Cabin

Two cabins right on the lake for the perfect family getaway.

Photo gallery for Two cabins right on the lake for the perfect family getaway.

This listing includes two separate cabins with shared outdoor space.
One cabin has a screened in porch.
One of the cabins has a screened in porch.
And a cozy electric fireplace that can be used with or without heat.
The second cabin has a beautiful, scenic deck to enjoy!

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 12

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Barbecue grill
  • Pet-friendly
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

Map
Backus, MN
  • Big Portage Lake
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Rainy Lake
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Lake Hattie
    ‪7 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Bedroom 1

1 Single Bunk Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Futon

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Single Bunk Bed

Bedroom 5

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 6

1 Double Futon

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Kitchen

About this property

Two cabins right on the lake for the perfect family getaway.

Welcome to the perfect cabin getaway! This listing includes BOTH of our two-bedroom, 525 square foot cabins. Inquire about our additional amenities available for rent as well, including our SSV-16 Lund Fishing boat, paddle boards, kayaks, ebikes, and Bote Inflatable dock.

These two cabins are identical in layout, except one has a screened in porch and the other has a beautiful, open deck. Both have all of the amenities you need to simply relax and enjoy everything that cabin life has to offer. They are perfect for two families looking to getaway together and still have a private space of their own. Our cabins are directly located on Big Portage Lake in Backus, Minnesota. We are only minutes away from the Paul Bunyan State Trail and miles and miles of state land to explore. . Our mission is to give you a carefree vacation with all the trimmings. We work to make sure that we think of everything from kitchen utensils to lawn games. Enjoy our high speed internet, explore the Portage Chain Lakes, or just sit back and sip our provided coffee, enjoying the sights of nature.

We do have a one room bunk house for rent as well. The last few pictures feature the bunkhouse. Please note that the dock and other outdoor amenities are not available after the first weekend in October until May!

Indoor
All essential kitchen needs, including pizza pan, pots, casserole dish, bowls, mugs, etc.
Hand towels, bath towels, rags, etc.
Puzzles, games, books, coloring books, crayons, colored pencils, etc.
Coffee, Tea, Sugar, Cocoa, Salt, Pepper
Shampoo, Conditioner, and Body Wash
All pillows, sheets, linens, etc.
Extra set of chairs for indoor table (total of 4 indoors, not including screened in porch)
Electric Fireplace
Roku Television and wireless internet

Off Season Outdoor
Shovels
Sleds
Two sets of snow shoes
Additional salt if needed for ice

Summer Season Outdoor (shared between two cabins)
Cornhole
Ladder Ball
Bocce Ball
Fire Pit with roasting sticks and cast iron squares
Folding Patio chairs (6)
Propane Grill
Giant Jenga

Property manager

Jennifer Schroeder
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Pet-friendly
Air conditioning
Barbecue grill

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: less than 23 kg per pet (limit 2 pets total)
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
There are no jet skis allowed on Big Portage Lake. When using any resort equipment, user must have life jacket.
This property has many shared amenities. Please follow posted rules and be mindful of other guests during your stay.
Pets must be leashed at all times and pets cannot be on the beach.

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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
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

About the area

Backus

Located in Backus, this cabin is on the waterfront. While the natural beauty of Deep Portage Conservation Reserve and Mule Lake Wildlife Management Area can be enjoyed by anyone, those looking for an activity can head to Black Bear Golf Complex.
Map
Backus, MN

What's nearby

  • Big Portage Lake - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Rainy Lake - 5 min drive - 3.0 km
  • Lake Hattie - 7 min drive - 4.9 km
  • Lake Ada - 12 min drive - 10.6 km
  • Black Bear Golf Complex - 19 min drive - 12.5 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Willard's Saloon & Eatery - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Harriet Club - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Corner Store Restaurant & Gun Shop - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Club Kimberly - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Triolo's Italian & Mexican Restaurant - ‬8 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Two cabins right on the lake for the perfect family getaway. pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows pets (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.

What time is check-in at Two cabins right on the lake for the perfect family getaway.?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Two cabins right on the lake for the perfect family getaway.?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Two cabins right on the lake for the perfect family getaway. located?

Situated on the waterfront, this cabin is within a 10-minute walk of Big Portage Lake and Deep Portage Conservation Reserve. Rainy Lake and Lindsey Lake are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 17 out of 19 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 19 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 19 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 19 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 19 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Mandi S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Was amazing!!!

Everything was great! The dock was close and beach was private.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

William J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lake life

Nice place to spend time by the lake
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Abby W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place to stay!!

This was perfect for 2 families traveling together. We each had our own space but were right next door from each other and had a nice big yard right by the lake! We had a problem with the a/c and the host responded quickly and took care of it. Highly recommend!!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Amanda K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Spot

We had a great time at the cabins. We stayed with 5 adults and 6 kids. The screened porch was great for meals with all of us and we spent many hours at the beach. There was even an eagle perched in a tree by the dock for much for our stay. Communication was great, hosts were quick to respond to our questions.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brooke K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Everything We Needed

The cabins were so perfect! They had everything we needed. We can't wait to go back.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

SIBLINGS reunion

Very enjoyable location, properties (2) and lake fishing.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jamie J., Lake Crystal, MN

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great vacation spot

Great location and space. The screen porch was great in the evenings. The beach kept the kids entertained. Well stocked kitchen.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mary M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Big Portage Lake

The 2 cabins and bunkhouse served us perfectly for our 2 families.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

mary w.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Family Vacation Spot

The property was so clean and handy. We rented both cabins and the small bunkhouse. The little girls loved having the bunkhouse to play and sleep. We felt very safe with them there. We also rented the Bote floating dock and that was a big hit with adults and kids. Very hospitable hosts. The beach is only a short walk away. We stayed there all day. It was a great stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

peter n.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Awesome!:)

Very cozy 2 cabins. They had everything you need in a nice location! Very good
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Linda s., ANITA, IA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Two Cabins on the Lake

It was very clean and a beautiful view of the Lake out our front porch. We would highly recommend renting these two cabins for a family vacation or for a needed weekend away. The manager was very prompt on answering all our questions before we got there. A very nice vacation for our family.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

James J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Jim

Cute clean cabins had a great time
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

8/10 Good

Stephanie L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy

Wonderful cabin

Great little cabin with lots of games included in the rental property. The only thing that I would have liked was a larger/ sandier beach. The screened in porch area was a fantastic hangout area as the mosquitos got pretty intense. I would recommend this location as it was a great escape!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Turning into an annual trip

We have nothing but amazing things to say about our stay at Cabin 8 retreats. They had everything we needed - everything was as listed in the booking site information. Only thing we would like to have at the property would be Kayak's included in the total cost but we can live without them! We are already planning to come back next summer! Loved everything about it!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Erin H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy

A fun family weekend.

We had several families together so we rented both properties, plus the bunkhouse! The cabins are small, but very nicely decorated and clean. The screened in porch is wonderful. The amenities that are provided are wonderful…grill, used games, chairs etc. the option to rent kayaks and paddle boards was wonderful. There is only a shared public beach and it is quite small, but nice. The owners are very responsive and they really care that your expectations are met. I would definitely recommend getting a coffee pot instead of the individual keurig. All in all a great rental!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca T., Owatonna, MN

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Gathering

Our family of 12 stayed at Cabin 8 Retreats for a long weekend to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary. Our hosts were fantastic at providing everything we needed to make it a perfect time for all age groups. There were plenty of fun things to do and we especially loved gathering in the screen porch for meals, games and lounging after a long day of kayaking and swimming. We loved the solo fire pit and used it for making s’mores and telling stories around the fire. By using both cabins and the optional bunkhouse we could spread out and each have our own spaces. There were plenty of dishes, pots, pans, silverware, etc. for a group our size. The swimming beach was the perfect size for the kids and the dock had a nice bench where we could watch the loons in the evening. The neighboring cabins were quiet and people were friendly. I know we will be back!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Stephen A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Bike-cation

Cabin 8 was Great! Clean well supplied. Lots of special touch’s. Jennifer’s personalized greeting on the screen porch table (other than the MN Vikings Skol!) Variety of S’mores pre packaged. We booked both cabins for a small group of 8 it is perfect. The steps and you are at the neighbors. Easy access and great view of the lake. Sunrise over the lake with a hot cup f coffee is a great way to start your day. Very peaceful neighborhood for walking or just sitting back and relaxing. 8 minutes to the Paul Bunyan state bike trail. We road 65 mile of the trail. Cold beer at Rendezvous in Hackensack right off the trail. If you forget something Godfrey’s on the corner in Backus has everything. We referred to it as the Backus Walmart. Wi-Fi was excellent in both cabins.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Christoph R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

2 amazing cabins on the lake!

The 2 cabins fit 9 adults very comfortably. Great place to relax, fish, and enjoy a bonfire. We pulled several small mouth bass out of the lake and even a few at the dock. Highly recommend this place. Easy to book, check-in, and check-out. 100% will return!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Eric M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

As good as advertised

Nice cabins. Both were very clean and well stocked with essentials. The patio and deck were both very nice.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

About the host

Hosted by Jennifer Schroeder

Host profile image
In today’s fast-moving world, it became my mission to create a place where families could slow down, reconnect, and build lasting, meaningful memories—the kind that linger long after the holiday ends.

Some of my most treasured childhood moments were spent at the lake. We stayed in Cabin Number 8, part of a resort that, sadly, no longer exists. Those simple, joy-filled days became a core memory for me—and when my father passed away, I felt an even deeper pull to do something that honoured those moments and created space for others to experience the same.

That’s how Cabin 8 Retreats was born.

Today, we’re the proud caretakers of three cabins that offer families and friends a chance to truly escape the everyday. These cabins aren’t just places to stay—they’re places to be. To laugh a little louder. To stay up a little later. To sit by the lake and remember what really matters.

Cabin 8 Retreats is our way of giving back—a tribute to the past, and a place where new memories are made, shaping stories for generations to come.

Why they chose this property

This cabin is the perfect hybrid between a private escape and a resort experience. While there is plenty of privacy and seclusion, there are also shared resort amenities and a wonderful sense of community.

What makes this property unique

Our goal is to offer all of the little things to make your vacation absolutely perfect. A stay at Cabin 8 Retreats includes coffee, games, puzzles, yard games, grill, fireplaces, winter sleds, books, and so many other amenities. We are constantly adding new items to help your stay turn into the perfect, unforgettable experience. Please ask about anything in specific you might be wanting for your stay!

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests