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Charming 3-bedroom Cabin on Lake O'Brien with Pontoon Boat

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Exterior
Exterior
Exterior
Terrace/patio
Property grounds

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

View map
Crosslake, MN
  • Place, Crow Wing State Forest
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Cross Lake Recreation Area
    ‪17 min drive‬
  • Place, Gull Lake
    ‪49 min drive‬
  • Airport, Brainerd, MN (BRD-Brainerd Lakes Regional)
    ‪59 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Main Level Bedroom Suite

1 Queen Bed

Upper Level Bedroom # 2

1 Queen Bed

Upper Level Lakeside Bedroom

1 King Bed

2 bathrooms

Main Level Bath

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Main Level Suite Bath

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Charming 3-bedroom Cabin on Lake O'Brien with Pontoon Boat

If you love classic Minnesota cabins, your search is over. This beautifully restored lakefront cabin blends authentic 1960s charm with modern comforts—something that’s hard to find in newer builds. Originally built by my grandmother’s sister, the cabin has been in our family for decades. We purchased it and completed a full renovation in 2024, carefully preserving its character while upgrading every major system.

The open main level features a modern kitchen, cozy sitting area with a wood-burning fireplace, and a comfortable living room—all flowing out to a lakeside deck just 50 feet from the water. Prefer to be even closer? Enjoy your morning coffee or an evening drink on the over-water deck with firepit, a guest favorite.

Sleeping & Baths

Main-level primary suite with tile shower

Two upstairs bedrooms (lakeside bedroom includes a private balcony)

Second main-level bathroom with tile shower, perfect for upstairs guests

Amenities

2024 Bennington pontoon boat (included; mid-May to late September)

Aluminum canoe

Smart TV with local cable

Fiber-optic Wi-Fi

Air conditioning, new appliances, Kinetico water system

All mechanical systems fully updated in 2024

The Lake & Location
Located just 5 miles east of Crosslake, spring-fed Lake O’Brien boasts an impressive 24 feet of water clarity, the cleanest in the watershed district. The lake is surrounded by mature pines, with approximately 5 miles of shoreline—nearly a quarter of it protected state land.

Summer activities include fishing, waterskiing, wakeboarding, paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, or simply floating and relaxing. A walkable sandbar is a popular gathering spot for kids of all ages. The quiet township road is ideal for morning walks or bike rides.

In winter, the lake transforms into a playground for ice fishing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling, with easy access to miles of groomed trails.

Good to Know

Ideal for families up to 6 or a couples retreat

Calendar is always kept up to date—if it’s available, it’s available

A detailed “what to bring” list is provided after booking

Owners live on the lake and can respond quickly if needed

We take great pride in keeping the cabin, equipment, and property pristine, and we’re confident your expectations will be exceeded. Truly, your only disappointment will be when it’s time to leave.

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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

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

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
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

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts

About the area

Crosslake

Crosslake is home to this cabin. Mississippi River and Crow Wing State Forest reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Kicks on Route 66 and Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway. Take the opportunity to explore the area for water adventures such as canoeing.
View more Cabin rentals in CrosslakeOpens in a new window
Map
Crosslake, MN

What's nearby

  • Crow Wing State Forest - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Cross Lake Recreation Area - 17 min drive - 11.8 km
  • Pine Lake - 20 min drive - 13.3 km
  • Gull Lake - 49 min drive - 51.9 km
  • Brainerd International Raceway - 56 min drive - 62.3 km

Getting around

  • Brainerd, MN (BRD-Brainerd Lakes Regional) - 37 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪14 Lakes Craft Brewing - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪Moonlite Bay Family Restaurant & Bar - ‬19 min drive
  • ‪50 Lakes Bar & Bottle Shop - ‬19 min drive
  • ‪Maucieri's Italian Bistro & Deli - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Andy's Bar - ‬15 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Charming 3-bedroom Cabin on Lake O'Brien with Pontoon Boat pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Charming 3-bedroom Cabin on Lake O'Brien with Pontoon Boat?

As of 20 March 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Charming 3-bedroom Cabin on Lake O'Brien with Pontoon Boat on 22 April 2026 start from NZ$442, 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 Charming 3-bedroom Cabin on Lake O'Brien with Pontoon Boat?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Charming 3-bedroom Cabin on Lake O'Brien with Pontoon Boat?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Charming 3-bedroom Cabin on Lake O'Brien with Pontoon Boat?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Charming 3-bedroom Cabin on Lake O'Brien with Pontoon Boat located?

Situated in Crosslake, this cabin is steps from Crow Wing State Forest and within 9 mi (15 km) of Pine Lake and Adney Lake. Crosslake Town Square and Cross Lake Recreation Area 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.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 13 out of 13 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 13 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 13 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 13 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 13 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dave S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful property; we had a great time! Check in went smoothly, the cabin was super comfortable for 6 people, everything we needed was included.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Peter H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This cabin is exceptional, everything is updated and top of line. The location and the lake are excellent. There were no surprises or disappointments, this is a great place for a nice lake getaway.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Keidra S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a wonderful time staying on Lake O’Brien! The cabin was gorgeous and the amenities were top notch. The pontoon was so fun to have along with the canoe and bonfire area! The kids loved fishing off the docks
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Chad H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We very much enjoyed our stay at this beautiful and peaceful cabin. Such a bonus to have access to a pontoon. The hosts were very quick to respond with any questions we had. Would definitely stay again!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Patty S.

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

A great cabin getaway

We were impressed with the cabin, it was beautiful rustic yet all the modern conveniences. pontoon boat was perfect. we are hoping to be able to come back for another week of relaxation
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Candace M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The cabin is so warm and cozy and loved all the updated features. Our family truly enjoyed our stay. Granddaughter had a blast fishing off the dock. The hosts Jeff and Lindsey are absolutely wonderful! Highly recommend staying at this beautiful cabin.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mark W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Such a great little cabin. We really enjoyed our stay. Everything was as promised. This is our second stay on Lake O'Brien in one of Jeff and Lindsays properties. Their cabins are highly sought after and most always booked for good reason. We'll be back for sure!!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Maureen O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The finishes in this cabin are high quality and very impressive. This cabin was clearly renovated with great care. The owners must be very proud of this property. Check in could not have been easier. I text the host with one question and received a very fast response. It is very easy to recommend this place. The comforters are cushy and cozy. I liked the puzzle selection. Even high quality appliances. As we stayed in February, we really loved the wood burning fireplace.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Julie D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The Black Cabin was a beautiful long weekend oasis. It is beautifully decorated, comfortable, and had a very well stocked kitchen. Everything was also very new. We loved relaxing by the lake, fishing off the dock, and roasting marshmallows around the fire.The Balmer’s were great hosts. They were very responsive to any questions we had and proactive about communicating our upcoming stay. The cabin was pictured exactly as it was in reality. We would definitely stay again!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Shari J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
I’d give more than 5 stars if I could. Communication was great from the start and the cabin was better than we were expecting. The rustic elements with modern touches gives the cabin a cool vibe. Having a turntable with vinyl was a nice touch. Our group enjoyed hanging out on the pontoon and fires on deck over the lake. The kitchen has a nice flow, so you can have several people in there at a time. After a day of enjoying the cabin and lake country you can fall into a very comfortable bed. We look forward to visiting the cabin again.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lori A.

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

Lykkebo! Loved every inch of it. Charming!

Jeff and Lindsay, thanks you! This was an exceptional experience for us. Propertybis beautifully designed. The layout is thoughtfully done, providing comfort and style. Our hosts were incredibly accomodating, quickly responding to any questions we had. We highly recommend this property for anyone seeking a peaceful and luxurious Minnesota getaway.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Heidi N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This place and hosts are excellent. Quick and responsive communication. This place is decorated so nice, and is clean. We had everything we would ever need, even a huge stack of wood that made an indoor fire heavenly on a cold weekend. The beds were super comfortable, nice towels, showers and spacious kitchen allowed us all to cook and hang out. We loved the record player and collection of music. We wish we would have brought snow boots to walk around the frozen lake. It was a very quiet and peaceful place to stay. We will definitely hope to stay here again. Thank you Jeff and Lindsay for making us feel welcome and comfortable.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
It’s a beautiful space. Thank you for the batteries. The only thing was we only had one roll of paper towel so we ran out and started using tissues. And since we were doing a lot of cooking I brought a lot of kitchen ware. On the app it lists utensils but not specifics. So really nice that you had it all but I wouldn’t have brought my own had I known. Also, the website said no pets but the manual seemed to indicate that was allowed-with conditions? I probably would have brought our very small (cute) dog if allowed…Thanks again. Loved all of the detailed decorations. Used the fire all day/night.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2025

About the host

Hosted by Jeff Balmer

Host profile image

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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