Entire cabin

dr John's rustic retreat

Photo gallery for dr John's rustic retreat

A lakeside view with a bench and chairs, surrounded by trees. - dr John's rustic retreat (Gordon)
A small cabin with a red exterior, a front door, and a window with a lit lamp inside. - dr John's rustic retreat (Gordon)
A room with a large window overlooking a lake, a swing, and a picnic table. - dr John's rustic retreat (Gordon)
A cozy room with a wooden ceiling, a ceiling fan, a dining table with chairs, a sofa with cushions, and large windows offering a view of trees. - dr John's rustic retreat (Gordon)
A cozy room with a dining table, chairs, a sofa, and a coffee table. - dr John's rustic retreat (Gordon)
dr John's rustic retreat provides amenities like a garden and laundry facilities. Guests can connect to in-room WiFi.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire cabin

4 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 81500 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Pet friendly
  • Outdoor Space
  • Parking available

Add dates for prices

About this property

dr John's rustic retreat

  • *Please note we rent Friday to Friday* Looking for a beautiful, private, lakefront cabin to recharge your batteries? Look no further! Our family has enjoyed summers at our family cabin, on beautiful Leader Lake since 1959, and now we would like to share it with you! Located in Gordon, WI, just 40 minutes from Duluth, MN and a two and a half hour drive from the twin cities, our cabin is the perfect place for families or a couples retreat, to enjoy your summer vacation.

    Property Information:
    This rustic retreat is located on 8 acres of lakefront property. There is a small beach, private dock, raft and access to a small 4 person pontoon boat, 2 canoes, and a paddle-boat. Enjoy fishing, swimming, tanning on the dock, hikes along our private trails, or reading a book on our family size screened porch! Fall asleep listening to the wind rustling the leaves, the night calls of the loons, or the water lapping at the shoreline. Plenty of wildlife to observe and endless bird watching.

    The cabin has a large living room with fireplace, full kitchen, full bath (washer/ dryer), two bedrooms fully enclosed, one bedroom at the end of the screened-in porch, a playroom/office, and a family size screened in porch with sitting and dining areas facing the lake. There is a guest cabin for 2 located 100 yards from the main house, perfect for couples looking for a little more privacy.

    Leader Lake is a 160-acre lake that has a maximum depth of 56 feet and has a hard sand shoreline. For the fishermen, our lake is home to northern pike, walleye, large mouth bass, and panfish. The lake has limited public access so it remains pristine and private.

    Amenities:
    - Wi-Fi
    - DirectTV with DVR
    - Free local calls
    - Washer/Dryer
    - Dishwasher
    - Printer
    - Small Pontoon Boat
    - 2 person canoe
    - Canoe for 1
    - Paddleboat
    - Weekly Outdoor Music Concerts in the neighboring town of Solan Springs
    - Close proximity to fishing day trips down the St. Croix and Brule rivers

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach loungers
  • Beach towels

Internet

  • Available in the cabin: WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 4 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • TV with cable/satellite channels

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Porch/lanai

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Office
  • Printer

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming dogs only
  • 2 pets total

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • On a lake

Things to do

  • Boat
  • Kayak
  • Water sports equipment

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Deadbolt lock
  • Fire extinguisher
  • First aid kit

General

  • Garden
  • Unit size: 1,500 square feet

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Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Pets

Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
2 total pets
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property at the number on the booking confirmation

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

About the area

Located in Gordon, this cabin is in a rural area and on a lake. While the natural beauty of Leader Lake and Whitefish Lake can be enjoyed by anyone, those looking for an activity can check out Black Bear Golf Course. Visit our Gordon travel guide
View more Cabin rentals in Gordon
Map
Gordon, WI

What's nearby

  • A calm lake with a clear reflection of the sky and clouds, surrounded by dense forest.
    Whitefish Lake
    3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • A waterfall cascading down a rocky cliff surrounded by dense green forest.
    Pattison State Park
    53 min drive - 78.8 km
  • Leader Lake
    1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Pickerel Lake
    9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • St. Croix Casino Danbury
    58 min drive - 76.5 km

Restaurants

  • Bootleggers
    19 min drive
  • Circle Pines
    16 min drive
  • The Golden Chipmunk
    16 min drive
  • Pogo's
    13 min drive
  • The Lookout
    16 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is dr John's rustic retreat pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total). Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

How much is parking?

Onsite parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at dr John's rustic retreat?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at dr John's rustic retreat?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is dr John's rustic retreat located?

Situated on a lake, this cabin is steps from Leader Lake and Whitefish Lake. Pickerel Lake is 0.3 mi (0.4 km) away.

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Reviews

dr John's rustic retreat Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

9.4

Cleanliness

10

Location
Rating 10 - Excellent. 27 out of 29 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 29 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 29 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 29 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 29 reviews

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We are repeaters at Dr John's and can't imagine staying anywhere else in Northern WI. The property is secluded, the territory well kept, the cabin amazingly appointed and with everything you need to cook, relax, and have fun. Plus there is a great compact pontoon boat with a trawling motor. And the housekeeper maintains 5-star cleanliness and is accessible if you need help. A simply amazing place we've already reserved for next season.
Stayed 11 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great northern getaway!

The property was well cared for and had everything we needed. Loved the screened porch! We had 4 adults and 4 kids and the space was plenty roomy for us. The beach area was clean, water very clear. The kids had a blast jumping off the pier and raft! Booking, check in were seamless.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Private Beautiful Setting

We enjoyed our stay, in particular we used the screened in porch for reading, playing games and doing puzzles. The location is very private and it feels like you have the whole bay area for yourself due to the DNR land adjacent. If you want a traditional north woods cabin experience this has all of the feature you can expect. The pontoon is easy to use. You feel like you are at a home not a resort.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

The Gem of Douglas County WI

This was our second stay at Dr. John's, and we have already reserved for next year. It is hands-down the best VRBO rental in Northern Wisconsin that we have stayed at over the past six years. The cabin is rustic but with all the creature comforts, including excellent Wifi and Internet service and a very well equipped kitchen with dishwasher. The housekeeper does a terrific job preparing the place for new guests; the approach to the swimming area is sandy and down a short flight of stairs to water that was remarkably algae-free for late August. Fishing is great, and we enjoyed using the electric-motor-powered pontoon boat. All in all just a wonderful experience.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fantastic Cabin with great history loved this place!!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Classic old-school Up North cabin vibe. Very peaceful lake and property. A great way to unwind in the Northwoods. Loved the massive, screened porch. Excellent communication with host.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great place for family

Perfect place to get away, connect with nature & make lasting memories with family.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Perfect place to relax

Easy, straightforward check in. Loved the screen porch! We had the best weather, caught lots of fish and relaxed to our hearts content.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Picturesque Peaceful Paradise

In love with every aspect of this place. I would of loved growing up here. Words cant express how much we all enjoyed our stay. Thank you!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

family vacation

This is a beautiful property and lake. Its very private and the beach is perfect for little kids. It doesnt get deep for aways. I would highly recommend this property.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness
The place was basically filthy but large the bedroom situation was bad the beds were not very comfortable the lake was beautiful
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

A really nice place on a quiet lake

A nice cabin, stocked with just about anything needed such as bed linens, kitchen linens, bathing linens and supplies. Plenty of dishes and glasses and silverware. A small pontoon powered by an electric motor that did okay for four adults. Rustic charm, deers in the area along with lions and good fishing of largemouth bass and northern pike.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Absolutely wonderful lake cabin in the woods

This was our third stay (see earlier reviews) in four years, and we're planning a fourth stay later this summer. Dr. John's is the rarest of finds: private, quiet, very clean, well-appointed with just about anything you might need (see the impressive list of amenities). The shoreline is sandy and graduated for swimming; the pontoon boat--great for outings on the lake or fishing. Wifi works well, supporting multiple devices and streaming; the fireplace is well-stocked with dried wood; kitchen is immaculate, with lots of implements, pots and pans, and devices; beds are very comfortable, the screen porch provides great views without bugs, and there are lots of books, games, and puzzles. Excellent communication with owners, and the housekeeper-manager (Lorraine) is available nearby, should you need help. All in all just a wonderful place that we hope to return to again and again.
Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Perfect Get Away....

We loved our visit. We were looking for a remote, rustic retreat and found the PERFECT spot. We arrived and were greated by a family of Deer by the little cabin. We watched wildlife, fished, hiked, boated, canoed, watched the water and the most incredible star show - and left the world behind us. Found everything we needed (and more) in the Cabin. Loved listening to the loons in the morning and at night. Truly Magical. Fun family dinners, card games and quiet reading on the screen porch. Just perfect. Already planning a trip back. Thank you for sharing your wonderul family home. You can tell it was full of love and laughter. The Deutscher's
Stayed 11 nights in Aug 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Peaceful Get-Away

Thank you Edson family for sharing your peaceful nature retreat with us. Communication was very prompt and personable. Description of this property is spot on. We very much enjoyed canoeing Leader Lake as well as Bond Lake via the passage. One day we rented a canoe and paddled the beautiful Brule, a 45 minute drive from the cabin. Our evening pontoon excursions were highlights. The moonlight on the water, the views from the Grandparents' Bench, daily visits from our deer friends, the warm wind in the trees.... all in all a wonderfully relaxing week. Internet was great but we found we didn't use it much. If you enjoy simple living and peace and quiet, this special place will feel like heaven to you!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

The Perfect Rustic Cabin Experience

For their favorite vacations some family’s run for the beach while others seek out the sites of the big cities or busy amusement parks. My family and I tend to always land on a lake some where looking to check all of the same boxes: - Clean lake - Good quiet “coffee drinking dock” - Clean and comfortable living space - Some fun local towns to explore - Ability to relax around a fire This wonderful family cabin checked all of our boxes exactly as we needed it too. The history of the cabin is easy to see through family photos on the walls...a history that left me wishing I could have met the guy in those pictures responsible for creating such an amazing place for his family to enjoy. After looking at the photos close, I honestly felt honored to be staying in the cabin he built. Our quite mornings paddling the canoe around the crystal clear lake...sipping our coffee and following the loons was truly heaven on earth for my wife and I.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We absolutely loved Dr. John’s Rustic Retreat. It has such a classic lake house vibe it reminded me of my Grandfather’s lake house growing up. The fishing was excellent and having 4 boats to choose from made it perfect for exploring the lake or fishing off the pontoon boat. We swam in the lake everyday and since it is a private lake you don’t need to worry about boaters taking you out or over crowding. The property is 8 acres and completely private. Great place for peace and quiet. Plus they had a bunch of trails running around the property to explore. The area around leader lake is super cool with lots of 4 wheeling and snowmobiling trails. There are also serval bars and restaurants in the area. The house is well stocked with board games, puzzles and tons of books for raining days. We would definitely stay again. Even though the cottage is named after Dr. John the family’s grandfather. We were jamming to Dr. John music all week.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

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

Secluded

Property is located right on the lake. Enough tree coverage that you feel very isolated and secluded. A lot of privacy. Weather did no cooperate for swimming but great fishing. This was the third year that we have stayed here and it gets better every time.
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Cousin Gathering

Since I was unable to go to the cabin with my cousins due to my husband being injured (deer/motorcycle crash) I can't give you an assessment but I believe they enjoyed your cabin and the setting. I will see if one of the cousins is willing to respond. Doris
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

A Week to Remember

Our group has done a series of stays at cabins in the area, but our usual haunts are now overpriced, so we were looking for a more economical destination. Everything about our stay was first-class: the housecleaning is meticulous; the kitchen decently supplied with a slew of devices and instruments and, thankfully, no leftovers from previous guests; the beach is perfect for all ages; the equipment--from life jackets to games--is exceptional; the fishing fantastic (at least in early-mid June), and the owners responsive. We didn't use the little "cabin for two," but it looked wonderful. And the territory is surrounded by DNR properties so there are no neighbors within hearing range or sight. Best of all, a very basic but excellent pontoon boat with a rechargeable electric motor comes with the cabin, and we used it daily. Suggestions: The cabin has been built up in stages, consequently the floor plan is a bit non-traditional, with the bathroom serving as a hub with three different entrances. A floor plan online would definitely help people figure out whether this arrangement will work for them: for us it was perfect. Also, the inner rooms get little direct sunlight, so we kept lights on more than we wanted, but light bulbs are cheaper and greener than air conditioning, and the cabin is excellently ventilated and pleasantly cool even at midday thanks precisely to the lack of direct sunlight. Also, this is Northern Wisconsin, so be prepared to check for ticks in June and July especially and insist that the grass is cut as low as possible (general advice for any cabin up north). Finally, we are accustomed to finding instructions and not having to search through drawers and closets to find basic things like the remote for the smart tv. We had to ask for departure instructions. We're experienced renters; we already know the routines. But less experienced renters could use more information and could be timid about asking owners to supply same after arrival. All in all , though, it was a great place, and we could imagine returning.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Peace and serenity

We loved it. Soooooooo quiet. We could have a fire every night. We lived on the porch. We enjoyed the short hiking paths in the woods. We hope we can do it again. Problems: no propane, dirty coffee pot with mold. Need information on battery life of the little pontoon. It did storm and we were not sure about the porch curtains. The floating dock broke lose during the storm and we dragged it to the shore.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Enjoy All Nature Has to Offer!

Favorite family vacation to-date! We have spent the last 20+ years renting a cabin for a week every summer in the Minong/Hayward/Winter area and the week we spent here in 2021 was our best to-date! There are plenty of activities to occupy hands and minds of all ages - swimming, boating, fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, paddle boating, biking, atv trails, walking trails, etc. The nature was incredible! We saw bear (not on the property but meandering down a side road), countless deer (on the property drinking from the lake), a painted turtle laying her eggs (on the property), Blue Heron, frogs, an eagle swooping down to catch fish out of the lake, rabbits, squirrels, countless birds, etc. Fishing was fantastic - we had catches every day (northern, large mouth, crappies, etc.). The dragonfly population is very healthy and this is a major positive point for anyone who is outdoorsy and familiar with vacationing in the WI/MN area during the summer....because there were no mosquitoes!! The cabin is cozy, inviting, clean and has everything you could think of needing during a week away from home. We will definitely be back next year.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Amazing.

This beautiful property was such a wonderful oasis of relaxation, nature-gazing and comfort. We enjoyed every minute of our time there.
Stayed 9 nights in Sep 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Seclusion

Secluded property with semi-private lake. Great place for rest and relaxation.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Best Family Vacation Ever!

Words cannot capture how wonderful this place is. I don't think there was a time when everyone wasn't smiling or laughing...unless they were sleeping. Can't wait to visit again!