Classic cabin/cottage with big screen porch, stone fireplace, knotty pine walls.
A 1930's-era classic lake cottage, with log siding, a two story limestone fireplace, wrap-around screened-in porch with views of the lake, knotty pine panelling and open cedar beams. This two bedroom cabin-style vacation home has one bedroom with a queen bed and one with twin beds and an extra sink. There is also a double futon. The screen porch has canvas awnings for shade or privacy. The Great Room has mid-century rattan furniture, and a built-in hutch with mid-century pottery. The kitchen is small, but it has a full-sized fridge, a 4 burner stove, microwave, toaster, two compartment sink, a crock pot, electric griddle and a blender. If you have a bit of nostalgia for the Summer Vacations you had as a kid, this is the place for you! If you're looking for ultra-modern, this may not be the right fit for your family.
The floors are pristine maple in the Great Room and the bedrooms, Marmoleum in the kitchen and LVT in the bath. In addition to the stone fireplace, there is also a gas-powered furnace, or two window AC units for less than perfect conditions. The generously-sized shower is all tiled in, with a light and tall shower head. All doors are triple-thick knotty pine, and the hardware is original hammered bronze. There are some vintage light fixtures: a wagon wheel chandelier in the Great Room, wrought iron & mica lighting on the porch, and some fun mid-century table lamps. There is a Dutch door between the kitchen and the porch, a long picnic table on the porch that seats up to 8, with seating for another 4-6 in the dining area.
Lake Ripley is a lovely 420-acre lake, with an average depth of 44 feet. There are 2 public boat landings, 1 public (drive--1 mile) and one private (walk--.4 mile) beach, and a swimming and fishing pier, within 1/2 a block's walk. There are also 2 single kayaks for your use, with paddles and lifejackets. Easy walk to the pier with kayaks on provided carts, 1/2 block away.
The Glacial-Drumlin and Cam-Rock bike trails are just a few miles away, and it is an easy bike ride into the charming village of Cambridge, with several good coffee shops and restaurants to chose from. Fort Atkinson and Lake Mills are each just 15 minutes away, with fun things to see and do in each town, and Madison is only 30 minutes away, with a vast number of ethnic restaurants, pubs and classic eating establishments.
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Pets allowed: dogs less than 23 kg per pet (limit 2 pets total)
$35 fee, under 65#total, crated when you are away
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Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Absolutely NO smoking within 30 feet of cottage
1)1-2 dogs 65#net; crate-trained; in crate when owner's away.
2)Fireplace use in Spring and Fall only, please.
3)No parties over 10, quiet time by 9PM
Minimum stay: 7 days
Important information
You need to know
Property # 1076750vb
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
Note from host: Groups under 10 may visit in daytime. Quiet: 9PM
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
About the area
Cambridge
Located in Cambridge, this cottage is in a rural area and on a lake. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Aztalan State Park and Lake Kegonsa State Park, while Cambridge Historic School Museum and Hi-Way Outdoor Theatre are cultural highlights. Lake Ripley Lanes and Hinchley's Dairy Farm are also worth visiting. Enjoy the area's slopes with cross-country skiing, and don't miss out on the snowmobiling.
University of Wisconsin-Madison - 34 min drive - 46.6 km
Camp Randall Stadium - 35 min drive - 47.0 km
Getting around
Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) - 34 min drive
Restaurants
Cambridge Taphouse - 4 min drive
Pizza Pit - 5 min drive
Cambridge Winery - 5 min drive
Lake Ripley Family Restaurant - 4 min drive
Possum Lodge - 4 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Classic cabin/cottage with big screen porch, stone fireplace, knotty pine walls. 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.
How much does it cost to stay at Classic cabin/cottage with big screen porch, stone fireplace, knotty pine walls.?
As of 12 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Classic cabin/cottage with big screen porch, stone fireplace, knotty pine walls. on 7 Sept 2026 start from AU$163, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Classic cabin/cottage with big screen porch, stone fireplace, knotty pine walls.?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Classic cabin/cottage with big screen porch, stone fireplace, knotty pine walls.?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Classic cabin/cottage with big screen porch, stone fireplace, knotty pine walls.?
Checkout is at 12:00 PM.
Where is Classic cabin/cottage with big screen porch, stone fireplace, knotty pine walls. located?
Situated on a lake, this cottage is within 1 mile (2 km) of Lake Ripley Park Beach and Lake Ripley Lanes. Cambridge Historic School Museum and Cam-Rock Park Area are also within 3 miles (5 km).
Reviews
9.6
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
We were happy to host Brad and his group. They would be very welcome to stay with us again.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Barry C.
26 July 2018
Fantastic rental with great owners!
Second time staying here and I'm sure it won't be the last! Lake Ripley is wonderful and we really enjoy everything this cabin and the area has to offer. Great experience!
Wonderful get away in Cambridge, WI with a view of Lake Ripley.
A log cabin cottage with an amazing wrap around screen porch. A perfect get away for our family of five and Irish Doodle. Can't wait to comeback!
Margaret B.
Stayed 9 nights in Aug 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 15 Aug 2022
Thanks for the great review, Margaret! I hope you're able to come back, as well. Just a heads up: we are renting the cottage to a couple for two months next Summer--mid-June thru Mid-August. So, if you want to rent again around this time of year, sooner would be better than later.
Jill and Steve
The cabin was just as described and I loved that it was well stocked. Very quaint, lovely.
My husband and I were very pleased with this property. I am always looking to stay at a place that has nostalgia and character. This property delivered. The hosts had an abundance of supplies and were very accommodating. I'm a happy girl after having stayed there!
Teresa L.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 21 July 2021
Thanks again for staying with us, Teresa! We love that you enjoyed the nostalgic vibe of our place. Hope you can stay with us again!
This is a beautiful haven from a busy fast-paced world. It’s like stepping back in time a bit,.
We loved our time at the cottage! We completely relaxed in the quaint environment it provides. The fireplace was like daily therapy for us. But we also appreciated the great Wi-Fi. This is a simple and lovely place to get away from life-as-normal.
Ivan V.
Stayed 14 nights in Oct 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 23 Nov 2022
Thanks for staying with us, Ivan. We’re so glad people enjoy the cottages charms and simplicity. And, you lucked out with great early November weather!
We have 3 little ones and the beech and pier were perfect for them. They enjoyed the slide and jumped off the pier about 20,000 times. The large screened in porch was our favorite and made s'mores in the small fire pit they had all ready for us. Great time and we plan on coming back!
Rachel I.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Mar 2020
Thanks for the great review, Rachel. I'm sorry we had to charge something for the broken fan. Let us know if you'd really like to come back, and we can discuss it. Thanks,
Jill and Steve
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Diane D.
11 Oct 2017
Relaxing by the lake
The cabin is wonderfully renovated and period furnished, looking much as it might have in the 1950s. Cozy, with a great screened porch looking toward the lake and a dock to watch the sunset just across the street and down. We had a fine time just relaxing. Jill was very helpful with restaurant recommendations, including a supper club that was a classic. Hope to stay at the cabin again.
Diane D.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Mar 2020
Thanks for staying with us, Diane. We hope to have you back again!
Jill and Steve
We loved this cabin. It has such a comfortable and charming energy to it. There was plenty of space inside, but that massive porch was a game changer for relaxing evenings. Comfy bed. The shower is tricky, but manageable. Tons of knick knacks and decorations give the interior character and history.
Beth W.
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 14 Sept 2022
Thanks for your great review, Beth. And for being patient while we flushed out the on-demand water heater, for the shower. Hopefully all worked well after that. We'd be happy to have you back!
We had an excellent stay at Lake Ripley. The listing was as described and felt like home. The cabin was rustic, with a charming, comfortable wrap-around porch perfect for relaxing or entertaining. There is convenient, nearby access to the lake, the town of Cambridge, and CamRock Park, where we walked our dog. The host, Jill, was friendly and responsive and answered all our questions. We tried kayaking for the first time (provided), and it was super fun! We would recommend it, and we hope to return!
Kelly B.
Stayed 14 nights in Sep 2024
Verified
8/10 Good
sarah d.
8 May 2019
Cozy cabin for chilly spring weather
This rustic cabin was a warm retreat during a week of wet weather in May. It is well supplied with kitchen basics and cookware, warm bedding, and toiletries. The kitchen was bigger than it looked in the photos, with more counter space than expected. It was very adequate for basic meal preparation and cleanup. The big porch is lovely; we were glad to have a couple of days at the end of our stay to enjoy it.
This cottage was adorable: cozy with its giant stone fireplace and wrap-around screen porch with cushioned rocking chairs; funky with its fun decor; and functional with lots of amenities for cooking and kayaking on the nearby lake. We loved just hanging out on the porch watching the bustling little neighborhood go by on their golf carts and dog walks. It was an interesting area -- more populated than we expected but we got used to it and everyone we came across was very friendly. We took advantage of its proximity to the Glacial Drumlin bike trail for some fantastic bike rides (we brought our own bikes) during our stay, too.
Trish D.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Sept 2021
Thanks Trish, for letting people know this is a neighborhood of both seasonal cottages, and year-round homes. More privacy than being in a city, but not isolated, either.
Archival
8/10 Good
Barb D.
19 Aug 2017
Overall it was a very nice relaxing vacation.
It would have been nice to have access to a beach that was pet friendly. The cabin was very clean with a wonderful screened in front porch. Unfortunately there is a lot of construction going on around the cabin at this time. We were surprised that the area was so congested. The cabin had everything that we needed and the kitchen was well stocked. Everyone we ran into was very friendly. It will be nice to visit the area when all the construction has been completed.
Barb D.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Mar 2020
Thanks for your comments! We understand there is an unmarked "dog beach" to the East of Shore Place Beach pier. If other dogs are in the water, you should be welcome there. Very sorry about the construction: was supposed to have been completed in the Spring. To try and make up for that, we have provided a season pass to Ripley Park beach, reduced rates on weeknights (no work being done Friday thru Sunday nights), and gift cards to local sandwich and ice cream shops. Hope you can return in the Fall or next Spring!
This cottage is within steps of Lake Ripley. It’s adorable, comfortable, well-stocked, and conveniently located to the lake. We had a great time having our morning coffee on the screened in porch which has a bit of a view of the lake.
Although the bathroom and kitchen are small everything worked. I cooked many meals in the kitchen and the on demand hot water system ensured we had plenty of hot water.
The hosts were very quick to respond to the two questions I had. And here’s the best part; the listing is entirely accurate…what you see is what you get. There are no surprises. We had a lovely stay.
Carol D.
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Aug 2022
Thanks so much for the great review, Carol! You were great guests and we'd be very happy to have you back!
Jill and Steve
We enjoyed a fantastic vacation staying at this cabin! We received a warm welcome from the owner, Steve, who gave us a tour and answered any questions we had. The cabin is rustic and tastefully decorated. It is quite beautiful in our opinion! We especially LOVED the screened-in porch where we spent our early mornings drinking coffee and late nights just enjoying the outdoors minus the bugs! It was a great addition. We also appreciated having our little Yorkie welcomed there. Kayaks were a plus as my two older children came later in the week and enjoyed some time on the lake. Thank you, Jill and Steve, for offering your lovely cabin for others to enjoy! Kudos to you for all you did to make this vacation extra special. We hope to return next year.
Pamela L.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Mar 2020
Thank you Pam! Happy to have you back any time.
Archival
4/10 Poor
Dana W.
19 Aug 2017
Lake Ripley Cabin
Your cabin is cute and provides old world charm. The wraparound screened porch is its best feature.
For the price we paid, we were under the impression there would be a great view of the lake. Well, we did have a partial view over and around two homes directly on the water that were in our line of sight.
As a point of reference, we stayed at a cabin on Fourth Lake in Rhinelander, WI the week after Memorial Day this year. It was a three bedroom with similar square footage. The big difference was it was located on the water with 75’ of frontage and its own dock. The other difference was it was 30% less per night.
Add the utility construction on Ripley Road and you get dust and dirt just hanging in the air that made it tough to breathe and enjoy the best feature of the cabin - the screened porch.
In the lead-up to our vacation getaway, I felt overwhelmed by the rules/instructions that came with the Rental Agreement. We didn’t have nearly the paperwork for the cabin in Rhinelander. We were thinking maybe we should have a lawyer take a look at all your paperwork. The one rule that showed up for the first time after we paid all the upfront rent was that dogs had to be crated while we’re away from the cabin.
At the end of the day, we were looking for a weekend to getaway to rest and relax for a few days. The paperwork prior to our trip made us anxious and then overpaying for an off-the-water cabin (albeit nice) with an obstructed view on a rural road under construction has put a pall on our desire for another such vacation.
Dana W.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Mar 2020
Dear Traveler:
We feel we have priced the rental of the cottage in accordance with other similar properties that are close to Madison, Milwaukee and Chicago. And, we do not claim to be right on the lake, but state clearly in the description where the points of access are. We also state clearly in the House Rules on the site that dogs must be crated and in crate when you are away. We are not happy about the construction, but have reduced weekday rates (no construction Friday thru Sunday nights), and have also purchased a season pass for the Ripley Park Beach for guests to use, and gift cards to local sandwich and ice cream shops, to try and make up for it. Construction is slated to be completed mid-September.
The cabin is fantastic! We thoroughly enjoyed our stay, perfect location, amazing screened in porch and everything that we needed. While it is rustic, I found it very charming and perfect for a month in Wisconsin!
Kara W.
Stayed 28 nights in May 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Sept 2021
Thank you, Kara! You were a very thoughtful guest, and we'd be happy to have you back.
My boyfriend & I travel to the lovely state of WI regularly, as we live in Chicago and can't wait to make WI out home state, and this was our very first getaway in Cambridge and being right off Lake Ripley, and it was AMAZING! Jill. & Steve's cabin was our perfect home for the weekend, and their space truly made it feel like our space. This cabin is a gem with location, the best screened in porch , vintage decor, truly the best home right off the water in the most beautiful, chill town of WI that we just discovered. Jill & Steve were the most amazing hosts and we can't wait to book with them again!
This cabin is fantastic, very cozy with a wonderful porch. So many little touches that create a welcoming and comfortable experience. We didn’t want to leave!
Jennifer A.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Mar 2020
Jennifer was an ideal guest! Great communication and left the cottage in perfect condition.
Thank you for opening your lovely cottage in n Cambridge, WI; my hometown. I’ve admired the Cottage for years and it was fabulous to see the inside.
Our stay was much more than we expected; clean, homey, filled with amenities. My friend and I enjoyed our stay very much.
Our grill issue, Steve promptly came to our rescue - which we deeply appreciated. We grilled out several times and really enjoyed our evenings on the screened in porch, which is so nice to sit and chat with friends.
Thank you 🙏!!!
Lovely cabin stocked with everything we could possibly need. Will definitely be back. Many thanks for sharing your home.
Christina N.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2019
About the host
Hosted by Steve Tesmer or Jill Kessenich
Jill Kessenich and her husband Steve Tesmer are both designers. Steve designs websites, and is in three bands, in which he plays the dobro, and Jill currently runs a non-profit that was one of her major design projects. They have a dog named Bailey, who is a good traveler and houseguest. They like to do household & cottage projects, paddling, hiking and playing music in their band, Jill & the Jax.
Why they chose this property
Love the way it sits high on the lot, with views of the lake. Love the CCC-style architecture with wrap-around porch, big stone fireplace, knotty pine panelling, and pristine maple floors. Reminds me of State and National Forest lodges scattered around the US.
What makes this property unique
If you have a bit of Nostalgia for the vacations of your childhood, this is the place for you! Mid-century furnishings and pottery, great wrap-around screened in porch, knotty pine panelling, and stone fireplace.