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Balsam Ridge Retreat

Hosted by Linda · Duluth, Minnesota
7 sites · Lodging · 5 acres
100%
·
902 reviews
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Best Hipcamps in Minnesota
Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2026.
Best glamping in the US
Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2025.
Family-friendly
Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is great for families and kids.
Linda is a Star Host
Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.
Hello friends! Thanks for your interest in Balsam Ridge Retreat! 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. Our home 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 beyond that was a popular farm that attracted many folks to this neighborhood for hay rides and sleigh rides. The farm has since retired its horses and closed its 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.

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Lodging

7 sites
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The Stuga

100%
(300)
Cabin · Sleeps 4 · 1 bedroom · 3 beds · 1 toilet
The Stuga (pronounced stoo-gah) is a Swedish word meaning cottage or small guest house. To us it has been a cozy 10x12 retreat for many folks over the years who have simply needed a place to stay. Some have come seeking solitude and rest. For others it has been an oasis for a weekend  get-a-way. Whatever the need, the Stuga has warmly received an abundance of guests for many years.   It's a cozy wooden cabin with a big picture window that looks out to the pond. Inside is a small table, an Amish rocker and a propane Dickinson heater that resembles a fireplace. The 5 foot 'kitchen' area has a small sink, a two burner gas stove, a fridge and a large stainless jug filled with drinking water. (In the summer there is cold running water at the kitchen sink. That's a big deal around here!) There are single bunk beds in addition to a  5x10 loft with a queen sized mattress.  ****We do ask that guests bring their own sleeping bags or linens***** The beds all have pillows with clean pillowcases, a fitted sheet over the mattress, and a light blanket. Most folks bring a sleeping bag or extra blankets to stay comfortable. The 'Stool Shed' is just up the lit trail, and there's also a small portapotty right behind the stuga. Because Duluth is a 'cool' city,  we've  added an infrared "fireplace" heater that helps keep the cabin toasty.  Outside the Stuga is a Solo fire ring, and also a rocket stove for trying your hand at some outdoor cooking skills. Firewood is available for $7/bundle. The trails around the Stuga are absolutely beautiful with an incredibly enchanting forest to explore along winding paths and wooden bridges.   We do want to mention that there are other unique sites here at Balsam Ridge, each one having it's own woodsy personality. For more information on our other sites check out Balsam Ridge Retreat.  We're looking forward to a new season of camping and meeting some great folks!
Short walk to site
Campfires allowed
Toilet
Potable water
No pets
No showers
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Gökotta (Swedish for "dawn picnic")

100%
(242)
Canvas tent · Sleeps 4 · 1 bedroom · 3 beds · 1 toilet
Our Gokotta tent is tucked in the deep woods of a beautiful blend of forest greenery. It is a short 3 minute walk from your vehicle and there is a cart to assist you with gear and supplies. At the Gokotta a ramp welcomes you to a comfy front porch with two Adirondack chairs for relaxing. It's a great place to collect your thoughts. We recently replaced the zippered front door with a handmade cedar door with a window. Just inside is a wood stove to take the chill off if need be. The large copper tub is ready for dry firewood for the crisp nights. We have plenty of firewood available for $7/bundle. There are two wooden rockers and plenty of light for enjoying a good book. (Yes, there is electricity, but please don't bring any additional electric heaters. See the info below on staying warm.) The Gokotta has a narrow oak Navy bunk bed as well as a log futon (full-size) for use as a couch or sleeping. There is a cot available for an additional guest if needed. ****Everyone should bring their own sleeping bags or linens.**** There are pillows on the beds with clean pillowcases and also fitted sheets on the mattresses. On the table you'll find a hot pot for boiling water, a radio, a small fan, and a few mugs and spoons. We'll fill a jug of Lake Superior drinking water and have it at your site. In the warmer months of the year a water spigot is just a few feet away. All cooking is done outside over the fire (or on your own personal camp stove). We added a rocket stove at the campsite for cooking a meal or boiling a pot of water fairly quickly using a minimal amount of wood. Living in the woods always has the potential to attract wildlife, so we encourage everyone to put away all food and scraps in the metal food locker (or back in your car) before retiring for the night. The outhouse is just a stones throw away. The word Gökotta comes from Sweden and means “to rise early and listen to the sounds of nature”. We may not all be early risers, but we all can appreciate the concept! We do want to mention that there are other unique sites here at Balsam Ridge, each one having it's own woodsy personality. For more information on our other sites check out Balsam Ridge Retreat. We're looking forward to a new season of camping and meeting some great folks!
Short walk to site
Campfires allowed
Toilet
Potable water
No pets
No showers
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Danny's Tent

100%
(190)
Canvas tent · Sleeps 2 · 1 bedroom · 1 bed · 1 toilet
Danny's Tent is a 10x12 canvas wall tent tucked in the woods at the far side of the pond.  The green tent sits on top of a wooden platform and the canvas is suspended by beautiful balsam logs from the forest. Inside the tent is a cozy queen size bed, as well as a small table, chairs and lamp (yes, there is electricity).  A small wood stove keeps the tent toasty warm in the cooler months. Firewood is available at the wood shed for $7/bundle.   ****Be sure to bring sleeping bags.**** There are pillows but no bedding provided here. Keep in mind that you’ll be sleeping in a TENT and even though there is a wood stove, it will get cold unless you feed the stove every 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Please don’t bring any additional electric heaters. We softened up a bit and put an electric heated mattress pad on the bed for those who aren't used to camping in the cooler months.  We highly recommend practicing your fire-building skills before you come! There's nothing like a cozy fire in the wood stove, but you must be able to start it and keep it going! The outdoor biffy is a short walk from the tent, and is not heated.  We do want to mention that there are other unique sites here at Balsam Ridge, each one having it's own woodsy personality. For more information on our other sites check out Balsam Ridge Retreat. We're looking forward to a new season of camping and meeting some great folks!
Short walk to site
Campfires allowed
Toilet
Potable water
No pets
No showers
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The Mini Coop

100%
(143)
Cabin · Sleeps 2 · 2 beds · 1 toilet
Once used to house chickens, bees, and garden tools,  the tiniest of tiny homes (Did I say TINY?! IT'S REALLY SMALL!!) is ready for new inhabitants and is tucked back in the farthest corner of our five acre lot. This little shelter isn't much bigger than a two-person tent, but you can stand up inside and know that you have a roof over your head and a small heater to keep you warm. The generous windows in front bring the forest right to you, almost as if you were sitting in the screen porch of a cabin, and the hiking trails are right out your window. A multi-function door has a built-in vent and also a barn sash window that opens out to a 7x7 wooden deck. A rocket stove sits right next to the deck along with a large wooden chair. The fire ring and another chair are right outside the front of the coop with dry firewood available for $7/bundle. The inside of the coop is enveloped in golden tongue and groove pine, and a long narrow couch/bed provides comfort for day or night use. (Note: The couch/bed is very narrow. Not exactly comfy for two people unless you like to spoon...a really tight spoon.) The top bunk (25" wide and 7 feet long) can be left in the upright position for storing personal gear, or folded down for an extra camper. Be sure to bring sleeping bags or blankets. There are some small pillows provided but no linens at this site. The birch wall lamp provides light for reading, and there is also an outlet for charging your phone (yes, there is electricity). The shared outhouse is just around the corner.  Enjoy a unique camping experience in this tiny (emphasis on TINY - really tiny) coop/cabin!
Short walk to site
Campfires allowed
Toilet
Potable water
No pets
No showers
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The Roost

100%
(70)
Cabin · Sleeps 2 · 1 bedroom · 1 bed · 1 toilet
A short walk from the parking area, "The Roost" offers a cozy spot for a single person or a couple. Originally built to house 25 chickens, this little cabin was converted into a guest house right in our back yard. (let me emphasize that. The Roost is the closest site to our home and has a bit of a privacy fence, but it is close to our house.) It's a tiny red cabin with a floor space of 96 square feet and 6'9" high at the peak of the ceiling. The three-quarter size bed is snugged up against the back wall and measures in at just 4 feet wide. ****The bed is made up with sheets, pillows, and a light quilt, but if it's cold, please bring an additional blanket or sleeping bag.**** We really enjoy feeding the tiny wood stove, and this little hummer will heat the Roost up like champ. After the wood burns out, an electric heater kicks in and keeps the Roost at a steady temperature during the night. A large stainless steel jug of drinking water will be on the shelf when you arrive. We will have firewood available for $7/bundle for you to make a campfire in the chiminea right out on the deck, or to use in the wood stove inside. Hmmmmm, what about the bathroom? We use a sawdust composting system at Balsam Ridge. Your "Loo" is tucked back in the corner of the Roost for inside use, but for real privacy and an 'outhouse' experience put your boots on and take a short walk over to the "Jackpot", a new-to-us composting biffy, compliments of the Superior National Forest.  We do have a nice addition here at Balsam Ridge that we call "The Back Porch". This is a large covered common space that is available for sitting outside in a comfortable rocker overlooking the pond. A piano awaits the novice musician and some books, games and puzzles are ready for action. Be sure to check out the other sites listed at Balsam Ridge Retreat!
Short walk to site
Campfires allowed
Toilet
Potable water
No pets
No showers
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Listening Point

100%
(60)
Vintage trailer · Sleeps 2 · 1 bedroom · 1 bed · 1 toilet
Listening Point has been the site for our in-house RV. For the past four years, we had a pop-up tent camper parked here, but now we've upgraded to a vintage trailer. This little "canned ham" is situated on top of the wooded ridge at our five acre retreat. She's tiny but packs a lot into an almost 12 foot 1960 faded Winnebago trailer. They thought of everything when this beauty was made. The three burner gas stove works like a charm as does the small white enamel kitchen sink (in season). A vintage refrigerator acts solely as a cooler, so bring some extra ice. The back couch will be pulled out ready for cozy sleeping. The bed itself is almost as big as a full size bed, but not quite. If you're a tall person it will be a tad tight, just so you're aware. It measures 48" wide and 6'2" tall. We'll have it made up with a bottom fitted sheet, top sheet, two clean pillows, and a quilt. If you need more you might want to pack an extra blanket. A small electric heater is available for the chilly nights. The shared outhouse is a very short walk away. A fire ring, rocket stove, and picnic table are all right at your site. If you would like to engage with others, take a stroll down the path to the "back porch" by the pond. The community area there provides a few activities such as fishing, carpet-ball, piano playing, and some random books and games.
Short walk to site
Campfires allowed
Toilet
Potable water
No pets
No showers
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The Canvas Cottage

99%
(53)
Canvas tent · Sleeps 2 · 1 bedroom · 2 beds · 1 toilet
Have you ever sat in a screen porch and watched the moon come up and then listened to the owls converse all around you? That's a very real possibility at The Canvas Cottage where weathered green canvas and lots of screened windows separate you from the picturesque North Woods. It's hard to believe you are in the city limits of Duluth until you hear the soft horn from the Aerial Lift bridge and are reminded that downtown is only minutes away. The Canvas Cottage is nestled in the middle of five acres thick with balsam trees mixed with towering maples and one or two stray oak trees. The pond is within site of the front porch and is teeming with life. Tadpoles, a plethora of turtles, and a chorus of frogs in the springtime are constant entertainment for nature lovers. The furnishings inside the Cottage are simple with comfy twin beds, an old rocking chair, and a long end table with a lamp and a deck of cards,  On the front porch are two wrought iron chairs that overlook the fire ring and a comfortable hammock ready for a lazy afternoon snooze. The rocket stove is perched next to a picnic table for cooking a one-pot meal, and a water spigot is just a few steps away providing cold potable water.   We do our best to keep everything as clean as possible. ****Please bring your own bedding!**** The beds will have pillows with clean pillowcases, but there is only a top sheet over a mattress pad, so bring whatever you need for a comfortable night's sleep. Firewood is available for $7/bundle.
Short walk to site
Campfires allowed
Toilet
Potable water
No pets
No showers

Reviews

100%· 1.1K reviews

Themes

  • Review summary

    Generated from real Hipcamper reviews

    Campers at Balsam Ridge Retreat have consistently shared glowing reviews about their stays, emphasizing the warm hospitality of hosts Linda and Chris. Visitors appreciate the thoughtful and intentional setup of the campsite, which combines privacy with communal spaces like hiking trails and a giant swing. Many guests mention the charming environment and the convenience of being close to Duluth while feeling immersed in nature. The site has become a favorite for families and solo travelers alike, with multiple reviews promising return visits.

  • Cj J.

    Camped at The Stuga, Nov 2026.

    Recommends

    I had a very lovely weekend away from the city! The grounds were beautiful and the Stuga was super cozy. Ill defintely be back!

  • Josh S.

    Camped at The Roost, Nov 2026.

    Recommends

    This was my 3rd time at balsam ridge. Stayed in the roost and had an amazing weekend end. This is a perfect location and getaway filled with so much whimsy and magic. My favorite spot is the community center where I can enjoy a fire and play games, guitar, or the piano. I cannot give enough credit to our host Chris and Linda for how much work and heart they have put into this place. Absolutely love coming here.

  • Diana B.

    Camped at The Roost, Oct 2026.

    Recommends

    Amazing as always! We will be back! Thank you again!

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Amenities

  • Fire pitsPrivate fire pit at each site · Firewood provided, Firepit, Communal, Wood burning fireplace
  • Portable toilets
  • Potable waterSpigot, Tap, Bottled water or jugs
  • Picnic tablesAt some sites
  • Cooking equipmentAt some sites · Private, Oven, Stovetop or hot plate, Fridge, Cookware, Cooking utensils, Dishware, Cutlery, Sink or other dishwashing station, Grill over firepit
  • No showers
  • No wifi
  • No laundry
  • No trash disposal
  • No hot tub
  • No playground

Things to know

  • Walk-in access2WD accessible. Short walk from parking to your site.
  • No pets allowedPets can't join this trip.
  • Campfires allowedAlways review local fire regulations before enjoying a campfire.
  • Check-in processYou'll meet and greet with your host Linda upon arrival.
  • Cancellation policyFlexible at some sites; Moderate at the others. Full refund 24 hours before check in time starts.
  • Check-in and check-outCheck-in at 2pm. Check-out at 12pm.
  • Booking windowBook from 12 hours to 6 months ahead. Stay at least 2 nights. Stay up to 7 nights depending on the site.

Location

Duluth, St. Louis, Minnesota, United StatesTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking

Your Host

Linda P.Joined August 2019

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