Entire home

Northwoods Retreat For All Seasons

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Bowden House on Big St Germain Lake
Enclosed Porch Dinning Option
Living area
Living area
Living area

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 101300 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Air-conditioning
  • Outdoor barbecue
  • Deck or patio
  • Free Wi-Fi

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 3

3 Single Beds

Sitting Area

2 Double Futons

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet

Primary Suite Bath

Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Dining area

About this property

Northwoods Retreat For All Seasons

Welcome to our recently updated lake home located on Big St Germain Lake in Northern Wisconsin. St Germain is a small community located between Minocqua & Eagle River. We hope you will find our place has all the comforts of home and meets all your vacation needs. Our home sits at the rear of the resort with more space between units providing you more privacy. This 1,300 sq ft Ranch features an open floor plan, 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, central air, gas fireplace, 55′ flat screen tv, blue ray dvd player in the living room & a 47’ flat screen / smart tv in the primary bedroom, home is served by Spectrum fiberoptic high speed internet with WIFI throughout the house. We also feature a large dining area, kitchen island, stainless steel appliances & a full length screened porch perfect for morning coffee or enjoy a drink as the day fades away. We’ve recently replaced all the beds with a king in the master bedroom, three twin beds in bedroom #2, two twin beds in bedroom #3 and a top of the line queen futon in the living room making our place perfect fit for larger families or guys / girls weekend getaways to stay in while comfortably sleeping up to 8 people. We have ample parking for trailers if you are bringing your boat, ATVs or snowmobiles.

Our resort sits on Big St Germain Lake, it’s a fantastic fishing lake for musky, walleye, bass & panfish, you’ll also find the lake is popular with boating enthusiast, tubers, jet skis, kayaking or just hanging at our beach swimming. The beach features plenty of sand for castles and kid fun, it’s level and provides a nice gradual drop into the water. Also found along our beach is a volleyball court, playground equipment, community fire pit and fish house. The resort offers numerous boat slips available on a first come first served basis, pontoon, boat, kayak and canoe rentals are available from area vendors. Fiber’s restaurant & bar is located at the front of the resort besides being convenient it has a great dinner menu (one of the best fish fry’s in the area) as well as a great bar to hang out at and watch the sunset over the water. Our resort also sits on both the new ATV trails and the popular Bo Boen snowmobile trail so you never have to trailer to ride, you simply ride down from our cabin and away you go on your adventure as the trails for both run right in front of the resort.

We hope you will discover the beauty the Lakeland area has to offer that has had us hooked since the late 90’s. Vilas County has 563 named lakes and 755 unnamed lakes to explore. Other nearby attractions include golfing at the Whitetail course less than 2 miles away or numerous other area courses (Plum Lake, Timberidge, Trout Lake), 52 miles of well maintained bike and walking trails, mini golf, go carts, horseback riding, Zip Line Course, ATV trails, flea markets, unique northwoods shopping, snow shoe baseball, birding, water ski shows, Bonds Falls (waterfalls) are a short ride away and many great supper clubs & restaurants to experience a traditional Wisconsin fish fry, great steaks, seafood and Italian. The area is known for its spring and summer beauty and fun but there are few places that put on the splendor of fall color like our area does mid-September mid-October. Of course there is prime Musky season that typically runs through October and into the first ice of November. In the winter you will find that our Lodge is a key point on numerous Bo Boen snowmobile trails as Fibber’s Bar & Restaurant pulls them in to warm up and for great food & drink.


Property rents are seasonal.

Summer and Winter prime season. Summer rents are mid-June mid-August property rents for $2095 / week or $350 / night with a 7 night minimum. Winter prime is Christmas to early-March rents for $2095 / week or $350 / night with a 3 day minimum.

Off season rents are mid-August to Christmas and mid-March to mid-June $1695 / week or $275 / night with a 3 night minimum, shorter stays may be granted on request
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available
Barbecue grill

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 9:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

Events allowed: family gatherings
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
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
Parties and events (including family gatherings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 10
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with UK consumer law, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.

About the area

St Germain

Located in St Germain, this holiday home is on the waterfront. Saint Germain Golf Club and St. Germain Golf 9 Hole are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Kemp Natural Resources Station and Big Saint Germain Lake. Travelling with kids? Consider Eliason Hardware and Lumber, or check out an event or a game at Lakeland Hawks Ice Arena. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
St Germain, WI

What's nearby

  • Big Saint Germain Lake - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Lake Content - 9 min drive - 8.3 km
  • Little Saint Germain Lake - 10 min drive - 8.7 km
  • Catfish Lake - 33 min drive - 37.0 km
  • Lake of the Torches Casino - 38 min drive - 48.4 km

Getting around

  • Rhinelander, WI (RHI-Oneida County) - 47 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪DJ's Northwood's Family Restaurant - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Kaig Stand - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Pine Knot Tavern - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪The Timbers Bar & Grill - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Thunderbird Bar & Grill - ‬12 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Northwoods Retreat For All Seasons pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Northwoods Retreat For All Seasons?

As of 9 Apr 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Northwoods Retreat For All Seasons on 9 Apr 2026 start from £262, 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 at Northwoods Retreat For All Seasons?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Northwoods Retreat For All Seasons?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Northwoods Retreat For All Seasons?

Checkout is at 9:00 AM.

Where is Northwoods Retreat For All Seasons located?

This family-friendly St Germain holiday home is located on the waterfront, within 3 mi (5 km) of Big Saint Germain Lake and Saint Germain Golf Club. Eliason Hardware and Lumber and Fawn Lake are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 20 out of 32 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 11 out of 32 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 32 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 32 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 32 reviews

8.6/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Check-in

9.4/10

Communication

9.4/10

Location

9.4/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

8/10 Good

Karla S.

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

Get away vacation St Germain

Quiet, close to the lake, restaurants & not far from Minocqua & St Germain. Easy to rent &check in.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Chad S.

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

awesome place

Great place to stay very clean and nice parking for trailers and trucks
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 14 Sept 2022
Nice to hear your group enjoyed your time in the Northwoods and at our cabin! I heard one of your group placed near the top in the fishing tournament. Hope you can stay with us in the future. Thanks, Dan
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kathleen M.

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

family labor day getaway

great place for a family of 6
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 8 Sept 2021
Glad you enjoyed our place and some time in the northwoods!!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Andrea N.

Perfect!

Guys ice fishing weekend and it was perfect! Plenty of space & comfy! Would definitely stay again!!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Mar 2020
Glad you enjoyed it!! It's also great for Spring & Fall fishing trips =) Hope you make it back sometime soon!!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Thomas H.

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

St Germain vacation home

This vacation home is centrally located between Eagle River and Minocqua, about a block away from Big St Germain lake. It's in a great location for all kinds of activities and dining. The house itself is great for large or small groups with a great kitchen and a large screened in porch. Overall we had a great time and would come back.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

lyle j.

Liked: Communication, location, listing accuracy

Family vacation

Very nice quiet area nice beach play area for children. Wish it had area for outside fire. Dan the owner and Kay the check in person were very nice. Would stay again and may next year
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 14 Aug 2022
Hi Lyle, Glad you enjoyed the house and area. Actually there is a firepit right next to the beach play area for guests to use. I understand you re-booked for next year, great to hear!! Thanks, Dan
Verified

8/10 Good

Bob W.

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

Great week at the lake!

My family and I had a great week at the lake! The cabin was great, plenty of room for all 9 of us. Kids loved the big yard and the beach. A bit of a hike to the lake, but definitely would consider staying again.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Mar 2020
Hi Bob, We know we have one of the most updated cabins at our resort besides the added benefits of WIFI and smart TVs, which is not common with most vacation rentals in the area. We are glad you enjoyed your stay and nice to hear you would come back and rent again. We are a 3-4 minute walk to the beach which we find is a nice trade off with the additional space between cabins and privacy it provides by being located in the back of the resort. The cabins located in the back circle are also considerably larger than the cabins stacked near each other in front which is obviously better for larger groups. We hope we can host your group again in the future!!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Andrea L.

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

Mom Daughter Week

The cabin is beautiful. Centrally located to all the fun places to frequent in the area. We will definitely return and stay again. The cabin is well appointed with everything you can possibly need. The sun room is beautiful and very relaxing to watch the wildlife and enjoy a cup of coffee.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

Christine S.

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

nice property

We had a nice stay. It accomodated our sleeping needs. Was disappointed it was not on the water and did not have a water view. The lake was a couple blocks away from the cabin. Plenty of boat parking at the docks.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 30 Sept 2022
Hi Jeff / Christine, Glad you enjoyed the cabin and found it comfortable. Sorry you didn't have better weather over the weekend. I'm guessing you had Christine book the cabin and did not read the property description where it clearly states we are in the rear of the resort and a 3-4 minute walk to the beach / piers. We hope you decide to return in the future. Thanks, Dan
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jim H.

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

Great Place for Our Family

We enjoyed our stay at Dan's house. Dan and the management staff were prompt with checking in/out and were very accessible. Mid-week, Dan checked in with us on how things were going and more than once told us to contact him with any issues. A large level yard for games and away from busyness, but close enough to walk to the beach, the restaurant, and boat docks. We had no issues docking our boat. We would rent this property again.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Aug 2022
Jim, Glad to hear you had a positive experience and a great time enjoying the cabin/resort and the northwoods. We hope to see you return in the future. Thanks, Dan
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Andrew S.

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

Excellent place to stay

Everything was better than expected. The house was clean. The beds were comfortable. There were plenty of dishes and cooking utensils, and water pressure was good. The water had color in it from the well so we used bottled water. It wasn’t a problem. We enjoyed having a bar and restaurant nearby. Boat slips fill up at meal time but are available outside of that. Also, I was worried about parking. We had 8 cars in the driveway and there is an overflow lot for trailers. Honestly, the place was great and Dan is excellent at communicating.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 28 Jun 2022
We're glad you had a great experience in the area and at the cabin!! The ground water in northern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan have iron in them that gives them that hue, tested often and no issues. Hope to have you back again in the future.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dawn M.

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

Lovely home in the woods

This is a beautiful and comfortable home in a beautiful wooded neighborhood. The setting does not feel like a resort as much as a home in the woods. We played badminton and bocci ball in the yard. The deer come through the yard (looking for handouts) and we had fun feeding them apples. We rented a pontoon boat and kept it at the dock. Just a short drive or walk to the beach and dock. The interior of the home is well furnished with comfortable beds and couches. This is one of the few rentals we've been in that had more than enough comfortable seating in the living room for all of our family. The open floor plan made it easy to socialize even while cooking. My favorite space is the very large screened in porch. Overall one of the nicest homes to be found in northern Wisconsin.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Oct 2022
Dawn, Thank you for your review, we're happy you enjoyed yourself thoroughly in the northwoods & at our cabin. We're happy you found it to be as described on our VRBO web page. We hope you return in the future. Thanks, Dan
Verified

6/10 Okay

Scott S.

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

St Germain

Excellent check in process. Loved the large yard, great for the kids. Distance from lake manageable. Very disappointed with the cleanliness of the property. Spent the first few hours cleaning. For example, screened porch was unusable before we cleaned it. All cushions on furniture very dirty, dusty and full of pollen. Floor very dirty. Master bathroom tub dirty and hair everywhere. Food in sink. Floors dirty and sticky. After we cleaned, much better. Didn’t do a real good cleaning in the screen porch, did enough to use it a little. Old hamburgers in grill.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Jul 2022
Scott - This is terribly disappointing to read, I had reached out to you a couple of times while you were at the property and never did hear back from you. I will be forwarding your comments to our property manager who is also the person you checked in with as she coordinates the cleaning. I know they are terribly understaffed and trying to turnover 12 cabins in 6 hours on Saturdays during peak season but some of the things you mentioned should not be overlooked / sacrificed for time. As far as the porch goes the problem is the windows, they are 25 years old, don't function well, let the pine pollen in this time of year. We are aware of the issue have already contracted to have them replaced in late September for $12k. I hope you give us a chance in the future. Thanks, Dan
Verified

8/10 Good

Linda S.

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

Great place to stay. Nice and quiet. Restaurant great. Would stay again.

Well kept and private.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Scott C.

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

Great getaway!

Great experience renting this cottage. Easy access to lake and snowmobile trails. Cottage was clean and comfortable. Will definitely book again .
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 25 Feb 2022
Glad to hear you enjoyed your time in St Germain and at our home!!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Steven W.

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

.

Beautiful house with great location!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 11 Feb 2022
We are happy you enjoyed your time in the beautiful northwoods and your time at our home!!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dave H.

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

Snowmobile Trip

Perfect location for our group to rent snowmobiles for the weekend. The cabin was nice and cozy, perfect for relaxing by the fire after a day on the trails. It was nice having a full kitchen which we used to prepare breakfast in the mornings and a nice steak dinner one night. Definitely get the fish fry on Friday from Fibbers! We would definitely stay at Dan's cabin again in the future. Thanks Dan!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Jan 2022
Glad to hear your guys weekend went well and you had a good weekend on the trails and the cabin met all your needs. We hope you decide to come back! Thanks, Dan
Verified

8/10 Good

alissa.skibba@yahoo.com a.

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

This property was described appropriately.

This property was described appropriately on the vrbo website. I only wish that we were closer to the water.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 12 Aug 2021
Thanks for staying with us!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Liz B.

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

Great week in Northwoods

We enjoyed our stay at this property. We had a great time in Northwoods. Dan was great emailed us all a,one the way and made sure we had all the information we needed. Great stay!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Aug 2021
Glad you enjoyed your time at our place, thanks for staying with us!!
Verified

8/10 Good

Michelle J.

Liked: Check-in, location, listing accuracy

Great place to relax.

Fairly private home had daily morning visits by does and their fawns. The home desperately needs some TLC (some doors don't close, loose towel rack, door handle doesn't work, etc.), but otherwise was a very comfortable home. Two of the beds were extremely firm which made for less then restful sleep, so beware if you have back problems. The docks are a short walk or a much shorter drive from the house. Overall, my family had a great time.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 4 Aug 2021
Michelle I've taken sometime before I decided to respond to your review. Based on our communications I somewhat expected you'd find something to write about. The home is generally rented solid from mid-May through September so it takes on some wear & tear, unless we are informed about it we don't know what to repair. You and I exchanged messages at least 3 times during & after your stay but not once did you bring these items to my attention. A towel rack, a door handle and a hard closing door turns into our place desperately needs TLC. Yet you sent me a message after your stay stating "I have to mention and I wish I would have mentioned in the review, you have one of the cleanest, best-kept kitchens I've ever seen", I'm sure you enjoyed the living space, convenience of dedicated WI-FI, the screened porch and the newer furniture, the private master suite. In regards to the beds I'm sure you'll be surprised to learn that all 5 twin beds are the same exact beds and were all new at the same time, I find it hard to believe they were found to be different. We will be addressing the items you mentioned in your review as we pride ourselves on keeping the place in good condition and we are constantly trying to update the home and provide a great vacation experience for our renters.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jeff O.

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

Great cottage, thank you!

Great property, just as listed. Owner was very responsive, and friendly. This was the perfect location for a snowmobile trip. Thank you!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Amy O.

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

Comfortable house

This property was clean, quiet , comfortable and near a great restaurant . No lake view but the walk was short! Bed was great as well as en suite bathroom.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Aaron S.

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

Great location and space

We had a great week at the cabin. The location was ideal for activities and outings being so close to the small towns in the area and plenty of hiking and biking trails. The porch made for easy family meals outside and the kitchen has tons of helpful tools and dishes for cooking. Especially given COVID we were glad to have some space between cabins and others in the area.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020
Verified

8/10 Good

Kimberly F.

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

St Germain property

Great size for large families. Very clean and beautiful setting.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jeff P.

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

Great place to stay! Worked out great for our trip and would definitely come back!

I would highly recommend this place for anyone looking for a great place to stay. Huge yard space and awesome porch area to hang out in. Being tucked away up on the hill was nice as it gives you a sense of privacy. Came home one night to 4 deer hanging out in the yard which was nice and really helped tie the entire experience together. Thanks again for the great place to stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Mar 2020
We are very happy to hear you had a great time and enjoyed our place!! Hope we can have you back sometime!

About the host

Hosted by Dan Bowden

Host profile image
We are life long residents of the Madison area. My wife and I have 3 adult daughters and 2 grand children. I am a real estate broker / manager and my wife is an service center manager.

Why they chose this property

We actually use to own a property at the same resort 2003-2006 and sold it because of the age of our daughters and all of their activities. We have continued to visit the area through out the years because we find it completely relaxing and full of activities that we enjoy. We purchased the property in January of 2018 and have invested $60,000 in interior & exterior updates in the first 7 years We hope that the people who rent it love it so much that they will return to our property year in and year out.

What makes this property unique

The house is loaded with all the comforts of home with new linens, towels, fully applianced, new flooring, dedicated WIFI (Spectrum Fiber Optic), newer televisions, furniture, updates to the lighting and baths, there is a gas fireplace, a fully enclosed screened porch with new window and numerous beds to suit the needs of larger groups.

Languages:

English
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