Located at the Heart of the Solana State Forest in Amongst the Forest Trees Reviews, Deals & Photos 2025

Q: Is Located at the Heart of the Solana State Forest in Amongst the Forest Trees pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows pets (limit 2 total).

Q: Where is Located at the Heart of the Solana State Forest in Amongst the Forest Trees located?

Situated on a lake, this cabin is 3.1 mi (5 km) from Snake River and within 20 mi (32 km) of Kettle River and Mille Lacs Lake. Banning State Park and Cedar Lake are also within 20 mi (32 km).

8/10 Good

Barbara B.

Nov 27, 2020

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

weekend getaway

This little cabin has everything you need for 2 persons and is a great starting spot for long hikes in the woods.

Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2020

10/10 Excellent

Bre H.

May 18, 2023

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

Perfect

Perfect place to get away! I wish I could have stayed longer!

Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Breanna H.

Nov 26, 2023

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

Lovely

Absolutely lovely as always! I will continue to come back.

Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nick S.

Jan 24, 2022

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

Great get away

The cabin is a part of a complex but you are tucked away at the edge and nestled in the trees. It is a great place for a little get away and has all the essentials you would need.

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kari C., Minneapolis

Nov 30, 2021

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

Amazing retreat

I did not expect this cabin to be a part of a larger retreat location (Shire in the Woods is the name of the company if you care to look them up and see what other retreat services/amenities they provide), but it was lovely in every way. This cabin is small and off to the far edge of the main property, with windows that look off into the forest. Though the cabin is off to the side and secluded, we could see our nearest neighbors during our stay while they were there over the weekend. We had a couple instances of guests staying in other cabins walking by with their dog(s) to go on the trails in the forest that wrap around our cabin (my dogs were excited so I had to keep the curtains closed), but our hosts have high expectations for guests to keep the property quiet & peaceful (there is an incredible culture and ambiance about this place), and for every dog to remain on leash on the main property, so there was never a big issue with other dogs around. Also a heads up we had to drive past horses and swans (in fences on each side of the driveway) to enter the property. I had to distract my sheltered city dwelling dogs during all of that excitement! We stayed beyond the weekend when the other guests left and it became our own little haven; it was incredible. The dogs were so relaxed without other guests they could see or hear. We woke up to a sprinkling of snow and had coffee and quiet in front of the fire with the forest around. The internet was spotty and slow at times as others noted, so expect a place that forces you to unplug from the constant streaming of videos and news, but you can check your email if you need, or post a couple pretty photos you take of your adventures on the gram. The hiking trails were incredible! Some were very well worn, some were so rustic I had to trust my dogs' to tell me where the trail continued. You can follow the maps posted throughout the trails on the property for shorter hikes and see beautiful sights like a beaver damn and lodge, or follow the trails deeper into the state forest to really get your fill of nature. They had maps in the cabin of some deeper-into-the-woods trails and spots to check out. All in all, my stay was more than the reset I expected, and exactly what I needed. I sincerely appreciated the opportunity to take my dogs along with for hikes in our own space (thank you!) and would highly recommend Shire in the Woods to anyone looking for a MN retreat. Thanks to the host family!

Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Alissa K., Minneapolis, MN

Oct 23, 2021

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

Great place to get away

Our second trip to this little cabin was just as relaxing as the first. We love the screened in porch, cozy set up, fireplace, and that we can bring our dog.

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2021

8/10 Good

Benjamin G.

Jul 19, 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, location, listing accuracy

Nice cabin in the woods

We enjoyed the cabin, but were upset to be left out front waiting for anyone to check us in. Eventually the host showed up, but there should have been some way to contact them posted by the main office. The cabin was nice, but the property didn't have much to do but hike. The sauna wasn't operational and most of the property wasn't available during the day due to angry swans. It was also upsetting to see horses being kept in very poor conditions by the main house.

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Kaye M.

Jul 15, 2021

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

A paradise in the forest

It’s been 13 years since I’ve had a proper vacation. My Collies Dax, Beau and I went to a little cabin named the Woodlands in a place called the Shire to get away from the noise and stress of the city. The quiet solitude there was just what my spirit needed. The boys and I reveled in this little piece of paradise, walking the trails and finding the hidden wonders/treasures of the forest. We saw many different landscapes and saw and heard a multitude of forest creatures and birds. The nights were black as coal with the stars shining bright like diamonds on the night tapestry. We woke and fell asleep to the sounds of birds calling. The quiet at the cabin only disturbed by the rustling of squirrels. I came away feeling recharged and refreshed. I could not have found a more perfect place to take my long-awaited and much-needed vacation with my best buds. It was a wonderous and magical place. The WiFi never worked, I ended up using my phone's hotspot for anything I wanted, but it wasn't much. I went there to get away, not plug in. I saw some reviews complaining about dogs not having the run of things. I had two Collies with me that are trained well and had no problems. They stayed near the cabin with me or close to me on the many journeys through the forest. If you have dogs, you want to contact the owner and keep away from the main area where the owner's animals are kept. I also saw complaints online about the notes. This is a small family owned place. The notes are so they can keep the cabins in order without a large staff. Minnesotan's should know this. It was July when I was here. Lots of biting flies and mosquitoes. Again, Minnesota summer. Knowing this I had the correct bug spray and head coverings (nets that go over your hat and head) and carried another hat to shoo off the flies from my dogs. Just Minnesota. This is a wonderland. I can't tell you how much beauty we saw, or the wonder of the place. If you are a kind and gentle person wanting to get away, this is the place.

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021

8/10 Good

Jeff (JT) R.

Apr 5, 2021

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

Stars! Beavers! Quiet!

We had a great stay. Loved waking both mornings to look out a large window into the forest. Enjoyed the trails, including the great boardwalk (where we got to see beavers swimming about). Had a lovely, peaceful evening around a fire outside which ended with an absolutely amazing dome of stars. Very relaxing and calm-- just what we needed.

Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2021

6/10 Okay

David P.

Mar 16, 2021

Liked: Location

Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication

Didn't meet our expectations

Our arrival and check-in tarnished our stay. We had driven 5 hours in the rain and fog to get there only to have to stand in the rain to get the key and then negotiate a driveway/parking area that was a complete mud pit. Trying to keep from tracking mud into the cabin was a constant, nerve racking challenge. The multitude of notes on the wall reminding us to do or NOT do this or that was also a huge distraction. On top of that the cabin was not all that clean - visible layer of dust on the ceiling fan and kitchen shelves, etc. The cabin and surrounding woods were nice but the aforementioned items dampened our enthusiasm.

Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2021

10/10 Excellent

Erika N.

Jan 23, 2021

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

Nice cabin

I loved this small cabin. Open ceiling made it feel spacious. Well organized with plenty of room for our belongings. Cabins are well spaced on the property. Nice hiking trails.

Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2021

10/10 Excellent

Alissa K., Minneapolis, MN

Sep 28, 2020

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

Calm, beautiful, cozy get away in the woods

Great place to get away. It was beautiful and secluded. The cabin was cozy and had everything we needed. We loved the screened in porch and walking trails around the property. Property manager was welcoming and helpful.

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Kathrina M.

Sep 2, 2020

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

Fantasti

Just what we needed to get away from the city.

6/10 Okay

steve L.

Jul 23, 2020

Liked: Check-in, location, listing accuracy

Get away

Was a simple location with needed amenities.

10/10 Excellent

Talitha J.

Jul 19, 2020

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

Overall Goods

Peaceful, a good place to just rest and enjoy nature. Cleanliness could have been better as there were a few cobwebs and evidence of mice (droppings, etc) in the kitchen. Overall we would definitely come again and explore more of the property!

10/10 Excellent

Sara Jo M.

May 28, 2020

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

The Shire Stay

This was a great get-a-way from the city. We enjoyed the beautiful views on the property. Hoping to come back again in the winter.

10/10 Excellent

Ray H.

Nov 14, 2019

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

Time to Rekindle

Long work weeks, busy schedules this is just what my wife and I needed. Awesome accommodations. Never judge a book by it's cover this little gem Shire in the Woods is as advertised. Long walks on the property, beautiful roaring fires and lots of quiet and time in the word made for the most relaxing and tender stay.

Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2019

8/10 Good

Greg S.

Jul 15, 2019

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

Very secluded. Great place for a retreat.

The property was nice...very secluded location. The only drawback to this property and it's location is with the rain that we had this season, it was hard to get outside and do anything without being eaten alive by mosquitoes or other bugs. Overall though the listing was very accurate. The Octagon was clean and the owner's took a lot of things into consideration that we may need. It shows that they wanted us to enjoy our stay. Would definitely stay again with just my wife for a day trip (hopefully on not such a rainy part of the season).

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Bill B.

Jan 3, 2019

Great place to stay!

Loved the experience. Great place to stay!

Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2018

8/10 Good

Robert N.

Nov 28, 2018

peace and quiet

Great trip to this quiet location.

Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2018

10/10 Excellent

Paige S.

Nov 5, 2018

Loved our stay, planning to return again

We came to celebrate our 9 year anniversary and get away from the city for the weekend. We really were able to just let go off all the fast-paced stress and enjoy ourselves. We went stargazing the first night, walking a bit onto their not-as-of-yet completed walkway to their little island. And the next day, we hiked around the trails surrounding the grounds and had quite a lot of fun identifying mushrooms---something we used to do years ago in Pennsylvania. On our last day, we walked around their labyrinth and watched the snow fall--then ran back to the cabin to light a fire and read quietly with each other as the flakes drifted by our windows. It felt like we had been holding our breath for a very long time and this weekend we were finally able to release it. Loved the property, Mike and Samwise (the dog) were super friendly upon our arrival and made us feel very welcome. The cabin had all the basics we could have needed--though I suggest you make sure to bring your own toiletres (shampoo, bodywash, and conditioner) if that matters to you. We only ended up needing to purchase one additional bundle of firewood from Mike for the weekend, since the cabin already had some and the fireplace was all setup when we entered. We loved reading through the guest book in the cabin and finding out about the past guests--so many stories and lives connected by this one place. Definitely would recommend as a place to stay, and get reconnected with yourself and nature.

Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2018

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Bob M.

Mar 12, 2017

Peaceful and secluded

My wife and I enjoyed our second stay in the cabin. There were some fairly minor problems that we mentioned to the owner afterward, but the experience overall was restful and rejuvenating.

Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2017

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Thomas K.

Mar 2, 2017

A very peaceful and tranquil quiet getaway in the woods

The grounds are very peaceful and quiet; a delightful escape from the noise and hubbub of our usual life in the city. There are trails in the woods that pass by wildlife and wild scenery that provide balm to the soul longing to, albeit briefly, get away from the usual demands of life. The cabins are quant, though small, definitely most cosy for a close couple. We stayed in the Woodland cabin in winter, which is set well into the woods, and has many windows that brings nature indoors; and is comfortable for someone who merely wants to rest, meditate or read. I bet it would be especially charming in early spring or in the height of autumn. It is called "shire in the woods", and in many subtle ways, reminded me of the simple Tolkien shire; I sometimes expected to see a hobbit exiting one of the cabins.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Matt P.

Dec 18, 2016

Perfect little place in the woods

Great little getaway with nice trails through the woods. He cabin is fully stocked with everything you need.

Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2016

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Eileen G.

Aug 25, 2016

Lovely seclusion in the woods

The cabin is lovely nestled in a forest. No television, no radio just the ability to appreciate the beauty of nature. The cabin is efficient with no wasted space and has a fully equipped kitchen, wonderful bathroom shower, comfortable bed and a great screened porch. It's in the middle of a forest with walking trails right outside the front door. Only real negative are the flies and mosquitoes. Really enjoyed our stay

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2016

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Located at the Heart of the Solana State Forest in Amongst the Forest Trees

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