Cabin

Hilltop Cabin – Scenic BWCA Lookout with Historic Charm & Resort Amenities

Photo gallery for Hilltop Cabin – Scenic BWCA Lookout with Historic Charm & Resort Amenities

Exterior
Property video
Exterior
Looking north across Moose Lake in the BWCAW and Canada; large screen porch
Living Room

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms1+ bathroomSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
  • Pet-friendly
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

Map
Ely, MN
  • Superior National Forest
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Secret Blackstone Trailhead
    ‪18 min walk‬
  • The Lodge
    ‪5 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Master Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

North Side of Split Loft

3 Single Beds

South Side of Split Loft

3 Single Beds

1 bathroom, 1 half bathroom

Downstairs Full Bath

Toilet · Shower only

Upstairs Half Bath

Toilet

Spaces

Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Dining area

About this property

Hilltop Cabin – Scenic BWCA Lookout with Historic Charm & Resort Amenities

Hilltop Cabin at Vosburgh’s Custom Cabin Rentals is one of Moose Lake’s most iconic stays—set at the highest elevation on the property with sweeping views of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). With its elevated perch, vintage charm, and access to all the resort amenities, Hilltop is ideal for families, paddlers, anglers, and anyone looking for a peaceful Northwoods retreat with a direct wilderness connection.

Hilltop is a wonderful option for families looking to share the magic of the Boundary Waters with their children—while still enjoying the comfort and ease of cabin life. With many nearby day trip paddle routes, including the popular Lake One loop, it's an ideal home base for introducing kids to canoe country. Moose Lake is excellent for fishing and swimming; children love jumping off our docks. While we don’t have a pool, the lake provides plenty of fun and refreshment. Our website offers additional nearby day trip paddle and hiking suggestions to help plan your adventure.

Designed to blend rustic character with comfort, Hilltop features a large screened-in porch with vaulted ceilings—perfect for morning coffee, evening card games, or simply soaking in the panoramic view of the lake and surrounding forest. Inside, this 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath cabin comfortably sleeps up to 8 guests. The main level includes one private queen bedroom and a half bath, while the spacious split loft upstairs offers six twin beds (three on each side) and an additional bathroom for convenience.

What makes this cabin especially unique are the windows and doors—reclaimed from Ely’s historic Lincoln School—which give the space a nostalgic, handcrafted feel that sets it apart from typical Northwoods rentals. It’s a cabin full of stories, designed for making new ones.

For over 50 years, Vosburgh’s has been a family-owned and operated resort, welcoming generations of wilderness lovers, BWCA paddlers, and dedicated anglers. As one of the last remaining resorts with direct access to the BWCAW, we offer both the serenity of remote forest living and the support of a well-equipped basecamp. From maps and outfitting tips to live bait and motor rentals, we’re here to help you make the most of your time in the Ely area.

Weekly Hilltop rentals include a 16-foot Lund fishing boat with swivel seats. You’re welcome to bring your own 25 hp motor or rent one from us (25hp electric start/trim motors available for $375/week or $75/day). Other rental options include depth finders, canoes, trolling motors, and more. Guests have access to our fish cleaning house, boat launch, docks, and boathouse with Starlink WiFi. Please note that in-cabin WiFi is intermittent—making Hilltop a great place to unplug and reset.

Firewood for the cabin’s wood stove is provided, and all linens and blankets are included (please bring your own kitchen and bath towels). Well-behaved pets are welcome with prior approval but must not be left unattended in the cabin. Smoking is not permitted indoors.

Hilltop is available for rent from May through October. Additional state and local lodging taxes not collected by VRBO will be due at check-in. Minimum stay requirements may apply during peak dates.

Inquire directly about the procurement and availability of BWCA permits.

Whether you’re heading out into the BWCA, fishing the clear waters of Moose Lake, or simply enjoying sunset views from your perch above it all, Hilltop offers an unforgettable mix of history, wilderness, and comfort. Book your stay today and see why guests return to Vosburgh’s year after year.

Property manager

Owner / Manager

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Parking available
Barbecue grill
Lake view

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House Rules

Check in after 2:00 PM
Check out before 10:30 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Children welcome
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
Pets considered
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Smoking

Smoking allowed: in designated areas
Smoking allowed

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 not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts

About the area

Ely

Located in Ely, this cabin is in a rural area and on a lake. Travellers eager for a bit of culture can stop by Dorothy Molter Museum, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Superior National Forest and Secret Blackstone Trailhead. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Ely, MN

What's nearby

  • Superior National Forest - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Secret Blackstone Trailhead - 18 min walk - 1.6 km
  • The Lodge - 5 min drive - 2.2 km
  • International Wolf Center - 35 min drive - 36.0 km
  • White Iron Lake - 36 min drive - 34.6 km

Getting around

  • Hibbing, MN (HIB-Chisholm-Hibbing) - 121 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Hilltop Cabin – Scenic BWCA Lookout with Historic Charm & Resort Amenities pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Hilltop Cabin – Scenic BWCA Lookout with Historic Charm & Resort Amenities?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Hilltop Cabin – Scenic BWCA Lookout with Historic Charm & Resort Amenities?

Checkout is at 10:30 AM.

Where is Hilltop Cabin – Scenic BWCA Lookout with Historic Charm & Resort Amenities located?

Situated on a lake, this cabin is within 1 mile (2 km) of Superior National Forest and Secret Blackstone Trailhead. The Lodge and Flash Lake are also within 2 miles (3 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

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

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Jill Z.

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

Boundary waters trip

Cabin was perfect with a beautiful view. Willy was awesome and got us permits to go to basswood lake. He gave us guidance on where to fish and always made sure we had everything we needed for a great trip. Can't wait to go back again!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jeremy B.

Amazing view!

We had a great family vacation in this cabin. There is plenty of open space. It was clean, quiet, and very comfortable. The view of Moose Lake from the sun porch is spectacular. The entire staff is super helpful and friendly. The dock space is setup very well and it was so nice to have bait, ice, and a fish cleaning house right off the dock. A+
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2017

10/10 Excellent

shoan l., montevideo

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

Great

The management and courtesy of staff was the best. They were always available and helpful
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Peggy S.

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

Great getaway

Nice to escape the craziness of COVID-19 Was a wonderful place to vacation Fishing wasn’t the best but lots of fun boating, canoeing, swimming and hiking
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Kristian B.

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

Great place!

We had a great time here and would love to come back sometime.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Christian L.

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

Northwoods Destination

Overall an amazing stay! Great view of Moose Lake and friendly management to work with. Our group had six adults, two dogs, and one toddler which the cabin accommodated nicely. Plenty of fans to keep the cabin cool, although its proximity to the lake also kept the cabin from getting too warm. The highlight for me was the large screened-in porch that was awesome for sharing stories with friends while listening to the sounds of Northern Minnesota!

10/10 Excellent

Marcia B.

Wonderful cabin, porch view hard to beat, helpful owners.

Wonderful cabin with screen porch overlooking expansive view of moose lake. Owners very nice and helpful. Plan to return sometime in the future.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Robyn A.

Great family location close to the BWCA

Nice cabin (number 8) with plenty of room for a family of 4 and a beautiful view of Moose Lake. Willy was very helpful at the waterfont. 20 minutes from Ely so easy to get into town to grab extra supplies. Will return!

About the host

Hosted by Owner / Manager

Host profile image
We’re a family-run business based just outside Ely, Minnesota, with a long history of helping guests experience the beauty and solitude of the Northwoods.

For generations, we’ve shared our love of fishing, paddling, and quiet mornings on Moose Lake with families and friends who return year after year. Hosting gives us the chance to introduce new guests to the rhythm of the wilderness—slow mornings, sunset paddles, and time together that’s uninterrupted by screens or schedules.

Why they chose this property

Moose Lake sits at the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) and looks directly across the water into Canada’s Quetico Provincial Park. It’s remote enough to feel truly wild, yet still accessible by car—making it one of the few places where you can launch into protected wilderness within minutes of your doorstep.

We chose this location because of its stunning views, peaceful atmosphere, and direct access to canoe routes and world-class fishing. The surrounding neighborhood is made up of a small collection of cabins, outfitters, and local homes, creating a quiet, respectful community of people who value nature and adventure. Whether you’re waking up to the sound of loons, paddling into the BWCA, or watching the northern lights from the screened porch, this is a place where you can disconnect from the noise and reconnect with what matters.

What makes this property unique

Hilltop Cabin sits at the highest point on Moose Lake, offering unmatched views of the surrounding forest and waters of the BWCAW. What truly sets this cabin apart is its blend of history, character, and access: it features reclaimed doors and windows from Ely’s historic Lincoln School, giving it a nostalgic charm you won’t find anywhere else.

Guests love the large screened-in porch with vaulted ceilings—the perfect place to relax, reflect, or watch the sun rise over the water. The cabin comfortably sleeps up to eight and includes modern amenities, cozy furnishings, and full access to the services of our family-run resort. It’s rare to find a place that offers both the solitude of the Northwoods and the convenience of on-site support—from boat rentals to expert local advice. Whether you’re here to paddle, fish, or unwind, Hilltop offers a truly memorable experience.

Languages:

English