Entire home
Amazing Vaulted Space Surrounded By Decks In The Forest With A 120" Home Theatre
Lakefront holiday home with kitchen and balcony
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Reviews
8.8 out of 10
Excellent
6 bedrooms 2 bathrooms Sleeps 10 2300 sq ft
Popular amenities
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Rooms & beds
6 bedrooms (sleeps 10)
Bedroom 1
1 Single Bed
Bedroom 2
1 Single Bed
Bedroom 3
1 Single Bed
Bedroom 4
2 Single Beds
Bedroom 5
1 King Bed
Bedroom 6
1 Queen Bed
2 bathrooms
Bathroom 1
Toilet · Shower only
Bathroom 2
Bathtub · Toilet
Spaces
Deck or patio
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining area
About this property
Amazing Vaulted Space Surrounded By Decks In The Forest With A 120" Home Theatre
The Octagon is one of our most unique structures. The grand space can be fully experienced once you enter the large vaulted main room. There are four couches, plenty of pillows, other chairs, and several tables placed throughout. The furniture can be moved in any manner desired to fit your needs. Original artwork is spread throughout the main room. The vast majority of the books, cassettes, and CDs of various genres are found within this main space as well as a xylophone and some drums. Extra chairs to seat 100+ people and 22 6ft by 3ft folding tables are stored within a closet. There is a large, built in wood fireplace located on the east wall. The main room is ideal for large gatherings such as for yoga, spiritual drumming, classes, workshops, demonstrations, receptions, dining, entertainment, and more.
There is also a 120” projection screen located in this room for presentations, workshops, or the occasional movie night. An Epson Home Cinema 3500 3LCD projector and Blu-ray home theatre sound system is available for guest use. There are VGA, HDMI, and converter cables available to interface your laptop computer, tablet, or smartphone.
The exterior of the Octagon is surrounded by a wraparound deck with south and north-facing seating areas which can be accessed from large, sliding, glass doors from the main room or from a side door off of the kitchen. These areas are perfect for grilling or setting up tables and chairs for outdoor dining.
Other features of the lower level of the Octagon are a small meditation/prayer room on the main floor next to the kitchen. More books can be found in this space. The kitchen has a two-burner cooktop, a full-size refrigerator/freezer, toaster oven, crock pot, coffee makers, microwave, and all of the necessary kitchen utensils and dinnerware to serve a larger group. The kitchen has a new Oster digital countertop oven with convection with the capacity to hold two 16" pizzas or a whole chicken. Also on the lower level are a handicap accessible bathroom and shower and one bedroom with a single bed. In this bedroom are more books, games, and puzzles.
When you reach the top of the stairs to the upper level, you look out over the main vaulted room. In the east octant of the second floor, set off with a privacy screen, is another small cache of books as well as a chair and computer table for reading or studying. There are 3 bedrooms on the upper level. The central bedroom has two single beds. The east and west bedrooms each has a single bed. Also on the upper level is a bathroom with a claw foot tub and skylight. The sitting area outside of the rooms includes a rocking chair and looks down over the main vaulted room. It is bathed in warm, bright, sunlight from the unique south-facing windows. You will find more books in this sitting area.
There is Wi-Fi throughout the space. A CD/cassette player and radio is also available along with the Blu-ray player which also plays CDs. The Octagon has air conditioning, multiple ceiling fans, and added floor fans. There is a larger charcoal grill available on the west deck. It can be moved wherever it is desired.
There is also a 120” projection screen located in this room for presentations, workshops, or the occasional movie night. An Epson Home Cinema 3500 3LCD projector and Blu-ray home theatre sound system is available for guest use. There are VGA, HDMI, and converter cables available to interface your laptop computer, tablet, or smartphone.
The exterior of the Octagon is surrounded by a wraparound deck with south and north-facing seating areas which can be accessed from large, sliding, glass doors from the main room or from a side door off of the kitchen. These areas are perfect for grilling or setting up tables and chairs for outdoor dining.
Other features of the lower level of the Octagon are a small meditation/prayer room on the main floor next to the kitchen. More books can be found in this space. The kitchen has a two-burner cooktop, a full-size refrigerator/freezer, toaster oven, crock pot, coffee makers, microwave, and all of the necessary kitchen utensils and dinnerware to serve a larger group. The kitchen has a new Oster digital countertop oven with convection with the capacity to hold two 16" pizzas or a whole chicken. Also on the lower level are a handicap accessible bathroom and shower and one bedroom with a single bed. In this bedroom are more books, games, and puzzles.
When you reach the top of the stairs to the upper level, you look out over the main vaulted room. In the east octant of the second floor, set off with a privacy screen, is another small cache of books as well as a chair and computer table for reading or studying. There are 3 bedrooms on the upper level. The central bedroom has two single beds. The east and west bedrooms each has a single bed. Also on the upper level is a bathroom with a claw foot tub and skylight. The sitting area outside of the rooms includes a rocking chair and looks down over the main vaulted room. It is bathed in warm, bright, sunlight from the unique south-facing windows. You will find more books in this sitting area.
There is Wi-Fi throughout the space. A CD/cassette player and radio is also available along with the Blu-ray player which also plays CDs. The Octagon has air conditioning, multiple ceiling fans, and added floor fans. There is a larger charcoal grill available on the west deck. It can be moved wherever it is desired.
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
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House Rules
Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 20
Check out before 11:00 AM
Children
Children allowed: ages 0–17
Events
Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
Pets
Pets allowed: limit 1 total
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
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
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 99
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
We should mention
A car is required for transport to and from this property
About the area
Mc Grath
Located in Mc Grath, this holiday home is in a rural area and on a lake. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Banning State Park and Snake River, while Culver Museum and Moose Lake Depot Museum are cultural highlights. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

McGrath, MN
What's nearby
- Mille Lacs Lake - 28 min drive - 38.2 km
- Moose Lake State Park - 46 min drive - 50.0 km
- Banning State Park - 47 min drive - 51.5 km
- Big Sandy Lake - 52 min drive - 72.1 km
- Federal Correctional Institution, Sandstone - 60 min drive - 66.1 km
Restaurants
- Tobies - 27 min drive
Frequently asked questions
About the host
Hosted by Michael Bonnette

I have spent the last 25 years of my life firmly entrenched in the research and development world with a vast majority of that time spent in the interventional medical industry. With my creativity and engineering degree, I have managed to receive 70 US and foreign patents with 50 submissions still pending. Many of these ideas have resulted in devices which have helped people in one form or another, and in 2013, I decided I wanted to help people in another way. I acquired this property which will help people escape and relax in the beauty of the Minnesota Woods!
The property has 120 acres of private lands which sits within 68 thousand acres of the Solana State Forest. The Soo Line Trail also travels right through my property. In 2013, the property was purchased by my family and has now become the Shire in the Woods. A special place, with the look and feel of a Tolkien inspired landscape, now located in "Middle Minnesota".
The Shire in the Woods was formerly solely a retreat center which was founded in 1989 by three Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet with a vision of creating a place where people can spend time quieting the mind and opening the heart and spirit. They recognized the need for individuals living in a modern, fast paced society to be able to retreat to a quiet, nurturing place, thus replenishing the soul and deepening their connection with self, nature, each other, and the universe. The Shire still has it's roots within that theme, and it has grown much more for everyone to enjoy!
The property has 120 acres of private lands which sits within 68 thousand acres of the Solana State Forest. The Soo Line Trail also travels right through my property. In 2013, the property was purchased by my family and has now become the Shire in the Woods. A special place, with the look and feel of a Tolkien inspired landscape, now located in "Middle Minnesota".
The Shire in the Woods was formerly solely a retreat center which was founded in 1989 by three Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet with a vision of creating a place where people can spend time quieting the mind and opening the heart and spirit. They recognized the need for individuals living in a modern, fast paced society to be able to retreat to a quiet, nurturing place, thus replenishing the soul and deepening their connection with self, nature, each other, and the universe. The Shire still has it's roots within that theme, and it has grown much more for everyone to enjoy!
Why they chose this property
Welcome to the Shire in the Woods, where the natural surroundings will nourish and rejuvenate your soul! Located 18 miles east of northern Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota, we are tucked away at the heart of the Solana State Forest and have the Soo Line South Trail running right alongside us. Relax with a good book in front of a fireplace or take a stroll in the beautiful woods. The Shire can serve you, your family and friends, facilitate special groups, workshops, and meetings, host a wedding, hold a family reunion, and more! No matter where you are at in your writing practice, the natural beauty and tranquility of the Shire is perfect for a writers retreat. The outdoors and especially the circle drive would be great for demonstrations with horses for example, or you can come and just be a hermit! Whatever your event or occasion, we will work with you to best serve your needs.
Our private, wooded retreat has seven, year round dwellings and more. There are four smaller cabins (The Woodlands, The Birches, The Meadows, and The Loft), The Cedar House, The Tree Lodge, and a gathering space, movie theatre, presentation media space, and library in The Octagon (unless privately reserved).
Other features of the Shire:
• Screened-in gazebo.
• Wood burning sauna.
• 5 miles of groomed trails.
• A rose garden.
• A labyrinth.
• Beaver, frog, and turtle pond.
• Tree swings and hammock.
• Outdoor fire pits and indoor fireplaces.
• Access to the Soo Line Trail.
• Access to many miles of trails in the Solana State Forest.
• And much more including our horses, a miniature donkey, and a miniature horse. As a guest, you can experience our animals antics and social systems, pet them, and with prior arrangements have guided interactions or feed them treats.
All of the places are arranged with there own unique setting such that you feel like you are the only one there!
Our private, wooded retreat has seven, year round dwellings and more. There are four smaller cabins (The Woodlands, The Birches, The Meadows, and The Loft), The Cedar House, The Tree Lodge, and a gathering space, movie theatre, presentation media space, and library in The Octagon (unless privately reserved).
Other features of the Shire:
• Screened-in gazebo.
• Wood burning sauna.
• 5 miles of groomed trails.
• A rose garden.
• A labyrinth.
• Beaver, frog, and turtle pond.
• Tree swings and hammock.
• Outdoor fire pits and indoor fireplaces.
• Access to the Soo Line Trail.
• Access to many miles of trails in the Solana State Forest.
• And much more including our horses, a miniature donkey, and a miniature horse. As a guest, you can experience our animals antics and social systems, pet them, and with prior arrangements have guided interactions or feed them treats.
All of the places are arranged with there own unique setting such that you feel like you are the only one there!
What makes this property unique
There are many things to do in and around the Shire. Enjoy wooded solitude on the private trails or hike in the Solana State Forest, meditate while walking the Labyrinth, spend time around a campfire, read or relax in front of the cabin fireplace, and more!
The Shire in the Woods offers many winter and summer vacation activities for everyone to enjoy.
• Enjoy wooded solitude on the private trails.
• Hike in the Solana State Forest.
• Meditate while walking the Labyrinth.
• Spend time around a campfire.
• Read or relax in front of a fireplace.
• Play catch with Frisbees or partake in other games on one of our many groomed lawns.
• Star gaze or moon watch.
• Use the telescope in the gazebo.
• Interact with the horses.
• Cross country ski or snowshoe on our private or surrounding trails.
• Yoga in the Octagon.
• Rock/agate hunt or swim in the nearby spring fed Quarry Pool.
• Ride bikes in the woods or other trails.
• Horseback ride on the Soo Line trail or Solana State Forest Trails with your horses.
• Snowmobile or go ATVing on the Soo Line Trail or the Solana State Forest Trail.
• Spend time in the Pliny Wildlife Area or Ruffed Gross and Woodcock Habitat Area.
• Plan your next birding or photography adventure.
• Enjoy the sounds of nature as the many frogs, owls, wolves, and birds vocalize and sing their songs!
The Shire in the Woods offers many winter and summer vacation activities for everyone to enjoy.
• Enjoy wooded solitude on the private trails.
• Hike in the Solana State Forest.
• Meditate while walking the Labyrinth.
• Spend time around a campfire.
• Read or relax in front of a fireplace.
• Play catch with Frisbees or partake in other games on one of our many groomed lawns.
• Star gaze or moon watch.
• Use the telescope in the gazebo.
• Interact with the horses.
• Cross country ski or snowshoe on our private or surrounding trails.
• Yoga in the Octagon.
• Rock/agate hunt or swim in the nearby spring fed Quarry Pool.
• Ride bikes in the woods or other trails.
• Horseback ride on the Soo Line trail or Solana State Forest Trails with your horses.
• Snowmobile or go ATVing on the Soo Line Trail or the Solana State Forest Trail.
• Spend time in the Pliny Wildlife Area or Ruffed Gross and Woodcock Habitat Area.
• Plan your next birding or photography adventure.
• Enjoy the sounds of nature as the many frogs, owls, wolves, and birds vocalize and sing their songs!
Languages:
English
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