Beach Cottage on Forest Lake near downtown with your own SANDY BEACH and dock!
***Thanks for a great summer everyone! We are closing for the winter! Hope to see you back summer of '26! *** Welcome to our Forest Lake beachfront cottage! Come enjoy our year-round lake cabin with your own PRIVATE beach. We have beautiful sunrises from our 3-level cottage and sunsets from the dock or anywhere on the water. Enjoy almost 70 feet of private, sandy beach into the lake, which is great for kids of all ages. Our long dock is available for your private use May-September (weather permitting) and has plenty of space to pull up your own boat. We have 2 kayaks and a paddleboat for you to enjoy as well, and if you are a member you can also rent a motorboat nearby at “Your Boat Club”. (Note: The motorized boat on the property is not for rental use.) The lake is quite shallow and usually clear but also weedy at times. For your safety, do not dive from the dock. The bench and 2 lounge chairs on the end of the dock are lovely for enjoying the lake at any time of the day!
We are walking distance to downtown Forest Lake, including the Dairy Queen and a great ice cream shop, coffee shops, and multiple restaurants. The city park and the city beach are a short walk as well. The bike trail is across the street and steps away, and we have a bike for your enjoyment in the lower level. If you are here on a summer Tuesday night, you won’t want to miss Arts and Crafts in the park with food trucks and live music. Don’t worry about parking - you can walk to the park in about 7 minutes! We are conveniently located about 30 minutes north of downtown Minneapolis/St. Paul if your travels bring you here for events in the city!
Our cottage sleeps 8 comfortably (10 max with a 1 time, extra-person fee for guests 9 and 10) in 4 bedrooms (2 Kings, 1 Queen, 1 lower-level bunk, and 1 Twin in the hallway [Twin hallway "room" has no closet]). There's also an extra futon in the lower-level family room (linens in the closet). Note: We welcome children but do not have a Pack’n Play or crib, nor is the home setup for the safety of small children. Please feel free to bring your own children’s items. If you should need some necessities and/or groceries, we are an easy drive to Target and Walmart. We are close to Cub Foods or Aldi for groceries, and there are plenty of fast food places near the interstate. The Keys Cafe is also a favorite and only a short drive away. If you are here for the 4th of July the parade goes right past the house on the street and the fireworks are on a barge in the middle of our lake, weather permitting.
Amenities included: Home internet and free Wifi. A full bathroom on each level, at least 1 TV on each level, whole house boiler heat (if needed) and bedroom AC window units (May-Sept only) and room fans.
-Main Level: Full kitchen with dishwasher and microwave (with air fryer feature), gas range, microwave and fridge. Flatscreen ROKU Smart TVs in the eat-in kitchen and Queen bedroom, in-room window AC units in the bedrooms, ceiling fans in the kitchen and dining room and some portable fans in rooms too. There is a lakeside desk to get your work done, if you need to do any work on your getaway.
-Upstairs: Flatscreen ROKU Smart TVs in each of the 2 King bedrooms and in-room window AC units
-Lower Level: Large Flatscreen ROKU Smart TV in lower-level family room with a futon, extra eating space, kitchenette with fridge, sink and microwave, washer/dryer. Full bathroom with shower is just inside the lower level door for easy cleanup after playing at the beach. Please rinse off your sand OUTSIDE first. (NOTE: The infrared sauna in the bunk room is not for rental use.) Sorry, the inside fireplace is not available during the summer months.
Parking: Plenty of parking on our over-sized gravel area when pulling in at an angle. There is no parking inside the garage but you can park on the pad in front of the garage, which is handy for easy unloading. (Important Parking NOTE: We share our driveway with our neighbors to the north. Please Do NOT BLOCK the cars from coming in/out of the neighbor’s garage. Please stay entirely on our side of the driveway. We do have a pontoon trailer in the driveway but still room to park.)
Enjoy outdoor living in a number of areas: 1.) Deck lakeside off the living room with a small table and 2 chairs. Great for sunrises with a cup of coffee, 2.) Side patio area with a swing and outdoor eating area and BBQ, 3.) Fire pit near the beach (perfect for s’mores), 4.) The sandy beach and of course 5.) the lake!
Please note, our home is close to both our neighbors. We have the utmost respect for them and expect the same of our guests. No parties/events, no loud music/noise, no smoking/vaping (owner is severely allergic to smoke and pets and has asthma), and no drugs or illegal activity is allowed. As stated, NO PETS! Please respect our neighbors' privacy!
Note: The house does have 2 outdoor ARLO cameras monitoring the front door and the beach from afar for security purposes. There are no cameras in the home. You will be charged for any damages or theft, inside or outside or for excessive messes left by you or your party, those fees will be added on top of the standard cleaning fees and start at $500.
Note new June 2025: We did have some ice damage to our beach over the winter/Spring. It is still sandy but the beach is steeper than in years past. We added cinder block steps down to the water's edge and new Adirondack chairs on the sand. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that the beach will be clear of weeds when you arrive. Expect weeds to come up on the beach if the winds blow towards our shoreline. There's a rake in the lower-level utility room if you'd like to clear an area of weeds.
Also, the VRBO site assumes if you have any exercise equipment, you have a "gym". We have a stationary/recumbent bike and some hand weights in our lower level, and 1 bike for outside for your use. We do NOT have a "gym."
In addition to our cottage being close to Mpls/St. Paul we are about 20 miles to Taylor's Falls thru Chisago City and the cute Swedish town of Lindstrom (great bakery too). We enjoy day trips there for sightseeing and exploring.
Please take care of our cabin as if it were your own and enjoy your time at Forest Lake!!!
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Events allowed: family gatherings and birthday parties
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Pets
No pets allowed
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Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Check-out instructions
The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Please start a load of white towels in the washing machine. (Pod provided.)
Turn off ALL AC units and fans!
Please bring the patio cushions/pillows into the basement, especially if rain is in the forecast.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Important information
You need to know
Property # 3505531vb
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 and birthday parties) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 12
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, a first aid kit and a deadlock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
About the area
Forest Lake
Located in Forest Lake, this cabin is on the waterfront. Tanners Brook and Castlewood Golf Course are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Lamprey Pass Wildlife Management Area and Houle Wildlife Management Area. Enjoy the area's slopes with cross-country skiing, and don't miss out on the sledging, ice skating and snowmobiling.
St. Paul, MN (STP-St. Paul Downtown) - 37 min drive
Restaurants
McDonald's - 3 min drive
Culver's - 18 min walk
Starbucks - 2 min drive
Taco Bell - 2 min drive
Applebee's Grill + Bar - 16 min walk
Frequently asked questions
Is Beach Cottage on Forest Lake near downtown with your own SANDY BEACH and dock! pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Beach Cottage on Forest Lake near downtown with your own SANDY BEACH and dock!?
As of 12 May, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Beach Cottage on Forest Lake near downtown with your own SANDY BEACH and dock! on 28 Jan, 2026 start from S$754, 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 Beach Cottage on Forest Lake near downtown with your own SANDY BEACH and dock!?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Beach Cottage on Forest Lake near downtown with your own SANDY BEACH and dock!?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Beach Cottage on Forest Lake near downtown with your own SANDY BEACH and dock!?
Checkout is at 1:00 PM.
Where is Beach Cottage on Forest Lake near downtown with your own SANDY BEACH and dock! located?
Situated on the waterfront, this cabin is within a 10-minute walk of Lakeside Park and Tower Park. Tanners Brook and Cedar Park are also within 1 mile (2 km).
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
We enjoyed ourselves for Labor Day Weekend at the Beach Cottage. Our boys loved playing in the sand and enjoyed fishing. Forgot to mention play area and the bunk beds they loved!
Sylvia O.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 6 Sept, 2025
So glad you enjoyed our lake place and the lake! Glad the bunk room worked well too! Thanks for your review! Enjoy this lovely fall weather!
The dock was great and the water was perfect for swimming. The lake view was all we hoped It would be. House has lots of room and an a/c unit in each sleeping area. Kids had a great time
Nice relaxing vacation! Great location and cozy home!
The house is in a great location with plenty to do. There was plenty of room for everyone to have their own space with the 3 different levels in the house. Great fishing off the dock or kayaks. Our kids had a blast on the paddle boat. Overall it was a very relaxing vacation. Would recommend this house to others.
Jenny N.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 4 Aug, 2025
Jenny,
So glad our Forest Lake cabin worked for you and your family! We are blessed with a multi l-level house in a great location with a beautiful beach and fun toys to share! So glad you all had a great time! We hope you'll come back again! Our cleaning lady said you left the house in great shape. Thank you!
We were originally from Minnesota and moved away. We planned a lake vacation for our family to have the true Minnesota experience and we had that 100%. The house had all that we needed and fit our family perfectly.
Jodi A.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 11 Jul, 2025
Jodi, thanks for taking the time to review our lake cottage. We are thrilled our home worked great for your group and especially that you had a great time! Our neighbors said you were polite and quiet too! We hope you can come back again! Thank you! Andrea
Plenty of space. Nice to be able to walk to ice cream shops and other stores. Sandy beach was a plus. Grandkids loved to be able to play on shore and easily walk into the lake. The lake is shallow which was good for the kids. The three bathrooms and two refrigerators were a big plus, given the size of our group. Owners were great to work with and were very responsive. We all had a wonderful time.
Greg M.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 6 Sept, 2025
Thank you for your review! I'm so glad your larger group worked well in our lake cottage! Yes, the lake is shallow, but usually very clear. We are so fortunate to have a beautiful sandy beach and beach bottom.... this part of the lake is known for the beach! Yep, you can walk to two different ice cream places, coffee shops and the city park! It's all so close! Glad you had a wonderful time! Thanks for staying with us with your grandkids!
It is an attractive older home. Nice lake. Nice area.
Dennis Lee G.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Jul, 2024
Thanks so much for your 5-star review! We are so grateful you and your family found our 1909 lake cottage...with some modern updates! We hope you made some fun new memories and will come back again. It was a pleasure working with you!
This was a great place for our family. We went to Minneapolis twice during our stay and it was very convenient.
Nancy O.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 4 Nov, 2023
Nancy, thank you for your stay, and glad you had a great place for your family to gather! When asked what we could do to improve your stay, you mentioned having more consumables and towels. We will take your recommendation and leave additional consumables for guests to use.
We hope you'll stay again! We're glad it was convenient for you to travel to Minneapolis and see the Vikings win as well as to enjoy our cute little lake town! Andrea 😊
We had a great time at this beautiful home on Forest Lake. The beach and lake were exactly what we were looking for. The hosts were great. The home was clean and so cute. Perfect for our family! Highly recommend this home.
Daniel E.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 4 May, 2024
Daniel, thank you so much for your nice review. So glad our lake place worked well for your family. We hope you'll come back again! Andi 😊
Stay was perfect. My group needed a place to stay close to an event we were working at. It was so nice to have a relaxing place to come back to after a long hard work day.. thank you
matt H.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 14 Sept, 2023
Matt, we are so glad you found our lake home and it was good for you and your business associates! We hope you'll come again! 😊
The home was just as it was pictured and described! Very clean and very comfortable! And it was in a great location close to the city if needed but yet a world away looking at the lake. It was a great family experience with so many memories made! We would definitely choose this home again, and highly recommend. Thanks for sharing It with our family!
Stacy S.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 4 May, 2024
Stacy, thank you so much for your nice review. So glad our lake place worked for your family. We hope you'll come back again! Andi 😊
Peacful, clean lake on a groomed sandy beach. Everything we needed to create family memories - gorgeous cottage, plenty of rooms with bedrooms for all, beautiful outdoor patio with patio swing, bonfire ring, fully stocked kitchen, 3 bathrooms, lots of fishing off amazing dock, lots of wildlife. Cottage is close to shopping, if needed. Host and Hostess were excellent communicators and super easy to work with. Highly recommend!
We had a great weekend here and the lake was absolutely stunning — truly the highlight of our stay. The house has a rustic, classic lake-house feel, which comes with a bit of the charm (and quirks) you might expect. There were some areas that could use a little updating and deeper cleaning, as we noticed a few spiders, webs, and some dirt inside. Outside was quite buggy, which is to be expected by the lake, but could benefit from a good spray. We also noticed a rusty nail on the outdoor furniture and a few things feeling a bit worn. The fire alarms went off a few times without cause, and the fridge didn’t stay quite cold enough, so we ended up tossing some food. The garbage cans by the front door created a strong compost-like smell and we also ran out of garbage bags indoor. The location is cute but on a busy street. Overall, we enjoyed a peaceful, rustic lake weekend — just with a few bumps along the way. Big space and lots of room for adults and kids!
Great stay at Beach Cottage on Forest Lake. Very quaint on a busy street but when you are in the back you really aren't affected by it (world away). Walking distance to old downtown area with restaurants and shops. Owners easy to reach and very helpful. They kept small convenience items (new sponge, liquid dish soap, S&P, paper towels, laundry pods, toilet paper, trash bags, etc.) which makes initial check-in & stay easy. Arranged fishing guide one morning and the guide was able to pick us right from dock on the property plus two kayaks to use. Big cooking family, so it was nice to have plenty of quality kitchen pots/pans/utensils along with ample solid plates and silverware for our group of 7. Nice clean grill on a great little patio with flower beds and a serviceable stove top/oven in kitchen. SmartTV's throughout house and AC units worked well which kept the house cool during a "heat wave" (mid 80's) during our visit. Sturdy Adirondack chairs near the beach is where we spent most of the time. Only complaints (not really a big deal) is that Master Bedroom on main floor doesn't have an attached bathroom. It is in another room and bunk room in basement isn't as nice as the rest of the rooms (dark and a little dreary). Finally, refrigerator in kitchen wasn't really cold even on coldest setting - but there is a second fridge in basement that was nice and cold. Aside from those small issues - great house with great hosts and would definitely recommend for group/family.
Verified traveller
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Natasha F.
8 Sept, 2025
Natasha F.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
About the host
Hosted by Andrea
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests