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Balsam Ridge Retreat

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· Duluth, St. Louis, Minnesota

5 acres hosted by Linda P.

6 lodging sites

Family-friendly

Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is great for families and kids.

Best in Minnesota: 1st place

Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2023.

Linda is a Star Host

Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.

Private sites

98% of recent Hipcampers say the sites felt private.

Many folks that have visited our place refer to it as 'country living in the city'. We are so blessed to live in this little piece of serenity just inside the city limits of Duluth. It was once an abandoned house that sat for years, until a friend mentioned to us that it might be going up for sale. We loved the location and rolled up our sleeves. Twenty years later we still marvel at the beauty around us and can hardly believe that we LIVE here! Just down the road is a trout stream and just beyond that was a popular farm that attracted many folks to this neighborhood for hay rides and sleigh rides. The farm has since retired it's horses and closed it's doors to make room for new homes, but memories live on in the beauty of the open fields. I often imagine the sound of horses and sleigh bells and people singing carols and then warming up around a toasty fire sipping hot cocoa. Some of those memories live on right here at Balsam Ridge (minus the horses). Over the years many groups of folks have enjoyed a sense of community in these back woods no matter the season. Campfires, kids catching frogs, neighborhood campouts, snow picnics, hair-raising toboggan runs, family campouts, spiritual silent retreats, a take-your-breath-away giant swing, and some tales too daring to mention are all part of the fun. This is why we do what we do. We've been given much, and love to give back. It just wouldn't seem right to keep all this good to ourselves.

Activities

Biking

Boating

Fishing

Hiking

Natural features

Forest

River, stream, or creek

Suburban

Wetlands

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100%

821 ratings · 692 reviews

Coreen H.recommends

May 28, 2024

Gökotta (Swedish for "dawn picnic")

Gokotta ❤️

So beautiful! Very thoughtfully laid out—art, combined with purpose and functionality with a hefty dose of cozy comfort. Linda and Chris are warm and welcoming hosts. Kids had a blast catching tadpoles, swinging, playing carpet ball, and exploring. Such a cool place!

Sonja K.recommends

May 27, 2024

The Roost

Wonderful cozy stay! Love campfires and swings. There is hot water heater in roost which was great bonus!

Cameron R.recommends

May 22, 2024

The Stuga

Great Stay for a Family!

This was our first time using Hip Camp and I was a little nervous since we have young kids. We are a family of 4 with a 3.5 and 1 year old. But there was absolutely no need to worry!! The second we got there we were greeted by the guests. They helped us bring our stuff to the Stuga, showed us around the property, and answered any questions we had! My 3 year olds favorite parts were the "Lego House" and his "fort". They have Tiny house that they've filled with toys, a table, chairs, books, games! Our son loved going up there to grab a toy and bring it with him wherever he went! The bunk beds in the Stuga have "curtains" that you can open and close by sliding. Linda showed them right away to my toddler and he was sooo thrilled to have his own little area that gave him some space from us. They also have a few swings on the property that our oldest (& us) loved!! It was such a relaxing stay! We loved feeling like there was enough to do at the property that we were able to slow down and enjoy ourselves. We loved being so close to Duluth. It felt like we got the best of both worlds! We absolutely loved our stay at the Stuga and are already looking at weekends in the winter that we could come back!!

Nathan G.recommends

May 13, 2024

The Roost

This was our third time staying at Balsam ridge and it is always a wonderful stay. Linda and Chris are great hosts, who are so kind and welcoming. It is always a magical time at Balsam Ridge, we were able to watch the northern lights sitting in front of our little cabin, it was an amazing experience. Balsam Ridge is Duluth's best kept secret. Only about a mile from the UMD campus so it is close to the action. But when you are at your campsite, it feels like you far away from the city. It is so quaint and beautiful, we look forward to returning again and again.

Madison L.recommends

May 5, 2024

The Stuga

Staying in the Stuga was the perfect getaway for my birthday. We loved sitting out at the bonfire at night and exploring the gorgeous property during the day. The Stuga had everything we needed and enjoyed our stay thoroughly. Chris and Linda were such gracious hosts. We cannot wait to come back!

Geri V.recommends

May 4, 2024

Gökotta (Swedish for "dawn picnic")

Amazing Hosts!

Loved everything about the place. Especially the hosts. Such nice folks! 10/10 experience in every way.

Location

Duluth, St. Louis, Minnesota, United StatesTraditional, ancestral territory of Anishinabewaki ᐊᓂᔑᓈᐯᐗᑭ and Očhéthi Šakówiŋ First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking

Hosted by Linda P.Joined in June 2018

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