Entire home
North Shore Headlands House - retreat house on Lake Superior
Lakefront holiday home with kitchen and balcony
Photo gallery for North Shore Headlands House - retreat house on Lake Superior





Reviews
10 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms 5+ bathrooms Sleeps 8 232.3 sq m
Popular amenities
Explore the area

Silver Bay, North Shore, MN
- Place, Tettegouche Trail
- Place, Tettegouche State Park4 min drive
- Place, Palisade Head10 min drive
Rooms & beds
5 bedrooms (sleeps 8)
Bedroom 1
1 Queen Bed
Bedroom 2
2 Single Beds
Bedroom 3
1 Double Futon, 1 Double Murphy Bed and 1 Queen Bed
Bedroom 4
1 Queen Bed
Bedroom 5
1 Queen Bed
5 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom
Bathroom 1
Bathtub or shower · Toilet
Bathroom 2
Toilet · Shower only
Bathroom 3
Bathtub or shower · Toilet
Bathroom 4
Bathtub or shower · Toilet
Bathroom 5
Toilet · Shower only
Bathroom 6
Toilet
Spaces
Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Balcony
Garden
Dining area
About this property
North Shore Headlands House - retreat house on Lake Superior
More flexible cancellation policy for 2021 stays due to COVID -19 uncertainties. Our laundering of all bedding between guests, state of the art ventilation system, high speed internet and cable TV, keyless contact-free check-in, and ensuite bathrooms for each bedroom contribute to our house's appeal during COVID-19 and at all times. We are a fully licensed and inspected free-standing and private home just a 3.5 hour drive from the Minneapolis Saint Paul International Airport. Best of all is our location on Lake Superior with views of its most dramatic section of rugged coastline from throughout the house.
With our Scandinavian and Japanese heritage showing through the warm wood tones, the house was designed for our own family retreats and is fully licensed for short-term rental. Each of our 5 bedrooms has its own attached bathroom, with a separate powder room off the great room.
The upper floor of the house is level with the parking area and includes two bedrooms (one with a queen-size bed, the other with two twin beds) and the great room including the kitchen, dining and living areas, and covered deck. Couples and other small groups spend their entire time on this self-contained floor which also easily accommodates guests with mobility limitations. The lower floor has three bedrooms with queen-size beds, along with a laundry area the guests can use. One of these bedrooms can be configured for meetings/projects instead of sleeping, and it also includes memory foam single sofa bed in addition to a very comfortable techline queen-size Murphy bed. Both upper and lower floors open directly to the outside without any stairs and each bedroom has a view including the lake.
Each bedroom has its own bathroom, three of which contain soaking tub/showers and two of which have dedicated showers. Two of the soaking tubs have picture windows for very scenic relaxation.
The house was custom designed for its unique location on a wooded point to afford generous white water views of this most dramatic stretch of rugged Lake Superior shoreline. An expanse of south facing windows generously lets in the winter sun. The bay, islets and headlands we see from our windows looking toward Shovel Point of Tettegouche State are spectacular in all weathers and seasons.
Certified for energy efficient construction, the house has in-floor radiant heat, heat pump air conditioning in upper bedrooms, a fresh air exchange system, and naturally soft water from a a 330' deep well. We have a gas fireplace inside, and enjoy wood fires in the lakeside fire pit.
Our fiber optic cable service provides network stations from Duluth and over 60 cable channels with excellent bandwidth for all streaming services. The kitchen is very well equipped for serious cooking and service for ten, who can all fit around our extending dining room table. We provide all bedding and bath linens, freshly laundered (including blankets) and in place when you arrive. So you can unpack and feel fully at home, each bedroom has a generous closet and dresser drawers, and there are cabinets in the kitchen for your groceries, and a locker to store your coolers, packs, and luggage.
During the day, your eyes will probably be focused on the coastal views out the window, but note that we do provide information about the generous collection of regional and other artwork throughout the house. '
In addition to the fire pit outside, we have a yoga deck tucked in the woods on a trail running to the south of the house along the lake. Several outdoor benches provide places for scenic contemplation.
With our Scandinavian and Japanese heritage showing through the warm wood tones, the house was designed for our own family retreats and is fully licensed for short-term rental. Each of our 5 bedrooms has its own attached bathroom, with a separate powder room off the great room.
The upper floor of the house is level with the parking area and includes two bedrooms (one with a queen-size bed, the other with two twin beds) and the great room including the kitchen, dining and living areas, and covered deck. Couples and other small groups spend their entire time on this self-contained floor which also easily accommodates guests with mobility limitations. The lower floor has three bedrooms with queen-size beds, along with a laundry area the guests can use. One of these bedrooms can be configured for meetings/projects instead of sleeping, and it also includes memory foam single sofa bed in addition to a very comfortable techline queen-size Murphy bed. Both upper and lower floors open directly to the outside without any stairs and each bedroom has a view including the lake.
Each bedroom has its own bathroom, three of which contain soaking tub/showers and two of which have dedicated showers. Two of the soaking tubs have picture windows for very scenic relaxation.
The house was custom designed for its unique location on a wooded point to afford generous white water views of this most dramatic stretch of rugged Lake Superior shoreline. An expanse of south facing windows generously lets in the winter sun. The bay, islets and headlands we see from our windows looking toward Shovel Point of Tettegouche State are spectacular in all weathers and seasons.
Certified for energy efficient construction, the house has in-floor radiant heat, heat pump air conditioning in upper bedrooms, a fresh air exchange system, and naturally soft water from a a 330' deep well. We have a gas fireplace inside, and enjoy wood fires in the lakeside fire pit.
Our fiber optic cable service provides network stations from Duluth and over 60 cable channels with excellent bandwidth for all streaming services. The kitchen is very well equipped for serious cooking and service for ten, who can all fit around our extending dining room table. We provide all bedding and bath linens, freshly laundered (including blankets) and in place when you arrive. So you can unpack and feel fully at home, each bedroom has a generous closet and dresser drawers, and there are cabinets in the kitchen for your groceries, and a locker to store your coolers, packs, and luggage.
During the day, your eyes will probably be focused on the coastal views out the window, but note that we do provide information about the generous collection of regional and other artwork throughout the house. '
In addition to the fire pit outside, we have a yoga deck tucked in the woods on a trail running to the south of the house along the lake. Several outdoor benches provide places for scenic contemplation.
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Have a question?
Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.
Similar properties

Sanctuary on the North Shore of Lake Superior
Sanctuary on the North Shore of Lake Superior
- Kitchen
- Free WiFi
- Air conditioning
- Outdoor space
10.0 out of 10, (185 reviews)
House Rules
Children
Children allowed: ages 0–17
Not suitable for toddlers; Inherent water hazards.
Events
No events allowed
Specific permission required at time of booking
Pets
No pets 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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: Specific permission required at time of booking
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 and a first aid kit
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
We should mention
A car is required for transport to and from this property
About the area
North America

Silver Bay, North Shore, MN
What's nearby
- Tettegouche State Park - 4 min drive - 5.1 km
- Palisade Head - 10 min drive - 7.3 km
- Black Beach - 12 min drive - 13.0 km
- Tettegouche Lake - 24 min drive - 20.3 km
- Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center - 26 min drive - 20.0 km
Restaurants
- Our Place - 12 min drive
- Four Seasons - 10 min drive
- West Branch Bar and Grill - 12 min drive
- Tobies - 8 min drive
Frequently asked questions
About the host
Hosted by Jim Hagen

I grew up in Traverse City, Michigan, a third generation Norwegian to either work commercially on the Great Lakes or at least spend a lot of time on Lake Michigan. Moving to Minneapolis for a career that started in banking and transitioned to being a professor, I was drawn to Lake Superior for its energy and vastness, its world-connected shipping, and the magic of not being able to see the other side. Married to a Japanese-American from Chicago, and having lived in Japan several years, this house was a chance to bring together both some Scandinavian and Japanese design ideas that turned out to not be so far apart.
Why they chose this property
The 30 mile stretch of Lake Superior headlands near Beaver and Silver Bay hosts not just the dramatic Palisade Head, Split Rock Lighthouse, and the coastal cliffs of Tettegouche State Park, but also the hidden islets, bays, and headlands outside our windows that been visited by photographers and artists capturing what is unique about the wilds of the 'sculpted' North Shore.
This immediate stretch of land went on the market in the 1970s after its owner ran into financial headwinds that stopped its plan to build a major condominium - night club resort here. From that risky purchase in 1976 until finally having the resources to build on it starting 2005, the property was a magnificent campsite that never lost its magic for us. It was special enough to be an inspiring and renewing retreat regardless of where in the world we lived.
Two years of building from 2005-2007 was a construction marvel of cliffside construction on bedrock with the challenges of capturing the views, strict environmental guidelines, keeping it accessible to those with disabilities, and putting in our deep well, state of the art septic and other utilities. The result is a combination of location and function well worth the 30 years of planning.
This immediate stretch of land went on the market in the 1970s after its owner ran into financial headwinds that stopped its plan to build a major condominium - night club resort here. From that risky purchase in 1976 until finally having the resources to build on it starting 2005, the property was a magnificent campsite that never lost its magic for us. It was special enough to be an inspiring and renewing retreat regardless of where in the world we lived.
Two years of building from 2005-2007 was a construction marvel of cliffside construction on bedrock with the challenges of capturing the views, strict environmental guidelines, keeping it accessible to those with disabilities, and putting in our deep well, state of the art septic and other utilities. The result is a combination of location and function well worth the 30 years of planning.
What makes this property unique
The functional layout came about after I had to find rental houses for my own extended family reunions. Priorities became clear: make each bedroom delightful and functional with its own bathroom, have great gathering spaces including a kitchen where people want to be and can cook together, have multiple conversation 'corners' inside and out, keep it accessible for all abilities, invest in windows and mechanicals to keep it comfortable year-round, and scale it all to work well for uses ranging from a two-person weekend get-away to a weeks long retreat for ten.
Just 3.5 hours from the Minneapolis Saint Paul International Airport and 1.5 hours from the Duluth airport, many of our guests fly in from afar and find it easy to drive up to the door year-round.
One frequent comment is how amazing it is to come for our magnificent shoreline, and then find that there are also dozens of world class waterfalls and ridgeline hiking trails in the area. I've hiked all 300+ miles of the Superior Hiking Trail and explored all the shore's state parks, but there is always a new mountain to climb, lake to discover, or waterfall to admire.
Even with our sense of north woods isolation, we are easy to reach year-round and we have the convenience of nearby stores and restaurants.
While summer and fall are well known as peak seasons on the North Shore, from late October to mid December, guests look forward to the drama of 20' waves crashing into the cliffs and the amazement of watching surfers catch the big ones in their wet suits. Our location right on the water, makes winter a surprising retreat from the frozen cold of much of the Midwest, as the blue water heats the air, and the blazing sun shines through blue skies into our south-facing windows. Winter sports are big on the North Shore, as is reading a good book by the fireplace. As the lake tries to freeze in February and March, the rapidly changing ice patterns take center stage for out toasty front row seats.
Just 3.5 hours from the Minneapolis Saint Paul International Airport and 1.5 hours from the Duluth airport, many of our guests fly in from afar and find it easy to drive up to the door year-round.
One frequent comment is how amazing it is to come for our magnificent shoreline, and then find that there are also dozens of world class waterfalls and ridgeline hiking trails in the area. I've hiked all 300+ miles of the Superior Hiking Trail and explored all the shore's state parks, but there is always a new mountain to climb, lake to discover, or waterfall to admire.
Even with our sense of north woods isolation, we are easy to reach year-round and we have the convenience of nearby stores and restaurants.
While summer and fall are well known as peak seasons on the North Shore, from late October to mid December, guests look forward to the drama of 20' waves crashing into the cliffs and the amazement of watching surfers catch the big ones in their wet suits. Our location right on the water, makes winter a surprising retreat from the frozen cold of much of the Midwest, as the blue water heats the air, and the blazing sun shines through blue skies into our south-facing windows. Winter sports are big on the North Shore, as is reading a good book by the fireplace. As the lake tries to freeze in February and March, the rapidly changing ice patterns take center stage for out toasty front row seats.
Languages:
English, French, German, Japanese
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
Tell us how we can improve our siteShare feedback