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6 Miles to Downtown Hayward! Full Recreation 500 Acre Lake; Quintessential Cabin

Photo gallery for 6 Miles to Downtown Hayward! Full Recreation 500 Acre Lake; Quintessential Cabin

View of Cabin from Lakeshore
Shoreline with 60' of dock
Approach to Cabin entrance from driveway & parking area
Lakeview looking Southeast across Windigo Lake
Large deck overlooks lake

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 12

Popular amenities

  • Hot tub
  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Washer
  • Fireplace

Explore the area

Map
Hayward, Windigo lake, WI
  • Wilderness Walk Zoo and Recreation Park
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Hayward Lake
    ‪13 min drive‬
  • Grindstone Lake
    ‪14 min drive‬
  • Hayward, WI (HYR-Sawyer County)
    ‪14 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Single Bunk Bed

Great Room with pull out couch

1 Double Futon

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

6 Miles to Downtown Hayward! Full Recreation 500 Acre Lake; Quintessential Cabin

Magical wonder 35 feet from mystical Windigo Lake.

Picture perfect, panoramic views of this beautiful 525 acre lake from the south facing family room and wrap around deck. Cozy, Northwood’s cabin on over 1.6 acres with charming wood interior on main level and large 3 season room.

The renovated lower level features a generous master bedroom with gas fireplace, sizable bathroom with soaking tub and dual sinks, stacked washer/dryer and adorable bunk room.

As our cabin is pet friendly, we offer you the choice to bring your 'furry family' members. Each pet you bring or will list will run an added fee of $200.00 each for your week. Let us know if you require any special provisions, if bringing pets with you!

New that we now offer for 2019, -- is our 2011 Sylvan "Mirage" 820 Pontoon boat, seats up to 11. This boat is perfect for lazy, slow "sailing" along the waters of this beautiful lake, or great for those wanting to fish off the back. Boat has a live well, and two fishing seats for perfect fishing set up. This boat is pure comfort! The motor is a 50hp Suzuki Four Stroke. Please only use Non Oxy 91 Octane gas when you choose to rent this amenity... Contact us for details on costs associated with this rental pontoon!

Enjoy the 50+ dock, low elevation and sandy bottom swimming area, perfect for swimming, floating and water games. Relax amidst the charming landscaping while lounging in the Adirondack chairs on the fish-shaped stone patio.

Property manager

John and Chris Knapek
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Outdoor space

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Beautiful property on Lac Courte Oreilles - flat lot - sleeps 16!

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10.0 out of 10, (55 reviews)
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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
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: dogs (limit 3 total)
Dog(s) OK with accepted pet addendum
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Nightly rate is based on 6 guests. There is an extra fee of $50 per person / per night, for guests above 6. An accurate guest count is mandatory.
There is a $200 fee per pet / per stay. For more than one pet, you will be charged for the extra pet after booking is confirmed.
50% of the Total Amount Due is collected at the time of booking. The remaining 50% is due 60 days prior to check-in.

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
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

About the area

Hayward

Located in Hayward, this cabin is on the waterfront. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Kissick Swamp Wildlife Area and Hauer Springs State Wildlife Management Area, while National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum and Park Theater are cultural highlights. Travelling with kids? Consider Wilderness Walk Zoo and Recreation Park, or check out an event or a game at Lumberjack Bowl. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Hayward, Windigo lake, WI

What's nearby

  • Wilderness Walk Zoo and Recreation Park - 8 min drive - 6.5 km
  • Schoolhouse Lake - 9 min drive - 6.9 km
  • Lac Courte Oreilles - 9 min drive - 6.4 km
  • Hayward Lake - 13 min drive - 11.6 km
  • Grindstone Lake - 14 min drive - 9.3 km

Getting around

  • Duluth, MN (DLH-Duluth Intl.) - 108 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Louie's Bar and Bites - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Sevenwinds Casino, Lodge & Conference Center - ‬20 min drive
  • ‪El Tequila Mexican Restaurant - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Coop's Pizza - ‬13 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is 6 Miles to Downtown Hayward! Full Recreation 500 Acre Lake; Quintessential Cabin pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 3 total).

What time is check-in at 6 Miles to Downtown Hayward! Full Recreation 500 Acre Lake; Quintessential Cabin?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at 6 Miles to Downtown Hayward! Full Recreation 500 Acre Lake; Quintessential Cabin?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is 6 Miles to Downtown Hayward! Full Recreation 500 Acre Lake; Quintessential Cabin located?

Located on the waterfront, this family-friendly cabin is within 6 mi (10 km) of Lac Courte Oreilles, Wilderness Walk Zoo and Recreation Park, and Schoolhouse Lake. Ring Lake and Grindstone Lake are also within 6 miles (10 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. 48 out of 54 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 54 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 54 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 54 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 54 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Gina B.

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

Week in Hayward

Spent a week with our college kids and our dog and had a great time. The cottage was cozy and very comfortable and close to town and John was a great host.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Steve B.

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

Nice Cabin

Everything about the stay was consistent with the description and there were no surprises. Nice quiet lake perfect for relaxing on a pontoon boat. Cabin was comfortable and looked exactly like the photos.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jenny S.

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

Great place to stay

Lovely cabin with great views of Lake Windigo. Perfect spot for weeklong getaway with family and friends. We enjoyed fishing, water activities, exploring the local Hayward attractions, and a little quiet time. Host was very responsive to any questions/concerns and made sure we had an enjoyable week. Would definitely return again.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Colleen C., Decorah

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

Great summer getaway

Very nice place to stay for our family vacation. Beautiful scenery. Owner was super to work with and very responsive to any communications. We would definitely stay here again if in the area!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Paul R.

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

Great week on the lake

Beautiful view of the lake from the cabin. Cabin was well stocked. The pontoon boat rental was a bonus. Would stay here again.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kurt T.

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

Cabin on the lake

We had a great visit at this nice cabin. It was a bit small for 6 large men but would be ideal for a family with kids. John the owner met us there and is a great guy. We enjoyed our stay very much.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Kathy S.

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

Relaxation at its best!

We stayed with four adults and a baby and had a wonderful time. The best feature of the place is the great room. Windows on all sides over-looking the lake. It was a wonderful place to hang out with the baby. While the place doesn't have A/C there were plenty of fans and the lake breeze to keep things cool. The beds are super comfy. In fact, all the furniture was very comfortable! The lake is nice and shallow - easy to get in and out, even for old people. John is an excellent host offering us any assistance as needed. Great vacation!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kelly S.

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

Cozy cabin with breathtaking view of the lake

This is an adorable cabin on a gorgeous lake. If you are looking for a cozy place with gorgeous views that can accommodate a number of guests, this is the place. The owner is super friendly and goes above and beyond to make sure your stay is wonderful. I can't wait to visit next year!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Heather P.

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

Great family getaway

We stayed at this cabin with our newborn and 3 kids under 7 and it was perfect! The bunk room and the outdoor playhouse provided hours of entertainment for the kids. The fast response from the owner on questions and needs was amazing. The kitchen was well stocked and the view was fantastic! Even with almost nonstop rain, we had a great time and would definitely return.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ben B.

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

Cabin Review - Windigo Lake

Great property! The views of the lake from the deck, primary bedroom, and upstairs living area are truly amazing. John is a wonderful host and quickly communicated when needed. Being close to both the Hayward and Stone Lake areas is another perk. The two bathrooms are newly renovated, and the bathtub downstairs was great for our infant. Finally, the cabin is pet-friendly and had plenty of room for our dog to run around and swim in the lake. We would definitely return in the future!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

David H.

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

A Gem in the Northwoods!

Beautiful property with all the amenities and more! The cabin is very close to the lake. The lake is very quiet and very sparsely populated. If your looking for the full “Up North” experience, this is it.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jon H.

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

Perfect place to stay.

Our week at this cabin was great. The cabin was very clean with all kinds of room to maneuver with 8 people staying plus a dog. John was very friendly and helpful with anything we needed. We rented the pontoon which turned out to be a great decision. The lake was very quiet with little to no traffic. Great place to stay, 5 stars.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Zac L.

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

An ideal home away from home

My family and I had the privilege to spend a week at this "honey hole" of a cabin and the past reviews were spot-on. Every aspect of the property exceeded our expectations. Our stay was extremely relaxing and yet it seemed like we were always doing something. The cabin was clean, spacious and very close to town. We are already looking into booking it again next summer!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Andrea K.

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

Great View

Nice lake with great views - enjoyed the peace and quiet of the lake/neighborhood also. Pictures are accurate as to cabin appearance. Thanks for use of the paddleboards.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

ann g., Red Wing, USA

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

Lake Windigo

We had a wonderful time on lake windigo. The cabin was very rustic and the setting was ideal. We rented the pontoon and spent much time exploring the lake, swimming off the boat and fishing. Caught lots of sunnies and some large bass. Thanks, John, for making our stay a success.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Maureen and Eugene R., Wauwatosa Wisconsin

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

Relaxing trip on beautiful Lake Windigo

Our family group, consisting of eight adults and one dog, found the perfect place to gather for the week of July 4. John’s spacious cabin had the perfect setting on Lake Windigo with great lake views and access. We rented the pontoon for the week, and it was great for both fishing and exploring the lake. The cabin is well maintained and supplied with whatever you’d need, particularly in the kitchen. The WiFi was efficient, should you need it. Highly recommended if you are vacationing in the Hayward, WI area!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Craig R., Cogate

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

Fat Tire 2023

Very nice
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

6/10 Okay

Bruce B.

Liked: Communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness, listing accuracy

Birkie 2023

Although this property is close to Hayward, it had some limitations for winter guests. We had fun anyway.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kristen H.

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

Lovely Cabin Escape in the Northwoods

My family and I rented this cabin over Thanksgiving weekend for a "quarantine Thanksgiving" with just the 4 of us. The cabin provided us a much-needed cozy getaway. We hiked on a beautiful trail nearby, played board games, and watched movies. The kitchen was well-equipped for making all of our meals. We had plenty of room to spread out but spent most of our time in the comfy living room overlooking the lake. We enjoyed some gorgeous sunsets! I'm sure it's even more wonderful in the warmer months. John was fantastic and communicated with us before arrival. He went out of his way to make sure the cabin was ready for us. Thank you for sharing your beautiful cabin with us!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2020

10/10 Excellent

Kelly L.

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

Wonderful Family Getaway

Our family just spent a fabulous week at the Knapek’s cabin. The view and location can’t be beat. Windigo Lake is beautiful and quiet. Our kids had a great time swimming off the dock and the lily pad. We also rented the pontoon boat just for a day and had a great time exploring the lake. Highly recommend taking advantage of the boat rental - it was one of rue highlights of our week. The cabin was very comfortable for our family of 5 with plenty of room to spread out inside - two full bathrooms definitely a plus! The outside space was great. We grilled and ate outside most nights. My husband and I both have family nearby and enjoyed entertaining a couple of nights at the cabin. John and Chris met us at the cabin when we arrived and were so kind to our family. One of our boys had a bit of sunburn and John brought over some aloe for him. They were nearby if we needed anything and really made us feel at home. We are already talking about returning next year. A really special place to make memories and relax as a family. Thanks for a great week!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sarah S.

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

The Family That Plays Together, Stays Together!

John met us in the driveway to give us a brief tour and orientation, enthusiastic about the idyllic Lake Windigo just feet away from the front of the cabin. The Wisconsin woods and water provide a perfect setting for this beautiful cabin. The kitchen is always the heart of the home, and this kitchen has a huge fridge and a great coffee maker, flanked on both ends by large tables for morning coffee, board games, and meals. We loved watching the hummingbirds visit the feeder outside the kitchen window as we gathered in that space. Among their eclectic cabin collection of books, there’s a book about the Wisconsin Supper Clubs, and we went to experience one of those during our week, and it was an experience! We loved the Lake, and the canoe, paddle boards, kayaks, and floating lily pad were all available for our use. We swam in the clear, cool waters and explored the lake in canoes and kayaks. There are turtles to see, loons, geese, and ducks on the lake, and other wildlife. There’s lots of comfortable outside seating on the large deck and down by the lake where we talked and laughed together. Our multigenerational family thoroughly enjoyed our stay and all the opportunities to play and relax. We had an age range of 18 to 82, and everyone was comfortable there. John was friendly and attentive without being intrusive, a commendable balance in a host. We are already planning our return trip for 2024 and have every confidence that it will be another wonderful week at Windigo!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

mindy z.

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

Easiest Lake Vacay EVER!

This cabin (and owner) exceeded our expectations. John was very communicative through the entire process. Directions were easy to follow and spot on. I was wondering how it would be with the owner staying next door but John was welcoming, helpful and non-intrusive. He came in because he was having tv trouble and on his way out took it upon himself to grab two bags of recycling we had sitting by the door disposing it for us! When I saw it was missing I thought, "that couldn't have been MY kids taking out trash without being asked!" Nope, it was John😊 The cabin had so many beautiful sitting areas with room for everyone. Even under the deck was a nice little swing for two. The view from the whole cabin was spectacular. The fishing was fantastic right off the dock. The water and floating pad were perfect for the kids and dogs to play. There was a little playhouse in the yard that my grandchildren adored and lots of quality toys for them to play with inside and out. It was clear and shallow enough to let the kids and dogs play for hours. There was lots of wildlife to view on the lake. Listening to the Loons was emotive and beautiful. We took advantage of the pontoon rental and enjoyed every minute. The boat is very roomy with accommodating seating. Our family of 9 would definitely recommend this wonderful cabin with the well stocked kitchen ANYDAY!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Anne K.

Our annual family northwoods getaway

John and Chris' cabin and property was the perfect setting for a memorable family vacation with three generations. We had a wonderful time and will definitely be back! Greeted warmly by John, who gave us a mini-tour of the cabin when we arrived, we instantly were drawn lakeside. The property truly is special - a cabin with tons of character, built close to the water on a beautiful bay with neighboring cabins, yet with a feeling of real seclusion and privacy. Between the dock, hammock, deck (great for morning coffee!) and *fabulous* family room with floor-to-ceiling screened windows, there are several options to enjoy the view, rain or shine. The fishing was rewarding - tons of nice-sized pan fish right off the dock - and we enjoyed kayaking and canoeing as well. (Plenty to explore on the lake if you're up for it!) We also enjoyed the loon couple that visited daily and serenaded us with that hauntingly beautiful call every night - the quintessential northwoods experience! Biking and hiking were a big part of our week - plenty of places to do both - and the town of Hayward is worth visiting. The cabin itself has a super layout with great common areas (did I mention the family room?) and plenty of private spaces, an open kitchen that's fun to work in and offers a nice view of the lake, and a thoughtfully and beautifully remodeled walk-out. We've stayed in many VRBOs and this layout was definitely one of our favorites. Finally, Chris and John couldn't have been more attentive. They happened to be staying above the garage on the property the week we rented, and were available anytime to answer questions, etc. Highly recommended!

10/10 Excellent

Michael L.

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

Wonder-Full Windigo

Beautiful cabin, perfect lake, so much fun! Family of 6 (3 generations) plus our water loving dog….cozy but spacious cabin, very well stocked kitchen, plenty of room for all. Wonderful views of lake inside and out, GORGEOUS huge window views from cozy living room. Comfy places to sit (inside and out) to have coffee and gaze at lake and plan what to do first! Places for all of us to sit inside or out together for meals. Used the BBQ grill several meals and even caught enough fish to have a fish fry dinner. Plenty of room in kitchen, we made all our meals ….and baked muffins, birthday cake, bread and pies. Nice new big fridge and great gas stove/oven. 2 full bathrooms, great water pressure, lots of hot water for us all to take showers at the end of our blissful days. We enjoyed every Single second of our week! We rented the pontoon for the week (awesome) and found some great fishing spots….bluegill, crappie and even a 20 inch bass off the dock!! We swam (Heaven! Warm clear water), fished, kayaked, canoed, had campfires while gazing at lake. Paddled around and saw bullfrogs, turtles, loons, bald eagles. Watched a couple movies in the very comfortable living room on rainy nights. Played cards and Scrabble. Great selection of movies. Went into town (convenient) for an ice cream stop - West Side Dairy….huge scoops and homemade waffle cones. John (the cabin owner) was friendly and made sure we had everything we needed. A special place! Thank you for sharing your piece of heaven John!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

8/10 Good

Kyong Hwa L., Woodbury, Minnesota

Liked: Communication, location

Family reunion

We had good time overall.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

About the host

Hosted by John and Chris Knapek

Host profile image
John and Chris -
We are from Lakeville, MN but now live in Kissimmee, Fl with our 6 (yes, 6!!) kids!

Why they chose this property

Chris's parents also have a lake home in the area. We have been coming up here for many years and have completely fallen in love with the area and the community. We even honeymooned up here!

When we had our own opportunity to find our own place, the location choice was the easy part. We knew we wanted to be close to downtown and everything that Hayward has to offer. When we saw the charm and character of this cabin with the potential to expand the living area, and the absolute stunning Windigo lake views just 35 feet from the waters edge, we knew it had to be ours! Plus, we are located only 6 miles away from downtown Hayward!! This makes an easy trip for that cup of sugar, or that gallon of milk you may need! :)

We continue to put our personal stamp on the property, and we know it will be a long process to get everything exactly the way that we want it. It is a labor of love and legacy for our family and we look forward to sharing our special 'little piece of heaven' with you and yours!!

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests