Escape to Bigwater Cove, a cozy log cabin retreat in Northern MN. Snuggle up by the campfire, go for an early morning kayak ride on Lake Placid with access to the Crow Wing River or explore local trails by mountain bike or snowmobile. Enjoy high-speed fiber internet and smart TV while relaxing in your private lakeshore home equipped with a full kitchen and outdoor gas grill.
Reviews
9.89.8 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire cabin
3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 6
Popular amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free Wi-Fi
Outdoor space
Add dates for prices
About this property
Bigwater Cove - Lakefront cabin near Brainerd
Welcome to Bigwater Cove! At our cozy log cabin you can escape the cities, enjoy some peace and quiet, and experience everything Northern MN has to offer at your own pace—snuggle up by the campfire to stargaze, go for an early morning kayak ride or relaxing sauna session, or explore the local trails by mountain bike, horseback, or snowmobile.
Located on Lake Placid with access to the Crow Wing River, our property sits on a private acre lot surrounded by mature white oak trees, perfect for your next up north getaway!
There is a living and dining room with vaulted ceilings and wood-burning fire place, kitchen, bathroom, and two bedrooms located on the main level. Upstairs, there is a spacious loft bedroom with a king bed overlooking the waterfront.
The space is equipped with everything you'll need and more to relax and unwind—high speed fiber internet, smart TV, Bluetooth sound bar, outdoor gas grill with grilling utensils, and a full kitchen stocked with the basics: pots and pans, french press, coffee, tea, spices, and more.
NEW THIS SEASON: Enjoy our handcrafted cedar barrel sauna just steps from the cabin, designed for you to relax and unwind year-round.
NOTE: We require a $250.00 security deposit to book Bigwater Cove. This is not a charge against your credit card, just a hold! It will be released 5 days after your departure if no damage is observed.
NOTE: Dogs under 25lbs are welcome with a non-refundable pet fee ($50/dog per stay). Maximum of 2 dogs allowed.
NOTE: To comply with local noise ordinances and respect our neighbors we use Minut technology (inside and outside) to ensure sound levels do not become excessive or disruptive.
Guests have access to our private lakeshore, barrel sauna, dock, and two kayaks (stored for winter season). We do not have any motorized boats included in the cabin rental. If you're looking to get out on the water, the Lake Placid Public Water Access + Boat Landing is located 5 minutes from the property, where you can drop in your boat (wake boats are not allowed). Otherwise, several boat rental companies are located in Brainerd.
NOTE: Our shoreline can get a bit mucky with more algae arriving in the late summer months. For swimming, take the kayaks out to the larger part of Lake Placid or explore the public Pillager Beach less than 8 min away.
We do have a fire pit on the property! Firewood is not provided on site, but can be purchased at a gas station nearby.
5 min --> Downtown Pillager (The Shante Coffee + Bistro, Casey's Gas, Dollar General, KC's Saloon, Bjerga's Cafe, Corner Store Depot) 5 min --> Lake Placid Public Water Access + Boat Landing 15 min --> Baxter/Brainerd area (Groceries - Costco, Cub, Target, Walmart, Restaurants, Coffee, Golf, Mini Golf, Antiques, Etc.) 15 min --> Lake Alexander (Restaurants - Anchor North, The Landing)
Near Pillsbury State Forest trails for mountain biking, horseback, and cross-country skiing.
Winter guests: Crow Wing County has over 700 miles of groomed snowmobile trails maintained by area clubs. These are easily accessible from our property!
Property amenities
Ski
Cross-country skiing nearby
Pool/Spa
Sauna
Internet
Available in the cabin: Free WiFi
Parking and transport
Car recommended
Parking on site
Kitchen
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Dishwasher
Hob
Microwave
Oven
Refrigerator
Spices
Toaster
Dining
Dining table
Bedrooms
3 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Sofa bed
Bathroom
1 bathroom
Bathtub or shower
Hair dryer
Towels provided
Living spaces
Dining table
Fireplace
Separate dining area
Entertainment
Games
Smart TV
Outdoor areas
Balcony
Barbecue grill
Firepit
Garden
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washing machine
Comfort
Heating
Pets
Pet friendly
Suitability/Accessibility
Smoke-free property
Services and conveniences
Iron/ironing board
Location highlights
On a lake
On the waterfront
Things to do
Kayak
Fishing nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Horseback riding nearby
Hunting nearby
Kayaking nearby
Motor boating nearby
Mountain biking nearby
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
First aid kit
Fire extinguisher
General
Garden
Policies
Check-in
Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Minimum check-in age - 21
Check-out
Check-out before 10:00 AM
Special check-in instructions
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Rules
Guest Must Sign Rental Agreement. Security Deposit Required of $250. No Pets. No Parties. No Smoking.
Maximum Occupancy is 8 Guests - that includes all adults and children.
Quiet Hours are 10pm-7am - excessive noise is prohibited at all times.
Pets
Pets are allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Note from host: Dogs only. No pets allowed over 25lbs.
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Events
No events 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
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 is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
We should mention
A car is recommended for transport to and from this property
About the area
Located in Pillager, this cabin is on the waterfront. Gull Lake and Bay Lake reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Northland Arboretum and WonderTrek Children's Museum. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at North Central Speedway or Brainerd International Raceway. Kayaking and power boating offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking/biking trails and hunting nearby. Visit our Pillager travel guide
Is Bigwater Cove - Lakefront cabin near Brainerd pet-friendly?
Yes, pets are allowed at this property.
How much is parking at Bigwater Cove - Lakefront cabin near Brainerd?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Bigwater Cove - Lakefront cabin near Brainerd?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Bigwater Cove - Lakefront cabin near Brainerd?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Bigwater Cove - Lakefront cabin near Brainerd located?
Situated on the waterfront, this cabin is 5.6 mi (8.9 km) from Bay Lake and within 12 miles (20 km) of Gull Lake and Beauty Lake. Cragun's Legacy Courses is 11.7 mi (18.8 km) away.
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Bigwater Cove - Lakefront cabin near Brainerd Reviews
Reviews
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
We really enjoyed our stay at this place. The property is beautiful. The cabin is a nice and very comfortable place. The views are great and there was plenty of seating and space for 5 of us and a dog. The barrel sauna worked perfectly in -10 degree winter. I will stay here again!
We had a great getaway in this charming cabin with all the comforts of home! Reservations, check in and check out were easy and hastle free. The hosts had lots of information for us about local food and attractions as well as managing the air conditioning and wifi. The only regret we have was that we were unable to utilize the sauna because we ran out of time.
We enjoyed our time at Bigwater Cove. It is cozy, yet roomy, and the attention to guest's comfort is exceptional. I highly recommend choosing Bigwater Cove for your next visit to the Brainerd Lakes area.
We had a nice stay here, peaceful ,cabin was cozy ,nice back yard. Would recommend to people that want some downtime and quiet time. Thank You for the wonderful stay!
My wife and i took our kids (3, 1, 1) up here for a labor day weekend getaway. It was a wonderful place to unwind, roast some smores, and enjoy a peaceful kayak. We explored the nearby Baxter/Brainerd areas and had a wonderful weekend.
We enjoyed our stay at Bigwater Cove. The cabin was clean, kitchen had all necessary essentials and beds were comfortable. Completely enjoyed our campires at night and bean bag games during the day. Contacting Callie/Tom was easy and received quick reply.
We had a wonderful winter visit staying in this perfect cabin. It’s beautifully maintained, spotless and offers a private setting that’s still just a quick ride away from a cafe and restaurant. The views are lovely, in a quiet neighborhood, and professionally managed. Thank you to our terrific hosts.
We so enjoyed our stay at this beautiful cabin. The cabin is so clean and all the amenities are high quality. We also appreciated the suggestions for nearby restaurants. We tried a few and were not disappointed. Callie and Bob are fantastic hosts. We had a minor issue getting the TV working and they resolved the issue for us very quickly. I highly recommend staying at Bigwater Cove.
My family and I LOVED our stay at Bigwater Cove! We kayaked, built campfires for smores, fished, grilled yummy dinners, and loved exploring nearby beaches/swim spots, lakeside restaurants, mini golf courses, and cute shops!
The cabin is so clean and well maintained with comfy beds and nice linens- and the A-frame loft was a real treat for our kids’ summer cabin vacay. Check in was a breeze and the hosts were so organized and informative on the front end that there was no need to reach out to them (except to inform them of our own minor glassware mishap in the kitchen that they were very gracious about!) Hope to visit again!
Bigwater Cove is a charming cabin with updated appliances, cozy bed, plenty of bathroom supplies, and a remarkably peaceful location. The kayaks made the lake fun and accessible. Great fishing. The cabin also makes a great place for home base, as we took our bikes on several long rides. The local bike trails extend for over 100 miles. In addition to the trails, we enjoyed hiking too. Bigwater Cove's owners were responsive & invested in making our trip comfortable.
We were searching for a tranquil getaway for our 10 year anniversary, and this cabin was absolutely perfect. We loved the wood burning fireplace and the “room with a view” in the loft. It was so quiet and peaceful, and we were able to watch the wildlife out the big windows! Three deer visited each day along with a black squirrel. The puzzle and coffee machine were also appreciated. We fully enjoyed our long weekend away at Bigwater Cove.
We had a wonderful stay! The cabin is just beautiful and had everything we needed. It was so quiet and peaceful and just what we needed. We weren’t able to fish or swim because the water was too weedy but that is not the owners fault. We were able to find a wonderful beach and fishing spot in Pillager only 8 minutes away so we enjoyed that. And we still enjoyed the beautiful lake view.
It was hot and there was no AC but the owners provided lots of fans and we just opened the windows and it was great.
The cabin was just beautiful and my kids loved it so we will definitely be back!
this is such a cozy cabin with all the amenities you need to stay put and relax and close enough to shopping, restaurants and entertainment that you don't have to venture far. it was a perfect place to have a girls weekend with plenty of space to spread out and enjoy our time. we will definitely be coming back again in the future!
cmbladholm
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Mark C.
9 Dec 2025
Just excellent; very clean quiet in a beautiful home and setting.
Bigwater Cove is an excellent home rental; it especially would suit a couple or family that love the outdoors and a more “woodsy” serene setting. It is in an excellent central location within 10 miles of town(s) but yet feels very remote as well. The home is very well kept and in wonderful condition with everything in perfect working condition. It is very comfy and has the option of a real wood inside fireplace as well as a sauna..