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Waterfront Cottage on Magnificent Rainy Lake

Photo gallery for Waterfront Cottage on Magnificent Rainy Lake

June sunset at the Davis House.
Enjoying a late June evening on the waterfront.
June 2016. The sun sets right in front of the house from May through August.
July view from the deck.
Early July evening.

Reviews

10 out of 10

Exceptional

3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Beach view
    Beach view
  • Washer
    Washer
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grill
  • Pet friendly
    Pet friendly
  • Outdoor Space
    Outdoor Space

Explore the area

Map
Ranier, MN
  • Bronko Nagurski Museum
    6 min drive
  • Smokey Bear Park
    6 min drive
  • St. Thomas Aquinas Parish
    6 min drive
  • International Falls, MN (INL-Falls Intl.)
    9 min drive

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Lakeside Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

Master Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

The One with the Bathroom

1 Double Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

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

About this property

Waterfront Cottage on Magnificent Rainy Lake

This rustic cottage right on the shore of Rainy Lake in the village of Ranier is the perfect basecamp for exploring the natural wonders of Northern Minnesota and Voyageur's National Park--or just kicking back, unplugging and hanging out with the locals.

In the Davis family for nearly 100 years, this waterfront cabin features knotty pine paneling and huge windows overlooking the lake in both the living room and porch. A deck that opens off the porch will be your new favorite spot for catching spectacular Sand Bay sunsets from spring to fall. A wide lawn runs down to the breakwater, where you can swim in the cold, clear water of the Rainy, or sit around the fire pit right on the shoreline.

The Davis House is a great place to relax and spend time with your family, fish the Rainy (no dock on the property, but we can help you find one if you need it), snowmobile (there's a groomed trail just one block away that you can sled to right from the house) or rent long-term for local area work.

Kids love the nearby beach, swimming off the breakwater and exploring the shoreline. An Alumacraft canoe, paddles, life-preservers and other water toys are yours to use at the house, as well as a picnic table, garage (perfect for our winter guests), two vintage Schwinns and almost anything else you'll need to enjoy your stay in the Rainy Lake Country.

The friendly municipal liquor store (the Ranier Muni) is just a three-block walk away. There's an ice cream parlor just down the shoreline at Tara's Wharf, along with fresh-brewed beer at Loony's Brew, a public boat-launch ramp, the new Cantilever Distillery with hipster bar and restaurant right across the street, and truly fantastic cooking at the Rainy Lake Grill.

The entire expanse of Rainy Lake--with its thousands of islands, Voyageur's National Park, renowned walleye and bass fishing--is right outside your door. And if you just want solitude or a quiet place to write your memoirs, Ranier has long been a haven for writers and painters and artists of every kind.

Property manager

Phillomena Davis

Languages

English

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet friendly
Free WiFi
Outdoor Space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

Pets allowed
No cats, please.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Smoking outside is ok, but please not in the house
No checking work emails.
No complaining about the weather.
Three hugs every day!

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 first aid kit

We should mention

A car is required for transportation to and from this property

About the neighborhood

Ranier

Located in Ranier, this cottage is on the waterfront. St. Thomas Aquinas Parish and The Fort Frances Museum are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Voyageurs National Park and Rainy Lake Visitor Center. Traveling with kids? Consider Fort Frances Public Library, or check out an event or a game at Memorial Sports Centre. Enjoy the area's slopes with cross-country skiing, and don't miss out on the ice skating and snowmobiling.
Map
Ranier, MN

What's nearby

  • Smokey Bear Park - 6 min drive
  • St. Thomas Aquinas Parish - 6 min drive
  • The Fort Frances Museum - 6 min drive
  • Voyageurs National Park - 13 min drive
  • Rainy Lake Visitor Center - 17 min drive

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Tim Hortons - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪La Place Rendez-Vous Hotel - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Border Bar Pizza Parlor - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Boston Pizza - ‬8 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Waterfront Cottage on Magnificent Rainy Lake pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Waterfront Cottage on Magnificent Rainy Lake?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Waterfront Cottage on Magnificent Rainy Lake?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Waterfront Cottage on Magnificent Rainy Lake located?

Located on the waterfront, this family-friendly cottage is within 6 mi (10 km) of Bronko Nagurski Museum, Fort Frances Public Library, and Smokey Bear Park. The Fort Frances Museum and Townshend Theatre are also within 6 mi (10 km).

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. 118 out of 125 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 125 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 125 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 125 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 125 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Melynda B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Northwoods cabin
The Davis Home was perfect for our family. It was in walking distance to an ice-cream shop, bar and restaurant. The home is unique and cozy with all the needed amenities and more. There is a sand beach next door and a great boat put in walking distance to the house. We hope to return again.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Paula B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Relaxing getaway
Always enjoy our time here. Looking forward to next year!
Stayed 9 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Paula B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Relaxing getaway
We always enjoy our visit. Looking forward to next year!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Stu’s on Rainey Lake
Gray views and well stocked! Loved the kitschy vibe!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ryann R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Cottage
This cottage is in the perfect location. We did a lot of fishing, had ice cream down the road at Tara's, the kids went swimming and we were able to go into Canada to have dinner one night. Great hosts and communication from them was great. The cottage had everything we needed. We would recommend this cottage and would love to come back again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Carey A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Clean cabin with amazing view
We enjoyed our stay at Davis House. The cabin is slightly outdated, but it is very clean and has everything you need. It is in a beautiful location and has amazing view. Our kids enjoyed swimming at the nearby city beach.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful Stay
We spent a week here and enjoyed our stay! The house has everything you need for a comfortable stay and the location of the house is amazing!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Clayton D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful Lake Home
Perfect base point location to enjoy the area. There are a couple of restaurants within walking distance. The lake is in the backyard and this is a great area for road biking. The house is well insulated, you can barely hear the train from inside the house. Everything was exactly as described, no surprises.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Daniel Michael M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great
Great location and the house has a neat throwback feel. Beautiful views and proximity to many locations at Voyageurs and beyond. Would definitely book again. Only drawback was bathroom location (must pass through one bedroom to access).
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brittany P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing Lake View and Location
The view of the lake from the living room is amazing. It was so nice being right on the lake. Our daughter enjoyed swimming in the lake as it was just a few steps into a sandy bottom. The town of Ranier was a short walk while still being private. We loved grabbing ice cream at Tara’s and dinner at the distillery. The house was more spacious than we expected and we were able to make the weird bathroom work for us. It was nothing fancy but very functional and everything we needed, including the Hamms!! If we are back in the area, we will definitely stay here again!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Deanna S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
So peaceful!
You’ll enjoy your stay here. While the bathroom is tiny, everything else more than makes up for it! It’s perfectly located if you’re visiting Voyageurs, it’s well stocked, and it’s just a short distance to International Falls and good restaurants.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Scott F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fishing
Great
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sarah W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Another great time at Rainy Lake!
We've stayed here many times and it's always wonderful! Phillomena and Mike are the best hosts ever - super responsive, friendly, caring, and give great recs! We love coming here and it's such a cozy cabin with everything you need to have a relaxing stay. Even though the lake earned it's name for much of our trip (it was quite rainy, to be expected in the spring!) we had another great getaway here and enjoyed ourselves - thanks again!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

jason g.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Cabin
Great cabin, beautiful location, amazing hosts perfect communication
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Steve O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
At home in the north woods
This was a delightful home to spend quiet time with family in one of the most beautiful places imaginable. The hosts were wonderful to work with. We hope to go back sometime soon.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Catherine H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Location for Stargazing
We went on our first trip in 15 years without our children- which was exciting and terrifying! The check in process was great. I had no problem with the "weird bathroom"- it's listed and the owners acknowledge it's odd, but the history behind "why" it may be that way was interesting. We visited Voyageurs Park to stargaze- but it was too cold to stay out for long. We went back slightly disappointed but decided to set our telescope up in the living room. It was perfect (and warm)! Amenities were exactly as advertised, great location, helpful owners, and plenty of things to do, even in winter months. The home doesn't have a ton of upgrades, which is perfect. It makes the home cozy, and gives you a break from the fast paced lifestyles we all lead now. What would be great to upgrade? Probably just a garage door opener and a humidifier for the winter months. Either way- we would most definitely stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jeffrey H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cozy Cottage
Loved it. Outstanding location with a million dollar view.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kim C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Good Size Cozy Cabin
The Davis cabin is a perfect hang-out spot. Whatever the weather, this cabin has the space and amenities to accommodate. It is exactly as described – thanks to our hosts Phillomena and Mike for being so kind and responsive. We are hoping to book another stay very soon!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jenn D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Peace and calm
Mike and Philomena are great hosts. No issues. Beautiful place with lots of good energy.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Paula B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely lakeside home
Our second time here. We enjoyed our stay just as much as the first time.
Stayed 21 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Erin R., York, Pennsylvania

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great cottage close to Voyageurs National Park
This cottage was a great home base for us to visit Voyageurs National Park. We spent the days at the park and the evening at the cottage making dinner and relaxing with a beautiful view. The sunsets were amazing from the back yard. The kids loved to swim in Rainy Lake. The cottage itself was extremely clean and well stocked with anything you could think of. We used the washer/dryer many times and they were a great addition to the rental. The house was in a great location in that you could walk to restaurants (We had a nice meal at Rainy Lake Grill) and ice cream! I'm not sure our travels will take us back to Northern Minnesota, but if so - we will be back at this gem of lodging!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

LaMont K., Fridley, Mn

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful view
We enjoyed the property the only thing negative would be that the only bathroom is in a bedroom and that there is no dock for your boat. Even with that we still had a wonderful time!!!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Joe F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great location
The cabin worked great for our family vacation! Being on the lake and close to restaurants is the best of both worlds.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Judith H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing location
Comfortable home at a really wonderful location. Would definitely return.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rob U.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cozy Cottage
Very cute cottage right on the lake. Had everything that we needed. Great cottage!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

About the host

Hosted by Phillomena Davis

Host profile image
Mike and Phillomena Davis manage the Davis homestead rentals and visit the cabin frequently. We live in the Twin Cities but have many friends and relatives throughout the area.

Why they chose this property

This property has been in the Davis family for almost 100 years. The location, with its proximity to both Rainy River and Rainy Lake and Canada right across the bay, has been a historic gathering spot for native Americans, fur traders and adventurers for hundreds of years. From this point you can travel by boat more than 30 miles into the Canadian wilderness in three different directions or head up to Kettle Falls on the U.S. side 40 miles more. There is really no other lake in Minnesota that has so many unique features. It is a true, Canadian Shield body of water with a granite shoreline, hundreds of bays and inlets and deep, cold water. You can spend a lifetime exploring it, and many have done just that.

What makes this property unique

This is not your typical Minnesota "piney woods cabin." It is truly a rustic lake home and part of the fascinating culture of the village of Ranier. Yes, the lake is there with all of its attractions. But this location has so much more that keeps us coming back year after year: the trains! The smell of the air! The wildness of the lake and the idea that you can take a boat out in almost direction, and if you go far enough and you're not familiar with the area, you may have a hard time finding your way back!

Languages:

English
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