Stay in a cabin on a private island in northern Wisconsin this winter
For a winter getaway in Wisconsin, it doesn't get much more socially distanced than a private cabin on a private island in the middle of a frozen lake.
For the first time, Stout's Island Lodge in Birchwood is offering cabins for rent in the winter.
The century-old lodge on a private 18acre island in Red Cedar Lake in Barron County is only accessible by boat in warm-weather months and previously was only open for guests from May through October.
Not even the owners had been there in the winter before this year, Stout's Island Lodge spokeswoman Kelli McDonald said via email.
They decided to visit this winter, however, because of the mild temperatures and low snow, and they “were absolutely enthralled,” she said.
Now others can be enthralled with the log cabin retreat in the winter. Weeklong reservations are available for three of the resort's cabins through March 12, weather permitting.
The resort will first rent the Clara cabin, then the Katherine and Douglas cabins. All three sleep at least six people and have three or four bathrooms. Each also has a full kitchen and at least one fireplace.
The resort's dining room will not be open, but the Great Room in the Main Lodge will open Feb. 1.
Lumber baron Frank Stout built the island's original lodge in 1903 at a cost of $1.5 million as a private retreat for his family. It was rebuilt in 1912 after bugs damaged the logs beyond repair and it had to be burned.
Stout did manage to salvage the lodge's carved wood beams that he had imported from the Black Forest in Germany, plus two ornate wood-burning fireplaces. The Great Room features one of those, along with rustic touches including historical photos of the Stout family water skiing on the lake and playing croquet in the lawn.
Summer guests today can also play croquet on that lawn, plus enjoy campfires, hiking around the island, and water activities including canoeing and kayaking.
This winter, guests can enjoy bonfires, plus bring their own gear for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and ice fishing. There are snowmobile trails nearby.
While summer guest are ferried to the island by a Stout's Island Lodge boat, winter guests can drive themselves via a plowed ice road on Red Cedar Lake.
More information: Rates start at $2,000 per week, and rentals are Friday to Friday. Pets are permitted for an extra $250 fee.
There is limited Wi-Fi service in the Main Lodge.
Rice Lake is 15 miles southwest and has a grocery store, restaurants and other amenities. Hayward is about 30 miles north. There are no stores or restaurants on the island.
The boat launch for the resort is at 2799 27th St., Birchwood. For more information and reservations, call (715) 3543646 or see stoutsislandlodge.com. Contact Chelsey Lewis at clewis@ journalsentinel.com. Follow her on Twitter at @chelseylew and @TravelMJS and Facebook at Journal Sentinel Travel.