The Cedar House Is Uniquely Set In The Forest Surrounded By Decks And Porches.
It is built into a hill with the east and north sides facing into the forest and the other sides facing into an open southerly view. The main floor is vaulted and has a large, open kitchen with full size gas stove with oven, full refrigerator/freezer, coffee pot, crock pot, toaster oven, coffee grinder, and all the necessary utensils, pots and pans, and dinnerware to serve 15 or more. There is a large wooden dining table in the dining area off of the kitchen which seats 8. A small table in the kitchen seats 2 to 4. There are also three 6 foot folding tables and another 18 folding chairs to expand the dining area into the living room if you want, or you can take your meals outside during a beautiful Shire day or night. The north facing deck is accessible through the kitchen which allows convenient access to the grill. There are views out into the woods and Shire lawns. The vaulted living room has a queen size futon couch located in front of the full, built-in fireplace so you can relax or sleep in perfect comfort. A rocking chair and a coffee table are also located in the living room. A south facing deck is accessible through a door behind the futon. Also off of the living room, a stairs leads up to the lofted sleeping area. This large space has six single beds and another rocking chair. It overlooks the living room and kitchen. The space is partially lit by a skyway window. There is an air conditioner on this level for summertime use, and the east window faces out into the forest for a beautiful, elevated view. As you venture further back into the house, you will encounter a full bathroom with a shower and a Jacuzzi tub and then 3 bedrooms. The first bedroom has a full size bed, and it has access to the wraparound east/north deck through a sliding glass door. This part of the deck faces out into the forest. The center bedroom also has a full size bed. The last bedroom has two single beds and a lofted bed. It also has a sliding glass door which leads out onto the wrap around east/north deck. This portion of the deck is screened in. The lower level has a laundry room, a bathroom with a shower, a single car tuck-under garage, and two car tuck-under garage. There is table tennis and a dart board available in the smaller garage. The larger garage is used for the Shire’s maintenance equipment which we occasionally need access to. A CD player, two air conditioners, floor/table fans as well as ceiling fans, Wi-Fi, and an outdoor grill are also available.
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Two Unique Houses for Family Reunions and Large Group Events!
McGrath
Two Unique Houses for Family Reunions and Large Group Events!
Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
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Pets
Pets allowed: limit 1 total
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Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
Property # 804999vb
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, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 77
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
About the area
Mc Grath
Located in Mc Grath, this holiday home is in a rural area and on a lake. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Banning State Park and Snake River, while Culver Museum and Moose Lake Depot Museum are cultural highlights. Enjoy the area's slopes with cross-country skiing, and don't miss out on the snowmobiling.
Is The Cedar House Is Uniquely Set In The Forest Surrounded By Decks And Porches. pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows pets (limit 1 total).
How much does it cost to stay at The Cedar House Is Uniquely Set In The Forest Surrounded By Decks And Porches.?
As of 13 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Cedar House Is Uniquely Set In The Forest Surrounded By Decks And Porches. on 25 May 2026 start from AU$339, 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 The Cedar House Is Uniquely Set In The Forest Surrounded By Decks And Porches.?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at The Cedar House Is Uniquely Set In The Forest Surrounded By Decks And Porches.?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at The Cedar House Is Uniquely Set In The Forest Surrounded By Decks And Porches.?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is The Cedar House Is Uniquely Set In The Forest Surrounded By Decks And Porches. located?
This family-friendly Mc Grath holiday home is located on a lake, 3.1 mi (5 km) from Snake River, and within 20 mi (32 km) of Kettle River and Mille Lacs Lake. Banning State Park and Cedar Lake are also within 20 miles (32 km).
Reviews
8.6
Excellent
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
You need to like animals. Surrounded by horses chickens turkeys and ladybugs. Was no hot tub even though was in listing. The trails were nice a little rustic but enjoyable. Friendly people and clean place. But not exactly what I expected from pictures on listing. Much smaller and surrounded by other cabins.
Our family: mom, dad and 4 grown children-2 with spouses, met here to celebrate a late Christmas. There were 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms and living room large enough for all of us to play games in. Also, it was dog friendly so we could include our pets in the gathering. The owner used a snowmobile to mark hiking trails which was a great afternoon activity.
A great place to take a break from the bustle of the city. I love farming life, walked along forest roads and met a big kind dog of the owners. I think if everything works out to be back for Christmas
Anzhelika G.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2021
Verified
6/10 Okay
Justin K.
12 Sept 2021
Liked: Check-in, communication
Disliked: Cleanliness
Weekend Stay
Pros: Communication and flexibility with the property owners. Quiet stay, despite there being animals on the property. Great privacy.
Cons: The “Cedar House” was not as well maintained as the photographs indicated. We did have one mouse also staying in the cabin with us. Something crawling and scratching in one of the bedroom walls for the majority of our stay. These things all aren’t a big deal to us; we understood that given the animals on the property, we could encounter these things. However, given the price we paid, we did wish there to be a little more attention to detail on the cosmetics of the rental. It isn’t a problem for us (we fully understand the amount of work the property owners and staff have put in to just maintain the property alone), but it may be a problem to others.
We very much enjoyed our stay at "The Shire".... the land is portioned off with many cabins of different sizes. We wanted to get our small children used to camping in an easy way, so some of us slept in tents while some of the colder or rainy nights we stayed in the cabin. The kitchen was very well supplied and there were ample camping chairs for bonfires. The hosts were so friendly and welcoming.
Malia B.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2021
Verified
8/10 Good
Lenora W.
16 Nov 2020
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication
November adventure
very convenient. the bathroom upstairs is a bit of a challenge for anyone over 5 feet tall and 100 pounds but we survived.
We had a great time during our stay. The kitchen had enough dishes/cookware for our purposes. It's a huge property and there are horses, chickens and swans we were able to see. Thank you to Michael and his family.
Rochelle R.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2020
Verified
6/10 Okay
Nicole F.
11 Mar 2019
Great but....
It’s an amazing place!! However o did feel that it’s a little more expensive than you originally see when selecting it. You pay for each additional person. Also fireplace and bonfires are mentioned a lot but you have to pay for firewood. Not just per day but per handful. If you like having fires it could add up. The host is very nice and helpful.l (but hard to get a hold of) they live on the property and you have to find them or get a hold of them for firewood or concerns, which sometimes was hard. The land and trails were awesome and I also felt like they put a good deal of thought into making your stay comfortable. I want to give 4 stars but the owner living on the property and the surprise expense of people and fire wood made me reduce it. However if your expecting it and prepared I’m sure you would have a great time!
Nicole F.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 1 Apr 2020
Hi Nicole,
Thanks for the great review, and we really enjoyed having you stay at the Cedar House then Tree Lodge! I just wanted to make a few clarifications based on your comments. We are a family that decided to save and support this wonderful property so many people can enjoy it. The previous retreat center was in danger of being broken up into many peices before we rescued it and kept it whole. We just barely make enough to support our family, the Shire, and the rescue animals that we have added to create another dimension to this beautiful land. We only charge enough to support the Shire and the keepers. The extra $30 per person per day after 2 people seemed the best, fairest way to charge guests so everyone can help out. The Shire could not be taken care of properly without our family on site. It requires a lot of maintenance and love to run smoothly.
Without our presence, you wouldn't have benefited from watching a movie in our Octagon's home theater, switching to another cabin to better serve your dogs (please remember to clean up after them at whatever property you spend time at), the snowshoes, or the bundles of free firewood. We also make people feel safer knowing that help is close at hand since we are so isolated. We were hard to get a hold of that Thursday since we went to town for appointments and supplies which we informed you of our intentions. On a side note, the firewood is painstakingly recycled from the surrounding forest where only fallen trees from storms or other natural causes are taken, cut into manageable pieces, split, and dried so as not to transfer disease from other locations. Plus it helps quell the propensity for possible wildfires by clearing the forest floor. The cost per bundle does not match the cost to produce it. We love the forest, and we want everyone who also wants to experience its nourishing embrace to hopefully help us continue to take care of this wonderful piece of land and matching dwellings that we call the Shire in the Woods!
Warm wishes,
Michael
Verified
8/10 Good
Margaret N.
2 Nov 2018
It wasn’t exactly what we expected, wth office and horse barns right next to us, but it turned out v
We had a very nice family get together at the Cedar house. Loved the trails!
Margaret N.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2018
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Amy D.
11 Sept 2016
Magical place!
We stayed in the Cedar House over Memorial Day weekend with family.
We all had a wonderful time and enjoyed it very much!
The Shire has a magical feel to it and you can certainly feel the peaceful pull of the land, you can feel it in the house as well.
The house and cabins are all unique, the Cedar House accommodations were perfect, it's a very comfortable place.
We all loved the animals and being able to learn more about them. We enjoyed hiking in the forest. It's just serene and amazing. My boys loved seeing all the wildlife including turtles, snakes and frogs.
Michael and Teyja are very personable and friendly and go the extra mile to make your stay great. They have a beautiful family on a beautiful property! (We wish you guys wellness and peace and hope things are going well for you! 😃)
We all look forward to staying at the Shire again!!
Amy D.
Amy D.
Archival
8/10 Good
Rachel J.
9 Sept 2016
Relaxing Friend Get-Away
This was our first time at the Shire (The Cedar House). It was a great experience. We had about 10 people over 4 days - 3 nights. It was a very comfortable, accommodating place. We did bring outdoor game- which I would recommend. They have great space for you to use.
Rachel J.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2016
Archival
8/10 Good
Cindy F.
7 Mar 2016
Great Getaway!
We did a little girls getaway and this was a perfect spot to do so. Only a couple hours from the Twin Cities. The house was as nice as the pictures show, quiet and very roomy. We had stayed when we are in between seasons but we still found a lot to do. Walking, exploring in the woods and just handing out playing games. There is a beautiful retreat home on the premise as well. Highly recommend this to anyone that's looking to get away and meditate. We will definitely go back maybe in the fall.
Thanks Michael!
Cindy F.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2016
About the host
Hosted by Michael Bonnette
I have spent the last 25 years of my life firmly entrenched in the research and development world with a vast majority of that time spent in the interventional medical industry. With my creativity and engineering degree, I have managed to receive 70 US and foreign patents with 50 submissions still pending. Many of these ideas have resulted in devices which have helped people in one form or another, and in 2013, I decided I wanted to help people in another way. I acquired this property which will help people escape and relax in the beauty of the Minnesota Woods!
The property has 120 acres of private lands which sits within 68 thousand acres of the Solana State Forest. The Soo Line Trail also travels right through my property. In 2013, the property was purchased by my family and has now become the Shire in the Woods. A special place, with the look and feel of a Tolkien inspired landscape, now located in "Middle Minnesota".
The Shire in the Woods was formerly solely a retreat center which was founded in 1989 by three Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet with a vision of creating a place where people can spend time quieting the mind and opening the heart and spirit. They recognized the need for individuals living in a modern, fast paced society to be able to retreat to a quiet, nurturing place, thus replenishing the soul and deepening their connection with self, nature, each other, and the universe. The Shire still has it's roots within that theme, and it has grown much more for everyone to enjoy!
Why they chose this property
Welcome to the Shire in the Woods, where the natural surroundings will nourish and rejuvenate your soul! Located 18 miles east of northern Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota, we are tucked away at the heart of the Solana State Forest and have the Soo Line South Trail running right alongside us. Relax with a good book in front of a fireplace or take a stroll in the beautiful woods. The Shire can serve you, your family and friends, facilitate special groups, workshops, and meetings, host a wedding, hold a family reunion, and more! No matter where you are at in your writing practice, the natural beauty and tranquility of the Shire is perfect for a writers retreat. The outdoors and especially the circle drive would be great for demonstrations with horses for example, or you can come and just be a hermit! Whatever your event or occasion, we will work with you to best serve your needs.
Our private, wooded retreat has seven, year round dwellings and more. There are four smaller cabins (The Woodlands, The Birches, The Meadows, and The Loft), The Cedar House, The Tree Lodge, and a gathering space, movie theatre, presentation media space, and library in The Octagon (unless privately reserved).
Other features of the Shire: • Screened-in gazebo. • Wood burning sauna. • 5 miles of groomed trails. • A rose garden. • A labyrinth. • Beaver, frog, and turtle pond. • Tree swings and hammock. • Outdoor fire pits and indoor fireplaces. • Access to the Soo Line Trail. • Access to many miles of trails in the Solana State Forest. • And much more including our horses, a miniature donkey, and a miniature horse. As a guest, you can experience our animals antics and social systems, pet them, and with prior arrangements have guided interactions or feed them treats.
All of the places are arranged in their own unique setting such that you feel like you are the only one there!
What makes this property unique
There are many things to do in and around the Shire. Enjoy wooded solitude on the private trails or hike in the Solana State Forest, meditate while walking the Labyrinth, spend time around a campfire, read or relax in front of the cabin fireplace, and more!
The Shire in the Woods offers many winter and summer vacation activities for everyone to enjoy. • Enjoy wooded solitude on the private trails. • Hike in the Solana State Forest. • Meditate while walking the Labyrinth. • Spend time around a campfire. • Read or relax in front of a fireplace. • Play catch with Frisbees or partake in other games on one of our many groomed lawns. • Star gaze or moon watch. • Use the telescope in the gazebo. • Interact with the horses. • Cross country ski or snowshoe on our private or surrounding trails. • Yoga in the Octagon. • Rock/agate hunt or swim in the nearby spring fed Quarry Pool. • Ride bikes in the woods or other trails. • Horseback ride on the Soo Line trail or Solana State Forest Trails with your horses. • Snowmobile or go ATVing on the Soo Line Trail or the Solana State Forest Trail. • Spend time in the Pliny Wildlife Area or Ruffed Gross and Woodcock Habitat Area. • Plan your next birding or photography adventure. • Enjoy the sounds of nature as the many frogs, owls, wolves, and birds vocalize and sing their songs!
Languages:
English
Premier Host
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