Wambolts Cabins: Seasonal Family Destination in Minnesota

by Erin Huiatt

Wambolts Cabins: Seasonal Family Destination in Minnesota

Looking to get away? To unplug and soak up the beautiful outdoors? Wambolts Cabins located in Park Rapids, Minnesota is the perfect place to do that. Whether it be your immediate family, a solo trip, a family vacation, or a large get-together with family and/or friends Wambolts Cabins offers log cabins to fit any size. It may be hard to disconnect from the everyday life of emails, phone calls, work, social media, and more. Wambolts Cabins makes it easy with everything they have to offer on the property and in the surrounding areas. Our family spent an entire week at the Wambolts Cabins and it was the perfect place for us to disconnect and play. Learn everything you need to know before you book your stay at Wambolts Cabins a seasonal family destination in Minnesota.

Location

We have traveled to several areas of Minnesota such as the Twin Cities and the Northern Lakeshore, but had never made our way to the Northwest part of the state and it did not disappoint. Wambolts Cabins are beautiful historic log cabins located on the gorgeous Lower Bottle Lake in northern Minnesota. It is a beautiful place which makes it the perfect seasonal vacation destination for families in Hubbard County.

Wambolts Cabins History

The Wambolt property is one of the oldest resorts in Minnesota. Originally the fishing camp was built by Alexander “Bud” Wambolt in 1899 and he named it the Fisherman’s Lodge. He was one of the first resort owners ever in the Mantrap chain of lakes area and the whole state. The camp stayed with the family through 1968 and was a very successful resort. In 1968 it became under new ownership and operated until the mid-2000s. Today, Wambolts Cabins is owned by new owners, the Dougherty’s. This family is the 4th family to run the Wambolts Resort. They have recently put in a ton of time and money to make a ton of updates to the cabins and properties for future guests like you!

Log Cabins

The Wambolt Resorts offer fifteen cabins to choose from each being a little different. Our family stayed in cabin number one which had perfect access to the beach and a beautiful lake view. All cabins sit along the lake which creates an idyllic setting no matter what cabin you choose. The main differences between each cabin are the amenities offered. Most offer many modern amenities such as Wi-Fi, a refrigerator, a coffee pot, comfy beds with fresh linens (bring your own towels), and more. Cabin options range from 3-bedroom cabins to a studio option that offers a 1/2 bath. There is a bathhouse (central shower house) available for those who are staying in cabins with only a 1/2 bath.

We were lucky to be one of the first guests in cabin number one after many updates! We loved the space and it was perfect for our little family. This cabin offered a queen bed, full bed, double bunks (the kids loved!), air conditioning, a full kitchen with a full refrigerator, stove, oven, coffee pot, grill, full bathroom, lakeside porch, and more. I loved the custom-made sign that hung in the kitchen that read “Wambolt’s Camp”!

We spent most of our evenings on the lakeside porch playing games and doing puzzles. It was a wonderful area to eat as a family and watch the sunset over the gorgeous lake.

One of our other favorite accommodations at the Wambolt Resort was the Wambolt Library which offered books for all ages, games, puzzles, yard games, and more. It was a cozy little area that we had fun looking through and bringing some of our favorite items back to our cabin.

For complete details of each cabin and to book your cabin rental, visit the Wambolts Resorts website. Cabins are booked from Sunday to Sunday, but keep an eye on their social media pages for last-minute cancellations and shorter booking times available.

Container Cabins at Wambolts Resort

There are many cabins to choose from at Wambolts, but if you are looking for something new and unique check out the upcycled shipping container cabins! These cabins are upcycled shipping containers equipped with air conditioning and heat. One of them even offers a roof deck! Definitely, a great way to take in the beautiful scenery in the area. Learn more and book a stay in a container cabin on the Wambolts Cabins website.

Swimming

There is a swimming beach available for guests to swim. They have a large mat tied further out in the water which the kids enjoyed playing in. The kids were able to touch most of the way out to the dock, which made me feel comfortable. Wambolts also offers canoes and kayaks to be used for free on a first come basis. The kids enjoyed paddling out and practicing their skills!

Boating and Fishing on the Lake

One huge perk to staying at Wambolts Resorts is the easy access to the lake and great fishing in the area. They offer several boats to rent such as a 16′ Solar Boat for sunset cruises and fishing, or Starcraft Pontoon boats. We rented a pontoon boat on one sunny day and spent our time exploring Lower Bottle Lake and Upper Bottle Lake. We found areas for the kids to jump in and swim a bit (always wear a life jacket), areas to fish, and took in the majestic red pines of Upper Bottle Lake. Largemouth Bass and smallmouth bass are super popular in the area.

What to Pack for Wambolts Resort

It may be hard to decide on what to pack after you book your stay at Wambolts Resort. I have gathered a list of what we brought along to make for a smooth getaway!

Towels and toiletries
Extra toilet paper – if you have a large family this may be needed
Trash bags – a couple were provided, but we brought some extras
Food – meal plan! We brought breakfast, stuff for lunches, and meat to grill out for dinner. We did visit some local restaurants while we were there, but packed a large cooler with everything we needed for meals.
Games, puzzles, and books. Wambolts offers a ton, but if you have some favorites bring them along!
Fishing gear – pack your fishing gear because you will definitely want it. Wambolts does sell some bait.
Lifejackets, floats, etc. – There is a swimming beach and if you plan to boat they have some lifejackets available. Remember to bring any other swimming accessories you may want.
Bug spray and sunscreen

Things to do Nearby

There are many things to do nearby including:

Visit Itasca State Park
Bike and hike the many trails in the area
Make a visit to downtown Park Rapids which offers cute shops and an old-school movie theater!
Eat at Zorbaz. A fun spot to eat for the whole family.
If you love to try local brews while traveling make a stop at Revel Brewing in Park Rapids.
Take a day trip to Bemidji, Minnesota, and take a picture with Paul the Lumberjack and Blue. Explore the downtown which includes a science center!
Eat like a lumberjack at Rapid River Logging Camp.
Take a picture in front of the World’s Largest Tiger Muskie and grab some ice cream in Nevis, Minnesota.