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Balsam Ridge Retreat

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· Duluth, St. Louis, Minnesota
5 acres hosted by Linda P.
6 lodging sites
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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.
Family-friendly
Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is great for families and kids.
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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804 ratings · 677 reviews
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Heidi M.recommends
March 5, 2024
Gökotta (Swedish for "dawn picnic")
Gokatta
Gokatta is the perfect location to hear the owls and wake up in the morning with coffee and listen to the birds. we were there in early March, so the woodburning stove took the chill off. And the electric cover on the bed made it very cozy! We really enjoyed it!
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Heidi M.recommends
March 3, 2024
The Stuga
Goketta and Stuga stay
We loved our stay at Linda’s! It felt like stepping into a Norwegian glamp-ground. So fun! We rated in the Stuga and Gokatta- I really loved the tent with heat and electricity for hot water! Hiking trails right out the door also wonderful.
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Hannah S.recommends
February 26, 2024
The Stuga
My sister and I are quickly approaching visits in the double digits! Our "Aunt" Linda and "Uncle" Chris are some of the very best people we know, and this is the most perfect place to relax and recharge. Our visits go by WAY too quickly and we're always discussing when to book our next trip. Balsam Ridge feels like going home:)
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Mac Kenzie B.recommends
February 21, 2024
The Stuga
a nature lover’s heaven!
what a beautiful escape linda & chris have created! they have a whole little community on their property- different rental sites, a pond they turn into an ice rink in the winter, a beautiful hike on the property with a hand-drawn map, and many places to hang out outside with fire pits, swings, and a super cool outdoor porch with a piano. the stuga had a outdoor bathroom behind it and the option to walk to another (enclosed) bathroom nearby. i found it wonderfully freeing to do my business outside in the snow fall! the cabin had all the essentials including a stove, mini fridge, and utensils/cookware. the window with the bird feeder right outside was my absolute favorite!!! it was a wonderful escape while being close to duluth. chris & linda are simply the most wonderful humans. they met me on arrival to give me a tour which was much appreciated! they are so clearly passionate about the outdoors and providing their guests with an unforgettable experience. this is a perfect place for any guests - families, couples, a family retreat if you rent multiple sites out. my heart was so full when i left after a short weekend and am already looking forward to my return trip. the best hipcamp/airbnb experience i’ve EVER had!
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Benjamin H.recommends
February 19, 2024
The Roost
What a rejuvenating few days. The hosts were so warm and welcoming, the space was cozy, warm, and quiet. You felt like you were in the middle of no where despite being close to town. the Roost was perfect for just me (I’m 6’4” and had plenty of room) , but a couple could stay here too if they wanted to get close. I’ll be coming back with the family next time to stay in one of their other tents!
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John V.recommends
February 18, 2024
The Stuga
Book a stay now!
We loved our stay at the Stuga. It was super warm and cozy. There was so much to do on the grounds. We were pleasantly surprised to be able to ice skate on the frozen pond. There's also lots of hiking trails nearby! Hiking through a frozen cedar swamp was a highlight of our stay. Linda and Chris are excellent hosts and very accommodating. We'll definitely be back.
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
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Hosted by Linda P.Joined in June 2018
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