Waterfront Lake Ripley getaway. Kayak, paddleboard and fish from private pier!
Whether you're looking to relax in a quiet peaceful setting or you are excited to fill your days with water sports and local activities, our home is a great backdrop for your time on Lake Ripley. We are situated on a private road in the Milwaukee Bay section of the lake. The bay is in a "no wake" area and is ideal for fishing, kayaking and paddle boarding right from our private pier. For the swimmers in your party, there is a sandy beach and excellent swimming area at Ripley Park less than two miles away. The park also boasts tennis courts, disc golf, basketball, soccer fields, playground, and a snack shack! If your style is a bit more adventurous and you’re looking to tube and water ski, Lake Ripley is a 420 acre lake with two boat launches; so feel free to bring your boat and dock it at the end of our pier during your stay. Our home has great spaces for entertaining including a finished walkout basement, 2 decks overlooking the lake, a screened in gazebo and a large fire pit down by the lake.
The Main Level:
- Recently remodeled large kitchen with lake views. Well-appointed; perfect for cooking meals
- Large dining table with a view of the lake
- Large sectional sofa in Living Room
- Flat Screen television with cable, chromecast and DVD player
- Bedroom 1 has a queen bed and a set of twin bunk-beds
- Bedroom 2 has two sets of twin bunk-beds
- Mudroom with washer and dryer
- Full bathroom
Upper Level:
- Large master bedroom with king bed, private balcony, flat-screen television, and coffee bar
- Bedroom 4 has a queen bed and a set of twin bunk-beds
- Full bathroom
Lower Level (basement):
- Finished basement perfect for entertaining, game playing, darts, and Wii
- Additional full fridge and freezer for your use.
- Dining/game table
- Large sectional sofa
- Walkout access to yard and lake.
Outside:
- Walkout from the main level onto the large deck with 6 amazingly comfortable Martha Stewart swivel lounge chairs
- Outdoor dining table and chairs on the main deck.
- Screened in gazebo with ceiling fan and flat-screen television with Chromecast. Gazebo has an outdoor sectional sofa and two chairs-seats 8
- Large slate patio area with fire pit - perfect for s'mores
- kayak, 2 paddle-boards, fishing equipment and a pedal boat for your use during your stay.
- Floats and sand toys to take along with you to the public beach which has a large sandy area for kids to play.
Miscellaneous:
- Home was renovated in 2016/2017.
- New mattresses and bedding
- Completely air conditioned
- Gas fireplace in living room area
- Cable and WiFi/high-speed internet included
- Water coolers in kitchen and upstairs foyer
- Linens, towels (both bath and beach) included
- Parking for up to 6 vehicles
- Charcoal grill
More about our house and the area:
Lake Ripley is a wonderful place to make memories and get away from it all. If you enjoy fishing or going out on a kayak, pedal-boat or paddleboards, our no wake Milwaukee Bay is perfect for you. Don’t be surprised if you see deer, turtles, cranes and more as you troll around this section of the lake. Fun Fact: the state-record bass was caught on Lake Ripley.
During your stay, get out on the lake, visit the park, head into town or take advantage of the local trails. Take the kids (or grandma if she’s game) skiing or tubing. Stopover at Lake Ripley Park and enjoy its public beach with great swimming, tennis, snack bar and a playground for the kids. Visit the town of Cambridge, home of Rowe Pottery. You are on vacation so buy a few items at the charming shops in town and have a glass of wine or drink a beer at one of the local restaurants/bars, Cambridge Winery or Bourbon Distillery (It’s 5 O’clock somewhere).
Enjoy a scenic hike or biking on the trails within CamRock County Park. Bike rentals are available from the local Cambridge bike store in town. For those seeking to explore outside of Cambridge, additional restaurants and shopping in Fort Atkinson and Lake Mills are a short 15 min drive. The Johnson Creek Premium Outlet Mall is 25 minutes away and downtown Madison is a 35 min drive.
Sportsmen will appreciate the Milford Hills Hunting Club. Located 25 minutes away, it’s an easy drive to one of the Midwest's premier hunt clubs and wing-shooting destinations. The water parks and Ho Chunk Casino in the Wisconsin Dells are an hour away.
At night, you can roast s’mores around our fire pit, hit the drive-in movie theater or watch a demolition derby and stock car races at the Jefferson County Speedway. If the bugs get bad late night, head inside our screened-in gazebo.
Rest and relax, have an adventure or do a little bit of both. We hope you make many memories and enjoy your stay at our lake house on Lake Ripley in Cambridge!
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Charming 4-bedroom Lake house on Lake Ripley in Cambridge
Charming 4-bedroom Lake house on Lake Ripley in Cambridge
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
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Frequently asked questions
Is Waterfront Lake Ripley getaway. Kayak, paddleboard and fish from private pier! pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Waterfront Lake Ripley getaway. Kayak, paddleboard and fish from private pier!?
As of 27 Mar 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Waterfront Lake Ripley getaway. Kayak, paddleboard and fish from private pier! on 1 June 2026 start from AU$734, 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 Waterfront Lake Ripley getaway. Kayak, paddleboard and fish from private pier!?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Waterfront Lake Ripley getaway. Kayak, paddleboard and fish from private pier!?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Waterfront Lake Ripley getaway. Kayak, paddleboard and fish from private pier!?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Waterfront Lake Ripley getaway. Kayak, paddleboard and fish from private pier! located?
This family-friendly Cambridge holiday home is located on the waterfront, within 3 mi (5 km) of Lake Ripley Park Beach, Lake Ripley Lanes and Cambridge Historic School Museum. Cam-Rock Park Area is 2.6 mi (4.3 km) away.
Reviews
9.6
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
We were in town for a visitation/funeral. This house had enough space for us all to get our own private area, but also join together to reminisce and catch up. A terrible reason to all come together at a nice location.
House had plenty of room for 9 of us to lounge in the living/dining area and relax on the deck. Beds were comfortable. We enjoyed the lake views and boating and kayaking. Very nice lake. Pier had plenty of room to tie up my ski boat.
Neal H.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024
Verified
6/10 Okay
Dezeray H.
27 Aug 2023
Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness
Great location with lots of room.
It was great for hosting a large group. The place was quite unkept with lots of cobweb, dust, and dirty bathrooms.
Dezeray H.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 12 Sept 2023
We are happy your large group was able to be hosted comfortably. The maids clean the property thoroughly after each rental. We’ve rented the home for 7 years now and have never have had complaints about the bathrooms. We apologize.
We were in town for a wedding just down the road at Villa Buonincontro. The house was just as described and easily accommodated 3 families. There was of room for each family to have privacy and plenty of room for us all to gather together. We plan to rent again in years to come.
The house was so warmly decorated and relaxing. LOVED the very thoughtful snack basket! Everything about this home made for a very relaxing long weekend. And the Fireworks over the lake were beautiful to watch. Thanks for the text message giving us a heads-up!
Great location and incredibly well-stocked house with amazing gift baskets. Cooler to use, beach floating, life preservers, etc. Pedal boat was very difficult to pedal, so we got a canoe which was awesome (caught some bass as well). Perfect family property!
Lindsay G.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 16 Aug 2021
We’re so glad you enjoyed your stay. We hope you made many lasting memories.
Overall we had a great time. The Lake House is a little on the older side. The bedrooms and bathrooms were very clean but the glassware could use a good cleaning. This place worked well for what we were looking for. Would have no problem booking again.
Theresa K.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 17 Nov 2022
Thank you Theresa. Happy you had a great time and would be willing to book again. We also appreciate the feedback about the glassware and will make sure we communicate with the maid about water spots on the wine glasses.
When we bought and rehabbed the house we wanted to keep an older feel. We added modern conveniences (central air, heat, public sewer, internet, new beds...) but wanted to keep the character. Old wood beams, the stairs do creek, there was a cutout for a weirdly shaped window that we converted to an entryway shelf... Placed on it is a 1974 Boat Man's handbook and a 50-year-old can of PBR:) Maybe some see it as old but I think its cool.
This was the best stocked house we have ever stayed at. Everything we needed to cook, clean up, and play was there. The outdoor space was fantastic. The kids loved fishing off the dock, boating, and playing in the yard. The beach toys and towels were already there and the kids had a blast at the local beach. We had fun playing both kid and adult board games at night. We were in town for a wedding and this house ended up being the hang out spot for the whole family. Highly recommend staying here!
We had a great time! Ages from 3 to 41 and we all enjoyed our time. The swimming was done at Ripley Park but so much fishing and kayaking! My son caught a bowfin and he was on top of the world!
Joanna was a great host and the welcome basket was more than what we thought it would be!!
Thank you for making this a family trip worth remembering 😊
The lake house was a perfect home base for our group of 10 college friends. There was plenty of space across all 3 floors. We parked our pontoon at the end of the dock, enjoyed the firepit and charcoal grill, and loved all the lawn toys/games that were already on the property. The house is also a short drive to some local haunts like Lake Ripley Inn, Cash & Olives, and Mink Farm.
Verified traveller
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Nichol N.
24 Oct 2018
Everything we needed
Our family had a great time at this cabin. All 13 of us fit comfortably, and it had everything we needed for a successful family get-together. The kids loved playing in the yard and in the basement game room. The grown-ups like hanging out in the spacious living room/dining room/kitchen area. There was plenty of parking. It was just what we needed.
Nichol N.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Mar 2020
We are so glad you enjoyed your stay. Thanks for being wonderful guests.
Mike & Joanna
Had an year-end celebration with friends and families. The Owner seems nice and had quick communication on anything required.
The property has huge amount of possible things that you need for a comfortable stay - you name it and you will get it there. The access is easy and staying was very comfortable. Rooms and restroooms were clean, neatly arranged and appropriate instructions awere placed.
Highly recommend for a family gataway.
Prasenjit S.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Emily J.
23 July 2018
Best Host, Excellent Accomodations
Joanna (the owner) was a pleasure to work with and an excellent host! She was very responsive when first booking, and when we arrived she even had a gift basket set up for us. She also had toiletries in all the bathrooms, tons of beach towels, random supplies for use, and a helpful guide with information on the area, lake, ect. The house was recently renovated and very nice on the inside. The house worked great for a family gathering. All rooms except for the master slept four.The deck was also fantastic - loved the rockers/swivel chairs (I want to buy some for myself). The gazebo was also great at night with fan, tv, and lighting (great to get away from any bugs). Would definitely recommend and stay again!!
Emily J.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Mar 2020
Thank you for the kind words. We are so happy you had a nice time at the lake!
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Bradley B.
13 Sept 2018
Clean, Well-Appointed Lake House
The place was perfect for our needs. Corporate leadership meeting close enough to the office and Madison/Milwaukee to facilitate travel for everyone with a nice space for 10-12 people to get out of the office environment for a day of meetings. The house itself was clean and well taken care of, and certainly had more than enough space for 2+ families. We only had three people actually staying at the house, but outside of a complaint about an uncomfortable bed from a particularly picky individual, it worked out great. We didn’t take advantage of the lake but it seemed like everything that could be needed was available including towels and can koozies.
Bradley B.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Mar 2020
Such a fun a creative thing to do for a corporate outing. Glad your event was a success. - Mike & Joanna
My husband & I were looking for a relaxing, quiet lake getaway for ourselves and our 3 boys. This house was perfect for us. It was clean, comfortable and had lots of nice “extras” - such as a welcome basket, plenty of beach towels, wood for the firepit, a closet full of board games, a fully stocked kitchen, lots of Wii games & a dart board. The owners were very easy to communicate with and quickly addressed a few minor issues we had during our stay. Lake Ripley is quiet and uncrowded - great for fishing, swimming, kayaking and tubing. We rented a pontoon boat that fit perfectly on the pier in the backyard and enjoyed the easy access to the lake it allowed us. We would definitely recommend this property and stay here again.
Kristen G.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 10 July 2020
We are so glad you enjoyed your stay. We hope you made many lasting memories.
Mike & Joanna
The overall stay was very good for our 3 generation group for 10 days. The bedrooms/beds were comfortable, the gathering spaces in the living room, dining room, outside deck, and basement gave us plenty of space for the 8 people in our group to be together or spread out. The nautical decor throughout the house was nice. The kitchen was VERY well stocked and had everything we need to make many family meals. We also used the charcoal grill and fire pits many nights. The 2 two paddle boards and 2 kayaks were great and in good shape. The paddle boat was broken and the gazebo was dirty. We cleaned the gazebo ourselves, but then didn't use it because there was no electricity for lights/fan. There is a big lawn that we used for croquet (provided) and bocci ball (we brought our own). The drains in both bathtubs needed to be cleared. Be aware that there is no swimming off the dock at the house, but it is a short drive to Ripley Park where you can pay 5/person to swim (nicely maintained beach), play tennis, basketball, playground. Dorthey Carnes Park is a hidden gem nearby for a hiking/bird watching.
Elise D.
Stayed 11 nights in Jul 2025
Verified
4/10 Poor
Nanette G.
16 Aug 2023
Liked: Check-in, communication
Disliked: Cleanliness
Family vacation lake Ripley
Despite the things that I wasn’t happy with we had a nice weekend.
I cleaned the gazebo before we went in it. The paddle boat was dirty and a lot of clutter on the property. The gas grill was filthy couldn’t be used. The handle on the front screen door is about to fall off. Those were just a few things. In general it would be a nice place if it was cleaned better & the outside was taken care of. I’m sorry I couldn’t give a better review.
Nanette G.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 31 Aug 2023
There was a massive storms with trees down days before this stay. We had the tree service company out to handle all the damaged trees. We apologize about the sawdust by the gazebo and grill area. Happy that you were able to enjoy the rest of the property.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Sandra S.
21 May 2019
Lovely home in beautiful setting
A very pleasant stay in this well-appointed home! I rent a lot of VRBO and found this one to be one of the best provisioned houses I've stayed in. Kitchen had everything we needed to cook at home, and some extra touches that were a welcome surprise. The bedrooms were thoughtfully designed and beds were super comfy. I love it when my bed feels like the one I have at home. The house sits on a beautiful lake and we enjoyed our morning coffee while watching the geese and other birds. The neighborhood was very quiet. The house overall was comfortable and set up for a relaxing, no-hassle stay. The owners clearly know how to prepare for guests in both the arrival process/instructions and the set up of the house. We had a busy schedule while we were there with family activities in other local towns. We would love to revisit this house when we can stay home and enjoy the house, the lake and the serenity of the lake setting.
Sandra S.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Mar 2020
We are so happy you enjoyed your experience at our lake home. We hope to get the opportunity to host you again.
Verified
6/10 Okay
Lynn O.
22 June 2022
Liked: Check-in
Disliked: Cleanliness, listing accuracy
Spacious, cluttered, ...
Pros: Lots of space to spread out. Room for adults to have their own space and children another. Enjoyed the nature - view of lake, cranes, birds. Adequate parking for 3 cars; location is good for getting to Madison, a little farther to Milwaukee but doable.
Cons: beds (definitely not new, master bed had spongy foam, no adequate blinds/drapes) - kitchen supplies mediocre to poor - old charcoal grill - peddle boat dirty and unappealing - garage and storage unit so cluttered hard to get to things. - difficult to cook since pots and pans provided not adequate. Seemed overpriced for what it was. On well water so have to buy water jug refills for dispenser. Owner provides first one. Would be nice if that information was provided beforehand. Photos do not accurately reflect the property.
Lynn O.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 10 July 2022
We are sorry that your experience didn’t meet your expectations.
Like many lake properties we are on a well. My apologies for not highlighting that in the ad. We include water dispensers with 5 gallon jugs in both the kitchen and second floor with replacements. If you and your family are drinking more than 20 gallons of water during your stay that’s commendable and you probably have great skin:) Replacements are at the local grocery store.
We have lots of cabinets and can barely fit more pot/pans. Most were purchased at Costco so I’m confused by that comment.
I think beds are one of the most important part of a rental so all are nice and only 3 years old. In the master, some like a harder vs softer feel so we include a foam topper. If you like a firmer experience you can simply take it off.
Finally I reviewed the pictures and they are exactly how the property looks with the only exception being the dining room. We upgraded the table and chairs with a new farmhouse style table. It’s nice.
While I’m disappointed that this guests expectations weren’t exceeded I disagree with her comments. I hope that the overwhelming 5 star reviews outweigh this guests review.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Linnea V.
10 Sept 2018
Great home for a getaway together!
Joanna and Carl were such amazing and welcoming hosts! They were very easy to get a hold of and were very clear in their directions about the house and very helpful about fun things to do in the area. The house was immaculate when we arrived and there was even a little gift basket waiting for us on the counter. We enjoyed all of the spaces that the house had to offer! The living room and dining room were great gathering places and it was wonderful to kick back in the gazebo. The beds were comfortable and the house was very well supplied with towels, bedding and everything we needed to make ourselves comfortable. The kitchen was also well stocked and we had no problem finding the utensils that we needed to make a plethora of meals during our stay.
The only thing that was slightly disappointing about the trip is that the lake was pretty green around the house and definitely didn’t look like a great place to swim. That being said it may just be the time of year. There was a great local beach nearby, so we just spent our afternoon kicking it there! We loved the kayaks and the paddle boards and the great lawn area for games!
Overall I would highly recommend this cabin! You won’t be disappointed!
Linnea V.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 6 June 2020
Happy to hear you enjoyed your stay. You are correct that the bay is best used for fishing, kayaking and exploring nature while Lake Ripley Park is the best spot for swimming. Thanks for the nice feedback and we hope to host your group again. - Mike & Joanna
Wonderful lake-front home with lots of indoor and outdoor amenities! Mike was easy to communicate with and always promptly responded. Just wish we had more days to enjoy as my group only reserved for the weekend. Highly recommend!
Verified traveller
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022
About the host
Hosted by Mike Carl
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests