Relaxing Refuge ~ Lakefront ~ Dogs ~ WiFi ~ AC ~ Remote but Not Far

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Entire home

Welcome to Sprucewood, your home away from home!

Enjoy breathtaking sunsets all year round

Living room has lots of seating, great views, games, art supplies, TV, and more!

The deck is your outdoor living room and dining room - with even better views!

Master bedroom has new king bed, desk, and the best view to wake up to!

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

Exceptional

5 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 133500 sq ft

Popular amenities

Parking available
Air conditioning
Kitchen
Dryer
Fireplace

Explore the area

Eagle River, WI

Elmer's Fun Park
‪6 min drive‬
Little Saint Germain Lake
‪8 min drive‬
Snowmobile Hall of Fame Snowmobiling Museum
‪13 min drive‬
Eagle River, WI (EGV-Union)
‪25 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 13)

Bedroom 1 - Master

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2 - Northeast

1 King Bed

Bedroom 3 - North Center

1 King Bed

Bedroom 4 - Basement

1 King Bed

Bedroom 5 - Basement #2

1 Queen Bed and 3 Twin Beds

Living Room - Sleeper Sofa

1 Double Futon and 1 Queen Bed

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio

Porch or lanai

Kitchen

Outdoor play area

Garden

Dining Area

About this property

Spacious dog-friendly private home on the north shore of Dam Lake with amazing sunrises, sunsets, fishing, and more

~ 3,500 square feet designed for gathering/socializing *and separating/recharging

~ Two dogs (no other pets) may be allowed upon express consent of Owner

~ Sleeping room for up to 13 guests

~ 5 updated bedrooms

~ 3 new full bathrooms

~ New and updated amenities - forced air heating, air conditioning, washer/dryer, stove/range, refrigerator, sink, furnishings, beds and bedding, flooring, trim, sliding glass doors and more

~ Lower level game room with second TV area

~ Very accessible to Bear Paw Resort & Campground, Maplewood Resort, and lots of camps! (Woodland, Towering Pines, and Chippewa are the closest)

~ Dam Lake is the largest of the 5-lake Sugar Camp Chain of Lakes, which is surrounded by the American Legion State Forest. The chain is known for its undeveloped shorelines and fantastic fishing with abundant populations of walleye, northern pike, small mouth bass, crappie, bluegill and perch. You can explore 2,300 navigable acres of water - or you can stay home and catch keepers right off the dock.

~ In the winter there is snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice fishing. The Bo-Boen/Sugar Camp snowmobile trail crosses Dam Lake and provides access to hundreds of miles of groomed, well-marked trails right from your doorstep. The rest of the year enjoy the exceptional fishing, beautiful Northwoods forest, and bald eagles, osprey and loons along the chain.

~ From Memorial Day to Labor Day each year, there is a weekly rental policy, Saturday to Saturday, with a three-night rental minimum the rest of the year. Shorter and longer rental periods may be available; please inquire.

~ Rowboat with oars, kayak, and 2 stand-up paddle boards included at no cost; trolling motor and fishing/skiing boat available for rent.

~ The lake frontage welcomes you to sandy bottom swimming, shallow enough for wading and deep enough at the raft for diving. The private dock has plenty of room for your boats - even with ours there.

~ Great for a spring fishing trip, summer family vacation, fall getaway, or a fun-filled winter outing whether you're a solo traveler, extended family, or group of friends. There's something for everyone every season at Sprucewood - including convenient access to Eagle River, St. Germain, Minocqua, Rhinelander, and the UP.

We look forward to welcoming you to Sprucewood. We hope you find it very easy to get to and very hard to leave!

Liz & Jonathan

Property manager

Liz Kunkle

Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Pet friendly

Free WiFi

Air conditioning

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Stand up paddle boards and kayaks for guests use!

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 25

Check out before 9:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs less than 50 lbs per pet (limit 2 pets total)

Dogs only w/ owner approval

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Smoking is allowed outside the house only

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

Eagle River

Located in Eagle River, this vacation home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Vilas County Historical Museum and Northwoods Petroleum Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Elmer's Fun Park and Eliason Hardware and Lumber. Traveling with kids? Consider Eagle Falls Adventure Golf & Laser Tag and Kartway. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

View more Vacation Homes in Eagle River

Eagle River, WI

What's nearby

North Nokomis Lake - 5 min drive - 3.9 km
Elmer's Fun Park - 6 min drive - 4.4 km
Little Saint Germain Lake - 8 min drive - 5.6 km
Snowmobile Hall of Fame Snowmobiling Museum - 13 min drive - 12.0 km
Big Saint Germain Lake - 15 min drive - 12.7 km

Getting around

Rhinelander, WI (RHI-Oneida County) - 41 min drive

Restaurants

‪Pitlik's Sand Beach Resort - ‬8 min drive
‪D J' S Northwoods Family Restaurant - ‬11 min drive
‪Spang's Italian Restaurant - ‬9 min drive
‪Honey Bear Inn Tavern - ‬16 min drive
‪New Twilight Bar & Grill - ‬8 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Relaxing Refuge ~ Lakefront ~ Dogs ~ WiFi ~ AC ~ Remote but Not Far pet-friendly?

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

What time is check-in at Relaxing Refuge ~ Lakefront ~ Dogs ~ WiFi ~ AC ~ Remote but Not Far?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Relaxing Refuge ~ Lakefront ~ Dogs ~ WiFi ~ AC ~ Remote but Not Far?

Check-out is at 9:00 AM.

Where is Relaxing Refuge ~ Lakefront ~ Dogs ~ WiFi ~ AC ~ Remote but Not Far located?

This family-friendly Eagle River vacation home is located on the waterfront, within 3 mi (5 km) of North Nokomis Lake, Elmer's Fun Park and Wisconsin River. Little Saint Germain Lake and Little Mamie Lake are also within 6 mi (10 km).

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.

Learn more

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Ethan M.

Feb 24, 2025

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

Bachelor party

Beautiful home that’s perfect for a large group! Plenty of parking and lots of room inside for everyone to be comfortable. Host was very helpful and informative.

Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Amy B.

Feb 12, 2025

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

Ice Fishing Weekend

The property was very nice and clean.The heating of the basement and master bedroom could use improvement. It was cold in those areas and we were not able to get those rooms to a desirable temperature.

Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Gregory W.

Jan 15, 2025

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

Winter escape

This was our third winter trip to Sprucewood and it was probably our best so far. Not much snow but plenty of cold for safe thick ice on the lake for skating. Snowmobilers and ice fishermen were enjoying too! It was so nice enjoying the outdoors and then being able to retreat to the warm comfort of the house. Just a great family time trip that came and went much too fast. Can’t wait to get back!

Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jeni T.

Nov 7, 2024

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

November 2024

As always, Sprucewood “did its magic”…relaxing and “finding ourselves again”…looking forward to our return in 2025!!!

Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Emily P.

Sep 25, 2024

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

Fall Fishing Getaway

We absolutely loved our stay at Liz and Jon's property! The home was spacious, clean and had every amenity you might need. The pier was large enough for all of us to sit, relax and fish (we caught many!) and we loved visiting the surrounding towns for shopping and having a drink at local breweries. Our puppy loved sniffing around the backyard and laying on the dock with us. Also, the hosts were always responsive leading up to and during the trip. We definitely want to come back in the future!

Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Mallory M.

Sep 16, 2024

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

Relaxing get away!

We had a great time at the cabin. We really enjoyed the big deck, which had a gate for our dogs, the bonfire pit, and the dock was very, very nice! Loved sitting out on the dock at night and looking up at the stars. Tons of bedrooms and space for our family and friends. The host was amazing at communicating. We had one small issue and she remedied it immediately and checked back in on us, which we appreciated very much. Overall it was a great stay.

Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nick A.

Sep 2, 2024

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

Fantastic Labor Day weekend!

We had a fantastic time this Labor Day weekend! The house offered ample space for our family and friends, and the stunning lake views were a highlight. The crystal-clear water was perfect for swimming. Every guest had only positive things to say about their stay. Thank you for such a memorable experience; we’re already looking forward to our next visit in 2025!

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tom M.

Aug 31, 2024

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

Great for Clan

The layout of Sprucewood was perfect for our 5 family groups totalling 13, plus 2 dogs. Our favorites - paddleboards; outdoor pingpong; privacy of bathrooms; good sized bedrooms; lots of parking; big dock with rug and comfy chairs; sturdy, well-lit stairs to the lake; separate common areas (kids loved the basement and living room with games, adults liked hanging in the kitchen and deck) but large enough for all of us; yard space to play; deck with gate for the little boys and dogs, well, the big dog (the little dog jumped through the spindles to get the chipmunk.) Weather was great and we had a wonderful time! Thank you!!

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kristin T.

Aug 26, 2024

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

Wonderful stay on Dam Lake!

Our extended family group had a great week at this comfortable home! Nice to have so many king beds available. The kitchen was well-equipped and the living spaces comfortable. The dock area was really nice and spacious for hanging out-- although potential renters should be aware that there are steep steps between house and dock. We enjoyed the fire pit and other outdoor hangout spots. The location in St. Germain is central to lots of great activities and nearby towns. The hosts and caretakers are helpful and communicative. All in all a great find!

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Herb B.

Aug 11, 2024

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

Sprucewood

A+. Roomy, cozy and well equipped. Great Lake view and dock area. Steps down to Lake manageable, but fairly steep and a bit challenging for older folks or those with orthopedic issues.

Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gregory W.

Jul 23, 2024

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

Home away from home

Another stellar summer vacation at Sprucewood with family. So nice to enjoy all the access to nature at your doorstep and then be able to retreat to the creature comforts of the beautiful home away from home. We fished, swam, kayaked, hiked, paddle boarded, roller bladed, road bikes and took some long boat rides through the Sugar Camp Chain. The evenings were filled with puzzling, campfires and movie nights. The only downside you will encounter is having to leave on check out day. Already looking forward to our next visit! Thank you Liz and Jonathan for sharing your little slice of heaven in the northwoods!

Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jamie W.

Jul 7, 2024

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

We love Sprucewood!

This was our second time staying at Sprucewood and once again, it did not disappoint. We are a family of 13 (6 adults and 7 teens ages 19, 19, 19, 18, 16, 15, and 13). The teens enjoyed the basement and pool table along with the board games. The adults loved the cozy living room and king beds. The pier is perfect! Great for hanging out and relaxing as well as handy for your boat. This time around we brought our 2 dogs and they had a blast. The house is perfect for a dog family. There’s a nice retractable gate on the deck so the dogs could hang out without people having to watch them. They loved the yard and enjoyed playing with the dog next door. The neighborhood is excellent for dog walking too! Overall, we enjoyed our second time at Sprucewood. It has everything a large family needs!! Liz is a wonderful host who was quick to respond. Chris was a really great property manager who took care of our needs quickly. I highly recommend this lovely home on beautiful Dam Lake!

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Deborah S.

Jul 1, 2024

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

Perfect Family Vacation Spot

Sprucewood provided ample space and a variety of fun family activities for all ages! We spent countless hours fishing, swimming and enjoying the view from the large pier on Dam Lake. On our 1 rainy day we found games galore inside the home. It is obvious that the owners are always thinking about their guests. Each year our grandkids ask, "What's new this year?" We look forward to returning next summer!

Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

SANDY L.

Jun 20, 2024

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

wonderful family vacation

Liz was great, very clear communication. The house was beautiful as was the view. We had not gotten together as a family for quite a while and this is a perfect place to do this. The house is very well stocked with everything that we needed and very, very clean, We enjoyed many days out on the deck as well as many family meals. The lake itself is beautiful, loons are my favorite bird, and I got to hear them every night. Fishing was also very good. We had a fish fry on our last night. I would highly recommend staying here.

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Heather N.

Jun 13, 2024

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

They thought of everything

The house was fantastic, great layout with thoughtful amenities for each guest. We spent a lot of time indoors due to the weather and couldn’t have asked for a better place to hang out, Make meals and Play games with the group.

Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jeni T.

May 24, 2024

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

May 2024

Absolutely fabulous home!! Can’t wait to return!!

Stayed 7 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rick S.

Feb 21, 2024

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

Sprucewood

The property was very nice and clean upon arrival. We had a wonderful time during our stay and were glad that we chose Sprucewood. It definitely worked well for our family.

Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

william g.

Jan 21, 2024

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

Jan 19th - Jan 21st

Wonderful space for all ages to enjoy

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gregory W.

Jan 7, 2024

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

New Year Escape Trip

This was our second winter trip to Sprucewood and it did not disappoint! We were looking to escape for some uninterrupted family time and it worked out great. From being greeted by a large warmly lit holiday wreath over the garage as we pulled in just after dark on our first evening to the first dusting of snow of the new year on our check out day, it was the perfect spot to relax and recharge. Every time we come to Sprucewood there are new welcome surprises. From small decorative changes to functional improvements (love the new gate to help keep our 4 legged friend from wandering off the deck by herself), you can tell the Kunkles are all in and take care of the place! We had some great family time in the warm well stocked house with all the creature comforts you could ask for. Hoping to make a winter trip to Sprucewood part of our regular plans!

Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jeni T., Ellison Bay

Nov 14, 2023

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

Home away from home

Our “happy place” and the place we envision when “daily life” pushes us to our limits. We have been staying in this home since May of 1987….and this home is “the epitome of vacation and relaxation” for us….and the current “owners/hosts” have brought life back to the property with many new amenities….

Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Bradley L.

Sep 6, 2023

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

Labor Day fun

We had a great time! The house was spacious and the warm Labor Day weekend gave us lots of lake time. Thank you. We hope to return next season.

Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nicole W., Milwaukee

Sep 1, 2023

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

2nd Visit

This is our 2nd summer vacationing here. We love it! There’s plenty of space for everyone to gather together or spread out and peacefully do crafts, play games, and read books. Also, this year, they set up a swing and activity rope in the front yard. The kids loved it! The owners also added onto the pier so there’s a sitting space and more room to fish or just lounge and enjoy the beautiful view. The kitchen has all the items we need to make meals, which we appreciate since we cook most of the time. Such a peaceful home. We look forward to our next visit!

Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jamie W.

Jul 30, 2023

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

Absolutely Perfect!

This was our 15th year going to the St. Germain area. We have a family of 12 (6 adults, 6 teens) and this was our first year staying at Sprucewood. We had stayed at a house in St. Germain for years but the owners retired and now live there permanently. We have been searching for the perfect house since then and we finally found it in Sprucewood! Not only is it a beautiful property, but the house was incredibly comfortable for all of our family members. This is the first year that EVERYONE had a comfortable place to sleep. We loved that there were king beds in 4 of the bedrooms. The four basement beds were perfect for our 4 teen boys. The whole family enjoyed the pool table and ping pong. One thing we loved is that we were supplied with fluffy shower towels! We had all of the amenities at Sprucewood! We spent a lot of time on the deck and taking walks around the lovely neighborhood. We were less than 10 mins from St. Germain so it was easy to get to the grocery store and shopping in Eagle River/Minocqua. Dam Lake is great! Not a lot of traffic and easy to get around. We found a few sandbars to hang out on with the kids. Liz was an amazing host. She was very responsive to our communication. Jason stopped by for a quick check-in and was able to promptly supply us with more toilet paper. Overall, this was one of our best trips and it was primarily due to the comforts of Sprucewood. We've already booked our next trip in 2024. We can't wait to go back!

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gregory W.

Jul 28, 2023

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

Another Sprucewood Memory

The years keep flying by for us but we are so thankful for our Sprucewood vacations. Another amazing visit to Sprucewood to add to our treasure chest of family memories! If you are looking for a place where all you need to add for a good time are your friends and family, this is it! The accommodations, amenities and location are first rate and each year it seems to get a little better. We loved the extra pier space this year and the little extra touches that you will find will make you feel like it is a home away from home. Already looking forward to our next visit, just wish we freeze time to get there!

Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Emily M.

Jul 25, 2023

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

Really Perfect

This house was really perfect. They had so many small details (a million games, step stools, and fresh herb plants), and everyone in my group from the 70 year olds to the babies enjoyed it. The house is very family friendly with a great basement that is accessed by a door so you don't need to be scared of your child falling down the stairs. There are quite a bit of stairs going down to the dock but it was very doable to carry kids and a bag down them without too much effort. However, there is a nice public dock a few minutes away if the stairs are too much for someone to get on a boat. The little kids all enjoyed the sandy bottom of the water and we could have spent all day enjoying the water and dock (if the weather was better). I also met the housekeeper very randomly and she was SO nice. The quality of the outdoor furniture was superb. They had nice covers over them so we could keep them dry and clean and they were probably my favorite part.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

About the host

Hosted by Liz Kunkle

We always joked that if we opened a Bed & Breakfast, Liz would be the 'Bed' and Jonathan would be the 'Breakfast.' We are so excited to share our home and vision with our guests.

Our family has attended and supported Camp Woodland for Girls and Camp Towering Pines for Boys for three generations. We hoped to find property that would allow us to spend even more time in the area and were lucky enough to find Sprucewood in 2020.

The house has great indoor and outdoor space for relaxing, gathering (and separating!), and warm and wonderful southern lakefront exposure with stunning views. It is too perfect for us. We hope it is perfect for you and yours too.

Why they chose this property

We have enjoyed spending time in and around Eagle River for generations. As our kids started attended Camp Woodland and Towering Pines years ago, we spent more and more time here in the summers, appreciating the opportunities to relax and recharge on land and on the water. Sprucewood is conveniently located in the town of Sugar Camp, between Eagle River, St. Germain, Minocqua, and Rhinelander. The property has a stunning south-facing view of Dam Lake in the 5-lake Sugar Camp Chain of Lakes, which is surrounded by the American Legion State Forest. Most of the Chain's shoreline, including Dam Lake's 7-mile shoreline, is undeveloped.

The serenity and beauty of the Northwoods are unmatched. You are truly in one of the most peaceful places in the world. The lake is beautiful, great for boating and waterskiing, part of the Sugar Camp Chain of Lakes, and has fantastic fishing (Dam Lake is a Class A muskie lake). Within just a few miles, you can find horseback riding, go carting, miniature golf, wildlife parks, laser tag, tubing or canoeing down the Wisconsin River, nature trails, cross country skiing, hiking trails, miles of paved bike trails, fishing guides & tournaments, many 18 hole golf courses, snowmobiling, and much more. Whatever the season, there is something for everyone at the Sugar Camp Chain of Lakes.

What makes this property unique

We loved the home at first sight, but we also had a vision for how it could be improved. With luck, a lot of hard work, and a great local team, we are excited to make that vision a reality for us and our guests.

New forced air heating, central AC, electrical systems, ceiling fans, and sliding glass doors create a climate of comfort. 25mb of WiFi (ample for Zoom calls and movie downloads), flat screen TVs, and an updated cable TV service add modern convenience. Two existing bathrooms were entirely redone with generous step-in showers and updated accessories. A new laundry room and third bathroom were created in formerly unused basement space. Three beds were upgraded to king-size from full-size, and new bedding and towels are provided throughout for every bed and guest. The kitchen has a new pantry, refrigerator, range, microwave, hood, and sink, as well as new indoor and outdoor dishes, serving ware, glasses, and utensils. New hardwood floors, plank flooring, knotty pine, hickory, and other wood accents, and a fresh coat of paint add the finishing touches.

The home also has a great location, being south-facing on Dam Lake, which is part of the Sugar Camp Chain of Lakes & in the American Legion State Forest. The home has easy access by boat to 2,300 acres of navigable water and equally easy access by car and snowmobile to Eagle River, St. Germain, Minocqua, Rhinelander, and more.