Entire home

Just in! August & July weeks available. Premium lakefront accommodation

Photo gallery for Just in! August & July weeks available. Premium lakefront accommodation

Lakeside view of the new cottage.  Mid-summer of 2013.  Idyllic? We think so too
Wakeboard.  Ski.  Surf.  Tricks anyone? Calm waters available always.
Bald eagles nest with us on the lake!  Taken on Horseshoe Lake.  Summer 2017
AND, of course, loons do too.  Taken summer of 2017 on Horseshoe Lake
Yes, we do fish here too!  Abundant bass.  Walleye.  Northern,  Crappie.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 10204.4 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Beach view
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Washer
  • Fireplace

Explore the area

Map
Backus, MN
  • Rainy Lake
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Lake Hattie
    ‪11 min drive‬
  • Northern Lights Casino
    ‪28 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Guest Bedroom

1 Single Bed and 1 Double Bed

Living Room

1 Double Futon

Loft Sleeping Area

3 Single Beds

Master Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

Sunroom/Kitchen

1 Double Futon

2 bathrooms

Guest Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Master Bath

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Separate dining area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Just in! August & July weeks available. Premium lakefront accommodation

Just Open, two weeks in July and one week in August. Rare Opportunities!!

Our Four-Season Cottage is Small Enough to be Romantic and Large Enough for a Family.

This professionally designed beautiful 3 bedroom - 2 bath cottage is available year around. Our cottage was newly constructed in the spring of 2013. The cottage is well maintained. The interior is clean, uncluttered, and bright with natural light. New or improved features are added to the interior and/or to the property exterior each year.

Whole Home. Non-contact self-check-in. No shared interior spaces or facilities. This home, and the immediate surrounding towns, are situated in a low population density region. That remains so even in peak vacation schedule periods.

The installed internet service will support work simultaneous with schooling. Bring your family for a week or two away.

Great value year around. Try it. You will like it!

September and October are my own absolute favorite times of the year!!

Special winter rates are implemented for many non-holiday weekends/periods between October 15 and early May each year.

Cleaning charge will always be applied. Extra charge for more than six people. Extra charge for one pet.

Typical Repeat Visitors: multi-generation family vacation; weekend or week getaway for a couple; Thanksgiving, New Year day, or Christmas family celebration; extended family groups; hobby groups; craft groups; women's weekend away groups; small group reunions; church groups; quilting groups; wedding groups; special anniversaries; engagement proposal weekends; honeymoon cottage; snowmobiling groups; ice fishing groups; XC skiing groups; winter weekend getaways; waterskiing groups; wakeboard groups; wake-surfing groups; fishing opener groups; hunting groups; and more......

DATES IN MID-SUMMER ARE GENERALLY RESERVED THREE OR MORE YEARS IN ADVANCE. Dates in mid-October to mid- May will often be reserved 6 months to 1 year, or more, in advance. Reserve now to acquire a week in the early fall and winter 2024, or winter and spring of 2025

Grand piano is provided for your enjoyment.

Two tiled bathrooms and full separate laundry area

Exterior fire pit, exterior gas and charcoal grills, interior gas grill and griddle, and interior gas fireplace.

Relaxing recreational location

Large commercial grade kitchen for family special meal prep and relaxed gourmet dining or just serving a family reunion crowd.

Nearby access to Paul Bunyan and Heartland trails for great bicycling, inline skating, and X-C skiing.

Great bass fishing (1 lb to 5 lb) from dock. Good walleye and northern when trolling lake shallows and sand bars

Quiet, calm, and nearly weed free lake good for fishing, canoeing, kayaking, water skiing, and recreational boating. Ultra-clear and clean spring fed lake with a sandy bottom

Loons live here. You should see/hear adults and offspring every day/night in spring, summer, and fall. Variety of other animal life is almost endless. A keen wild-life observer might well see: Hawks, eagles, owls, otters, beavers, bears, raccoons, ground hogs, deer, coyote, pelicans, egret, herons, ducks, geese, swans, common and rarer songbirds, various squirrels, chipmunks, skunks, and more.

Docks: Semi-private dock will be, installed in and removed from, the lake as seasonal weather permits. Exact installation dates in spring and exact removal dates in the fall are affected by availability of the dock vendors, the ice out in the spring, and very low air temperature and/or prospect of early ice on in the fall. Docks are often in by late April. and often out before mid-October. Sometimes the docks are not in by late May. Sometimes docks come out in September. There are two 3000 lb boat lifts. One is for the owner's boat and one is for the guest's boat, if any. The owner, or owner's family members, may sometimes be present and use the dock and the owners boat lift. Guests have shared use of the dock, and access for use of (1st of 2) 3000 lb boat lift/canopy cover. Owner will access dock, 2nd lift, and store owner's boat on one of the two lifts (2nd of 2)

Boats: Supplied with Old Town canoe and Lund 15' fishing boat. Outboard motor not supplied but available for rent at limited regional commercial locations. Best option is to buy a well maintained used outboard motor and bring it with you. The cost of a used motor will likely be less than one week's rental cost if you find a local rental

Property has multiple exterior video cameras and monitored interior house/ and garage security sensors. Video systems include (24 hr X 365 day) exterior video surveillance and recording. There is no video interior to the occupied sections of the house (basement is monitored)

CAN SLEEP UP TO TEN PERSONS IN A LARGE FAMILY. THIS MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR 8, 9, OR 10 ADULTS EACH REQUIRING PRIVACY. BEST SUITED FOR 3 OR FEWER ADULT COUPLES OR AN ADULT COUPLE AND THEIR CHILDREN. EXTRA CHARGES FOR MORE THAN SIX PERSONS. See bedrooms discussion in website AMENITIES section for further explanation/clarification.

Not fully handicap accessible: Most of the house is on one level. One step up to the porch. One step up at the entrance to our home. The kitchen, dining room, both bathrooms, both first floor bedrooms, the sunroom, and a portion of the living room are all on the entry level. One step down between most of the house first floor and just a portion of the living room. 10 steps down (or gentle sloped walked on grass) to lake in front of house. The interior doors are generally 30 in. width. No ramps are provided. The lawn is gently sloped to the lake shore. Lake can be accessed from the lawn easily as well as the steps. The lake bottom is also gently sloped and ideal for handicapped entry, teaching swimming, and monitored child's play.

Pets: Please let me know the breed, weight, and temperament of the pet as soon as you know that you want a pet to be part of your reserved stay. I need to approve any pet in-advance of your stay. There is an extra charge for a pet.

If/when a pet is approved you will need to always keep the pet on leash when outside; you will not leave the pet outside off-leash, unattended, or barking; you will not leave the pet in the house unattended without placing and retaining the pet in a portable kennel; and you will pick up and dispose of pet waste bagged separately within the trash, not leave same in the yard. In addition, I charge a $150 pet fee per pet that covers added cleaning that is needed (pet dander, pet hair, pet odor and etc), and damage that pets cause to flooring in the house no matter how well behaved (wood floors which I have had to refinish every two to three years). That extra fee does not cover damage such as a pet scratching or chewing on a piece of furniture, or scratching/ruining a door or a piece of trim. Your job is to prevent that, and/or to personally cover the costs of that sort of damage if it occurs. Depending on how extensive such damage might be it may not be totally covered under the limited insurance policy.

Owner may often not be present during a portion of guest stay. Guests do not have access to the owner's boat, the lift supporting owner's boat, the house basement, or the garage at any time. Owner retains access to the house basement, the garage, and one of two boat lifts on the dock at all times. All non-guest spaces will frequently be locked. Owner will store one boat on a lift (2nd of the 2) at the dock. Guests will not use the owner's boat or use/park in/operate the owner's lift at the dock. Owner may routinely access those areas. Owner will be considerate of time of day and guests needs if/when accessing the dock or the basement. Owner/family sometimes work from and may infrequently spend an extended period in the two-story garage. Windows are carefully offset between the house and the garage so that persons in the garage do not have a view into the house interior, and vice versa.

Exterior of house and all property have full recorded video surveillance at all times. Interior of house ground level, and second floor upper level have extensive security sensors BUT DO NOT include ANY video cameras or audio receivers, except glass breakage sensors. Interior of the garage has extensive security sensors and video/audio as well. Basement has extensive security sensors and recorded video, but no audio sensors.

The entire rest of the property has extensive security sensors but in addition includes extensive recorded video surveillance. Any access to the garage or basement will immediately initiate automatic notification of owner and recorded video surveillance. The house ground level and upper-level security alarms will be disabled when guests are present. The garage and house basement security alarms may not be disabled unless owner or owner's family are present. If an alarm occurs other than immediately after guests enter the main house, it is likely the garage system. If officials arrive to investigate an alarm, direct them to the garage first, unless the alarm occurred promptly upon initially attempting to access the main house for the first time, or upon entering the house basement.

Cottage features, furniture, and facilities are improved every year. A portion of each rental is set aside for improvements and maintenance of the home. I try to keep it interesting and in a like-new condition. There are many antique pieces of furniture in the cottage. Antiques are obviously not and should not be new. Those too will evolve year to year.

Property manager

John Swailes
Premier Host

Languages

English, Spanish

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Loft stairs not suitable for young children.
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Events

No events allowed
Families?-Yes. Frat/graduation/event parties?-No!
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs less than 23 kg per pet (limit one pet total)
Owner permission. Pet fee of $150.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
24 X 365 recorded video of property exterior
No vaping/similar in the house. No campfires near the beach. No campfires near the house or the garage. Keep grills away from house.
No camper, motorhome, RV, or travel trailer Must arrive after arrival time & depart before departure time. Changes only with owner permission.
Do not remove any book outside of the house. Leave all of owners books at the cottage upon departure. No party inside or outside of the house

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
Note from host: Families?-Yes. Frat/graduation/event parties?-No!
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

Backus

Located in Backus, this cottage is in a rural area and on the beach. 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. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Backus, MN

What's nearby

  • Rainy Lake - 6 min drive - 4.0 km
  • Big Portage Lake - 7 min drive - 5.0 km
  • Lake Hattie - 11 min drive - 9.0 km
  • Black Bear Golf Complex - 20 min drive - 16.9 km
  • Northern Lights Casino - 28 min drive - 28.6 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Willard's Saloon & Eatery - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Harriet Club - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Corner Store Restaurant & Gun Shop - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Birchwood Char House and Bar - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Rendezvous Brewing - ‬13 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Just in! August & July weeks available. Premium lakefront accommodation pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.

What time is check-in at Just in! August & July weeks available. Premium lakefront accommodation?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Just in! August & July weeks available. Premium lakefront accommodation?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Just in! August & July weeks available. Premium lakefront accommodation located?

Nestled on the beach, this Backus cottage is within 1 mi (2 km) of Horseshoe Lake and Lindsey Lake. Rainy Lake and Big Portage Lake are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 161 out of 171 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 10 out of 171 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 171 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 171 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 171 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Tony S.

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

Awesome

Awesome place. Couldn’t have been happier.
Stayed 8 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Douglas R.

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

Great Stau

Location & Home were excellent get away, wonderful views, quiet and warm surroundings.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Laura Y.

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

Great spot

Beautiful kitchen, very peaceful home.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Claudia L.

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

Tgiving on the lake

It's a beautiful home, decorated in a cabin style with a truely gourmet kitchen. Our second stay for Tgiving knowing we could make our feast there we went all out. A lovely stay. Cold clear nights so we could really see the stars. And so quiet. Delightful.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kevin R.

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

Lake Charm #5

Fifth time here, always quiet, beautiful, peaceful
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Pamela R.

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

Excellent getaway!

This was our second stay at the cabin. Kitchen is wonderful! We’re a group of two musical families and very much enjoyed the piano.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Michael P.

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

Very quiet

Went in October. Wonderfull to see leaves changing. Very quiet and nice.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Pamela R., North Oaks, MN, USA

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

Beautiful cabin!

We had a fun relaxing stay and enjoyed the lovely kitchen!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

sivanaga pavankumar c.

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

Beautiful cabin

Highly recommend this beautiful and very clean property
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Elise B.

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

Just lovely

A beautiful place to get away and unwind. We had a wonderful time.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jeff F.

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

Anniversary trip

Very tranquil setting. We had a great trip!
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Barb P.

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

Great for relaxation..

Beautiful home, quiet solitude, wonderful kitchen w/everything you need, and had fun fishing. Fortunate to have met Host/Wife while there. Thank you for sharing your paradise with us,we’d love to come back!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ned W.

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

Great cabin

Very nice cabin. Kitchen is exceptional. John is great to work with as well.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kevin R.

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

Family Reunion

Awesome cabin and location, our 4th stay here and will be back again.
Stayed 6 nights in May 2023

8/10 Good

Judi G.

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

Weekend stay

Beautiful setting, lovely cabin with state of the art kitchen. Lovely rooms, but bathrooms could use new grouting in showers and attention to toilet in 2nd bathroom. Overall a lovely stay - everyone enjoyed the weekend.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Laurie P.

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

Very nice place!

We enjoyed our stay at this rental property. If you like to cook this place is for you! The kitchen was amazing with high end appliances and well stocked for everything you need. The place was very comfortable for watching movies and playing games. Everything was clean and well kept. I would stay here again, it was very nice.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Regina M.

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

Great friends getaway

This was beautiful relaxing home. We loved every minute there. I would highly recommend this listing. I would definitely rebook this home.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Douglas G.

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

The perfect quiet holiday getaway

This is my second time staying here with my parents over Thanksgiving, and it's the perfect place to have a quiet holiday with family and just enjoy being together. Everything at the property is always well kept, I highly recommend you try a family holiday! You won't be disappointed!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Shawn G.

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

Another Great Stay!

This was our third time staying at this lovely home. Once again, lots of great meals made in the amazing commercial sized kitchen along with a ton of great memories made!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kerry J.

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

Workation

Lovely place to get a change of scenery while working remotely!
Stayed 5 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ron S., Rochester, MN

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

A nice experience

Many well thought out details make this a very special destination.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

8/10 Good

Ashley N.

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

Great location to meet up!

Beautiful property, pictures don’t do it justice! We enjoyed the fireplace and the views of the lake. Beds were very comfortable and kitchen was well stocked with everything you could ever need. Bathrooms were gorgeous and we enjoyed games around the dining table. We had a great stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sammy L.

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

Peaceful

My husband and I enjoyed a relaxing and quiet stay here. The lake is beautiful with a lot of wildlife. The house is amazing!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Joel F.

Wonderful getaway

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay! The view of the water as well as the clean and comfy rooms gave us the right place to relax. We also enjoyed loon looking via the row boat as well as a fire in the fire pit. We can't say enough about this amazing place!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2017

10/10 Excellent

Kris and Matt K.

Peaceful retreat!

Beautiful views, amazing kitchen, perfect weekend.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2018

About the host

Hosted by John Swailes

Host profile image
My family and I have been sharing our home with new acquaintances like you for 30 years. For many of them, and to my own delight, this has now become their surrogate family vacation home too. To the best of my recollection, that was well before there was a VRBO, a HomeAway, or an Airbnb! We would be delighted to share it with you too.

I am a Nuclear Engineer, a retired US Naval (submarine) officer, a retired Electric Utility executive, and a retired US DOE executive. I am working currently as a contractor and consultant in the commercial nuclear electric utility industry. Under contract in Surry, VA presently. Reside and work in VA part time and in MN part time. MD officially is my home. My wife Cheri is a contracting and procurement professional working as a US DOD civilian employee for the US Navy at Patuxent River, MD and very near to our MD residence in Solomons, MD.

We like to read, sail, swim, waterski, snow ski, hike, mountaineer, bicycle, canoe, XC ski, dabble in digital communications, and am a licensed amateur radio operator (HAM)

We own this cottage in MN on Horseshoe Lake, a townhouse in MD near Baltimore, and a condominium in Solomons, MD southeast of Washington, DC on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay.

Why they chose this property

I have lived on this lake for portions of every year for 73 years. Immediate family on this lake for 98 years. We love it summer or winter! My family owns the house next door to the north and the lot between the two houses.

My mother's father (Papa - Dr. Don Newland) bought the property next door to the north after he returned from World War I and then built one of the earliest homes on this lake in 1926. Papa's original rustic log cabin was replaced by the current next door small ranch style home in 1946, right after World War II. My parents honeymooned there in 1947. I visited this lake for the first time in the summer of 1950 two weeks after my birth. I have been here every year since.

I bought this property in 1992. It was the third time that the property had been sold since a small frame home had been built upon it in 1928 by a German bachelor (Herbert Landwehr) master carpenter. Herb retired to this property in the late 1940's. I knew this this rough-hewn gentleman well. I hunted and fished with Herb, my grandfather, and my parents on and around the lake. Herb owned this property and lived here until his death in1964. He left the property to his cousin. The cousin sold four years later. Two additional owners enjoyed the lake and original house until 1992. when, I bought the property. The original was substantially improved and remodeled several times. That sequence of efforts evolved over 20 years into the complete replacement that is this current home in fall 2012 - spring 2013.

My maternal grandfather passed away in 1962. My maternal grandmother passed in 1988. My mother passed in 1991. My father passed in 2011.

The well-kept property to the north remains today in the hands of my two brothers. Between the three of us, we have 9 children all of whom routinely visit and stay at our homes on Horseshoe Lake. My brothers and I have planned for and hope to pass these wonderful living spots along to our nine children.

What makes this property unique

Small lake. Pristine spring fed water. One of the cleanest and clearest lakes in MN. There is no substantial river or creek flowing through the lake. Low boating traffic on the lake as compared to White Fish Chain, Gull Lake, Ten Mile Lake, Leech Lake, Mille Lacs Lake, etc. More suitable for families in many ways. More suitable for children venturing out on their own. Better wake boarding and water skiing due to low wave height and quiet boating conditions. Many bays on the lake. Always a calm spot for water sports

Always good fishing. Great bass fishing. Good walleye and northern fishing.

Grand Piano for group music and singing

Modest library of classic novels and literature. Please leave the books when you depart!

Great place to vacation with children and to fish, swim, boat, and participate in recreation with water toys. The lake bottom at the cottage location is sandy with a gentle slope, so there is less likelihood of immediate full immersion other than by falling out of a boat or falling/jumping off of the dock's end. Children, pets, and adults require lifejackets and continuous oversight to ensure their safety in and around the water.

House was all new in 2013. Roomy, relaxing, and naturally lighted open-plan 3 bedroom and two bath cottage. Full laundry. Full living area with connected kitchen, living, and dining spaces. Beautiful bright sunroom seating adjoins kitchen and overlooks the lake/beach immediately in front of the house. Spaces flow comfortably together so no one is left out but there are lots of nooks for quiet reading or work. Thoughtfully designed and functional house with top quality commercial-grade gourmet kitchen. Natural sunlight throughout with plentiful glass for views of the lake as well as surrounding woodlands. Bedrooms have full closets and dressers. Master bedroom with ensuite bathroom. Sleeping loft has areas for children or adult guests.

Spent four years designing and preparing to build this new home

Languages:

English, Spanish

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests