Peaceful Seclusion on your own private Retreat!

Sugar River Retreat – A 50-Acre Private Nature Haven 

Unwind, explore, and repeat. Sugar River Retreat is your private 50-acre sanctuary near Wisconsin’s Driftless Area. More than a getaway, it’s a true nature haven — where woodlands, wetlands, and meadows meet a sparkling three-acre lake and the winding waters of Norwegian Creek. Here, mornings start with birdsong, afternoons call you to wander shaded trails or paddle the creek, and evenings end around the fire under a canopy of stars.

Norwegian Creek

Step into adventure: Norwegian Creek meanders through the property, offering you direct access for kayaking or paddleboarding under a charming, historic covered bridge. Follow its gentle current all the way to the Sugar River, where larger waters await, or continue to Decatur Lake for wide open boating and fishing. Every ripple, every bend in the creek, promises a new discovery.

Nature - Undisturbed 

Norwegian Creek winds beneath the historic covered bridge, where a busy beaver dam adds its own mark on the landscape. Framed by Dogwood, wild grasses, and wetland blooms, this view captures the quiet rhythm of life at Sugar River Retreat — a place where nature and history meet in harmony.

$207-832/night
3 Bedrooms • 3 Baths (2 full, 1 half) • Sleeps 3-6
Allows pets Internet Fireplace Lakefront (more...)

Welcome to Sugar River Retreat, a 50-acre haven near the Driftless Area, offering an idyllic blend of adventure and relaxation. Explore the pure waters of Norwegian Creek by kayak, passing under a historic covered bridge adjacent to the property. Fish from the dock on a private lake or hike trails that weave through this private nature preserve. This secluded escape offers a rare connection to nature’s beauty in Southern Wisconsin’s breathtaking outdoors.

INDOOR AMENITIES
• Dart board
• Smart TV
• Board games and toys
• Wood burning fireplace (firewood complimentary with your stay)
• Telescope for gazing at the night stars
• Game room w/giant connect 4, mini pool table, and Ms. Pacman arcade

OUTDOOR AMENITIES
• 4 Kayaks and paddleboat included
• Kids and adult fishing poles provided
• Tetherball
• Catch and release fishing on our private lake

DOG POLICY
A $100/fee/dog applies. We require all dogs to be
• House broken & well behaved
• Current vaccinations
• Free of Fleas

This property has special local compliance requirements which include

• ID verification
• Names of all guests (Wisconsin State Requirement)
• A signed rental agreement
• A $1000 security hold or optional $69 damage waiver

We use Happy Guest, a secure, app-free guest portal that makes check-in easy and stress-free. You’ll get everything in one place: arrival info, house rules, and all our favorite local spots. No downloads. No logins. Just simple and safe.

Sugar River Retreat is a living landscape. Our 50 acres of prairie, woodlands, and wetlands are being actively restored to support a diverse and healthy ecosystem. We are proud to partner with the Southern Wisconsin Land Conservancy (SWLC) in developing and carrying out our conservation goals.
Because restoration doesn’t follow a strict schedule, you may occasionally see us—or our partners—working in distant parts of the property. Activities might include seed collection, trail maintenance, or removing invasive plants. Rest assured, all work takes place far from the cabin, yard, and lake to ensure your privacy and relaxation.
From time to time, the University of Wisconsin also hosts workshops in the wetlands or along Norwegian Creek, giving guests a unique glimpse into hands-on conservation in action.

Property Type Log Cabin
Accommodation Entire Home
Check-In Smart lock
House Rules
  • Maximum occupancy: 6
  • Children welcome
  • Infants welcome
  • Smoking not allowed
  • Wheelchair inaccessible
  • Minimum age of primary renter: 21
  • Pets welcome
Setting & View
  • Water View
  • Lake
  • River
  • Lakefront
  • Lake View
  • Rural
  • Waterfront
  • Lake Access
General
  • Fireplace
  • Air Conditioning
  • Central Heating
  • Linens Provided
  • Towels Provided
  • Washing Machine
  • Clothes Dryer
  • Hot Water
  • Private Living Room
  • Hair Dryer
  • Firewood Provided
  • Wifi
  • Basic Soaps
  • Paper Towels
  • Shampoo
  • Toilet Paper
  • Hangers
  • Private Entrance
  • Lock On Bedroom Door
  • Extra Pillows & Blankets
  • Body Soap
  • Hair Conditioner
  • Clothing Storage (closet or wardrobe)
Kitchen
  • Refrigerator
  • Stove
  • Oven
  • Microwave
  • Dishes & Utensils
  • Coffee Maker
  • Toaster
  • Freezer
  • Kettle
  • Pots & Pans
  • Kitchen Island
  • Dining Table
  • Baking Sheet
  • Barbeque/Grill Utensils
  • Coffee
  • Wine Glasses
Bathrooms 3 Baths (2 full, 1 half)
  • Master Bath – Jetted Tub, Shower, Toilet
  • Main Level Bathroom – Toilet
  • Downstairs Bathroom – Combination Tub/Shower, Toilet
Sleeping Arrangements 3 Bedrooms, sleeps 3-6
  • Master – 1 King bed
  • Bedroom 2-Lakeview – 1 Queen bed
  • Bedroom 3-Forestview – 1 Queen bed
Entertainment
  • Satellite/Cable
  • DVD Player
  • Games/Board Games
  • Books
  • Toys
  • Game Room
  • Smart TV
  • Piano
  • Arcade Machine
  • Life Size Games
Family
  • Fireplace Guards
  • Children's Books & Toys
Outdoor
  • Outdoor Grill
  • Deck/Patio (uncovered)
  • Balcony/Terrace
  • Lawn/Garden
  • Kayak/Canoe
  • Private Yard
  • Fire Pit
  • Sun Loungers
Vehicles
  • Parking
  • Garage
  • Free Parking
  • Free Parking On Premises
Theme
  • Family
  • Tourist Attractions
Leisure
  • Antiquing
  • Bird Watching
  • Eco Tourism
  • Horseback Riding
  • Paddle Boating
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Water Sports
Sports & Adventure
  • Cycling
  • Cross Country Skiing
  • Fishing
  • Fly Fishing
  • Freshwater Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Kayaking
  • Pier Fishing
  • Swimming
Safety
  • Carbon Monoxide Detector
  • Deadbolt Lock
  • Emergency Exit Route
  • Fire Emergency Contact
  • Fire Extinguisher
  • First Aid Kit
  • Medical Emergency Contact
  • Exterior Lighting
  • Police Emergency Contact
  • Smoke Detector
  • Enhanced Cleaning Practices
  • Cleaning Disinfection
  • Common Surface Disinfectant Cleaned
  • Cleaning Products
Expectations
  • Cameras/Surveillance
  • Near Lake, River, or Water Body
  • Noise Monitor
Check Out Tasks
  • Turn Things Off
  • Throw Away Trash
  • Lock Up
  • Gather Towels
  • Additional Requests