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North Shore Headlands House - retreat house on Lake Superior

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North Shore Headlands House on Lake Superior
dining room with table that adjusts for number of guests
great room
The house with coast looking toward Tettegouche State Park
well equipped kitchen with great views for the chef

Reviews

10 out of 10

Exceptional

5 bedrooms5+ bathroomsSleeps 8232.3 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Washer
    Washer
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor space
    Outdoor space
  • Kitchen
    Kitchen
  • Air conditioning
    Air conditioning

Explore the area

Map
Silver Bay, North Shore, MN
  • Shovel Point
    2 min drive
  • Tettegouche State Park
    4 min drive
  • Baptism River
    5 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.





Property manager

Jim Hagen
Premier Host

Languages

English, French, German, Japanese

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

Similar properties

House Rules

Check in after 5:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM

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
The guest must provide a home address (residence address) phone number and guest names to confirm.
For first-time renters at our house, a phone call with the owner is required before the reservation request can be accepted.
Reservation requests for longer than ten nights are not accepted except by special exception and approval of the owner.

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

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

North America

Map
Silver Bay, North Shore, MN

What's nearby

  • Tettegouche State Park - 4 min drive
  • Baptism River - 5 min drive
  • Palisade Head - 7 min drive
  • Black Beach - 11 min drive
  • Tettegouche Trail - 15 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Four Seasons Supper Club - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Our Place - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪West Branch Bar & Grill - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Four Seasons Restaurant & Bar - ‬11 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is North Shore Headlands House - retreat house on Lake Superior pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at North Shore Headlands House - retreat house on Lake Superior?

Check-in begins at 5:00 PM.

What time is check-out at North Shore Headlands House - retreat house on Lake Superior?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is North Shore Headlands House - retreat house on Lake Superior located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is steps from Lake Superior and within 3 mi (5 km) of Baptism River and Shovel Point. Tettegouche State Park is 2.9 mi (4.7 km) away.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 157 out of 157 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 157 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 157 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 157 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 157 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Susan Y.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful house
Wonderful. Fireplace and balcony overlooking the lake. Amazing!!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Barbara P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent in every way
This home is beautiful inside and out. The views from the deck are better than any postcard of the North Shore. The owner is very good with communication. We plan on going back again!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Corrine K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing and relaxing retreat
This home is on prime real estate, with Lake Superior right on the property. My friends and I enjoyed 3 nights at the beautiful house. Everything is so organized and everything you need is available. We hope to make it back many times in the years ahead.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mary B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
family getaway
The house and the hosts were fantastic. One of our party was in the wheelchair and this house was extremely accessible; would highly recommend this house is you or someone you are traveling with has special accessibility needs.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

R D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great house
Great views. Every amenity you coulry bedroom. It was really warm durin our stay
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sarah W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Such a beautiful place
This is our second time staying in this beautiful house; we are so glad that we returned. Truly, this is a phenomenal place with one of the best views on Lake Superior. Everything is in its place in this home, which has an exceptionally well-equipped kitchen and excellent WiFi. Everything works well—you don’t realize how important good window screens are until you have one with a gap and there is not a single gap in any one of the many in this house. Go there, and feel secure and pampered. Just don’t reserve the days we want to return. ;-) Notes: This property is on a cliff—I would not bring young kids there. It also has no direct access to Lake Superior (some people like to dip their toes or launch a kayak…not possible on this property), nor anywhere to walk or run for longer than a half mile directly accessible from the house. But there are plenty of paths and state parks right down the road, and it’s great to be close to a grocery store in Silver Bay.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Bob M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Outstanding property on the North Shore
This beautiful home was a great place for our family group of eight, including one with mobility challenges, to enjoy a week of wonderful, cool weather. The host, Jim, was extremely helpful, both before and during our stay. The house is comfortably furnished and we enjoyed all the original artwork. We particularly appreciated the privacy provided by bathrooms in each of the five bedrooms. And capping the experience were the great views of the rocky shore of Lake Superior!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Awsome Property and Awsome Host
This is a five-star property and Jim the owner is a five-star host. He is prompt in getting questions answered and in making sure you have what you need to have a wonderful stay. It’s in a great location next to some of the best trails and waterfalls. The attention to detail is second to none in this excellent vacation home. From the very well-stocked kitchen to the sewing kit and box of personal items that may have forgotten like toothbrushes, shaving cream, etc. This five-bedroom layout, (each with its own bathroom) has been thoughtfully designed to provide maximum comfort, function and amazing views of the Lake Superior. We’ve stayed at many places along the North Shore, but this tops them all. When you stay at the Headlands, you will not be disappointed.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jean P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Best yet
Our group of seven retirees has been traveling together in Europe and the U.S. for 20 years and stayed in several dozen rental houses. In a rare unanimous decision we agreed that this was the best designed/equipped/managed place that we have rented, everyone even liked their mattress. The location is central to the multitude of hiking trails along the North Shore, the view from the house is amazing.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Albert F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing Property
Great location and beautiful home.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jerry C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Superior Hiking Club
My hiking group(seven total) stayed at the Northshore Headlands House for our annual Spring hike this year. We were able to make several invigorating day hikes on the Superior Hiking Trail including sections along the Baptism, Manitou and Caribou rivers. During the evenings we enjoyed the spectacular views from our perch above the lake as well as the art and architecture of the Headland House. Very comfortable. Special thanks to our host Jim for being friendly, helpful, accommodating and easy to get a hold of. We had a wonderful stay. Perfect place for aging hikers.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

William M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Annual friends getaway
We love this property. It is perfect for our 4 couples.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Erin W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect family getaway
I’ve stayed in a lot of short-term rentals so I’ll start with this: The host of this house should give a Master Class on how to run a successful and welcoming vacation rental. The house was spotless, beautifully decorated, and exceptionally well equipped. I’ve experienced, and really detest, a penny-pinching host — the ones who use the cheapest toilet paper and leave guests just one roll of paper towels. Jim takes the opposite approach. He even has a stash of personal toiletries available in case guests forget something. And it’s a great house. We were a family group of 8, including one who is mobility impaired. The layout and design of the house made it completely accessible, functional, and comfortable for all of us. The setting on the edge of Lake Superior is stunning, perhaps even more so in the winter, with ice frozen on the rocky outcroppings and the snow flying. I could go on and on — there is much more to say — but I’ll simply end with this: This isn’t just a 5-star house, it’s a 5-star experience.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Maaja K., Saint Paul, MN

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very Comfortable Stay!
We had a great time staying at the Headlands House. Such a plus for every bedroom to have it's own bathroom. Beds were comfortable and kitchen well stocked for making meals. Really no downsides, king beds would be nice but not a big deal. Only advice as a mom, would not stay here with young children since house is on a cliff to Lake Superior. Overall great place!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

jared n.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Exceptional Experience
The attention to detail and thoughtfulness is outstanding. There are clear instructions for every feature and amenity of the property. Jim had prompt and clear communication.The house was spotless. And of course the property is breathtaking.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Linda W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A 5-Star Repeat
This was our second year at Headlands. Just as last year, everything was great and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 14 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Valerie, Minnesota

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Absolutely Wonderful!
This is an amazing house! It was perfect for our group. The house was so comfortable and spacious. We loved the beautiful views out every window and the art throughout the home was lovely. The owner is very accommodating, organized and friendly. You won’t be disappointed!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

PATRICIA B., Eden Prairie

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
What a view!
Great house on cliffs overlooking Lake Superior! Perfectly layed out for our family group of 7 adults. Just about everything we needed plus more. Owner is awesome with communication. Would definitely stay again!! Only feedback...replace at least one of the queen beds with a King or CaliKing(TALL family!). But like I said would stay again, without this change. What a beautiful location....the North Shore NEVER disappoints!!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jill M., Rochester, MN

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Repeat renter
Had a great stay as always. House was very clean. Very convenient that everybedroom has its own bath. Location cant be beat with parks to the north and south for hiking! Kitchen is well stocked and views can't be beat. Highly recommend.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dawn E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Best Rental of All Time
This is the only rental that we have wanted to return to. Jim is a wonderful host and was available for any questions or problems by phone and text. Jim has the house well stocked with anything you would need and the kitchen has all the pans and dishes you would ever need to make a meal. We were traveling with our son who has Cerebral Palsy and he loves that his room was one the main level with a walk in shower. This vacation was a low key one that we just sat and enjoyed the view of Lake Superior - I did sneak in my sewing machine and work on a baby quilt while enjoying the view. We cannot wait to visit again - might try a winter visit next time.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tara M., Sugar land

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
North Shore Hiking and Canoe trip
By far the BEST VRBO ever. Location central to all things North Shore, waterfront with panoramic views. The description on VRBO is accurate but property and owner far exceed descriptions Jim spent a long time with me prior to travel giving his recommendation for hikes, canoe trips and restaurants. All were amazing and I cannot strss enough how perfect the property is. Amazing experience in every way! We left a face net for guests. Definitely need to bring effective mosquito spray.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Albert F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing Views/Property/Manager
We have reserved this property multiple times and have never been disappointed. The views of Superior are truly amazing! The house is always clean and well equipped, the property manager is responsive and available.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jacqueline S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beauty on Lake Superior
This is the third time we have stayed at this home and we will certainly return. The home is absolutely beautiful and so comfortable. It is deceptively small from the outside but feels incredibly spacious inside. Everything we would ever need for the trip is available including an extremely well designed kitchen which is very well stocked with all the implements you need to do serious cooking. The host is absolutely delightful and very easy to deal with. I can't recommend it enough!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Brian H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful winter wonderland stay in March
The cabin was great and the views are top notch, even better than the pictures which are great too. The cahin had everything we could need and more. The owner was easy to work with and communicate with.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Monica S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family winter getaway
The property was gorgeous (photos on the interior don't do it justice). Kitchen was stocked with everything you could need. Location was excellent for hikes and not a bad drive to Lutsen for skiing. We were a group of 8 aged 13-76 and all enjoyed our time and the amenities. Would love to come back in the summer or fall.
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2022

About the host

Hosted by Jim Hagen

Host profile image
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.



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.

Languages:

English, French, German, Japanese

Premier Host

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