WELCOME TO THE RIVER LODGE –a place to gather with friends and family! This unique home sits on a peaceful five acres on the banks of the Mississippi River. It features three levels with 7 bedrooms plus additional sleeping areas in the loft and the game room, making it possible to fit up to 24 guests (see below for details). The great room with its double height ceiling and loft balcony provides a large gathering space which is perfect for reunions and retreats. Additionally, there are 3 other living rooms all with smart TVs, 5 bathrooms, a game room with ping pong, several outdoor sitting areas, a beautiful fire pit patio and hot tub to enjoy.
THE AREA The towns of Aitkin and Crosby are just a 15 minute drive from the lodge. Both have a wonderful variety of cafes, restaurants, antique shops and events throughout the year. Also a short drive away are the famous Cuyuna mountain biking trails! In the winter, cross country, snowshoe and snow-mobile trails are all nearby.
BEDS AND BEDROOMS Bedroom 1: King bed (main level) Bedroom 2: Queen bed (upstairs) Bedroom 3: Queen bed (upstairs) Bedroom 4: Queen bed (upstairs) Bedroom 5: Queen bed and bunk bed (basement) Bedroom 6: Queen bed (basement) Bedroom 7: Queen bed (basement) Loft: 2 daybeds with trundles (upstairs) Game Room: 2 bunk beds (basement)
LODGE RULES & INFO -Dogs allowed (up to 3) with pet fee - inquire for pet rules and fee questions -No parties allowed -Only guests who are part of the reservation may be on the property at any time. Small weddings allowed with additional fee, only up to 50 guests. Please inquire for details. -No confetti or glitter allowed -The Mississippi River is not easily accessible and swimming is never recommended. There is a boat launch just a couple miles down the road and several great lakes nearby with beaches as well. We would be happy to provide more details.
HOME FEATURES & AMENITIES Kitchen -All basic utensils and cooking tools -Pots, pans, bakeware and dishes -2 drip coffee makers, 2 french press, 1 chemex (pour over), 1 aeropress -Blender -Slow cooker -Hand mixer -Griddle -Toaster -Gas grill (propane is provided) -Salt, pepper and olive oil -2 refrigerators -Pantry -Paper towels and dish soap
Linens & Toiletries… -100% organic cotton sheets and pillow cases -Bed quilts and fleece layering blankets -Towels and washcloths -Hair dryer -Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash and Body Lotion
Other… -High speed WiFi -Bluetooth speakers -Smart or Apple TVs with soundbars in all living room areas -Walkout basement with radiant floor heating -Custom built extra long dining table with seating for 16 people -Fireplace -Pack and Play -High chair -DVDs, books and games -Fire pit and roasting sticks -Swings and Hammocks -Outdoor tables for dining al fresco -Lawn games
Add dates for prices
Have a question?
AI iconBetaBeta
Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.
Similar properties
Lakeside Sand Beach House on 3 Acres of fun Near Nisswa and Cross Lake.
Merrifield
Lakeside Sand Beach House on 3 Acres of fun Near Nisswa and Cross Lake.
Only guests included in the reservation are allowe
No confetti or glitter allowed ever.
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
Parties and events (including family gatherings and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 50
Note from host: Small events allowed with an additional fee.
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
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
About the area
Aitkin
Located in Aitkin, this cabin is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Mississippi River and Crow Wing State Forest reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Aitkin County Fairgrounds and Northern Pacific Depot. Enjoy the area's slopes with cross-country skiing and skiing, and don't miss out on the snowmobiling.
Milford Mine Memorial Park - 17 min drive - 13.2 km
Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area - 17 min drive - 16.4 km
Crosby Memorial Park - 19 min drive - 18.9 km
Getting around
Brainerd, MN (BRD-Brainerd Lakes Regional) - 33 min drive
Restaurants
Bridge Tavern - 10 min drive
Woodtick Inn - 15 min drive
T J's On the Cove - 21 min drive
Wrights Quality Fresh Fruit - 13 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is The River Lodge pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 3 total). Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.
How much does it cost to stay at The River Lodge?
As of 28 April 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The River Lodge on 11 May 2026 start from NZ$931, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at The River Lodge?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at The River Lodge?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at The River Lodge?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is The River Lodge located?
This family-friendly Aitkin cabin is located on the waterfront, within 3 mi (5 km) of Mississippi River and Nelson Lake. Milford Mine Memorial Park and Crow Wing State Forest are also within 9 miles (15 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Beautiful large home. Plenty of different areas to socialize and relax. Clean and well stocked with lots of tags everywhere so you don't have to dig for stuff. Hosts responsive. Would definitely stay again.
We all very much enjoyed our stay at the cabin! A couple of our grandkids said they'd like to move there! The area is very scenic and I'm sure it would be an awesome place to rent in the summer! My husband and a few of the grandkids used the broom and vacuum cleaner when we were getting packed up to leave - they said they didn't want to leave it messy since it was nice and clean when we got there! The hosts were very helpful - each time I had a question they replied back with the answer in short order. A suggestion might be to leave a couple extra boxes of tissues and paper towels somewhere in case guests run low. We all enjoyed our stay at the River Lodge and were sad when it was time to leave. The huge space allows a large family to all be together or be in groups and do their own thing! Thanks for the great hospitality and a fun place to spend together as a large family!
Andrew and Joy were great hosts, they left a amazing welcome basket and easy directions for the weekend!!! Such a beautful and amazing property! We have a Group of 12 ladies going on girls weekends for 30 plus years and the lodge is definitely near the top! It had everything we needed, space, a amazing view, comfort in every corner, and truly felt like home for the weekend! Love the extras- hot tub, ping pong, (which we crowned a champion team of the group) and other games! Definitely recommend!!
The home was beautifully situated on a private plot of land on the Mississippi river. The house was perfect for our family. We had a snow storm while we stayed in the next morning. The parking area and the driveway were plowed. That was amazing. The home had everything we needed to have an outstanding family get together. I highly recommend this home to anybody that wants a private getaway. The hosts responded immediately to any question I had and were wonderful and gracious. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful oasis.
Excellent place for family gatherings. Spacious with multiple gathering spaces within the cabin. Well stocked kitchen, large dining table, games, game table, ping pong table, etc. Deck seated our entire group of 20 people. Tasteful decor. Highly recommend.
Gorgeous property. We hosted a grooms dinner at The Lodge during our stay. The house and everything in it were perfect. One small issue but it didn’t affect our stay. Joy was available for questions and checking in throughout our stay. We are already planning our next trip!!!!!!
Our stay was perfect! We held a small elopement wedding here with our closest friends and family. We were very happy with the updates Andrew and Joy made to the property since we originally booked it. Everyone who attended was beyond impressed with how beautiful the view and set up was. The only bump we had was our first night it was unbearably cold when we were trying to sleep. Joy got back to me in the morning and quickly fixed the issue. Overall, Joy and Andrew were a pleasure to work with and were extremely responsive.
This is a great spot for a get together, this is our 3rd time using this location for a friends get together and are looking forward to coming back. The hosts are great with responses and working with you to make the stay easy.
Jessica L.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 5 July 2023
Always a pleasure to host you all! We look forward to next time!
This was our second time at The River Lodge, & my family had a wonderful time. We lost water one evening and Andrew was very responsive & helpful in getting someone out quick to fix it. The lodge was very clean & stocked well with supplies. Tons of seating & space for a large family. Beautiful yard. There were several bedroom/bathroom doors that wouldn’t fully shut/were very difficult & loud to shut. Overall a memorable & wonderful stay/ highly recommend!
Large, nice areas to relax and have conversations, beautiful view, calming.
Plus the owners communicated well with us.
Sandy E.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024
About the host
Hosted by Andrew and Joy Ballard
We are husband/wife team, Andrew & Joy, and we are passionate about creating a space where friends, family and guests can retreat to out of the hustle of life and enjoy some quality time together. We are honored and excited to provide our guests with an exceptional retreat experience!
Why they chose this property
The River Lodge provides the space for a lot of people to sleep, but also enough space to cook together, eat together, hang out and have fun together. It was important for us to create an environment where a large number of people could be comfortable and feel at home. Additionally, the secluded setting surrounded by nature is a valued factor in creating a peaceful and relaxing stay for guests.
What makes this property unique
The lodge is a large space where families will not feel crowded and there are spaces and activities for guests of all ages to enjoy.