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Balsam Ridge Retreat

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· Duluth, St. Louis, Minnesota

5 acres hosted by Linda P.

6 lodging sites

Best in Minnesota: 1st place

Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2024.

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.

Romantic

Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is romantic.

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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939 ratings · 790 reviews

Betsy L.recommends

October 23, 2024

Gökotta (Swedish for "dawn picnic")

Hospitality done right!

Linda and Chris were incredible hosts. Their place is beautiful, intentional. There is so much to do right on site that we could have stayed there the whole time without even going into town. However, being as the location is so perfect, and we rarely get to Duluth - we were so grateful to be only minutes from all of Duluth has to offer. Linda and Chris are gems and we can't wait to come visit them again!

Lizzie D.recommends

October 21, 2024

The Roost

We loved our experience at Balsam Ridge Resort! Since returning home just a few days ago, we've already recommended this place to a few friends and want to return again. Linda and Chris were incredibly welcoming and made sure we were comfortable from start to finish. The resort and The Roost are incredibly well thought out, with special touches at every turn. The location is just a few minutes from the necessities (groceries and coffee), yet it felt like we were far into the woods because it was so quiet and serene. Even with other guests, it felt private. While we spent much of our days hiking and on the North Shore, the resort had tons of activities for those who want to slow down and enjoy the scenery. Highly recommend you book this place NOW!

Alisha H.recommends

October 21, 2024

Danny's Tent

Quiet getaway

Dennys tent was cozy, clean and our weekend was perfection! Our host's we're so kind and fun. Ty

Kristin K.recommends

October 20, 2024

The Mini Coop

Wonderful! A+++

I very much enjoyed my time at Balsam Ridge and the Mini-Coop. I was in need of some "outside/me time" and appreciated that it came without the typical work that goes along with camping. The hosts, Linda and Chris, have put a lot of time and effort into their property and each site, so it was super easy to relax. The Mini-Coop was amazing, seriously! There are some thoughtful little amenities in there and it's very well & cleverly built. It was much more like glamping than camping! FYI, the Mini-Coop does not have a fire ring, it has a metal chiminea which allowed me to have a camp fire. The sites and trails are well maintained, there are carts for your stuff and it's easy to get settled in. The community area, the armchairs within and the view were a nice touch. I also appreciated the location: tucked away and quiet, yet still very close to all of the cool things Duluth has to offer. Linda and Chris were very welcoming and accommodating. They where super responsive with communication as well as a little maintenance issue that camp up. I look forward to my next opportunity to book a stay at Balsam Ridge and I'd recommend it to anyone who is comfortable with a short walk from car to camp site.

Lane H.recommends

October 20, 2024

The Stuga

As always, Linda & Chris were amazing hosts! This was our third or fourth trip to the Stuga and somehow our time there gets better with each visit. All details of the space are so well thought out and cared for - the perfect place to relax any time of year!

Charlotte C.recommends

October 16, 2024

Danny's Tent

A perfect October getaway

We loved Danny's tent, and cannot say enough good about our hosts Chris and Linda who were kind, attentive, had great recommendations for us, and have such an incredible property.

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