Bass Lake A-frame Retreat outside of Grand Rapids, Minnesota
The Highlights of the Bass Lake A-Frame Cabin
We were lucky to be one of the first guests to stay at this darling blue A-frame retreat on Bass Lake. It was a great spot to slow down and relax! A local Grand Rapids family bought it in 2020 and fixed it up beautifully while maintaining the original charm. The wood throughout the cabin makes it feel incredibly cozy! The kitchen was well stocked, it was wonderful to have a dishwasher and a washer/dryer as that often isn't available when staying in cabins. The living room couch is really comfy, perfect for curling up with a book. It was colder out during our visit, so we spent quite a bit of time indoors, and the puzzles and games in the closet were perfect to entertain ourselves with. There was a direct view of sunset out the windows that was beautiful to watch each night, and the Northern Lights went wild one night of our stay.
The Kitchen
The kitchen cabinets are painted a lovely sage green. You walk directly into the spacious kitchen from the front door. It’s equipped with modern appliances, and the full-sized refrigerator was plenty of room for all of our groceries, as we made most of our meals at the cabin. The stove and pots and pans worked well, and there were plenty of dishes, cups, and mugs. I loved the large counter space area that also served as an additional place to eat or play games. We loved drinking wine while listening to music as we worked on a puzzle at this counter. The dishwasher made cleanup a breeze! It always feels like such a luxury when a cabin has a dishwasher. If you are a coffee lover you’ll enjoy the several coffee making options they have at the cabin, along with the coffee beans from Duluth Coffee Company.
The Living Space
Past the kitchen and dining room table is the living room with a really comfy couch, plenty of warm blankets, and a great view of the lake. I really enjoyed reading a book during the day and enjoying a movie at night in this space. The TV has a system that allows you to log in to your own Netlfix, and will automatically log you out at the end of your stay. The wooden spiral staircase is in the center of the long wall, which has bench seats running along the length of the wall. The sliding glass doors and windows let in some beautiful light during the day!
It was nice to have games to play, as well as a puzzle to work on during our stay! I love it when cabins have a game closet.
Bedrooms
The cabin sleeps up to seven people. On the main floor near the living space is a twin bed, then up the spiral staircase, there are two bedrooms on the second floor. The master bedroom has a queen bed that faces the lake, with floor-to-ceiling windows and its own cute little balcony. Down the hall, you’ll pass some large closets and a bathroom on your way to the other bedroom which also has a queen bed. Both bedrooms had TVs.
On the wall of the second bedroom is a ladder that goes up to a lofted area at the peak of the a-frame with a twin bed and twinkle lights. I can only imagine how magical this place would feel to a child! It was the cutest thing. The ceilings on the second floor are open, which allows light and airflow to move throughout the upstairs, however, I could see the sound carrying a bit between rooms if I was there with kiddos or another couple.
Bathrooms
There are two bathrooms, one on each floor. They both have a toilet, sink, and shower. Plenty of towels, and I LOVE that they have black wash clothes for makeup removal.
The Cabin features a great outdoor space
There is a large back patio, with a table and chairs, grill, and bench seats around the perimeter. We grilled out one of our afternoons at the cabin, and could definitely see how fun this patio would be during the warmer months enjoying dinner and great conversations together under the darling string lights. Off the patio is a swingset perfect for keeping the kiddos entertained.
Beyond the patio is a large fire-pit area, and a communal pergola area with nice outdoor furniture shared with the owner’s lake house next door. There is a nice swing by the dock to watch the sunset, and they have two kayaks and life jackets you can use. You can bring your own boat, you just need to drop it at the boat landing and not from the a-frame property.
We really enjoyed the firepit, and the metal grill that you can cook some hot dogs or brats right over the fire on. I can’t say enough how nice the sunset views were each night!
Things to Note:
Self-check-in with the smart lock makes it quick and easy
Security cameras on both entrances for safety
WiFi on the property works great should you need it for work, or for streaming
Note that the spiral staircase to the bedrooms might be difficult for guests with limited mobility
Parking is easy and there are two spots right next to the cabin.
Grab firewood if you are planning on a bonfire from SuperOne Foods or L&M Fleet Supply.
Quiet Hours are from 10 PM-7 AM
There are quite a few beach towels at the cabin for the warmer months!
A note about the a-frame from one of the owners, Moriah
When I asked Moriah about the cabin and why her family loved having a property on Bass Lake, she had such a lovely and thoughtful answer: “I am convinced that the way the sun sets over Bass Lake is magical. When out on the property, it feels as if we’re in an outdoor paradise. My dad frequently duck hunts the lake and says the same regarding the sunrises. With very little city light pollution, it gets VERY dark at night. The stars against the black sky seem almost within reach. The lake is full of first-class fishing. In the winter, ice shacks dot the frozen lake landscape in a way a true Northerner can really appreciate. ;) We just received our first snowfall this week and I am itching to get some snowmobiles out on the trails.
We wanted to restore the A-frame AND the property. Each season presents so many unique aspects of northern Minnesota: campfires, fishing, boating, exploring, hiking local trails, biking the fabulous Tioga mountain bike park or Mesabi bike trailhead as well as the cozy small-town restaurants and people. The seasons are so compelling: spring is alive and green, summer is bright and full of boating experiences, fall colors are breathtaking and winter is a wonderland. The North is truly a beautiful place!” - Moriah
We had such a great stay here, and can’t wait to make a return trip with some friends or family!
Where to Eat and Explore in Grand Rapids:
The town of Grand Rapids is just a 10-15 minute drive from the property, and it is a really cute town full of history, neat shops, and good spots to eat. One of our favorite spots for breakfast is the Bistro in Hotel Rapids. They have a large menu of savory and sweet crepe options, and they are delicious! Outside they have a great patio with firepits, but the best part is the large yurt you can eat in!
A favorite spot for a meal is at Rapids Brewing Company. They have beer, bourbon, and great food! Their wood-fired pizzas are popular, and I love that they have unique and seasonal pizzas on the menu. Here’s what we’ve ordered and loved:
Girl From the North Country - Shiitake, cremini, and oyster mushrooms -YUM! It also has crème fraîche, wild rice, Gruyere, chive, truffle oil, garlic honey.
The Sass-Squash - Made with butternut squash puree, house-made chorizo, goat cheese, chimichurri, walnuts, and cilantro.
Birria Tacos - Braised Barbacoa beef, Oaxaca cheese melted between two tortillas, salsa rojo, onion, and cilantro. The tacos are served with a light flavorful broth that somehow makes these tacos even more delicious!
There is a patio outside, and they have live music on most weekends, Music Bingo on Mondays, and Open Mic Night on Tuesdays. I had never played music bingo before coming here, and it was a fun way to play!
My favorite coffee shop in Grand Rapids is NoPo Coffee Co! They make the best dirty chai latte I’ve ever had here! Besides the coffee, I really like the vibes here, and the staff goes out of their way to make you feel at home. They have a simple menu of salads, sandwiches, and smoothies. They serve beer, wine, and cocktails here too!
More spots to Eat & Drink:
Forest Lake Restaurant - in a natural log building is a great combination of a restaurant, lounge, and steakhouse. This place is always packed no matter the time of day.
UnWined Up North - Great spot for wine, beer, mocktails, charcuterie, and small plates. They have an excellent patio, trivia nights, and even have board games to play while you dine on wine and cheese.
Klockow Brewing - Incredibly friendly brewery with rotating food trucks, live music, and board games. A great place to hang out.
Brewed Awakenings - this coffee shop has been a staple in Grand Rapids since 1996. It’s a popular spot for breakfast, and they have an assortment of gluten-free pastry items.
Rapid Nutrition & Coffee - They serve coffee and smoothies with a health focus. They have a drive through window or you can dine in. They are right next door to Anytime Fitness.
Sammy’s Pizza & Restaurant - Opened in 1984, this is where you find that excellent small-town midwestern thin-crust square-cut style of pizza!
Shops in Grand Rapids
Lake + Company - a women-owned outdoor clothing and equipment shop. They also publish their own magazine! I got a great Jetty flannel shacket here!
Stained Glass with Class - Beautiful stained glass shop you can take classes at!
Grand Rapids is the childhood home of Judy Garland!
You can tour her home, the museum dedicated to her, and even walk on the town’s yellow brick road that leads to the historic Old Central School.
Old Central School & Yellow Brick Road - this 3-story former schoolhouse was built in 1895, and now has shops, a salon, and an artist loft on the top floor. I love the butterfly installation that hangs across the ceiling
Judy Garland Museum - They are typically open daily in the warmer, months, but only a day or two during winter, so be sure to look up the museum hours ahead of your visit!
Our trip to Grand Rapids was one to remember, and I look forward to returning!