North Woods Haven for Families: sandy beach, home theater, near town & trails
Welcome to The Whistling Turtle Chalet on Cable Lake!
Escape, relax, play, and connect at our nature-themed lake house with its Up North vibe. +An awesome hygge experience for families and friends +4BR/3Bth plus loft: Sleeps 15 +Flat yard with 7 stairs to the lake +Close to ATV, ski trails +6 min to Spooner +Movie theater & bar in basement +Gourmet kitchen, large dining table +Lovely rooms, comfy beds +Garage, paved driveway +Patio & grill +3 acres (woods, large yard, shore) +New dock, sandy beach +Pontoon for rent +Fire pit +Great fishing & swimming
You will find our North Woods lake cabin to be a great mix of luxury, nature, and convenience.
**We have summer 2025 days open for your Up North adventure. Reach out and ask us about renting our beautiful pontoon boat.
**May days are beautiful with the lake being so fresh after winter. Grab your days!
**Message us about our military/first responder discount, our homeschooling families promotion, or to reserve our property for a photo/video shoot or event.**
We are very close to the fun and historic town of Spooner, to the ATV, hiking, ski, snow shoe and snowmobile trails, and to all that the North Woods of Wisconsin has to offer. Fishing, boating, swimming, canoeing, hiking, great dining, antique stores, unique shops, arts and crafts, history...our area is the perfect setting for a fantastic family vacation or getaway with friends.
An Enchanting Place for You and Your Group:
Plan a magical vacation up north at the lake with your group. At the chalet you will be able to enjoy fishing off the dock, swimming in the lake, playing lawn games, building fires, exploring the lake on the boat, going to town for fun shopping and food, and in the winter, snowshoeing, getting cozy next to a fire, cross-country skiing, and so much more.
We are excited to share our enchanting paradise with your family and groups. We want you to come back for fun and relaxation at the chalet year after year.
Amenities for you to enjoy:
-Comfortable gathering spaces for your group to relax and connect
-A fully stocked kitchen, perfect for your cooking and entertaining
-Beautiful dining areas for your large group to enjoy
-4 nature-themed bedrooms at the corners of the house, ideal for you to hide away
-A bar area with amenities for entertaining
-A 1930s-inspired theater room for a kids' escape, a movie marathon, or even a karaoke night
-A large yard and a kids' play set for your kids to romp around
-A patio and grill for outdoor dining
-A serene waterfall and koi pond
-A fire pit that you can use in any season
-Games for your family or group
-An easy walk down to our fully recreational lake
-A sandy beach (just 7 stairs to descend to the shoreline)
-A large dock, perfect for fishing and swimming
-A large refurbished pontoon boat for rent
-Paved roads and a paved driveway (you will not have to drive on any gravel to reach our place)
-A garage for parking 1 or 2 vehicles
**Do you have questions as you are trying to plan your trip? Reach out to us; we love to chat!**
MORE DETAILS:
The neighborhood is peaceful and quiet, and you can relish being out in nature, while at the same time being close to town.
Our chalet sits on nearly three acres, which include a well-kept yard, a play set, a garden area, a koi pond, a wooded area, and the lakeshore. While a few things, including the pole barn, are not open to guests (yet!), you are free to roam the rest of the property.
The chalet is a two-story house with a basement, so be aware that there you will have stairs to navigate. There are only three stairs to get into the house.
With an open concept design, the chalet has two bedrooms and two bathrooms off the living room on the main floor, and two bedrooms, one bathroom, and the loft on the second floor.
*On the main floor, The Thicket (master bedroom with an en suite bathroom) has a king bed with a Dream Cloud mattress and a fold-down couch (perfect for a child). There is plenty of room here to set up one of the two on-site pack-n-plays for a baby as well.
*Also on the main floor, The Bear Den (a cozy bedroom) has a queen bed with a Nectar Premier mattress.
*On the second floor at the top of the stairs, Fox Hollow (a large bedroom) has a queen bed with a Dream Cloud mattress and a full-size log bed.
*Also at the top of the stairs is the loft area where there is a full-size futon.
*At the end of the hallway upstairs is The Pond Room (a second master bedroom), which has a king bed with a Nectar Premier mattress and a queen bed as well.
GUEST ACCESS
You will have access to most of the property, excluding the wood shed and the pole barn. But our pole barn will soon be accessible to guests. We have something fun for you and your group to enjoy out there, coming soon!
The driveway and dirt part of the yard provide space for 5 or 6 vehicles to park, though you must be careful not to block the part of the driveway that is shared with the neighbors.
The garage can fit one or two of your cars and is heated in the winter.
In the summer, you can enjoy our beautiful pontoon boat for rent!
You can bring your own kayaks, canoes, or water toys to our shoreline.
In the fall, you can bring your ATVs to hop on the trails down the road.
In the winter, you can bring your snowmobiles and/or mobile ice fishing house.
**Reach out to us with questions about where you can park your toys on our property.**
SAFETY, RULES, LOCAL ATTRACTIONS:
Please note: Our property has stairs and steps, a pond and small bridge near the patio, and some other features that mean parents of small children should be especially vigilant during your stay.
Lakefront:
We currently rent out our pontoon boat to guests based on availability and season. You can rent out the pontoon boat for the entire duration of their stay. **Ask us for more info on the boat rental.**
You can bring your own kayaks, canoe, and small water toys, including a rope and tube if you would like to use our pontoon boat for tubing.
Access to Fun Stuff:
Be ready to drive your vehicle, ATV, or snowmobile to the local attractions.
The Whistling Turtle is 6 minutes from downtown Spooner, which has quaint shops along its main street, a variety of restaurants, cozy coffee houses, a brewpub, churches, activities, a large grocery store, a natural foods store, bakeries, and a farmer's market.
No need to pack up your entire kitchen and enough groceries for your stay. We have a gourmet kitchen ready for your entertaining, and the local stores are excellent for buying your food and supplies.
Do you want to go exploring? Our place is about 10 minutes from the beautiful and well traveled Namekagon River (canoe rentals in Trego), and it is about 30 minutes from the fun lake town of Hayward, with its fishing museum, candy shops, zoo, and other fun attractions.
There is so much for couples, families, and groups to enjoy in this part of the North Woods! We highly recommend exploring the beautiful lakes and trails that are all around Spooner and the great restaurants that are in town and in the neighboring towns as well.
Shell Lake is just south of Spooner and makes for an awesome afternoon of swimming at the beautiful public beach and grabbing some yummy ice cream. Shell Lake has the Potter's Shed and other fun places in its downtown.
The Whistling Turtle is close to the miles and miles of beautiful and well-kept ATV trails and snowmobile trails of Washburn County (so bring your toys and enjoy the trails).
With such a fantastic location, you will have plenty to occupy you in the area, but you may even want to take a day trip up to Lake Superior, which is a little over an hour north. The Twin Cities are just two hours to the southwest.
**Ask us about outings and day trips that your group can plan in the North Woods.**
House Rules:
No smoking of any kind or doing illegal drugs on the property.
No fireworks on the property.
No large and/or raucous parties. (Please contact us directly if you would like to do a small event, like a groom's dinner, corporate retreat, etc.)
The principal renter must be at least 26 years old.
Keep the noise level down as we have neighbors close by the property.
Follow all the guidelines in the welcome book for the house, the yard (especially the pond), and the lakeshore.
If you bring pets, keep them out of the pond and off of the furniture, especially the beds, and be mindful of the neighbors and also of guests who will come after you. (Guests who leave a mess from their pets will pay an additional charge on top of the pet fee.)
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
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Events allowed: family gatherings and birthday parties
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Pets
Pets allowed: dogs (limit 3 total)
$200 pet fee per stay
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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
Parties and events (including family gatherings and birthday parties) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 35
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
Frequently asked questions
Is North Woods Haven for Families: sandy beach, home theater, near town & trails pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 3 total).
How much does it cost to stay at North Woods Haven for Families: sandy beach, home theater, near town & trails?
As of 26 Mar 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at North Woods Haven for Families: sandy beach, home theater, near town & trails on 6 May 2026 start from AU$989, 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 North Woods Haven for Families: sandy beach, home theater, near town & trails?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at North Woods Haven for Families: sandy beach, home theater, near town & trails?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at North Woods Haven for Families: sandy beach, home theater, near town & trails?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is North Woods Haven for Families: sandy beach, home theater, near town & trails located?
Located on a lake, this family-friendly chalet is within 6 mi (10 km) of Spooner Dog Park, Railroad Memories Museum, and Spooner Golf Club. Trego Lake and The Potter's Shed are also within 12 miles (20 km).
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Such a great stay! Highly recommend this property and the owner’s were great to work with!
Brian K.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Becky N.
22 Dec 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, listing accuracy
Celebrated Thanksgiving weekend here with our family and everything was perfect. The kids (ages 3 to 12) loved the theater room especially, but there was plenty more to do with games, puzzles and books supplied. Beds were comfortable and the kitchen was stocked with spices, coffee, and zip lock bags, foil, and more. Many thanks for a wonderful time!
Movie theater was really cool for the kids in the evening fishing off the dock catching small fish was really fun for the kids grounds and Home more beautiful
Beautiful cabin with plenty of room and seating. Very peaceful location yet only 5 minutes from downtown spooner. Close to food, drink, shopping and entertainment.
We had a great extended family vacation at this house and we loved every minute of it! Would definitely love to come back sometime!
Danielle L.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 23 Aug 2022
Danielle, we are happy to hear you enjoyed your stay at the cabin! We sure hope you and your family join us in the future- it was a pleasure hosting you!
The Whistling Turtle Chalet is an amazing property! We had 5 adults and 5 children (ages 3-9) and so loved the spaciousness of the chalet, awesome movie room, toy area with futon tepee, fire pit, pedal boat, pontoon, beach swimming area and the list goes on! Everything we needed (and more) was available to us in the chalet. All the thoughtful touches were also very much appreciated! We will definitely be back!
The house was amazing and had plenty of space for our group. We had a great time playing games, watching movies, and playing exciting games of ping pong. We can't wait to come back in the summer to enjoy the lake.
Sara P.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023
Verified
8/10 Good
Jeannie C.
7 Sept 2022
Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Nice place.
Easy
Jeannie C.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 23 Sept 2022
Thank you for bringing your crew up to the Whistling Turtle Chalet! We are glad that you took advantage of the last days of summer and enjoyed the lake and our property.
Beautiful house and yard. Enjoyed bonding with my extended family, which the house accommodated very easily. The location was great: quiet country setting but still not far from town. Would recommend
Jeff F.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 6 Sept 2022
Jeff,
We are happy you and your family were able to gather and enjoy the Whistling Turtle together!
Everything about this cabin was perfect, had no problems. Would rent again
Tyler C.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 6 Sept 2022
Tyler,
We are happy to hear you enjoyed the cabin and would rent again! We hope you do and thanks for taking good care of the property during your stay!
Peaceful Family Getaway- everything we had hoped for!
We recently stayed here for a quiet family getaway, and it was exactly what we were hoping for. The setting was peaceful and relaxing, perfect for disconnecting from our busy routines and spending quality time together. Everything matched the description, and there were no surprises—just comfort, calm, and beautiful surroundings.The accommodations were clean, cozy, and well-equipped, and the area offered just enough to explore without feeling too busy or crowded. Whether we were enjoying quiet mornings with coffee or winding down after a day outdoors, it all felt just right.If you’re looking for a restful escape that delivers exactly what it promises, this is the place!
The property is in an awesome location!
It was just what I was hoping it was going to be, a retreat for me and my brother's along with a couple friends. I cant say enough about how nice the property is. Might be back with the kiddos and wife!
This was a really great trip! The hosts were very attentive to our needs, the cabin was very nice and clean, plus a playground and small pond on the patio. I was unsure about the small lake but we caught tons of fish and there was a nice sandy bottoms off the dock for the kids to play ins I would def stay here again!
It was such an awesome experience! The hosts are extremely polite and respectful! Not only that, they respond quickly. My family loved this place! The best part was, we were able to see the northern lights by the lake! I really recommend this place ❤
We had a wonderful time at the Whistling Turtle Chalet with our extended family. Plenty of space in nice clean rooms. Wonderful kitchen fully stocked, with beautiful rooms and grounds. Jenny was extremely communicative and helped with everything we needed or any questions we had. Such thoughtful accommodations and attention to detail. Highly recommend. Can’t wait to stay again!
Our group had a fantastic time at this home. There was a bit of a glitch with the code and getting in but owners were super fast and responsive. Everyone in our group was impressed. The teenagers loved the basement and movie theater. Kids loved all the turtles that were hidden around the house. Kitchen was well stocked. We would stay again.
Large house, wonderful outdoor space, nice dock area. We really enjoyed our stay. I would just give people a heads up to bring extra toilet paper and paper towels if you have a large group. We had 10 people for 5 nights and had to provide some of our own paper goods when we ran out. The lake is very shallow but nice clean water. May be difficult for larger boats to launch on this lake. We caught northern, crappie, and large-mouth bass while fishing. Kitchen and entire house well stocked with many helpful things. Great house! Theater room is really fun!! Great communication with owner.
3 families came together to relax and enjoy the lake during Labor Day weekend before school started. The kiddos were all teens who enjoyed the paddleboats, the firepit, and the movie room was a massive hit with everyone. The kitchen was large with a beautiful wood table large enough for our 10 hungry mouths. We even caught enough fish to have a fish fry! So much fun.
Verified traveller
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Sept 2022
We are so glad that you and your young people enjoyed your stay and took advantage of our fun amenities, including the ever popular movie theater room! How fantastic that you caught some delicious fish for your fish fry!
We loved our stay at the whistling turtle! Our group of twelve of my family and friends had a great time watching movies, playing games, doing puzzles, chatting and eating. :).
The kitchen is well stocked with pots and everything you need to cook. We preferred the cozy couches in the living room to the cute theatre for watching movies.
We also enjoyed seeing many deer in the yard!
Thanks for everything! We will book again soon for next year!
This property had all the amenities we needed! Beautiful lake access which allowed us to bring our boat and kayaks. A fire pit for evening hangouts with a view of the lake. Also plenty of space in the house for our family reunion. Just gorgeous!
Cindy P.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 23 Aug 2022
Cindy,
We are so happy to hear you enjoyed your stay with us at the Whistling Turtle! We hope you visit us again in the future!
About the host
Hosted by Jenny and Kristin
Jenny and I are sisters-in-law, mothers of large families, and budding entrepreneurs. We love creating whimsical, family-friendly places for people to gather together and relax, connect, and play. Jenny has 7 children, and I have 8. We love taking our kids up to "the cabin" with our hubbies. Jenny and I both love decorating, crafting, dreaming, and entertaining guests. We have had so much fun setting up The Whistling Turtle Chalet and improving it. Our husband, Mike and Jake, work a lot behind the scenes. My brother Jake and I used to go up to The Old Chicago Club on Lac Courtes Oreilles, near Hayward, every summer for a big family reunion. We have amazing memories of our week-long stays at that lake. We were bedazzled and reminded of our childhood vacations when we first encountered the chalet that has become The Whistling Turtle. We knew it could be a magical place for families just as the Old Chicago Club was for ours. Jenny is familiar with the wonders of lake life since her parents have had a cabin in northern Minnesota for a long time. She brings the enthusiasm and experience of a cabin family with her. Mike did not spend his childhood vacations at the lake but rather at the magical Disney World. He understands the value of magic and fun-filled together time for family vacations. And our kids: they are exuberant and energetic, and they love going up to "the cabin" for cousin time, fishing, swimming, movies, fires, etc. With their antics, they help us figure out what needs to be improved at our place for the sake of safety and fun. We thank God for the opportunity to run The Whistling Turtle Chalet. It has blessed us immensely, and we hope that it will bless many families, friends, and groups for years to come.
Why they chose this property
We chose this lakeside chalet near Spooner because the lake is gorgeous and the town of Spooner is very fun. The town has everything: shops, coffee houses, gas stations, fast food, restaurants, churches, activities, antiquing, history, and grocery stores. Spooner also has some wonderful trails for all seasons, as well as resources for outdoor sports. Spooner is a historic train town and a gateway to the North Woods. One of Spooner's big draws is its rodeo every July. The surrounding area has a lot to offer in terms of quaint towns, history, lake and river activities, seasonal events, and more. Our guests who stay for a week have a hard time enjoying all the our area has to offer because there is so much. All the more reason for our guests to come back year after to year to continue exploring the North Woods! Please reach out to us for more information on having fun in our area.
What makes this property unique
Our property is designed with nature and with hygge in mind. Hygge (hoo-ga) is a Scandinavian word for coziness, warmth, simple pleasures, togetherness, and family time. Think fireside chats, hot drinks, soft blankets, and parlor games in the winter; picnics, sunny group walks, and S'mores on the patio in the summer.
Our place is quite large and has a wonderful lakefront for fishing, swimming, and boating. Our guests enjoy not only our spacious house, but also the expansive yard, the patio and koi pond, the towering pines, the kids' play set, the gardens, and the orchard.
We offer yard games and indoor games, a gourmet kitchen, themed bedrooms, a stocked bar area, and a movie theater room. Our place has amenities suited for family vacations, group getaways, retreats, and small events.
Our property at once feels peaceful and yet full of fun. Guests of all ages can feel at ease and relax in the common rooms, the bedrooms, and outside. And then when they are feeling more energetic, they can go swimming, fishing, and boating, play sports in the yard, and go into town for more fun.
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests