Boreal Retreat | Cabin in the Pines | Port Wing

Hide out under the pines at Boreal Retreat! This cozy two-bedroom cabin sits in the beautiful boreal forest along the Lake Superior shoreline. Comfy common area, soothing sleeping spaces, and outdoor hangouts under the trees, plus a gorgeous sunroom! It’s a short walk to Lake Superior, into town, or into the old-growth woods. If you could use some forest bathing, this is the place. On the South Shore between Cornucopia and Duluth. Beaches, trails, and small-town charm all within reach.

Your host runs Bark Point Ventures, a vacation rental management & concierge company that specializes in properties on Lake Superior's South Shore. Our passion is ensuring guests experience the magic of what we feel is one of the most amazing places in the world.

The South Shore is truly a place to get away from it all, but not so far from modern conveniences that getting food and gas feels like a chore. The guest book contains tips on all the incredible outdoor activities around here, as well as local arts, plus places to get groceries, dine out, grab a drink, etc. This is truly a year-round destination, whether you enjoy outdoor adventure, local cuisine, art, or simply the company of friends & family in one of the most beautiful locations in the northern U.S.

Boreal Retreat is five minutes' walk from the Port Wing marina, where you can sit snd watch the sunlight play over the water, and it's just a few minutes' walk into the nature preserve and its gorgeous boreal forest--and some of the best beaches on the South Shore. The town of Port Wing is close by too, with a convenience store where you can buy smoked fish (talk about convenient!) and one of our favorite coffee shops in the area. The cabin is about 40 minutes form Bayfield, and 50 minutes from Ashland, where you'll find groceries and other amenities. Duluth-Superior is about an hour away.

Boreal Retreat gets its name because it’s tucked into the boreal forest that once lined the Superior shoreline. The cabin is across the road from a nature preserve, and you’ll love feeling soft pine needles underfoot as you explore these woods, where dark, dense groves of spruce and fir contrast with white birch, and giant pines tower overhead.

Coming in the front door of the cabin, you’ll find a comfy sitting room with chars and a sofa. Put a record on the turntable and take a look at the trees through the big picture window. It’s a great place to unplug, and we’ve got some books and games to get you started.

Past the sitting room you’ll find the dining table: big enough for a party (it seats six) but cozy enough for intimate dinners, too. The kitchen is small but efficient, with every appliance you need to cook up a feast, including a full-size fridge and freezer, plus a kitchen island for some extra prep space. And don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten your morning libations, either: we stock the cabin with coffee from Lake Wind Coffee (find them in Port Wing, just up the road!), and we’ve got all the tools you need to get from batch-roasted beans to the perfect cup of coffee.

The master bedroom has a king bed plus a cute little reading nook. It’s a soothing space with a view of the woods, and there's also a desk if you need to get some work done while you’re here.

The bathroom is big and bright and clean, with new fixtures, and features a large tub/shower combo.

If you like to lounge in bed when you vacay, you’ll love the second bedroom. There’s a comfy queen bed with lamps for reading in bed—and when you look up from your book you’ll be looking through the windows and into the woods. There’s also a cute little loveseat that makes another perfect spot for reading.

Newly added, is a gorgeous sunroom off the back with a wood stove and plenty of seating. This roomy sanctuary has large windows on three sides and gives a glorious view of the large trees and woody area behind the cabin.

Behind the cabin you’ll find some awesome outdoor spaces: a patio and (our favorite) a path that leads you into the pines and down to a fire ring. You can get to them through the rear entryway, where you’ll also find a few more places to sit and admire the view of the trees through yet another big picture window—and a washer and dryer when it’s time to clean up.

Due to the lack of public transportation and the distance between towns/amenities, a car is pretty much essential. But, on the plus side, traffic is not a concept we have up here!

This home is in a heavily wooded area: seasonal bugs/pests are to be expected.
The water can sometimes look a bit cloudy with a rust tint because of the minerals in the well water, but it's perfectly safe to use. Property has both a water softener/filtration system and has Culligan water for drinking.