House in McGrath, MN

Two Unique Houses for Family Reunions and Large Group Events!

Two Unique Houses for Family Reunions and Large Group Events!

Photo gallery for Two Unique Houses for Family Reunions and Large Group Events!

Property grounds
Exterior
Living area
Room
Dining

Overview of Two Unique Houses for Family Reunions and Large Group Events!

4.5 out of 5 Wonderful
9 bedrooms4 bathroomsSleeps 19372 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Hot tub
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Free WiFi

Check out the area

McGrath, MN
  • Popular LocationMille Lacs Lake23 min drive
  • Popular LocationFederal Correctional Institution, Sandstone50 min drive
  • Popular LocationGrand Casino Hinckley56 min drive
  • AirportBrainerd, MN (BRD-Brainerd Lakes Regional)78 min drive

Rooms & beds

9 bedrooms (sleeps 19)

4 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Bathroom 3

Bathroom 4

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Two Unique Houses for Family Reunions and Large Group Events!

The two properties together sleep 23 people! They are a short walk from one another situated in the beautiful Solana State Forest on the Soo Line Trail. There are many miles of private trails to explore as well as many more in the State Forest. There are outdoor fire pits and charcoal grills available at both sites. During colder days, enjoy the warmth of the indoor fireplaces. The two properties are known as the Tree Lodge and the Cedar House. The Tree Lodge is directly in the forest, and the Cedar House is on the edge of the forest with acres of well kept yard bordering the west side for yard games and pure relaxation. Also nearby on the property are horses including a miniature horse and a miniature donkey. The owners allow guests to pet them, and they are always a huge hit with children!

Description of the Cedar House:
It is built into a hill with the east and north sides facing into the forest and the other sides facing into an open southerly view. The main floor is vaulted and has a large, open kitchen with full size gas stove with oven, full refrigerator/freezer, coffee pot, crock pot, toaster oven, coffee grinder, and all the necessary utensils, pots and pans, and dinnerware to serve 15 or more. There is a large wooden dining table in the dining area off of the kitchen which seats 8. A small table in the kitchen seats 2 to 4. There are also three 6 foot folding tables and another 18 folding chairs to expand the dining area into the living room if you want, or you can take your meals outside during a beautiful Shire day or night. The north facing deck is accessible through the kitchen which allows convenient access to the grill. There are views out into the woods and Shire lawns.

The vaulted living room has a queen size futon couch located in front of the full, built-in fireplace so you can relax or sleep in perfect comfort. A rocking chair and a coffee table are also located in the living room. A south facing deck is accessible through a door behind the futon.

Also off of the living room, a stairs leads up to the lofted sleeping area. This large space has six single beds and another rocking chair. It overlooks the living room and kitchen. The space is partially lit by a skyway window. There is an air conditioner on this level for summertime use, and the east window faces out into the forest for a beautiful, elevated view.

As you venture further back into the house, you will encounter a full bathroom with a shower and a Jacuzzi tub and then 3 bedrooms. The first bedroom has a full size bed, and it has access to the wraparound east/north deck through a sliding glass door. This part of the deck faces out into the forest. The center bedroom also has a full size bed. The last bedroom has two single beds and a lofted bed. It also has a sliding glass door which leads out onto the wrap around east/north deck. This portion of the deck is screened in.

The lower level has a laundry room, a bathroom with a shower, a single car tuck-under garage, and two car tuck-under garage. There is table tennis and a dart board available in the smaller garage. The larger garage is used for the Shire’s maintenance equipment which we occasionally need access to. A CD player, two air conditioners, floor/table fans as well as ceiling fans, Wi-Fi, and an outdoor grill are also available.

Description of the Tree Lodge:
The Tree Lodge is nestled away in the forest and has lots of space in its dual level design. On the lower level, there is a large living/dining room with two rocking chairs next to a wood burning fireplace. Next to a large picture window which looks out into the forest is a full sized bed. On the east side of the Lodge, you enter through a side door into a full length screened in porch which faces out into the forest. There are extra folding camping chairs located in this area which can be used on the porch or around the outdoor fire place. The kitchen has a two-burner cooktop, two small refrigerators (one with a freezer), a microwave, crock pot, coffee maker, a large toaster oven, and all the necessary kitchen utensils and dinnerware. Also on the lower level is a ¾ bathroom with a shower.

The upper level has a smaller living room with a queen bed isolated with a privacy screen on the south side. There is a sink with a large vanity mirror on the east side. Two additional bedrooms each have two single beds which can be pushed together if desired. Each bedroom has a spectacular view out into the forest. A ¾ bathroom with a shower is located on this level too.

A CD/cassette player, outdoor fire pit, picnic table, table fans as well as ceiling fans, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, additional oil filled space heater, off peak electric storage heater, base board heaters, and a larger outdoor grill are also available.
■Two-level design
■7 beds and 4 bedrooms
■2 bathrooms with showers
■Kitchen with a two-burner cooktop, two small refrigerators (one with a freezer), microwave, crock pot, coffee maker, a large toaster oven, and all the necessary kitchen utensils and dinnerware
■Air conditioner, floor/table fans, ceiling fans, and off peak electric storage heater
■A free-standing wood fireplace
■Outdoor fire pit, picnic table, and grill
■Wi-Fi

Property manager

Michael Bonnette
Premier Host
Premier Host

Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 1:00 PM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs and cats (limit 1 total)
Pets are allowed with a $40 fee.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Smoking is allowed outdoors in designated areas

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

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: 77
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit and a deadlock

About the area

Mc Grath

Located in Mc Grath, this holiday home is in a rural area and on a lake. While the natural beauty of Snake River and Kettle River can be enjoyed by anyone, those looking for an activity can head to Moose Lake Golf Club. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

What's nearby

  • Mille Lacs Lake - 23 min drive
  • Banning State Park - 32 min drive
  • Moose Lake State Park - 38 min drive
  • Federal Correctional Institution, Sandstone - 50 min drive
  • Grand Casino Hinckley - 56 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Two Unique Houses for Family Reunions and Large Group Events! pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 1 total).

What time is check-in at Two Unique Houses for Family Reunions and Large Group Events!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Two Unique Houses for Family Reunions and Large Group Events!?

Checkout is at 1:00 PM.

Where is Two Unique Houses for Family Reunions and Large Group Events! located?

This family-friendly Mc Grath holiday home is located on a lake, 3.1 mi (5 km) from Snake River, and within 20 mi (32 km) of Kettle River and Mille Lacs Lake. Banning State Park and Rice Lake National Refuge are also within 25 miles (40 km).

Reviews

4.5

Wonderful

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 5 - Excellent. 2 out of 4 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Good. 2 out of 4 reviews" "
Rating 3 - Okay. 0 out of 4 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Poor. 0 out of 4 reviews" "
Rating 1 - Terrible. 0 out of 4 reviews" "

4.7/5

Cleanliness

4.3/5

Check-in

4.7/5

Communication

4.3/5

Location

4.0/5

Listing accuracy

Reviews

5/5 Excellent

Tricia O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Retreat Weekend
We used the Octagon for a retreat weekend and it was perfect for that. It was a beautiful property all around! Staff we interacted with were kind and helpful!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

4/5 Good

Michael V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Nice and Cozy
We had a great experience overall. The general location initially surprised us, since we were expecting to be more isolated, but everything worked out just fine in the end.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2021

4/5 Good

Erica Z.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Listing accuracy
Great stay for big groups
We had a blast with our bachelorette/bachelor party. It was a little bit different than we thought it was going to be but overall, we had a great time.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2019

5/5 Excellent

Nicolas M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Everything was great!
The staff was professional and the house was very clean and comfortable. I also like that they encourage recycling.

About the host

Hosted by Michael Bonnette

Host profile image
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!

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!

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!

Premier Host

Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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