on our list of loves.

Why they chose this property

We chose this place because of its evident and very good Karma. Located a very easy and drivable distance from Chicago, and smack dab in the midst of the boreal forest, it offers us the instant peacefulness required.

What makes this property unique

You will enjoy the fact that LaBri is not a 'rental' unit. It is our second home, complete with books, artwork, nice furnishings, and tastefully 'knickknacked'. Old skis and snowshoes adorn the walls and the quiet will force you into calm.

Languages:

English
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