Escape to a cozy, rustic cabin nestled amidst the serene beauty of the XC Ski and Snowshoe Trails. Enjoy the tranquility of being away from other cabins, with direct access to miles of pristine trails right at your doorstep. Warm up by the crackling woodstove in the cozy cabin, or step outside to enjoy the dark sky under the stars. The outhouse provides a classic outdoor experience, adding to the rustic charm. Whether you’re seeking a peaceful retreat or an adventurous winter getaway, the rustic cabins offer the perfect escape for nature lovers.
The ABR Trails Foundation will manage four rustic cabins beginning in the 2025-2026 season. Each cabin varies in distance from the trailhead. Rock Fence and Cherry Cabin are the closest to the trailhead parking lot. Next are Balsam and Hemlock Cabins. The rustic cabins that will continue to be managed by Angela Santini are Tamarack, Sand Pond, Sand Point, and Rascals; the dog-friendly cabin is across the road.
Amenities
The cabins are accessible only by skiing or snowshoeing only. There is no electricity or plumbing. There is a clean outhouse for each cabin with toilet paper. The heat for the cabin is supplied by a very efficient wood stove which also has a flat cooking surface. The wood stove keeps the cabin very warm but it takes at least an hour to heat the cabin if it is cold. When you arrive, you will need to start your own fire and maintain your fire throughout your stay. Firewood is provided just outside your cabin and we send you out with a “firestarter” pack. The cabins have a sleeping area with mattresses but no bedding. Each cabin has a table with chairs/benches. A tea kettle and cast iron pan are provided along with a charcoal grill, but no charcoal.
Checking In & Getting to your cabin
When you arrive, you’ll check-in and we will direct you to the Camper Supply Shack in the parking lot at the trailhead. From the supply shack, you’ll gather your firestarter pack and your sled. The sleds are medium-sized pulk sleds that you will either pull with your free-hand or strap around your waist and buckle. The sleds can be pulled either in the skate lane on the ski or snowshoe trails. The route to each cabin is flat or mostly downhill on the way in. A special, snowshoe cabin trail is the fastest route to each cabin. Keep in mind, that you can return to the trailhead and your car as often as you’d like, you will ski right by the trailhead on many trail routes.
First timer tips:
- Depending upon when you arrive, just bring the essentials to your cabin for the night.
- Water is heavy. You can easily refill your water at the trailhead throughout your trip so don’t carry 5 gallons of water out in one load.
- Pack your gear in zippered bags, if your sled tips over, you don’t want to collect your items in the snow (especially in the dark).
- Don’t forget your headlamp, you’ll need this to snowshoe in and out after dark, to the sauna, and to the outhouse.
- There are no lights. Bring something to illuminate the cabin, this can be a battery-operated lantern, flashlights, or even LED light strings. Please don’t bring candles.
- Each cabin has a tea kettle and a cast iron skillet (some are small and some are medium sized). If you’re planning on making gourmet meals, be sure you have the cookware you’ll need.
- Boiling water on the woodstove is definitely doable, but you’ll need a roaring fire to heat the top of the stove enough to boil water. I prefer to bring a small backpacking camp stove and simply boil water quickly outside.
- Along the same lines, there are many “no-cook” meals or backpacking meals you can easily eat without needing to cook on the stove.
- The charcoal grill is also an option, keep in mind, we get a LOT of snow and it may be buried under the snow. 🙂 Don’t forget your charcoal.
- Bedding: Bring two flat sheets, blankets, and pillows. You won’t need a sleeping bag with the fire going.
- Cabin Woodstove Tips: Once you get the woodstove going, one log at a time…yes, this means you will need to tend the fire overnight. Or, you can get a fire going and stock it full and then open the windows 🙂 There’s plenty of firewood at each cabin and you’ll bring your kindling from the camper supply shed.
- You’ll want to keep your cooler outside of your cabin to keep it cold, be sure it can be secured (shut tight), we don’t typically have animal problems but rodents will definitely access easily accessible food.
- You’ll need to clean up your cabin after your stay, each cabin has a broom.
- Each cabin has a guest book filled with lovely stories from many years of memories at ABR. Be sure to take some time to read these and leave your own message before you leave.
Kristi Reitz
Kristi grew up just outside of Duluth, MN, which fostered her love for cold weather, snow, and all things winter. Kristi and her husband, John, embarked on their inaugural visit to ABR in 2018, rented a ski-in cabin on the trail and were instantly hooked on ABR magic and rustic cabin life. Now, they make multiple trips per year to unwind in the rustic cabin life for long weekends and enjoy the pristine trails. Kristi and John own Better Life Chiropractic and Wellness in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Kristi is a board member for the Anderson Bluffs & River Trails Foundation.
find your cabin
The Foundation is taking the reins in April 2025, You can book your cabin for the 2025-26 season through the HipCamp website.
BALSAM | CHERRY | HEMLOCK | ROCK FENCE
The Foundation’s Rustic Cabins are typically reserved one year in advance. If you stay for a week or weekend, you get first dibs on that same cabin next year for the same week or weekend.
