Historic Westhaven Lodge on Lake Vermilion - Since 1935

Photo gallery for Historic Westhaven Lodge on Lake Vermilion - Since 1935

Lakefront View of Lodge and Cabin 1
View of Lakefront from Deck
East Elevation of Lodge
Lakefront Elevation of Lodge
Large Dock with Own Boat Lift

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
6 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 18297.3 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Beach view
  • Dryer
  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
  • Fireplace
  • Gym

Explore the area

Map
Tower, MN
  • Lake Vermilion
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Fortune Bay Casino
    ‪12 min drive‬
  • Soudan Underground Mine State Park
    ‪18 min drive‬
  • Ely, MN (LYU-Ely Municipal)
    ‪56 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

6 bedrooms (sleeps 18)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4

3 Single Bunk Beds

Bedroom 5

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 6

2 Single Bunk Beds

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 3

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden

About this property

Historic Westhaven Lodge on Lake Vermilion - Since 1935

In existence since 1935, Westhaven Lodge has a private setting with a premier location on the south side of Big Bay of Lake Vermilion. Recently remodeled, the 3,200 sq. ft. single-story lodge has its own large dock with a 4,000-lb. boat lift, a fire ring, a wood-burning sauna, a fish cleaning house, a swing set and playhouse, and a large pebble beach that it shares with our two-bedroom seasonal cabin (Cabin 1 at Westhaven Lodge--which is also available for rent if you need more than six bedrooms for your group).

The lodge can easily handle a large crowd. The master bedroom faces the lake and has a queen bed; two more bedrooms with lake views also contain queen beds; and a fourth bedroom has a full bed. Two more bedrooms contain multiple bunk beds. The lodge also has a large great room with a beautiful granite fireplace, a spacious four-season porch, a large kitchen, and a large dining room that can fit up to 16 at the table.

Note that a 10% discount is offered on the nightly rate if you rent for a whole week or more.

If your party is even larger, Cabin 1 at Westhaven Lodge, which is next door and has its own lake frontage with a separate dock and boat lift, can handle more guests. One bedroom has a queen bed and a second bedroom contains a bunk bed and a separate twin bed. Both lodging facilities are completely finished with pine interiors that have granite fireplaces dating back to the 1930s. Please see VRBO Listing #682304 for more information on Cabin 1. Note that while the lodge is great for use all year 'round, Cabin 1 is only available early May through mid-October.

No additional fees for either cabin other than sales tax are applied; however, a damage deposit is required. Questions? Please contact Rodger.

A canoe, two kayaks, and small paddle boat are also included with the lodge, as are a couple fishing boats without a motor. They are shared with Cabin 1. Pets are allowed in either cabin, and both structures have decks facing the lake. Because the sun rises and sets so far to the north in the summer, and because we're on a little point, Westhaven Lodge is ideal for watching both as it faces due north with more than a180-degree view of Big Bay.

The Lodge's large dock has a main boat lift that can accommodate a speed boat or fishing boat up to 4,000 pounds, and a second smaller boat lift can take up to 2,400 pounds. The nearest free boat launch is just over a mile away, and a large parking lot and trailer storage area also serve both structures.

Other features include a baby grand piano, a playhouse, a swing set and a basketball hoop. (The nearest pickleball courts are only a mile or so away at the Greenwood Township Hall, as is a tennis court and a large picnic shelter.)

Property manager

Rodger Skare
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Gym
Outdoor space

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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
Large yard w/ swing set & playhouse, also a beach.
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: limit 3 total
Don't let them bother others & pick up after them.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Please smoke outdoors.
If you bring a pet, please keep them from bothering the neighbors, and pick up after them.
We try to supply firewood, but it is hard to keep up with and costly to have delivered. Contact us to find out where you can get more if it's out.
Check in and check out times are firm unless special arrangements have been made in advance. Housekeeping needs time to thoroughly clean the cabin.

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

This property does not have any lifts
A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Tower

Located in Tower, this cabin is on the beach. Timbuktu Marina and Giants Ridge Golf and Ski Resort are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Lake Vermilion State Park and Soudan Underground Mine State Park. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Tower, MN

What's nearby

  • Lake Vermilion - 4 min drive - 2.0 km
  • Fortune Bay Casino - 12 min drive - 7.6 km
  • Lake Vermilion State Park - 18 min drive - 18.2 km
  • Soudan Underground Mine State Park - 18 min drive - 18.4 km
  • Bear Head Lake State Park - 41 min drive - 37.3 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Vermilion Club - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Sunset Steakhouse At Fortune Bay - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪The Good Ol' Days Bar & Grill - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Poor Gary's Pizza At The Vermilion Club - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Sulu's Expresso Cafe - ‬14 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Historic Westhaven Lodge on Lake Vermilion - Since 1935 pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows pets (limit 3 total).

What time is check-in at Historic Westhaven Lodge on Lake Vermilion - Since 1935?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Historic Westhaven Lodge on Lake Vermilion - Since 1935?

Checkout is at 9:00 AM.

Where is Historic Westhaven Lodge on Lake Vermilion - Since 1935 located?

Nestled on the beach, this Tower cabin is 1.2 mi (2 km) from Lake Vermilion and 3.1 mi (5 km) from Fortune Bay Casino. Portage Bay and Taconic State Trail are also within 12 miles (20 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. 54 out of 62 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 8 out of 62 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 62 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 62 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 62 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Michelle L.

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

Love the Lodge

My Family loves this place. The table is big enough for all my local in-laws to come and eat with us. We have an extremely large family and everyone can come and eat here. It has plenty of space for the kids to play outside and/or in. Very cute decor, clean and comfy. This is our 2nd time here and we would definitely stay again.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kevin S.

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

February Snowmobile trip

Great place to stay for a larger group!! Facilities are great!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jacob Z.

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

Another great winter stay at Westhaven

Always very happy to stay at the Westhaven Lodge. A new stove top really was a great upgrade! Great time with friends and lots of room.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jeff M.

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

Westhaven Lodge is fantastic!

Great fall fishing trip with lifelong friends.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dawn F.

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

50th birthday celebration!

This cabin accommodated our group of 10 adults very nicely! The sauna was lovely, the outdoor sitting area by the lake was heavenly, the canoes and kayaks were a fun addition, and the kitchen, living room and dining room gave us ample space to cook and gather. Bonnie (the caretaker) was responsive to my on-site needs. One small downside was that the bunk beds were a little short for a taller adult to sleep in. We were very pleased with this property!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jesse B.

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

Such a great spot!

We had such a great time at the Westhaven Lodge. The property was nicely laid out so all the bedrooms were on one side and people could sleep while others enjoyed the rest of the space which was great for a very multi-age group. The outdoor green space, dock, and water access were awesome and we'll forever be thinking about the very large dining room table that could host us all at once! The kitchen is really well stocked (with more than is mentioned in the listing). Bring dish washer soap! The stove takes kind of a while to boil water so plan to start cooking your meals early!
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Bonnie j.

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

Family week at the lodge

We enjoyed our week at Windhaven lodge. Our grandkids loved the big yard and the lodge house had plenty of space for both the adults and 7 children. We all enjoyed the games and puzzles found in the lodge. The kitchen was well stocked with dishes and cooking pots and pans. Since our week was hot/warm, we were happy to find crockpots and a gas grill. The lake was good for swimming if we jumped into the deeper water. The shore is rocky and the rocks are slippery, so need water shoes to protect feet if wading into the lake from the shore. Our grandkids enjoyed their first “Minnesota” sauna experience - jumping in the lake after the sauna. We used the kayaks but not the canoe or fishing boat with oars. We did rent a pontoon one day. If we return, will consider renting a boat for the week.The rental was very clean (thanks Bonnie) and Kevin quickly responded to problems.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kevin S.

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

Lake Vermillion trip

Great property! Had an awesome stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lairdie K.

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

Amazing week

The lodge was a great place for our family. There was room inside and out for the kids to play. The bedrooms were on one end so the little ones could nap. Everyone enjoyed the firepit, the beach and the area in general. We will definitely book it again.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Wendy M.

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

Great for multi family stays

We enjoyed the sauna and fireplace on cool, rainy days and exploring beautiful Lake Vermilion. Loved this unique historic vibe from this 1935 Westhaven Lodge!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dallas B.

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

Awesome

Was great
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jacob Z.

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

Great place for a big group.

We had an excellent weekend on the lake with family and friends.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Michelle L.

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

Family fun

Excellent space for my husband & I to have all the family together. Lots of fun for food & everyone to eat & not feel cramped. Spacious & beautiful!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Noel H.

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

Westhaven lodge

Great place to relax and enjoy nature. Views were absolutely amazing. We had a blast!
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Michael H.

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

Book it while you can!

We've stayed at many different cabins around Lake Vermilion, this is the first cabin that we attempted to book AGAIN only two days into our trip. It's perfect for large families: Has lots of yard space for activities, it's plenty spacious inside and fishing off the dock was great!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Susan B.

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

Wonderful!

Beautiful Lake Vermilion location. Our group of friends enjoyed the clean, spacious lodge and fishing on the lake. We had everything we needed and would not hesitate to return!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jacob Z.

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

Great historic lodge with a great location.

Really neat features. Good place for a big family and friends snowmobile trip.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Christin G.

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

Wonderful place

Our stay at Westhaven Lodge was wonderful. I realize many enjoy this property in the summer but it is a gem to enjoy winter in MN. A great place for family fun.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Danny P.

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

Just beautiful!

We were there for thanksgiving and it was really cold-we are from Florida, but it was great. We saw a huge buck in the driveway when we arrived. The lodge is very spacious, we only had 4 adults but there is room for a lot of people. We made Thanksgiving dinner and the kitchen was well stocked-we found a mixer, whisk, measuring cups/spoons and there are crock pots, salt etc. We had a great time-we will have to come back in the summer.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

DIANE J T.

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

knitting retreat replacement

This property met our groups expectations at 100%. We were very comfortable with the property. It's listing was extremely accurate. We would rent again if needed in the future.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Nathan N.

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

Fantastic Location

The cabin is the perfect spot for a large group of people. Plenty of space for sleeping and indoor activities if the weather is not ideal. We will definitely be back.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

JoAnne E.

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

Just beautiful

It is tough to find a cabin to accommodate large family and dogs...the ‘Lodge’ was PERFECT!! So much room to spread out on a rainy day....large dining table for meals and games......nice kitchen, a second refrigerator was a bonus. Huge property to run and play. Love Vermillion....love the walleye...love the sunrise on the dock. Thank you for making our family vacation a dream.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Lori A.

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

The Lodge and Guest Cabin

Loved this property-- the lodge and guest cabin next door are beautifully rustic.....it was spacious for our group of 15. The property managers were wonderful!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Steve P.

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

Stay in lake vermilion

The house was big and clean. We had our own private dock and boat lifts. The whole experience was amazing
Stayed 4 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

John T.

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

Great Cabin

The Westhaven lodge worked perfect for our group of 8 people. The location on the lake is great for getting to many fishing spots.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2021

About the host

Hosted by Rodger Skare

Host profile image
The Skare family bought Westhaven Lodge, all of its cabins, and an additional 20 acres of heavily-wooded upland back in 1978 and operated the entire property as a resort for 20 years. Most of the original cabins making up the resort still exist, but the six furthest to the west were sold off to two great families who are now great neighbors. The next generation of the Skare Family continues to rent out the Lodge and Cabin 1, which were (and still are) the best of the original cabins.

Why they chose this property

Excellent family retreat with a private setting and unbelievable amenities; all in a resort area with a wealth of things to do---rain or shine.

What makes this property unique

Unique, historic fishing lodge containing six bedrooms, built in the 1930s and recently remodeled with a large dock, your own boat lift, a beach, a lakeside fire ring, a wood-burning sauna and a separate fish cleaning house.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests