Property grounds

Reviews of Charming and Secluded North Shore Cabin and Sauna two miles from Grand Marais!


Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 16 out of 20 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 20 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 20 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 20 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 20 reviews" "

9.4/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Amenities

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Anne A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Small with big charm
Loved the location to Grand Marais. The interior decor was fun. The furnishings were cute and well done. We enjoyed our brief stay and would definitely book again if opportunity arises.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cynthia C., Mahtomedi MN

Liked: Cleanliness
Quiet cabin in birch woods
We stayed 5 nights in this cute off-grid cabin that has solar power for phones and there’s signal. It’s a hike to the cabin up and down some hills (which we knew about) but it means you don’t want to cart in a lot of extra stuff. It is a great getaway place. There’s so much to do in the area: eating in Grand Marais, hiking the many nearby trails and being by Lake Superior.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Kendra W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Secluded rustic cabin
This was a cute cabin off the beaten path. Good size for 2 people or for a small family with younger kids. Very nice area. We were able to bike to Grand Marais. Quiet (except for an occasional barking dog). Exceptional area to watch the stars. I didn’t realize how primitive it was until after booking. It’s solar lighting with a USB port. So no real electricity. Like glamping but make sure you are prepare not to shower. There’s a curtain outside, but high weeds, and you can use a spray pump shower. We just stayed stinky. Also, if you have sleeping needs such as a CPAP, forgo, there’s no way to run one. The main cabin has a futon but mattress is very uncomfortable. It’s where we spent our downtime, but could be SOOOO much better with a thicker mattress or a new couch in its place. Also, they have 2 hammocks, which is great, but the area needed a good weed wacking, in order to utilize it. The fire pit was a plus with plenty of wood. It could have used some outside cooking tools. It’s a great place for people who don’t want to tent camp, but not for people who want the basic amenities like electricity and a hot shower on a trip.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

6/10 Okay

Cindy S.

Ok but wouldn’t rebook
The inside of the cabin is very cute. There was not adequate weather stripping around the door, so at night the mosquitoes would come in between the door and frame- we placed brown grocery bags in the open area and that helped to keep mosquitos out. The grounds surrounding the cabin had vegetation up to my knee. There for if you laid in a hammock the vegetation would be as high as you and the mosquitoes would be extreme. Same with the shower area. There is no open areas for children to play except for the 4 foot fire area, the deck, or the path back to the car. I tried to find the river path but unable due to un-mantained pathway. You are expected to mop the floors before leaving, they were so dirty I doubt anyone had previously mopped. The solar panel was unable to fully charge one cell phone, I would recommend an additional panel. The outhouse was nice although you can’t hook the door closed and the underside of the toilet seat had stool and urine on it. The surrounding woods is beautiful.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Maurice T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Quiet time in the woods
This was a very peaceful, serene time. The accommodations were as expected, and we enjoyed our stay very much. We would do this again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Susan M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Delightful!
The perfect off-grid experience! Take the advice to pack light in light of the five minute hike through the woods to get there. The cabin was beautifully designed and very comfortable. I didn’t do a lot of cooking because there are so many great restaurants close by. The composting toilet is just across the deck - very clean and no odor at all. Great fire pit and star gazing available. Would highly recommend this beautiful off-grid cabin - that doesn’t feel too off-grid. 😎
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Cynthia C., Mahtomedi MN

Liked: Cleanliness
Quiet, clean cabin
It’s a beautiful, special place in a birch grove where you can see stars appear while enjoying a fire outside. The walk from the parking area is easy as long as you don’t try to bring too much stuff. It is a good place to be minimal. Everything you really need is there, including lighting and being able to charge your phone, even though it’s off the grid.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Dan n.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great stay - convenient location
Communication with owners was excellent. Very convenient location to Grand Marais and to pursue other adventures on The Big Lake - we took a day trip to Isle Royale, which was beautiful. Cabin was clean and had everything we needed - is very well thought out - heed the suggestion to pack light for short hike to cabin :). Overall, great stay and good value - will likely stay again.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

julie d.

Liked: Cleanliness
Quick long weekend
My husband and I along with our soon to be Senior in college daughter enjoyed a long weekend at Ferny Fern. The description is exactly what you get. We arrived after dark and both the driving directions and hike into the property we’re easy to manage. Packing light is key. The property is wonderfully secluded. The no electricity is not an issue at all as they have figured out how to make it cozy. We would definitely stay again. My only suggestion is that the futon mattress should be replaced or upgraded. I am sure it gets a lot of use functioning as a couch and a bed.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lisa Y.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful stay off grid
We loved our time at Ferny Fern. It was fun being deep in the woods yet still so close to so many Grand Marais attractions. The cabin is well designed and snug and we were very comfortable. Starry night and rainy night were both lovely.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

8/10 Good

Heather H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Secluded Getaway
Cute little cabin in woods. Nature noises instead of city noises. Carts are available to trek stuff from car to cabin ~0.25 mile walk. Despite being off the grid, many amenities still available. Kids thought it would be tough without TV or electronic entertainment but they did just fine!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Dan F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cozy canin
Cozy little cabin off the beaten path. Hike in was easy even with an infant, 3 and 6 year old. Quiet and sceduled, but easy trip to town and parks.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Anita G., DULUTH

Liked: Cleanliness
Nothing typical here
We enjoyed the unique experience of Ferny Fern. The short hike to the cabin was invigorating and added to the excitement of what we’d find ahead. Packing lite was freeing! It was also convenient to be 10 minutes from Grand Marais. A hammock nap after hiking was heavenly as was standing on the porch stargazing at night. We were all curious about the off-grid aspect of this place and it was obvious the owners had done their research. Everything was as they described.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2021

6/10 Okay

MIchele Cheli

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The short 5 minute walk applies only if there has been no rain and are carrying nothing. If you are in good health and like to hike this is the place for you. Cabin is beautifully done and comfortable when you arrive. Could use some hand or rope rails and benches on the path for older groups of travelers.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Suzanne I.

Liked: Cleanliness
Just a suggestion
I’d add some Kleenex and put in a mirror. Otherwise it was well thought out and we enjoyed it! Beautiful place and adorable cabin.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

nicole j.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing stay! We will be back.
We loved everything about this stay! From the moment we booked and began corresponding with Colette and Justin, we knew we were in for a treat. They sent a thorough message with all of the information we needed to know for the trip - supplies provided and needed, special directions, cleaning requirements etc.. They were also incredibly accommodating and flexible with some of our special requests. When we arrived at the cabin it was even better than expected and more beautiful than pictures can capture. Every detail in this home was thoughtfully planned out and very space had a mixed purpose of comfort and functionality. It felt spacious, homey and very clean. The decor was beautiful, beds comfortable and all amenities needed were provided. The setup for dishes worked great and I can't say enough about the compost toilet/bathroom area! It was incredibly clean and there were zero smells or bugs. We loved the wrap around deck where we enjoyed coffee and cards games. We also loved the bonfire pit where we listened to the sounds of the woods while enjoying a bevy. Hammocks were a nice touch to enjoy a quick snooze in the afternoon. It was just under 10 minutes to Grand Marais for easy access to fun restaurants, breweries and of course beaches. We were only there a couple of nights and did not have a chance to explore the property or use the beautiful outdoor solar shower but we absolutely plan to come back again (and again). Thank you for creating such a peaceful, beautiful place to enjoy the beauty of the North Woods! We very much appreciated our time and will cherish the memories.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely
I loved everything about our stay. The cabin was thoughtfully designed and a lovely space with lots of natural light from the many south-facing windows. Using solar for lighting and a composting toilet was appreciated. I certainly became aware of my water usage which is a really good thing. I'm grateful we discovered this lovely spot!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Ann B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful get away
Very clean, well equipped, quiet, remote place to stay. After camping a few days before our stay, I could have used a hot shower though - or at least running water! But it was all they said it was.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Anthony K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Serene Woods Get-Away
Quiet and enchanting we loved this place. Bird songs in the very early morning in the hammocks. Star filled night sky with no city lights. Sitting on the deck with tons of room made for peaceful mornings with my wife and our two cups of coffee. Be sure to follow the ribbon marked trail thru the ferns to visit fall creek, lay in the hammock there and enjoy the sound of water gently splashing over the rocky ledges sculpted by nature - so beautful and relaxing. We will be back again.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

John R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect retreat
This is an adorable property that served as a great remote retreat on our north shore get away.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2021