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Relaxing Refuge ~ Lakefront ~ Dogs ~ WiFi ~ AC ~ Remote but Not Far

Lakefront holiday home with kitchen and patio

Photo gallery for Relaxing Refuge ~ Lakefront ~ Dogs ~ WiFi ~ AC ~ Remote but Not Far

Expanded dock with our rowboat, fishing boat, + lots of room for your boat(s)!
Summertime ... and the livin' is easy
Enjoy breathtaking sunsets all year round
Living room has lots of seating, great views, games, art supplies, TV, and more!
The deck is your outdoor living room and dining room - with even better views!

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 13325.2 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Air conditioning
  • Washer

Explore the area

View map
Eagle River, WI
  • Place, Elmer's Fun Park
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Place, Little Saint Germain Lake
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Place, Big Saint Germain Lake
    ‪16 min drive‬
  • Airport, Rhinelander, WI (RHI-Oneida County)
    ‪54 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 13)

Bedroom 1 - Master

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2 - Northeast

1 King Bed

Bedroom 3 - North Center

1 King Bed

Bedroom 4 - Basement

1 King Bed

Bedroom 5 - Basement #2

1 Queen Bed and 3 Single Beds

Living Room - Sleeper Sofa

1 Double Futon and 1 Queen Bed

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Relaxing Refuge ~ Lakefront ~ Dogs ~ WiFi ~ AC ~ Remote but Not Far

Spacious dog-friendly private home on the north shore of Dam Lake with amazing sunrises, sunsets, fishing, and more

~ 3,500 square feet designed for gathering/socializing *and separating/recharging

~ Two dogs (no other pets) may be allowed upon express consent of Owner

~ Sleeping room for up to 13 guests

~ 5 updated bedrooms

~ 3 new full bathrooms

~ New and updated amenities - forced air heating, air conditioning, washer/dryer, stove/range, refrigerator, sink, furnishings, beds and bedding, flooring, trim, sliding glass doors and more

~ Lower level game room with second TV area

~ Very accessible to Bear Paw Resort & Campground, Maplewood Resort, and lots of camps! (Woodland, Towering Pines, and Chippewa are the closest)

~ Dam Lake is the largest of the 5-lake Sugar Camp Chain of Lakes, which is surrounded by the American Legion State Forest. The chain is known for its undeveloped shorelines and fantastic fishing with abundant populations of walleye, northern pike, small mouth bass, crappie, bluegill and perch. You can explore 2,300 navigable acres of water - or you can stay home and catch keepers right off the dock.

~ In the winter there is snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice fishing. The Bo-Boen/Sugar Camp snowmobile trail crosses Dam Lake and provides access to hundreds of miles of groomed, well-marked trails right from your doorstep. The rest of the year enjoy the exceptional fishing, beautiful Northwoods forest, and bald eagles, osprey and loons along the chain.

~ From Memorial Day to Labor Day each year, there is a weekly rental policy, Saturday to Saturday, with a three-night rental minimum the rest of the year. Shorter and longer rental periods may be available; please inquire.

~ Rowboat with oars, kayak, and 2 stand-up paddle boards included at no cost; trolling motor and fishing/skiing boat available for rent.

~ The lake frontage welcomes you to sandy bottom swimming, shallow enough for wading and deep enough at the raft for diving. The private dock has plenty of room for your boats - even with ours there.

~ Great for a spring fishing trip, summer family vacation, fall getaway, or a fun-filled winter outing whether you're a solo traveler, extended family, or group of friends. There's something for everyone every season at Sprucewood - including convenient access to Eagle River, St. Germain, Minocqua, Rhinelander, and the UP.

We look forward to welcoming you to Sprucewood. We hope you find it very easy to get to and very hard to leave!

Liz & Jonathan

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 9:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs less than 23 kg per pet (limit 2 pets total)
Dogs only w/ owner approval
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Smoking is allowed outside the house only

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, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Eagle River

Located in Eagle River, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Vilas County Historical Museum and Northwoods Petroleum Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Elmer's Fun Park and Eliason Hardware and Lumber. Travelling with kids? Consider Eagle Falls Adventure Golf & Laser Tag, or check out an event or a game at Amsoil Eagle River Derby Track. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
View more Holiday homes in Eagle RiverOpens in a new window
Map
Eagle River, WI

What's nearby

  • Elmer's Fun Park - 6 min drive - 4.7 km
  • North Nokomis Lake - 7 min drive - 4.7 km
  • Little Saint Germain Lake - 8 min drive - 6.2 km
  • Big Saint Germain Lake - 16 min drive - 13.4 km
  • Lake Tomahawk - 30 min drive - 27.7 km

Getting around

  • Rhinelander, WI (RHI-Oneida County) - 41 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Kaig Stand - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Pitlik's Sand Beach Resort - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Pine Knot Tavern - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪DJ's Northwood's Family Restaurant - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Jamie’s Java - ‬9 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Relaxing Refuge ~ Lakefront ~ Dogs ~ WiFi ~ AC ~ Remote but Not Far pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows 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.

What time is check-in at Relaxing Refuge ~ Lakefront ~ Dogs ~ WiFi ~ AC ~ Remote but Not Far?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Relaxing Refuge ~ Lakefront ~ Dogs ~ WiFi ~ AC ~ Remote but Not Far?

Checkout is at 9:00 AM.

Where is Relaxing Refuge ~ Lakefront ~ Dogs ~ WiFi ~ AC ~ Remote but Not Far located?

This family-friendly Eagle River holiday home is located on the waterfront, within 3 mi (5 km) of North Nokomis Lake, Elmer's Fun Park and Wisconsin River. Little Saint Germain Lake and Little Mamie Lake are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

9.6

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. 99 out of 125 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 20 out of 125 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 4 out of 125 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 125 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 125 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

David S.

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

Perfect in every way!

We have been to Sprucewood many times in past years. The new improvements are wonderful. This home has everything you need for a magical vacation!! Beautiful property,lake frontage and home are everything needed for a great vacation!!!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nick A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This place is truly amazing!We stayed here with family, and the home has so much to offer. It’s in a perfect location—not too far from Minocqua and Eagle River, with beautiful hiking trails nearby.The lake is quiet and incredibly relaxing—everyone had an amazing time just hanging out on the dock, soaking in the peaceful atmosphere. It was the perfect way to unwind and enjoy the beauty of the Northwoods.This was our second Labor Day weekend in a row staying here, and we couldn’t be happier. Liz is an incredible host—kind, friendly, informative, and very quick to respond to any questions we had during our stay.If you're looking for a cozy, peaceful home in the Northwoods, do yourself a favor and check this place out. We absolutely love it and can’t wait to come back again!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Timothy N.

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

Great Family Week

Beautiful lake, roomy house for family, loved being able to bring our little dog:)
Stayed 6 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Trenton D.

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

Great place and amenities

We enjoyed EVERYTHING about this house. Highly recommend!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Gregory W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Another grand Sprucewood family vacation in the books! You can literally do it all here and we tried. Boating, kayaking, swimming, paddle boarding, fishing, camp fires, morning coffee on the deck warmed by the sun….your only complaint will be that it goes by too fast! With all the warm touches and conveniences that get added each year, it truly does feel like a home away from home. All topped off by the awesome and uber responsive property management team of Chris & Jason. Hoping to get back again this winter because we are already home away from homesick! Thank you Liz and Jonathon!
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michael D.

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

Snowmobile trip to northern Wisconsin.

Accommodations were perfect for our stay. Little features that made it stand out were the heated bathroom floors, the fireplace, Sonos sound system, and steam breathing dragon above fireplace.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jamie V.

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

Everything we expected

This home more than covered the needs of our family. Very large and spacious. The home was clean and the check in and out was simple. Overall we were happy with our stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2020

8/10 Good

Amy B.

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

Ice Fishing Weekend

The property was very nice and clean.The heating of the basement and master bedroom could use improvement. It was cold in those areas and we were not able to get those rooms to a desirable temperature.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Mallory M.

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

Relaxing get away!

We had a great time at the cabin. We really enjoyed the big deck, which had a gate for our dogs, the bonfire pit, and the dock was very, very nice! Loved sitting out on the dock at night and looking up at the stars. Tons of bedrooms and space for our family and friends. The host was amazing at communicating. We had one small issue and she remedied it immediately and checked back in on us, which we appreciated very much. Overall it was a great stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tanya O., Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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

Perfect Location

Sprucewood was a great house for a family to enjoy to Northwoods. Perfectly located in the middle of nowhere, but only 10 minutes from St. Germain or Eagle River. We had multiple generations with teenage boys, who really enjoyed the swimming raft, fire pit, boat, fishing and pool table.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

John K.

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

Eagle River Trip

House was great! It was a guys weekend, and we all fit well with beds for all of us. Conveniently located near Eagle River. I would strongly recommend. Owner was easy to work with and answering questions.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Deborah S.

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

Perfect Family Vacation Spot

Sprucewood provided ample space and a variety of fun family activities for all ages! We spent countless hours fishing, swimming and enjoying the view from the large pier on Dam Lake. On our 1 rainy day we found games galore inside the home. It is obvious that the owners are always thinking about their guests. Each year our grandkids ask, "What's new this year?" We look forward to returning next summer!
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nicole W., Milwaukee

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

Wonderful Time

Our family (kids, teen, adults) just loved our time at Sprucewood! The kitchen has what you need. The house is clean. There’s plenty of space for everyone to congregate or peacefully relax. Also the property manager was easy to get ahold of and helped us with a couple of questions we had. Best of all the lake is wonderful for swimming, boating and fishing. We hope to be back!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

SANDY L.

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

wonderful family vacation

Liz was great, very clear communication. The house was beautiful as was the view. We had not gotten together as a family for quite a while and this is a perfect place to do this. The house is very well stocked with everything that we needed and very, very clean, We enjoyed many days out on the deck as well as many family meals. The lake itself is beautiful, loons are my favorite bird, and I got to hear them every night. Fishing was also very good. We had a fish fry on our last night. I would highly recommend staying here.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

8/10 Good

Karl H.

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

Ujndtablr

the stairs down to Pier and the pier it's self were unstable enough to keep the grandma"s and great aunt from using them.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Vicki S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Communication

Relaxing

The cottage was great, the house was beautiful. The only negative was that the property manager was suppose to show up when we arrived and we never saw anyone. The listing offered a weber grill which we planned on using and said one bag of charcoal would be supplied, and we were only supplied a small handful of charcoal in the bag that was there. But other than that it was a great place to relax with family but we needed more days than the three days we had. But I would highly recommend this cottage and the host was really nice.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Gregory W.

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

New Year Escape Trip

This was our second winter trip to Sprucewood and it did not disappoint! We were looking to escape for some uninterrupted family time and it worked out great. From being greeted by a large warmly lit holiday wreath over the garage as we pulled in just after dark on our first evening to the first dusting of snow of the new year on our check out day, it was the perfect spot to relax and recharge. Every time we come to Sprucewood there are new welcome surprises. From small decorative changes to functional improvements (love the new gate to help keep our 4 legged friend from wandering off the deck by herself), you can tell the Kunkles are all in and take care of the place! We had some great family time in the warm well stocked house with all the creature comforts you could ask for. Hoping to make a winter trip to Sprucewood part of our regular plans!
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Emily M.

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

Really Perfect

This house was really perfect. They had so many small details (a million games, step stools, and fresh herb plants), and everyone in my group from the 70 year olds to the babies enjoyed it. The house is very family friendly with a great basement that is accessed by a door so you don't need to be scared of your child falling down the stairs. There are quite a bit of stairs going down to the dock but it was very doable to carry kids and a bag down them without too much effort. However, there is a nice public dock a few minutes away if the stairs are too much for someone to get on a boat. The little kids all enjoyed the sandy bottom of the water and we could have spent all day enjoying the water and dock (if the weather was better). I also met the housekeeper very randomly and she was SO nice. The quality of the outdoor furniture was superb. They had nice covers over them so we could keep them dry and clean and they were probably my favorite part.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Katie E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful, comfortable home on the most relaxing lake. Spend a week there this August with our kids and in laws (and 4 legged family!) and we remarked several times how ideal everything was!
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Carol W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This property has a lot to offer inside and out. Our 3-generation family greatly enjoyed meals at the large table on the outdoor deck, all the comfortable and spacious rooms of the house, the well appointed kitchen and bathrooms (showers were amazing), beautiful views of the lake from the house, the sitting area down at the dock, use of the row boat for fishing, fishing off the peer, and the kids had a great time playing and swimming in the water. Outside games of corn hole and crochet and evening fires in the well located fire pit were enjoyed by all. the owner's conscientious communication and avaiability of the property managers was an added plus to a very pleasant stay and experience.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tracy G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Liz is very responsive and the house is set up well for large groups, we enjoyed our stay and would stay here again
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Deborah S.

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

Another Perfect Family Vacation

This is our fifth year enjoying our family vacation at Sprucewood. Each year we look for something new that has been added for our enjoyment. And we are never disappointed! We enjoyed some beautiful days on the lake, and had fun with games and puzzles on a couple rainy days. We are already looking forward to next year.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dana S.

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

Fabulous time

We had a group of girls and this property was perfect for us. Plenty of space to take time away from the group, all relax on the deck, or hang out in the living room. The kitchen was well stocked with everything we could have needed. Liz gave us great suggestions for dinner in town and was a pleasure to speak with. Had a wonderful time by all! Thank you for sharing your beautiful home with us.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ethan M.

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

Bachelor party

Beautiful home that’s perfect for a large group! Plenty of parking and lots of room inside for everyone to be comfortable. Host was very helpful and informative.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Gregory W.

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

Winter escape

This was our third winter trip to Sprucewood and it was probably our best so far. Not much snow but plenty of cold for safe thick ice on the lake for skating. Snowmobilers and ice fishermen were enjoying too! It was so nice enjoying the outdoors and then being able to retreat to the warm comfort of the house. Just a great family time trip that came and went much too fast. Can’t wait to get back!
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2024

About the host

Hosted by Liz Kunkle

Host profile image
We always joked that if we opened a Bed & Breakfast, Liz would be the 'Bed' and Jonathan would be the 'Breakfast.' We are so excited to share our home and vision with our guests.

Our family has attended and supported Camp Woodland for Girls and Camp Towering Pines for Boys for three generations. We hoped to find property that would allow us to spend even more time in the area and were lucky enough to find Sprucewood in 2020.

The house has great indoor and outdoor space for relaxing, gathering (and separating!), and warm and wonderful southern lakefront exposure with stunning views. It is too perfect for us. We hope it is perfect for you and yours too.

Why they chose this property

We have enjoyed spending time in and around Eagle River for generations. As our kids started attended Camp Woodland and Towering Pines years ago, we spent more and more time here in the summers, appreciating the opportunities to relax and recharge on land and on the water. Sprucewood is conveniently located in the town of Sugar Camp, between Eagle River, St. Germain, Minocqua, and Rhinelander. The property has a stunning south-facing view of Dam Lake in the 5-lake Sugar Camp Chain of Lakes, which is surrounded by the American Legion State Forest. Most of the Chain's shoreline, including Dam Lake's 7-mile shoreline, is undeveloped.

The serenity and beauty of the Northwoods are unmatched. You are truly in one of the most peaceful places in the world. The lake is beautiful, great for boating and waterskiing, part of the Sugar Camp Chain of Lakes, and has fantastic fishing (Dam Lake is a Class A muskie lake). Within just a few miles, you can find horseback riding, go carting, miniature golf, wildlife parks, laser tag, tubing or canoeing down the Wisconsin River, nature trails, cross country skiing, hiking trails, miles of paved bike trails, fishing guides & tournaments, many 18 hole golf courses, snowmobiling, and much more. Whatever the season, there is something for everyone at the Sugar Camp Chain of Lakes.

What makes this property unique

We loved the home at first sight, but we also had a vision for how it could be improved. With luck, a lot of hard work, and a great local team, we are excited to make that vision a reality for us and our guests.

New forced air heating, central AC, electrical systems, ceiling fans, and sliding glass doors create a climate of comfort. 25mb of WiFi (ample for Zoom calls and movie downloads), flat screen TVs, and an updated cable TV service add modern convenience. Two existing bathrooms were entirely redone with generous step-in showers and updated accessories. A new laundry room and third bathroom were created in formerly unused basement space. Three beds were upgraded to king-size from full-size, and new bedding and towels are provided throughout for every bed and guest. The kitchen has a new pantry, refrigerator, range, microwave, hood, and sink, as well as new indoor and outdoor dishes, serving ware, glasses, and utensils. New hardwood floors, plank flooring, knotty pine, hickory, and other wood accents, and a fresh coat of paint add the finishing touches.

The home also has a great location, being south-facing on Dam Lake, which is part of the Sugar Camp Chain of Lakes & in the American Legion State Forest. The home has easy access by boat to 2,300 acres of navigable water and equally easy access by car and snowmobile to Eagle River, St. Germain, Minocqua, Rhinelander, and more.

Languages:

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