BIRCH BRAE- Spectacular House On Big Lake For An Amazing Northwoods Experience!
We built our dream lake house about 20 years ago for family gatherings and it now accommodates up to 20 guests. High vaulted ceilings, a stone fireplace, unique Northwoods furnishings, and two stories of windows provide an exceptional view of Big Lake and all it's beauty.
The great room overlooks the lake and is used for dining, relaxing by the fire, and enjoying the incredible views. Wildlife sightings are frequent, include eagles, loons, deer and more, and are right outside the door!
There is an attached three season screened in porch to keep the bugs away and a wood burning stove to keep the room toasty warm on those cool evenings. A huge deck runs the length of the house on the lakeside for additional seating to enjoy the magnificent views.
The kitchen is large and open with a huge island to have your morning coffee or to prepare food while socializing with other guests. It is well stocked with most everything you need to prepare wonderful meals for your entire group. There are two grills outside, one gas and one charcoal, along with a second refrigerator in the garage.
There are two bathrooms and three bedrooms on the first floor including the largest bedroom we call Kamp Kid as it has four twin beds with an adjacent bedroom with 2 twin beds.
The second floor has two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a comfortable sitting area in the loft that has the best view in the house!
The lower level is newly remodeled, has two bedrooms, a huge rec room (with a ping pong and foosball table), sitting area, kitchenette, and bathroom. From the lower level, there is a walk out patio complete with chairs, fire pit and access to the lake.
Birch Brae sits on a bluff facing Keith Island and has 29 stairs leading to a private dock. The water depth at the end of the dock is 26/27 inches. The lake is shallow with a sandy area near the dock which is fun for swimming and water activities. There are two kayaks, two canoes, oars, paddles, and personal flotation devices for your use.
Big Lake is a 827 acre lake and has a maximum depth of 61 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from two public boat landings, one is a mile away. Fish include pan fish, large and small mouth bass, northern pike, walleye, and the ever elusive musky! It's a fisherperson's delight!
Wakeboard boats and jets skis are not allowed.
Birch Brae is on The Heart of Vilas County Bike Trail System that offers more than 45 miles of paved trails connecting St. Germain, Sayner, Boulder Junction, Manitowish Waters. The property is 8 miles from Boulder Junction and 8 miles from Manitowish Waters. There are four bicycles and a tandem bike available for your use but bring your own helmets!
Vilas County is one of the world’s premier snowmobiling destinations. There are over 600 miles of spectacular trails that traverse unspoiled wilderness, crossing undeveloped lakes and connecting to scenic Northwoods communities. In all, Vilas County is home to a quarter million acres of public land.
The property is located in the Lake Superior snow belt so there's a lot of snow most winters. The area is home to some of the best snowmobiling clubs around and volunteers work tirelessly to keep trails in top condition.
Birch Brae offers the perfect Northwoods experience during any season!!
FYI, we do have a security camera that monitors the driveway.
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Amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
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Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
Charges may apply, pls ask
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Pets
Pets allowed: dogs and cats less than 23 kg per pet (limit 2 pets total)
Non refundable $20 per dog per night
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Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Outside only
No Wakeboard Boats or Jet Skis allowed on lake
No amplified music allowed outdoors
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: 20
Note from host: Charges may apply, pls ask
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
About the area
Manitowish Waters
Located in Manitowish Waters, this holiday home is on the waterfront. Heart of Vilas County Bike Trail - Boulder Junction and Waswagoning Indian Village are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Frog Lake And Pines State Natural Area and Guido Rahr, Sr. Tenderfoot Forest Reserve. Take in the nearby slopes with cross-country skiing, or try out other outdoor activities such as snowmobiling, sledging and ice skating.
Heart of Vilas County Bike Trail - Boulder Junction - 13 min drive - 15.9 km
Lake of the Torches Casino - 34 min drive - 42.5 km
Lake Gogebic - 48 min drive - 64.0 km
Indianhead Mountain - 58 min drive - 72.6 km
Restaurants
Smokeys - 12 min drive
Some Nerve Brewing Company - 18 min drive
Rustic Roadhaus - 21 min drive
Retreat Bar - 20 min drive
The Lodge at Manitowish Waters - 14 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is BIRCH BRAE- Spectacular House On Big Lake For An Amazing Northwoods Experience! pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.
How much does it cost to stay at BIRCH BRAE- Spectacular House On Big Lake For An Amazing Northwoods Experience!?
As of 16 April 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at BIRCH BRAE- Spectacular House On Big Lake For An Amazing Northwoods Experience! on 16 April 2026 start from NZ$1,642, 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 BIRCH BRAE- Spectacular House On Big Lake For An Amazing Northwoods Experience!?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at BIRCH BRAE- Spectacular House On Big Lake For An Amazing Northwoods Experience!?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at BIRCH BRAE- Spectacular House On Big Lake For An Amazing Northwoods Experience!?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is BIRCH BRAE- Spectacular House On Big Lake For An Amazing Northwoods Experience! located?
This family-friendly Manitowish Waters holiday home is located on the waterfront, within 3 mi (5 km) of Big Lake, Maple Lake and Clear Lake. Fawn Lake and Spider Lake are also within 6 miles (10 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
The cabin was beautiful and had all modern amenities. The water was crystal clear and the boat launch was very close. Overall an excellent stay and we will definitely be back.
5 sisters catching up, had a wonderful time in spacious home. Very well stocked. Love the view of the lake thru windows and back porch. Definitely would recommend.
Birch Brae is a gold nugget home that we thoroughly enjoy. Great view, quiet, plenty of room for everyone. Kitchen is nicely appointed and Big Lake is awesome. Not a lot of traffic and the fishing is top notch. Needless to say we will be back. Tony C
The house is magnificent. The lake offered great swimming for adults and kids of all ages. The canoes and kayaks got us all around the lake. The bikes were great on the nearby bike/hike trail. Overall, a wonderful experience. Thanks, Keith!!
Birch Brae was perfect for our extended family's annual trip to ring in the new year! There was plenty of space for our family group of 18, including 8 kids and 10 adults. The property was very clean and well stocked. We loved being on the lake ice fishing, sledding and ice skating, cozy fires, exploring the local area and enjoying family time together. The large kitchen, dining and open living area was great for gathering together for meals, games, crafts and visiting. The downstairs recreation room area provided additional space for the kids to play. We would definitely consider a return visit to Birch Brae!
Connie M.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 16 January 2025
Thanks Connie!!! Fantastic ! HAPPY 2025
Some families certainly have made Birch Brae an annual tradition...Hope your all able to come back.
We rent a home every year in the area and this is far and away the best of the best. House was perfect with a large gathering area and kitchen. I love Big Lake, great small mouth, pan fish, Northern and musky fishing. I would highly recommend hiring a guide to learn the lake, there are some dangerous rock bars or simply read a map intently. We will book this house again in 2024. Thx TC
This cabin was beautiful and clean. There was a lot of old detail that was put into it. So many different books and paintings. There was so much character. You can tell the house was built and kept up with love and we felt it. It was beautiful especially the lake. The nearby towns have nice little bars and restaurants. It was truly magical and I can’t wait to stay again. Thank you Keith for letting us stay in your home. Our hearts are warmed.
We had an absolute blast at this house! The water was crystal clear and we thoroughly enjoyed the dock and flotation devices, kayaks, boats and other water toys while we were there. The house was so spacious and the beds were very comfortable. My family loved riding all the antique bicycles provided and the trails are so so nice. And so close! Huge driveway for all our cars and bean bag toss boards. Keith was so great to work with and answered all my questions. We will definitely be back!
Our family of 13 stayed for a week. Everyone described the the house, the kitchen, and the recreational equipment as outstanding. Everything we needed, especially in the kitchen, was provided. We enjoyed games, puzzles, canoeing, kayaking, bicycling, trail hiking and lots of great conversation. We appreciated the high-speed internet as some family members had work or classes for which high speed was helpful. Everyone explored nearby towns. One family member rented a boat at Greers Landing for two days on a nearby lake for tubing and skiing. We recommend Birch Brae!
Overall impressions in these categories: House: Beautiful. Big enough for our group of 13, kids and adults. Kitchen is more than great. Screened porch is better than good. Dining area large enough we could all eat in the same area. Rec room including table tennis was used a lot.Water: Fishing was slow but that's no one's fault. Kayaks were used a lot everyday. The shallow sandy bottom was amazing for our kids to play and swim in. The dock held our two boats easily. Stairs to water are not intimidating and easily traversed even by this old man. Lake is not too big and not too small.Amenities: Kitchen was well supplied. Kayaks and canoe were well used. Lots of paper towels and toilet paper. Two washers and two dryers. Fire pit worked well and so did the firewood. Plenty of lawn chairs. WiFi worked great. Not sure the Loons came with the house but they were present every day.Misc: Host was very responsive with answers to our questions. Boat landing is very close. Overall Stay: Low cabin density around the lake leads to low boat traffic and a peaceful experience. We had a great time hanging at the house, on the dock, in the water, and boating and fishing the lake. This rental has everything we look for in our yearly Big Trip and we usually go somewhere different every year but this place would be the only one we would consider going back to for another year.
A group of friends and I gathered at this beautiful accommodating property in the northern highlands region of Wisconsin and could not have been more pleased with the home, the land and the lake it was on. So much to do, look at and explore. Keith was very easy to communicate with and everything was to our liking!
Can't believe it's only five star it should get more 🙂
This property was absolutely beautiful and peaceful and quiet and did I say beautiful. The cabin had plenty of space for all of us to hang out. Spacious kitchen lot's of seating for eating and games. The lake was the cleanest we have EVER swam in!!! The scenery around the lake and property was absolutely gorgeous! We found a awesome trail to walk our dogs on! The Host was very easy to communicate with and responded to requests promptly! I can't wait to come back again and again and again. I really hope everyone else has a wonderful experience like we did.
Awesome place for a family get together- From check-in to departure it was a perfect place to enjoy time together and time away. The cabin was perfectly equipped, the location and amenities were outstanding,, and communication was exceptional.
Glenn T.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022
About the host
Hosted by Keith Johnson
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests