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Country Retreat Nestled in Wooded Valley

Photo gallery for Country Retreat Nestled in Wooded Valley

My home in the forest
Exterior
summer's gardens
Spring lilacs blooming
Misty spring day

Reviews

9.6 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% of guest reviews in this area
4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 14

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Outdoor space
  • Parking available

Explore the area

View in a map
Spring Grove, MN
  • Place, Beaver Creek Valley State Park
    ‪14 min drive‬
  • Place, La Crosse Center
    ‪48 min drive‬
  • Place, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
    ‪51 min drive‬
  • Airport, La Crosse, WI (LSE-La Crosse Municipal)
    ‪52 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 14)

Bedroom 4

1 Single Bed

Jesse's Room- bedroom 3

1 Single Bed

Living Room 1

1 Double Sofa Bed

Master Bedroom 1

1 King Bed, 1 Queen Bed and 2 Cribs

Meadow's Room-bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Towels provided · Bathtub · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Country Retreat Nestled in Wooded Valley

This spacious home is nestled in a wooded clearing, giving you privacy and delight in the life of the forest surrounding you. The birdfeeder has flocks of birds visiting all year with delightful variety! We offer all the comforts of home since we also come here for our haven getaway. We have collected art, antiques and nature treasures. Enjoy reading my son's journal of the beavers living in the valley with maps of the dams and lodges!
Red Oak post and beam construction have created an open kitchen, dining room and comfortable living room. A separate family room offers an extensive library and entertainment center plus another sleeping area for 2 with use of downstairs bathroom. Large windows and a sun room give views of perennial gardens, bird traffic to the bird feeder and bath, cheeky chipmunks and squirrels running on the garden fence and silent deer. Sunlight warms the golden hues of the oak floors, wainscoting, furniture and butternut cabinets. The heated sunporch offers a lush jungle of flowering plants and herbs year round.
3 bedrooms upstairs and a hall space have beds for 8, dressers and closets. (one large bedroom has a queen and king bed in it.) An upstairs bathroom has a claw foot tub for a cozy soak.
Because we are opening our home to you with so many personal touches, we ask that you don't come here for a drinking party weekend.
The yard offers a picnic table and lawn chairs, a badminton net, a stone fire pit for roasting marshmallows or hot dogs and relaxing by the fire's glow in the dark forest with its night sounds. There is a charcoal grill. In season, the garden may have tomatoes, herbs, cucumbers, peppers. The yard and grassy clearings in the woods have scrumptious wild berries to pick; red raspberries, strawberries, black caps mid summer and big blackberries in August and September. You can see eagles and hawks soaring above and in the spring and fall, flocks of geese pass over with their plaintive honks.
Explore West Beaver Valley. Hike dry runs for crystal rocks, fossils and hidden waterfalls cut deep in the rock. Climb the bluffs to rock outcroppings with caves and wild inhabitants! Follow West Beaver Creek, rich with rare songbirds, herons, kingfishers, a mallard hiding her ducklings in the weeds. Wade or be brave and swim in a deep refreshing pool! Hike the mowed trails in Beaver Park. Take a tour of historic Schech's Mill and buy cornmeal or buckwheat flour, all within a mile!
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 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
Please leave shoes in the entry. Sort your garbage into paper, recycle, trash and compost pail. Leave kitchen clean and dishes done.

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
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: 16
This property uses solar and geothermal energy, plus eco-friendly cleaning products
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 first aid kit

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts
A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Spring Grove

Located in Spring Grove, this holiday home is in a rural area. Beaver Creek Valley State Park and Root River reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Houston Nature Center and Spring Grove Aquatics Center. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
View more Holiday homes in Spring GroveOpens in a new window
Map
Spring Grove, MN

What's nearby

  • Beaver Creek Valley State Park - 14 min drive - 9.2 km
  • La Crosse Center - 48 min drive - 51.9 km
  • Viterbo University - 49 min drive - 52.6 km
  • University of Wisconsin-La Crosse - 51 min drive - 53.7 km
  • Winona State University - 57 min drive - 73.7 km

Getting around

  • La Crosse, WI (LSE-La Crosse Municipal) - 42 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪KWIK TRIP #733 - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪The Wired Rooster - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Good Times Restaurant & Bar - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Subway - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Elsie's - ‬15 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Country Retreat Nestled in Wooded Valley pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Country Retreat Nestled in Wooded Valley ?

As of 10 Mar 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Country Retreat Nestled in Wooded Valley on 10 May 2026 start from £107, 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 Country Retreat Nestled in Wooded Valley ?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Country Retreat Nestled in Wooded Valley ?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Country Retreat Nestled in Wooded Valley ?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Country Retreat Nestled in Wooded Valley located?

This family-friendly Spring Grove holiday home is located in a rural location, 1 mi (1.6 km) from Beaver Creek Valley State Park, and within 9 mi (15 km) of Root River and Houston County Historical Society. Houston Nature Center and Spring Grove Aquatics Center are also within 12 miles (20 km).

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

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. 69 out of 88 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 16 out of 88 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 88 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 88 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 88 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Staff & service

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

8/10 Good

Sherry S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fun, unique place in beautiful location. Lynn was very friendly! Was unusually warm so was a little warm. Beautiful valley but a little tricky to navigate.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christopher W.

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

Great spot!

Perfect place for friends to gather for a relaxing weekend in the area. Lynn was a fantastic host and the stay was fantastic!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Robert N.

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

Beautiful spot in the woods

Absolutely wonderful place. The home, the location, all of it was great.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Abbigail V.

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

Great Stay

Was a fantastic stay. It was beautiful and peaceful. Lynn was an amazing and so nice when greeting us. Definitely a very different lifestyle than I’m used to but very lovely stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dale E.

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

Country Getaway

Lynn's home in the woods was the perfect spot to stay while attending a family reunion. The setting back in the woods is beautiful with all the flora and fauna. Lynn made sure there was a run down of all the activities in the area, as well as favorite things to do in the woods and streams around the house. We went in the heat of July so care had to be taken to keep the house cool and well ventilated. The whole home was very well stocked, we wanted for nothing. Thanks for letting us stay!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Melanie N.

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

Peaceful Retreat

We were looking for a quiet and peaceful getaway and this property delivered. Definitely enjoyed the location. Woukd recommend to others.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brandon B.

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

comfortable & quiet

We had a great stay. Rustic enough to feel like a cabin. Comfortable enough for the kiddos.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Lovely place in the woods

Beautiful, well appointed. One of the very best we’ve rented
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jessica L.

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

Perfect for a relaxing bachelorette party!

Clean, quaint, and relaxing. We loved sitting outside watching all the birds!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Katie F.

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

Beautiful wooded retreat

The house was so homey and comfortable, most especially because it was lovingly built and lived in as a home. The woods were peaceful. We loved exploring the area and the land around the house.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tina G.

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

Beautiful house in the valley

Beautiful house in the valley, the discription of the place is accurate. I highly recommend!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

8/10 Good

Benjamin M.

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

Beautiful Setting

This comfortable, unique home afforded us a great getaway from the cities for the weekend with great access to bike trails, breweries, distilleries, and the mill. We enjoyed our time in the surrounding area as equally as our time playing family games and sitting in the woods last room at the house.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

M H.

Great Accommodation

The cabin in the woods offered all we needed for a Thanksgiving celebration with the five of us. Plus a piano (needs tuning) to boot. We had a great time and loved the surrounding hills. A trip to the Marine Arts Museum in Winona was the reason for selecting this location.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2015

8/10 Good

Susan F.

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

Remote and quirky

Very remote if you want to get away from it all. Not very comfortable beds.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Amy K.

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

Beautiful, Remote location

The place was absolutely stunning. The gardens and grounds were beautiful and a great place to bird watch. We were conveniently about 40 min to LaCrosse to our boat rental and an easy ride in to close towns for a coffee and firewood. The kitchen was equipped with all of the flatware, utensils and cookware that we needed to cook our meals.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kelly D.

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

Quiet and relaxing

It was clean, beds we used were comfy, kichen is nicely equipped. We lucked out with the weather so we were outside a lot! Lots of gnats, zero mosquitos. Fire pit is awesome, lots of wood provided. There are a lot of garbage rules, hopefully we did it correctly.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Betty E.

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

Quiet sanctuary

Lynn’s home is the perfect, secluded place in the valley. Easy to get to, close to activities such as hiking, fishing, bird watching etc. We visited the brewery and the distillery in Spring Grove. We sat around a camp fire. Just sitting in Lynn’s sunroom was wonderful. We will be back next spring!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kris L.

A nature paradise in the woods.

My husband and I stayed here for a weekend get away and found the setting perfect for us. We are bird and nature lovers and we couldn't have asked for anything better. The sound of the birds have serenaded us continuously. We found plenty of activities in the area including biking, the National Owl Center, great dining and leisurely walks. We hope to return again.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2018

8/10 Good

Cade M.

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

Excellent Bluff Country Getaway

The house and property were full of country charm. The attached green house was my favorite place to sip on wine and read. The yard was very private and rustically beautiful with the wild flower gardens and many birds coming and going at the bird feeders. The bluff country is an awesome place to sightsee and explore. From the local Grist Mill to the Amish farms.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Willa B.

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

Perfect Hideaway

Lynn's beautiful cabin and valley was just what my group of friends and I needed! There was a bit of adventure getting there (apparently, GPS can think there are roads where there are none, depending on which side you enter from), but a quick call, and we were sorted. We loved the house, and seeing all of the beautiful scenery surrounding it. While the weather didn't cooperate for us to do as much exploring as we would have liked, the house was perfect! Thank you so much, Lynn, for allowing us to gather in your little piece of paradise! amazing and adorable thingsentertained
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Daniel P.

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

Family lodging for a nearby wedding

It was a very pleasant stay! Our family was able to go to Calendonia’s Good Times for a nice Friday night dinner upon getting into town. We woke up to a variety of pretty birds at the feeder, just outside the kitchen window. The atmosphere bathing you in the surrounding nature! We then went to the breakfast and a bakery in Caledonia for a pleasant morning, before visiting Ma Cal Grove for 9 holes of golf! Returning to the vrbo to prepare for a beautiful wedding with family and friends! Overall, a very enjoyable weekend!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Karen S.

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

Peaceful birdwatching in the woods

This was a delightful home filled with interesting displays and comfortable antiques. It is not far from other houses, but the woods make it feel like you are in your own secluded get-away. The birds that visited the feeder were very entertaining. The only challenge was carrying luggage and supplies up the rough hewn stone steps from the parking to the house.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ivan V.

A True Get-Away!

Our family of adult children all converged on this beautiful house in the woods for seven days. It was wonderful! The house was so perfect for a family vacation together. Besides relaxing at the home, we went on some hikes, visited the nearby running mill (don't miss it!), visited some of the Amish farms nearby, and even made a short day-trip to the quaint town of Decorah, Iowa also visiting the Seed Exchange on the way. What a beautiful part of Minnesota! Loved our experience immensely. Thanks so much, Lynn.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2016

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

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

Peaceful Spot, private location.

Nice & secluded home. Outside steps are in need of repair. Place is musty, took a day to air out.Several spiders crawled out of the drain every time you took a shower.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Chloe F.

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

Quiet, beautiful, & functional

I was looking for a place that could house seven student field researchers, and that would have the space for all our gear, and the setup for cooking, laundry, and doing some computer work in the evenings. This was by far the most wonderful place we stayed. The house and surroundings are beautiful and peaceful, the layout of the spaces is well-thought out and very practical, and we were able to fit all of our people, all of our stuff, and all 4 of our vehicles. The house book is very helpful and detailed, with information about everything you might need to know. The plant room was a magical place to sit in the mornings and afternoons to read or just have some quiet time. We had a fantastic stay!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

About the host

Hosted by Lynn Selness

Host profile image
I'm Lynn. My childhood was spent in New Jersey and next I landed in the midwest where I married, had 7 children and lived for 25 years. In 1999 we all (13 of us then) moved to CA to run a bamboo nursery where the whole family could work together. We had a bunch of teens and early 20's kids by then, and we rented out our MN home. This went rough on my MN house so I reclaimed it and have been restoring it for some years now. Our CA experience was tough and I lost my husband, so I supported my 2 youngest children, Forest and Meadow, for 15 years. I established a goat dairy in the Santa Cruz Mountains where I still reside. I was so happy to be able to return to my MN home, I was always homesick for it in CA and now love coming back whenever I can escape the farmwork. Now I have 9 precious grandchildren in CA and 3 great-grandchildren, so I treasure my time there also.

Why they chose this property

Building our home was my heart's desire, to live in this scenic valley, the same wilderness valley I had first moved to in the state in 1976. I had lived near the source of West Beaver Creek surrounded by wooded hills with my baby Willow. Years later we had 5 children and bought 5 acres, cleared the house site and milled the oaks for our home in the “big woods”. I loved gathering limestone rock to terrace the hillside, build the steps, even the entry floor. From pouring the footings to shingling the roof, it was a creative work of joy with help from many friends. My last 2 children were born here and 2 grand daughters. We homesteaded for many years, raised the 7 children with our gardens, chickens and goats.

What makes this property unique

I hope you sense the tranquility and beauty of nature all around you here. The fragrances of the valley, the earthy dampness cooling the summer evenings, the magic of fireflies twinkling in the deepening woods shadows, the call of the whippoorwill, owls hoot to each other, the coyotes yelp, a lone cry of a wolf, all are spellbinding. Every season here is rich for me. I find God's voice speaking to me and refreshing my spirit in this place.
I love the friendly small town feeling of this community. They celebrate their Norwegian heritage with colorful holidays like Nordic Fest in Decorah, IA, Syttende Mai in Spring Grove, and their farm life with harvest festivals, Steam-engine Days, horse and tractor pulls. I love the cultural aspects, Shakespeare Festivals in WInona, La Crosse's Art and Music Festival, Riverfest, Lanesboro's plays, and my favorite, Spring Grove's outdoor Black Barn plays. I love visiting the Amish farms with their produce stands, maple syrup, furniture and basket shops and bakeries.
My family have always enjoyed the outdoor activities, bike trails, canoeing the Upper Iowa and the Root River, the Mississippi backwaters around the islands. There's a bird sanctuary near Alma where during migrations, swans, pelicans, Canada geese and Snow Geese gather in noisy flocks. There are little towns up and down the Mississippi for shopping, music, great restaurants, wine-tasting. My kids loved the caves near Harmony, where you climb deep into the earth, a little too deep for some of us! We never run out of fun things to do!

Languages:

English

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