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Balsam Lake Howards Fern Hill Cabin

Photo gallery for Balsam Lake Howards Fern Hill Cabin

A wooden cabin with a deck and outdoor seating area.
A cozy cabin interior with large windows, wicker furniture, and a view of the lake.
A spacious cabin with a high ceiling, wooden walls, a staircase, a fireplace, and a cozy seating area with a rug.
A cozy log cabin interior with a stone fireplace, wooden furniture, and large windows.
A wooden cabin with two beds, a balcony, and a window with shutters.

Reviews

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful

Highlights

  • The great outdoors
    Guests love the outdoor space here.
  • Beach equipment
    A rare find — beach equipment ready to go for your days by the sea.
Sleeps 8•4 bedrooms•5 beds

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Air conditioning
  • Barbecue grill
  • Deck or patio
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

View in a map
Balsam Lake, WI
  • Place, Balsam Lake
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, St. Croix Casino Turtle Lake
    ‪25 min drive‬
  • Place, Wild Mountain
    ‪36 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Twin Beds

Bedroom 3

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 4

2 Twin Beds

Living Room 1

2 Double Futons

1 bathroom, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Number of living rooms
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Balsam Lake Howards Fern Hill Cabin

Step back in time without sacrificing comfort in this beautifully preserved historic cabin. Nestled along Balsam Lake in a serene natural setting, this rental blends rustic charm with modern amenities. Originally built in the 1930s, the cabin retains its original hand-hewn beams, vintage wood floors, and stone fireplace, offering an authentic glimpse into the past.
The cozy interior features a welcoming living space, a fully equipped kitchen, lakeside sun porch, and comfortable sleeping arrangements that accommodate up to 8 guests.
Outside, enjoy a spacious nearly 400 feet of lakeshore, sip coffee on the patio, or simply enjoy a spot near the lake to relax while taking in the peaceful surroundings.
Whether you're looking for a romantic retreat or a family vacation this unique cabin invites you to relax, recharge, and experience a bit of living history.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Strip any used beds, gather used towels, and store extra beds
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks, and take out the trash
Turn off the lights, lock the doors, and return the keys
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Important information

You need to know

Property # 4597503
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
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the neighborhood

Balsam Lake

Located in Balsam Lake, this cabin is on the waterfront. Fawn Doe Rosa Wildlife Educational Park and Polk County Fairgrounds are local attractions and those in the mood for shopping can visit Trap Rock Ridge Plaza and Heritage Mall. Looking to get your feet wet? Motor boating, fishing and swimming adventures can be found near the property.
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Map
Balsam Lake, WI

What's nearby

  • Balsam Lake - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Saint Croix River - 23 min drive - 32.6 km
  • St. Croix Casino Turtle Lake - 25 min drive - 33.0 km
  • Wild Mountain - 36 min drive - 48.3 km
  • Somerset Amphitheater - 48 min drive - 72.9 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Balsam Lake Brewery & Market - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Eagle Lounge - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Balsam Lake Lodge & Supper Club - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Blacksmith Shop Bar - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Thirsty Otter - ‬5 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Balsam Lake Howards Fern Hill Cabin pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking?

Onsite parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Balsam Lake Howards Fern Hill Cabin?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Balsam Lake Howards Fern Hill Cabin?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Balsam Lake Howards Fern Hill Cabin located?

Situated on the waterfront, this cabin is steps from Balsam Lake, and within 3 mi (5 km) of Wild Goose Lake and East Lake. Long Lake and Loveless Lake are also within 6 mi (10 km).

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

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

8.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.4/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Travis C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
What a neat place to stay on Balsam. We had a blast at your Oasis and what a patio! Super neat cabin setup as well. Fit our needs for fires, cards and cooking! Would recommend this place to anyone looking for a place to stay on the lake!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Christina f.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice rustic cabin in a heavily wooded area. Beautiful outdoor patio area but bring your bug spray and citronella candles.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

john P.

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

Beautiful rustic vintage cabin

I am a local in the area and rented the cabin for family to stay for a long weekend to attend our daughter's graduation party. Our stay was great. The owners have done a wonderful job keeping the charm of a vintage Balsam Lake cabin. I was a little concerned at first when pulling into the secluded roadway, because there are a few poorly conditioned homes before arriving to the rental cabin. Rest assued, once at the cabin, the beauty of the lake and charm of the cabin more than makes up for it. We met the friendly neighbor next door while he was walking his lovely dog. The owners are updating the landscaping and created one of our favorite places..the fire pit seating area. We swam off the dock, sup, and brought our kayaks to enjoy the lake. I polled my family and their only complaint was...the bathhouse was quite hot during the day. Thank you for a great weekend memory.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025
Response from VrboOwner on Jul 17, 2025
Thank you for the nice review. I appreciate the input on the bathhouse. I will look into adding an AC unit.
Verified

8/10 Good

hanson N.

Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025

About the host

Hosted by Rachel

Host profile image
My family and I are from small town Minnesota. We have found Balsam Lake WI to be a great added place to enjoy time with our children and their families.
We would love to share it with others.

Why they chose this property

Howards Fern Hill gives you a great lake life feel, yet you are only two miles to downtown Balsam Lake by car.
Activities on the lake are abundant, you can enjoy fishing, watersports, or just cruise along miles of shoreline, with 2,054 acres and 65 miles of shoreline. The lake is beautifully dotted with picturesque islands and bays.
While boating you can stop at the marina or visit one of two waterfront restaurants/bars, Balsam Lake Lodge or Thirsty Otter.
Another option is to park at the public boat docks in town bay with an easy walk into town. While in town many establishments offer nightly live music. Attractions include the Balsam Lake Brewery and Market, Docs Pub, KJ's New North, for coffee, sandwiches and ice cream, Viv's Kitchen, Top Spot, Balsam Lake Cafe, and The Barred Owl. You can also go to Wisconsins historic Supperclub, The Indianhead.
Don't miss a visit to the beautiful Polk County Museum or a few boutiques for shopping, the HopSack and Balsam Lake Trading Co. are two.

What makes this property unique

Howards Fern Hill was built around 1935 by the owner of Howards Lumber which was located in Robbinsdale, Minnesota. It is in excellent condition and brings you right back in time when you enter it.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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