The Writers Cabin-Sauna/hot tub/river access

Welcome to the Writer’s Cabin at Wilder Retreat on the Saint Croix.
A place to unplug and unwind. Designed to slow you down and reconnect you with nature.
This thoughtfully designed tiny cabin blends beauty and comfort, with access to the saint croix river and use of wood-fired sauna and wood-fired hot tub and outdoor shower.
The cabin features a queen bed in the loft, cooktop, solar power, and a pump sink. A gas fireplace keeps things cozy in the winter months.
Come to rest. Leave restored.



We will give you as much privacy as you want! We do enjoy meeting guests if the opportunity arises. We are close by if you need anything during your stay such as more firewood or a water refill.

Guests can pull directly up to the cabin and park right by it. There is a key pad to access the cabin. Code will be provided to you in the check in details.

The river is just a 1/2 mile hike down with a portion of the hike that has a steeper incline on the river at back up. I would call it an intermediate hike.
Please do not drive down the access road. It is hiking only.

There is a federal campground at the river as well with picnic tables, fire pits, toilets and water access in the warmer months. Sand beach is off to the left once you reach the river.

The Writers Cabin is a small pine cabin/tiny house with a sleeping loft with a queen sized memory foam bed, sofa, and a built in dining area. The cabin sits behind our farmhouse at a distance over looking the river valley. The loft is accessible by a very sturdy steel and wood ladder but we ask that you choose to use it is at your own risk. There is a guard rail in the loft for safety.

There is a two burner propane cooktop, as well as a pump sink (water can be heated with the tea kettle) for doing dishes or water, and the kitchen is equipped with basic cooking pans and knives, as well as dishes and utensils.

The cabin is solar powered. There is a propane gas wood stove fireplace that keeps the cabin cozy in the colder months. We supply fans in the summer. Tea kettle, chemex pour over coffee maker, ground coffee, tea, salt and pepper and olive oil are provided as well as basic cooking supplies.
The cabin does not have a fridge so make sure to bring a cooler.
Outdoor picnic table and Adirondack chairs at the campfire (solo stove).
Hammock.

We are just a few miles away from, canoe/kayak/riverboat rentals, wineries,Orchards, the Franconia sculpture park, state parks, hiking trails, skiing, and great food. Please see the local guide inside the cabin for local recommendations.

SAUNA/HOT TUB
Guests are able to sign up upon arrival (sign up sheet on sauna fence) for a two hour time slot to use our private Nordic wood fired sauna, goodland red cedar wood fired hot tub, and outdoor shower (shower and bath are only available in warmer months only approx May-October). Sauna and hot tub are year round.

*Please Note:

The wood fired hot tub requires approximately 2 hours of time (with occasional stoking of the fire and stirring of the water) from starting the fire to bring it up to the recommended temperature (104 degrees). It's a meditative process and can be checked on as you go about your stay. In colder temps it can take longer to warm up.

*If you prefer to have the hot tub pre-heated upon arrival or during your stay, please inquire about this additional fee/ service.

A note about the sauna:

The sauna is wonderful and I have towels and washcloths and water to create steam with essential oils and also highly recommend doing rounds of hot sauna and going outside to cool off, hot tub can also be used to cold plunge.. Make sure it’s going really well then fully load it, making sure the main stove door is shut and the bottom shutters are open fuller to allow oxygen to the fire, and it should heat up within 35-40 minutes. Ideal temps around 180.

*If you’d like to have the sauna warmed up for you, please inquire about this additional service.

NOTE: Prior to your stay we require you to sign and agree to our rental agreement.

Note: The cabin sits behind our farmhouse at a distance over looking the river valley. We will respect your privacy during your stay.

The private sauna/hot tub/outdoor shower area is available to sign up and are included in your stay. NOTE: Outdoor shower is available May-October.

There is an add on spa service option to have us light the sauna and or hot tub for you for an added fee. You will see this add on option when you book with us!

Note: We provide water from our sink for the cabin which is well water that has been tested and is safe. However, most guests bring drinking water and just use the sink water for cooking and doing dishes.

Note: This is an off the grid cabin and we encourage you to unplug here. No WiFi, but you can use data or a hotspot. We have a decent signal here. The cabin is solar powered with a cedar outhouse, pump sink. Fans are provided but no ac.

Note: There are no window coverings in the cabin, this is on purpose to let as much light in as possible. The windows face the river valley and the woods provide their own privacy! But please be mindful if this is something you won’t be comfortable with.

Note: Our farmhouse and land borders federal land and the river, and we are also off of a road that will generate some noise... more so when the tourist season picks up in the river valley. We ask that guests remain on the road to the river on the map and don’t trespass on our neighbors land to the east and to the north.

We do have dogs and chickens at our farm.

Frequently Asked questions:

What’s the bathroom situation?
There is a cedar outhouse.
Guests can sign up for a time slot to use our wood fired Nordic sauna, wood fired hot tub, and outdoor shower that is available to use in the warmer months. Sign up sheet is on the sauna fence.

I highly recommend a dip in the river to rinse off! The water is clean and refreshing. Once you reach the river, follow the path that leads to the left to access the larger sand beach. The Saint Croix river is an extremely clean river. The current is safe at the beach but please don’t try to swim across the river. Swimming is at your own risk as the current can be unpredictable. Please wear life jackets if you are not a strong swimmer.

“Can I check in early?”
I do my best to accommodate early check ins, but if the cabin is booked back to back I may not be able to.

“Do you rent kayaks or canoes?”
We don't rent, but there are some great places nearby that do! We highly recommend getting out on or in the river!

“Can you recommend places to visit or to eat?”
Please check the local guide that is inside the cabin for places to eat, drink, shop and local attractions! I love giving local recommendations! Please ask me if there is something specific you want a recommendation on!

“Is there water in the cabin?”
Yes, there is water in the pump sink for doing dishes. We ask that guests wash their own dishes and pots and pans etc. before checking out. Water can be heated on the propane stove in the tea kettle for hot dish washing water.

“Is there electricity?”
The cabin is solar powered. Keep in mind the battery can only provide a certain amount of electricity. Keep this in mind when plugging in devices or leaving fans or lights on.

“Is there a campfire area?”
Yes, we do have a campfire area (solo stove) and we supply wood for it. Keep in mind its not and all you can burn situation. Please burn only what you need. But we will refill wood for you if needed!

“Is there a fridge?”
No fridge in the cabin, so we recommend just packing your food in a cooler.

“Is there river access?”
Yes, there is a map to the river inside the cabin. It’s a half mile intermediate hike down with an incline on the way back up. There is a campground at the river called “eagles nest” that has picnic tables, fire rings, bathrooms and a water source. The campground is maintained only in season.
The Sand beach is off the left once you reach the river follow the path to the left and you’ll find it.

Violation charges are as follows:
Guests will be charged $500 for any smoke inside the property.
Unapproved pets bought to the property $300
Unapproved guests: $150 per person per night
Parties will result in immediate eviction without a refund.
Property left excessively dirty will result in an added cleaning fee of $250 to cover added cleaning costs.

Cette cabane ne manque pas de petits plus. Sur place, vous trouverez notamment un accès aux pistes de ski, un bain à remous, et un sauna. Cette cabane offre également un jardin et un distributeur d'eau.

Cette cabane de Shafer est non-fumeurs.