INSIDE: Looking at resorts in Wisconsin for group travel? Want to vacation with extended family or friends, but stay in separate cabins all clustered together? We've got you covered with the best cabins in northern Wisconsin!
. . .
While there are 101 different ways to search for Wisconsin cabin rentals, if you want to travel with multiple families, it is hard to find old-fashioned, mom and pop, northern Wisconsin "resorts" online. Many Wisconsin lake resorts have website that are so outdated, Google doesn't bring them up when you search for them!
If you're looking to travel with a group of families, it can be hard to find resorts in Wisconsin that offer multiple cottages for rent. We've got you covered with a list of five suggestions from local Wisconsinites!
IN THIS POST:
- 5 Wisconsin Cabin Rentals For Groups or Multi-Family Vacations
- Why You'll Love Traveling Together/Apart At One Of These Wisconsin Lake Resorts
- Tips for Group Travel — The Dos and Don'ts
5 Northern Wisconsin Cabin Rentals For Groups or Multi-Family Vacations
Below are five great places to rent cabins in northern Wisconsin, if you want to travel TOGETHER but SEPARATELY.
Table of Contents
- Brickyard Creek in Bayfield, Wisconsin
- Afterglow Lake Resort in Phelps, Wisconsin (near Eagle River)
- High Point Village in Ogema, Wisconsin
- Bent’s Camp in Land O' Lakes, Wisconsin
- Sunrise Resort in Presque Isle, Wisconsin
1. This community of beautiful cabins in Wisconsin is perfect for families: Brickyard Creek
This green community located on the shores of Lake Superior in Bayfield, Wisconsin puts a focus on adventure, nature, and tranquility.
Distance from...
Chicago | 7h 20m
Twin Cities | 3h 50m
Milwaukee | 6h 15m
What we love about Brickyard Creek Cabins:
- There are a wide variety of cottages available for families traveling together, ranging from chalets for families of four to larger properties hosting an extended family of seven. This is our favorite cozy cabin (wink, wink) — read guest book comments.
- A beautiful location! Bayfield is the gateway to the Apostle Islands and Lake Superior.
- You can step outside the cabin door to explore privately maintained hiking trails covering over 70-acres of beautiful Boreal forest. There are also gorgeous waterfall and bluff hikes on the Bayfield peninsula.
- No matter where you stay in the community, you’re a short 10-minute stroll from the sandy, quiet, Brickyard Creek Community private beach on Lake Superior.
- Your family can enjoy the lakeside fire pit and covered picnic area by Roy’s Point Marina as you look out at the Apostle Islands.
- It's less than five minutes from downtown Bayfield — AMAZING restaurants, quaint shops, and art galleries.
IN SUMMER, the Apostle Islands are amazing via sea kayak, by cruise ship, and by foot. The cathedral-vaulted screen porches on the Brickyard properties are all amazing.
IN WINTER they've always got SNOW for nordic skiing, snowboarding, downhill skiing, and fat bikes at Mt. Ashwabay. If you're looking to ESCAPE the sound of snowmobiles, Bayfield is your destination.
Our family stays at the Cedar Chalet, while grandparents have stayed across the community in a smaller property. What I love about this is, the five minute "walking to Nana's" through the woods became an adventure. The wood burning fireplace is also wonderful after a long day of winter skiing.
We've also stayed here with family friends during the summer at two neighboring cabins. The back and forth between the two cottages close together was great for the kids. We also love being able to swim at the private beach and highly recommend Lost Creek Adventure kayak tours!
Cottage Rental Information
These properties book fast for the summer, so plan ahead!
- Each cottage in the community is privately owned and most can be reserved through the local agency, Windseeker Rentals. Here's our favorite property for a family of five! (Note: Windseeker offers properties outside of the Brickyard too, so be sure to check the lists on their site or call them!)
- The minimum stay is only 2-days, so you can plan a weekend adventure or a full vacation.
- We love that these cozy cabins in Wisconsin offer ONLINE rentals, so you can immediately see if which properties are available when you want to book.
- Unfortunately, there is a strict "no guest pets" policy in Brickyard Creek.
2. This classic Mom & Pop Wisconsin Lake Resort offers renters a private lake: Afterglow
This private Wisconsin resort located just north of Eagle River offers families a private lake, trails, and all the toys you can imagine.
Distance from...
Chicago | 6h
Twin Cities | 4h 30m
Milwaukee | 4h 40m
What we love about Afterglow Lake Resort in Wisconsin:
- Afterglow is a family owned company on a motor-free private lake in the beautiful Northwoods. The lake alone is worth staying here!
- There are a wide variety of cottage sizes available for families traveling together, ranging from small cottages for families of four to larger duplex-style cottages hosting big extended families.
- You can step outside the cabin door to explore privately maintained hiking, skiing, and snowshoes trails.
- Your family can enjoy the lakeside community fire pit.
- WiFi is available at the restaurant but is not available in the individual cabins.
- It's about a twenty minute drive from downtown Eagle River which offers traditional shops, cafes, and restaurants.
- They book full weeks during the prime season, but in the off season you can sometimes reserve long weekends.
IN SUMMER, this resort offers all the "vacation toys" you can imagine including kayaks, paddle boards, beach toys/chairs, etc. It is awesome to not have to haul things!
IN WINTER, they offer daily snow tubing, which is AMAZING. Plus, they've always got SNOW for nordic skiing and snowshoeing. They've got snowshoes available for use, but you have to bring your own skis and fat tire bikes!
We've stayed at a variety of cottages at Afterglow over the course of the years. It is a wonderful place to make family memories where you can truly feel safe as your kids roam free in this tucked away resort property.
The cottages were all hand-built and are definitely rustic; at this resort, privacy and nature are the showstoppers. Afterglow is my in-law's favorite resort in Wisconsin. My kids have spent their summers growing up at this family-owned and run resort.
Lake Resort Rental Information
- Guests are encouraged to book the same week upon the conclusion of their vacation (and most do)! Unfortunately, because it is SO WONDERFUL it can be hard to get reservations.
- Reach out to Gail and see if there's space for your family visit this summer or winter. Both seasons are amazing at Afterglow!
- Pets are welcome in the off season for an extra fee.
- Don't be put out if you cannot get an immediate reservation. Gail has a waiting list for cancellations. Ask her to get on it!
The next set of Wisconsin cabin rental suggestions are from local friends! These are all places your family can travel with another family and rent separate cabins within walking distance of each other!
3. Not all resorts in Wisconsin can boast the many perks of being next to the highest point in the state: High Point Village
High Point Village is located northwest of Wausau on Timm's Hill National Trail (the scenic high point of Wisconsin) at the edge of Bass Lake.
Distance from...
Chicago | 5h
Twin Cities | 3h
Milwaukee | 3h 50m
What sounds amazing about High Point Village Resort:
- There are a four cottages available for families traveling together.
- High Point Village is one of few Wisconsin lake resorts that offers a restaurant. We cannot wait to try Hill of Beans. We've heard Hill of Beans is "a cute little restaurant with delicious food and a great atmosphere!"
- These cabins in northern Wisconsin have skiing and hiking trails that that connect with Timm's Hill and the Ice Age Trail.
- If you're looking to cross country ski, this is a great place to visit with families who have different skill levels. Since they are located at the foot of Timm's Hill, the trails vary from flat and straight for the beginner, to long and winding which will challenge even the most seasoned veteran.
IN SUMMER, you can tour Bass Lake via paddle boat, fish the stocked lake, take a quick dip in the designated swimming area, and grill lakeside with the families you're traveling with...
IN WINTER, they have miles upon miles of cross country ski trails, snowmobile trails, and of course snowshoeing trails.
Cabin Rental Information
- You can reach out via email using the contact form for availability.
- Unfortunately, pets are not welcome.
4. Add a boat rental to your trip: Bent's Camp & Northern Wisconsin Cabin Rentals
Bent’s Camp was established in 1896 for sport fishing and hunting, but today the lodge and collection of cabins in northern Wisconsin welcome families looking to escape. It is a great gateway to the UP!
Distance from...
Chicago | 6h
Twin Cities | 4h 30m
Milwaukee | 4h 30m
What sounds amazing about Bent's Camp:
- While there are only three winter rentals, the summer opens the door for a wide variety of lake cabin rentals for families traveling together.
- A beautiful location! Bent’s Camp Resort, Lodge Restaurant, and Bar is located 10 miles west of Land O’ Lakes, Wisconsin near the border of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula on Mamie Lake of the famous Cisco Chain of Lakes.
- If you're a lake person, you can rent a fishing boat or a pontoon during your stay at Bent's Camp
- There is full-service restaurant and bar on the grounds that has an amazing menu and Friday fish fry.
- A Weber grill is furnished for each cabin. Free fish freezing is also available.
- WiFi is available at the restaurant but is not available in the individual cabins.
IN SUMMER, you can tour Bass Lake via paddle boat, fish the stocked lake, take a quick dip in the designated swimming area, and grill lake side with the families you're traveling with...
IN WINTER, they have miles upon miles of cross country ski trails, snowmobile trails, and of course snowshoeing trails.
Cabin Rental Information
- Hooray, this is one of the few resorts in Wisconsin that offer online booking!
- Unfortunately, pets are not welcome.
5. Travel with your pet at these lake cabin rentals in Wisconsin: Sunrise Resort
At the top of the state, sharing a border with Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, sits Sunrise Resort. a family-owned Northwoods resort offering one thousand feet of crystal clear Presque Isle Lake frontage.
Distance from...
Chicago | 6h 15m
Twin Cities | 4h 30m
Milwaukee | 4h 40m
What sounds amazing about Sunrise Resort:
- While there are only a few winter rentals, the summer opens the door for a wide variety of lake cabin rentals for families traveling together.
- Pets are welcome!
- This little gem is just fifteen minutes from Manitowash Waters and fifteen minutes from Boulder Junction. Two great little destinations for cafes and shops.
- You can rent a pontoon or fishing boat with these lake cabins in Wisconsin.
- This four lake chain is considered to be a trophy musky and small mouth bass fishery.
- There is no WiFi — which we're actually looking forward to!
- This is one of few resorts in Wisconsin that offers group rates.
IN SUMMER, Presque Isle River offers a great canoe or kayak trip with some excellent wildlife.
IN WINTER, they boast being one of the Midwest’s top snowmobiling destinations with 600 miles of impeccable snowmobile trails in Vilas County
We are staying here this winter to take advantage of that snow belt! We are excited to do some cross country skiing and snowshoeing on the many trails in Presque Isle.
Resort Rental Information
- Hooray, this is one of few resorts in Wisconsin that offer online booking!
- Pets are welcome.
Why You'll ❤ Traveling Together/Apart At One Of These Wisconsin Lake Resorts
The introvert in me loves the idea of traveling with a group of people I love, but also having privacy and a place to call my own.
- Cabins in northern Wisconsin offer the opportunity to truly unplug and experience nature. There's nothing quite like relaxing in the woods.
- Cabin resorts in Wisconsin offer the opportunity to travel safely as a group and still have a private space to decompress.
- The best cabins in Wisconsin for multi-family vacations are ones that are clustered together so you can easily interact without having to get into a vehicle. Imagine a gaggle of kids being able to safely play circa 80's style in the "resort neighborhood."
- Resorts in Wisconsin offer awesome adventure opportunities right outside the cottage door — skiing, kayaking, hiking, etc.
Tips for Group Travel — The Dos and Don'ts
Don't over schedule. Plan one group activity per day at a time most conducive to the kids behaving well.
Let individuals be. Don't force every person to participate in every activity. Give people the opportunity to opt-out.
Pick one meal. Coordinating preferences, tastes, and timetables can be challenging with a big group. Pick one meal to share together each day and do the rest individually.
Eat at a consistent time. To ensure there isn't confusion and hurt feelings, pick a consistent time you'll come together each day to eat.
Encourage one-on-one time. Find moments to sneak away on walks, hikes, or rides and connect on a personal level with the people you love.
Wishing you happy and safe travels!
Love this post on cabin resorts in Wisconsin? Sharing it would make our week. 💛
It would make our week if you took a second to share this post on your favorite social media spot. That's how we know we're on the right track and should continue writing more posts like this!
