Entire home

Stunning 180 degree views from Gresham Retreat's 520 ft of private lakefront

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Gresham Retreat sits on a private peninsula with a waterfront gathering space
Property video
The beach area, fire pit, grill #2 and the many watercraft available
Kids love playing on the beach
Beautiful sunsets and peaceful sounds are the only things visible from shore

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 12

Popular amenities

  • Beach view
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

Map
Arbor Vitae, WI
  • Upper Gesham Lake
    ‪11 min drive‬
  • Lake of the Torches Casino
    ‪23 min drive‬
  • Minocqua Park Complex
    ‪30 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Lower-level bedroom

1 Queen Bed and 1 Single Bunk Bed

Main-level 2nd bedroom

1 Queen Bed

Master bedroom

1 Queen Bed

Upper-level loft

2 Queen Beds

3 bathrooms

Lower-level bathroom

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

Main-level guest bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Jetted bathtub · Hair dryer

Main-level master bathroom

+1
Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only · Jetted bathtub · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Stunning 180 degree views from Gresham Retreat's 520 ft of private lakefront

UPDATES FOR 2027: We are currently planning a deck remodel and screened porch addition, planned for work to occur in the fall of 2026. The original plan was for construction in 2025, but contractor delays have pushed us into 2026.

Gresham Retreat sits on 8 very private acres at the end of a private peninsula, less than 80 feet from the shore of beautiful Lower Gresham Lake. Sitting at the end of the developed side of the lake, the closest neighbor is out of sight over 400 feet through the woods, leaving only serene lake and State Forest land in sight. Nearly 75 percent of the lake is State Forest land, so views from our place look at forest and wetland rather than any neighbors or docks, immersing you in the peace and tranquility Lower Gresham Lake has to offer.

Guests enjoy secluded 180 degree views of the lake, striking sunsets along the 520 feet of frontage, and plentiful wildlife in the adjacent state forest land lining 75 percent of the lake. A large grassy clearing provides ample space for the kids to play, while picture windows and an expansive deck allow you to enjoy the lake in comfort. Finally, a scenic lake-side propane grill, picnic and camp fire area provides a peaceful gathering space by the shore for adults to enjoy while the kids enjoy the beach, swimming area, dock, lily pad and watercraft.

Gresham Retreat comes with everything you need to relax and enjoy a peaceful vacation. Included with the rental are ten watercraft (details below) and plenty of PFDs, an 18x6 foot Rubber Docky floating lily pad, a croquet set, bocce set, two 3-burner grills and a spare propane tank, a propane fire table on the deck, along with ample firewood for the basement fireplace and lakeside fire pit. You'll have everything you need to sit back and relax, you won't want to leave!

The layout of Gresham Retreat is ideal for large groups or multiple families, with two levels plus a private loft. The main level boasts a great room that brings together a gas fireplace, kitchen with chef-series appliances and a separate coffee bar, dining room, two story living room and lots of glass facing the lake and surrounding woods. Two bedrooms and two full baths including showers and whirlpool tubs to finish out the main level. The lower level is a walk-out to the lake that includes a family room with rustic pool table, foosball table, electronic dart board, plenty of games, laundry, one bedroom and one 3/4 bath with heated tile floor. Additional sleeping space is available in the enclosed loft area and supplementary mini-split AC to keep it cool on hot summer days when the central air can't quite keep up upstairs. The interior is decorated with log furniture and up-north rustic decor. The large deck faces the lake and includes a patio set for 6 and a propane fire table (use may require refilling the propane tank in town). A second propane grill is located on the front stairs just off the kitchen and great room.

Other amenities include:
* master bedroom with queen-sized bed and private master bathroom
* second bedroom with a queen-sized bed - next to the full guest bathroom
* third bedroom in the basement with a queen-sized bed, twin log bunk bed, and direct access to the 3/4 bathroom
* loft with two queen-sized beds and plenty of additional space with dedicated mini-split AC
* all bed linens, sheets/blankets/pillows provided
* bath linens, wash cloths, hand & bath towels for 12 provided
* YouTube HD TV provided by two 75" LG TVs, one on each level, with over 70 channels, more than 500 movies and dedicated children's programming.
* wireless high-speed 300 Mbps fiber internet, that easily handles multiple video meetings concurrently with streaming TV, available throughout the property, including the dock and waterfront
* pool table, foosball table, electronic dart board, books, puzzles & games
* a paddle-boat, 8 kayaks, 2 canoes all included
* an 18x6 foot Rubber Docky lily pad
* pack-and-play & baby gates
* lake-side fire pit and wood included
* propane fire table on the deck is available during the late spring, summer and early fall months. Use may require refilling the propane tank in town.
* high efficiency washer and dryer

For more information on amenities, activities and many more photos and lots of videos, check out our site greshamretreat.com

LOCATED ON LOWER GRESHAM LAKE: a 149-acre, clean and peaceful residential lake. Lower Gresham Lake is on a small chain connected by a stream navigable only by canoe or kayak and the home of many beaver, muskrat and otter. There's lots of water to explore and room to tube and ski, but the lake is small enough there isn't the noise of boat traffic. The lake is known for its loon families, eagle and heron nests, and great fishing for musky, largemouth bass and panfish, with other species including northern pike and walleye. The lakefront, beach, dock and firepit area allow you to soak in the views while the kids play or swim at the edge of the lake.

Gresham Retreat has 520 feet of frontage on Lower Gresham Lake with a private sandy frontage, beach and dock. The surrounding area offers many great hunting and fishing opportunities as well as many hiking, cross-country ski, and direct access to the popular snowmobile trails. Wildlife commonly seen at Gresham Retreat include deer, mink, otter, muskrat, beaver, loons, and bald eagles. You may also get the chance to see a black bear or lynx, who both frequent the area. Evenings are almost completely silent, filled with serene sunset views and only interrupted by the frog & loon calls, whip-or-wills and the occasional sounds of fish jumping, muskrats swimming by, or other wildlife. View and listen to some of the videos in the gallery of our site: greshamretreat.com for examples of the peaceful atmosphere that guests enjoy daily at Gresham Retreat!

Lower Gresham Lake is only 15 minutes from the resort towns of Minocqua, Boulder Junction and Manitowish Waters, and less than 45 minutes from the U.P. for skiing and sightseeing, allowing you to have fun and then return to your peaceful getaway.

Gresham Retreat also has a relaxing electric pontoon boat available for rental. Propulsion provided by a Torqeedo Cruise 12.0, equivalent to a 25hp gas engine and capable of moving the boat quickly. For additional information, ask us for details or check out the information on our site: greshamretreat.com

For winter rentals, the North Lakeland Discovery Center just up the road has many groomed cross-country ski trails and Vilas county has 409 miles of groomed snowmobile trails. Gresham Retreat is only a half mile from cross country cruiser trail #51 at intersection #302, with direct access to the trails from the driveway. Trails lead nearly everywhere, from up to the UP to down to Minocqua and everywhere in between. Snowmobile rentals are available on the trail in Minocqua, allowing you to drive a rented sled to Gresham Retreat.

Property manager

Janes Family
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 5:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Kids love the sandy lakefront & large yard
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Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
Please clear your plans for any events ahead.
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No smoking anywhere on the property
Quiet hours are from 10 PM until 7 AM, with respectful noise levels outside those hours. Lower Gresham is a quiet and peaceful lake neighborhood.
Adhere to the 10 MPH speed limit on Swift Creek Trail and the drive. Respect neighbor's property, do not trespass on foot, bike, snowmobile or vehicle
Guests must respond to booking screening questions within 24 hours, allowing us to ensure we are the right fit for your group's desired activities.

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, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 25
Note from host: Please clear your plans for any events ahead.
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

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Woodruff

Located in Woodruff, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the beach. Little Bohemia Lodge and Vilas County Historical Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Rock Falls Riding Stable LLC and Eliason Hardware and Lumber. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Arbor Vitae, WI

What's nearby

  • Upper Gesham Lake - 11 min drive - 7.3 km
  • Lake of the Torches Casino - 23 min drive - 20.2 km
  • Torpy Park Beach - 29 min drive - 26.6 km
  • Minocqua Park Complex - 30 min drive - 28.4 km
  • Bearskin State Trail - 30 min drive - 27.3 km

Getting around

  • Rhinelander, WI (RHI-Oneida County) - 45 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Aberdeen Restaurant & Bar - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Rustic Roadhaus - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Howling Dog Saloon - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Marty's Place North - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Aberdeen Lodge - ‬16 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Stunning 180 degree views from Gresham Retreat's 520 ft of private lakefront pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Stunning 180 degree views from Gresham Retreat's 520 ft of private lakefront?

Check-in begins at 5:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Stunning 180 degree views from Gresham Retreat's 520 ft of private lakefront?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Stunning 180 degree views from Gresham Retreat's 520 ft of private lakefront located?

Nestled on the beach, this Woodruff holiday home is within 6 mi (10 km) of Little Corn Lake, Upper Gesham Lake and Jag Lake. Wild Rice Lake and Snort Lake are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

9.8

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. 118 out of 133 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 13 out of 133 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 133 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 133 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 133 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Alyssa A.

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

A perfect getaway

The cabin was exactly as pictured and the host was very thorough in describing the amenities! The cabin is gorgeous and there is plenty of space. We’d love to be back in summer to enjoy the lake!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tim H.

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

AMAZING stay!!

Our stay was truly wonderful. The home is beautiful, with breathtaking views of the lake that made our trip extra special. We especially appreciated the spacious and well-appointed kitchen, which made cooking feel effortless and enjoyable, especially with a larger group of people.We also thoroughly enjoyed all the kayaks and the paddle boat that were available to us! A couple of things to note: we really missed having dressers in the bedrooms, especially since one of them doesn’t have a closet. Living out of a suitcase for several days isn’t ideal, and a bit more storage would make a big difference. Also, the fan in the main bathroom off the kitchen didn’t seem to be working, which was a minor inconvenience.That said, we truly loved our stay and are already considering booking again for next year. Highly recommend this spot for anyone looking for a relaxing getaway with amazing views!
Stayed 5 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Erica P.

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

Beautiful home!!!

4 families(12 people) perfect in every way. The views were amazing, would love to stay over the summer to enjoy the lake and amenities.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

8/10 Good

Leslie W.

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

Very nice place and clean.

Very nice house and clean.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Aaron C.

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

Peaceful getaway

Very nice property. We had a great time.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Hamid A.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay!

Awesome location, wonderful property! Not possible to have a bad stay here. Kitchen is great as well. Host communication was excellent. Only issues were that the boat was not very clean and there were lots of (mostly dead) flies in the house. Overall great!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Marissa G.

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

Amazing place!

What a great house! We loved the tranquility of the lake and surrounding area. So cool to see all the bald eagles. Would definitely recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brian/Barbara J.

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

Annual fall gathering

Warm and welcoming accomodations...perfect for our group!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Melissa H.

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

Nice Home

Nice house, very clean, plenty of stuff to do inside when it was raining.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

BRITTANY S.

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

Excellent property

We had another great stay at Gresham Retreat. It’s a perfect location for families / groups with privacy, a beach, and lots of boats!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jeff K.

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

July 17 - 21 2024

Our family has enjoyed many years of vacationing at Gresham Retreat. It is one of the few properties that meet our wants list of privacy, small lake with no speedboats, river access to other lakes via canoe/kayak, fire pit by the lake, nice accommodations and peaceful! The daily sightings of Bald Eagles/Loons is a huge plus and the fishing from the pier is always good as well.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

BRITTANY S.

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

Great vacation home!

We had a great stay at Gresham Retreat. The house and lake were perfect for our family. The lake was beautiful - it was so nice to have access to the various boats to explore and enjoy the water. We had a great stay and hope to come back next year!
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2020

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Fishing Reunion for Friends

The house and setting was beautiful. Spacious house with tons of amenities including a pool table and foosball table. The lake and surrounding area were tons of fun to explore on kayaks and canoes. We especially enjoyed the kayak up to Middle Gresham. Amazing trip and would definitely stay again without a second thought.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie B.

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

Pristine home on the lake

Our family had the most wonderful vacation at this property. The home feels brand-new - it's spotless, beautiful, and thoughtfully organized for guests (labels on everything, clear instructions, lots of special touches). We loved the well-stocked kitchen, canoes/kayaks, beach, pool table, and the location can't be beat. The owner went above and beyond in everything, and the communication from start to finish was fantastic. Bring bug spray, the mosquitos are intense in the Northwoods!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Marilynn M.

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

Wonderful Family Vacation!

This is a lovely property with a beautiful vacation home. My family and grandchildren enjoyed swimming with the Lilly pad. My 2 year old grandson played for hours on the sandy beach area. Everyone couldn’t believe the great fishing off the pier. The Canoes and kayaks and paddle boat kept everyone entertained! When it rained we were entertained with the pool table and foosball table in the lower level. Thank you for a great vacation!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mary Jo M.

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

Beautiful place!

The Gresham retreat was beautiful inside and outside. They thought of everything to the tee. Needless to say we enjoyed our stay, young and old. Wish it was ours! Feeling blessed to have found such an amazing place for our family vacation.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Barbara S.

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

Great family vacation!

House was exactly what we were expecting, and had more than enough room for eight adults, and four children. Weather was a little chilly so we did alot of fishing and sitting by outdoor fire. Last day was finally warm enough to swim and the kids had a great time playing in the water!!!
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jeff K., Madison

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

Gresham Retreat

This was our families 4th visit to Gresham Retreat. We have tried other Northern Wisconsin rental homes but keep coming back here as it is the best! Our families criteria is a private, quiet, comfortable location with access to good swimming, paddling, fishing and a firepit by the lake. Gresham Retreat does not disappoint in any of those categories.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Timothy V.

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

Top of the Line

Information was accurate, complete and enough. The location is great. Parking is great. The home is great. All the extra's were great. Just a complete place to stay if you are visiting the Lake. After 3 or 4 days there was not one thing that I felt the house lacked. There were also simple directions around the house to help our stay. I never had to contact the host because he has this down to a T. In return we took good care of his house and left it looking well.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Megan K.

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

Excellent Place to Experience the Northwoods!

Spacious and beautifully updated home in a lovely setting! Our three families have stayed here several years now and feel like it is our "home" when we come to the area. We usually snowmobile (no snow this year) and the trails are very close to the property. The home is well-equipped for those who enjoy cooking and there is plenty of space for kids and adults to be together or apart. The owner is incredibly responsive to any questions we had. We love this place!
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nancy K.

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

Fabulous lake home!

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Gresham Retreat. Plenty of room for our group - 7 adults and 4 kiddos. Between fishing, kayaking, water time, the large side yard and the sandy beach area lots to do. The kitchen remodel was super nice and of course the kids loved the bunk room. We never felt on top of each other with the spacious kitchen area and two levels of rec space. Would stay here again in a heartbeat!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Family Wedding

We chose Gresham retreat because of it proximity to Ted brown Lodge where my son was getting married! What a discovery… beautiful house…beautiful lake. Woke every morning asking where the grandkids were and answered with fishing on the lake. Great kitchen to come together for meals and games. Entire week went perfect.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Beth M.

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

The Perfect Relaxing Family Vacation

My husband and I were looking for a way to spend extended time with our grown children and their families. Gresham Retreat had everything we needed to spend time together in a very relaxed way. The number and variety of watercraft available as well as the beautiful spacious home with breathtaking views was everything we were looking for. The fishing wasn’t bad either! Everyone wants a repeat of this exact vacation next year. There is a great deal of thought that the hosts put into this property. We plan to return.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Karen S.

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

Very nice family weekend.

The whole family was impressed by this property. We ranged in age from 2 1/2 to 67. We had a question about an alarm going off and we were able to contact owner and he could help us over the phone. Very impressed.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023

6/10 Okay

ric t.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

House & location were great, but some appliances did not work.

The house and it's location were great, but some appliances did not work. The owner gave us 'thoughts and prayers', but didn't fix the problems nor offer a partial refund for our hassle.
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2023

About the host

Hosted by Janes Family

Host profile image
My husband and I purchased our first cabin in the north woods to get away from the busy work life in 2001. When he passed away in 2013, our family decided to try to keep a north woods place in the family and moved to Gresham Retreat, but share it with other nature lovers to help us justify the costs.

Why they chose this property

Our lake is a quiet, relatively small lake, which offers peaceful, scenic views and relaxation, but is still a short drive from several large lake chains, 15 minutes from Minocqua, and under an hour to several ski resorts in the U.P. Over half of the lake is State Forest land, so views from our place look at forest and wetland rather than any neighbors or docks, immersing you in the peace and tranquility Lower Gresham Lake has to offer.

We look forward to every opportunity to get up north to relax by the water and soak in the beautiful and peaceful views.

For more photos and a large variety of videos illustrating the peace and tranquility available at Gresham Retreat, check out our site: greshamretreat.com

What makes this property unique

The wide variety of wildlife and birds, beautiful scenic 180 degree lake views and quiet relaxing atmosphere make Gresham Retreat the ideal vacation getaway. We find ourselves spending every minute of every day down by the water. We grill our lunch and dinners by the water, swim in the water, play on the beach, paddle around in the boats, lay out on the dock, and gather around the fire pit for quiet evening campfires. Every evening we enjoy the serene sunsets and watch the muskrats swim back and forth across our frontage, listen to the loons and whip-poor-wills, and soak in the peace and quiet of the northwoods. Listen to some of the videos in the gallery or our site: greshamretreat.com for examples of the peaceful atmosphere that guests enjoy daily at Gresham Retreat!

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests