An outdoor enthusiasts dream awaits at Rockhound Hideaway's Shell Cabin, with opportunities for hiking, biking, fishing, boating and everything in between. Take in the views from your back deck, relax around the bonfire, enjoy walk to Lake Superior, hike or snowshoes the North Country Trail to waterfalls or take a day trip to the Porkies. Don't forget to visit Downtown Ironwood and experience its charm for yourself. Amazing star gazing and Northern Lights potential! 420 Friendly for 21&up.
The space
This location is any outdoor enthusiast's dream, with an adorable cabin to unwind and watch deer pass by in after a day taking in nature during any season. A perfect place to relax and unwind after hiking, skiing, snowshoeing or taking advantage of all the area has to offer.
The Shell cabin is ideal for two and can accommodate four guests when using the pull out couch in the living room. Rockhound Hideaway is situated on the edge of the Ottawa National Forest with access to the Black River (and a waterfall!) from the property. There are several waterfalls within walking or snowshoeing distance by following national scenic trail, the North Country Trail. Lake Superior and Black River Harbor beach are one mile up the road, truly a local's gem. There is a private part time residence at the end of my driveway that has an easement to access their home so this is not a completely secluded location, but your back deck, bonfire ring and outdoor grilling space all are the opposite direction of the neighboring homes with a view into the woods. Rockhound Hideaway also offers two other lodging units- a glamping bell tent that can accommodate 2 guests and a redesigned Shasta trailer. All of the spaces offered for this cabin are private for your group, but you may encounter other guests on your way down to the waterfall on the back of the property or at the parking area. If you are looking to accommodate a larger group, I do offer discounted rates for those looking to book the entire property. Please message for entire property prices.
There is a bonfire pit for private use by Shell cabin guests that you can use any season, however if there is a fire ban unfortunately it is off limits. In the winter you will need to shovel it out if you want to use it. *fire pit may not be used during fire bans. XC ski trails and downhill resorts are all nearby.
(Important note: This cabin operates on a well so be mindful of water use. If 4 guests are staying, you may want to space out showers. There is enough parking for you for 2 vehicles next to your cabin. This property is not well suited for trailer or boat parking).
Also, a very rare opportunity exists just a few miles down the road to take an adventure ride to the top of a ski jump for some truly spectacular views, especially in the Fall during leaf change!! (the jump is not open in the winter but still quite a sight to see)
Guest access
You are welcome to explore the property, use the bonfire pit (keep fires reasonable and safe and check if there is a burn ban) and there is a charcoal grill for your use, BYO Charcoal and I provide 1 bundle of firewood under the blue tarp. You can purchase additional firewood from me, but I also encourage guests to take advantage of my favorite activity- beach bonfires under the stars on the lake. There is no shortage of driftwood for beach bonfires.
Please be respectful of the wildlife, nature and the neighbors. ** bonfire pit not accessible in the winter unless you want to dig it out but I do have 2 sets of snowshoes in your cabin for your use! There is an almost completed outdoor shared space- The Kitchigami Commons, for all guests to use a short walk away from the cabin. The shared space has a outdoor fireplace, playing cards, yard games and two tubes for guests to take out and enjoy on the lake. Please help yourself to the water tubes, just return them to Kitchigami Commons when you are done. (Kitchigami Commons is the yellow concrete structure visible from your back deck... it is also where we cook down our sap and turn it into maple syrup during mapling season!)
Sauna Hours & Rules:
$10 per guest, per stay charge for the sauna to help offset the time/cost of firewood. Did you use the sauna several times? Or just appreciate the effort I put into building it and splitting wood? Feel free to donate extra to the cause!
Pay via Airbnb app prior to use, or leave cash or check in your rental until upon checkout.
Open 8:30am-10:30pm.
Closed for cleaning from 3-4pm daily.
Open to all guests on property from 4-6pm.
-You may not make a private reservation from 4-6pm, but you are welcome to use it! Other guests may also be using it at that time. Clothing optional during private reservation times, bathing suits required during open hours.
Open for private reservations from 8:30am-3pm and 6pm-10:30pm.
If you would like to reserve a private time for the sauna, please visit the sauna and reserve your time on the reservation calendar. Please be mindful of other guests and don't pick the same time every day.
Please be respectful of other guests and do not overstay your reservation.
All minors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Use by minors is at the discretion of their guardian.
Each party is allotted 90 minutes for private sauna use per day. 30 minutes to start the fire and heat the sauna, 1 hour maximum in the sauna for safety (this includes your time to dress and exit the sauna). Please be out of the sauna space at the end of your reservation to be respectful of guests arriving for the next reservation.
Use at your own risk.
Consult your physician or do not use the sauna if you are pregnant or have any health condition that could be problematic with high heat.
No alcohol permitted in the sauna. No using the sauna when intoxicated. If you feel dizzy or light-headed, get out immediately.
Drink plenty of water before, during and after the sauna.
ALL surfaces in the sauna will be hot to the touch! Pour water on the benches before sitting down to reduce surface heat. All parts of the wood stove will be EXTREMELY HOT to the touch. Do not touch any part of the wood stove when it is hot. Use the welding gloves provided to open the stove door.
There is paper, kindling, and some firewood inside the changing room. More wood is stacked outside the changing room door under the black plastic. Please keep cover on wood to help keep it dry.
A blue barrel with water will either be outside the sauna entrance or in the changing room, depending on the outside temperature. This water is for your bathing use in the sauna. There are a couple smaller buckets in the sauna you can fill from the blue barrel.
To start the fire, open the drawer under the stove door a few inches before building the fire in the main compartment. That drawer helps allow more air into the fire box. Once the fire is going well, close the drawer most or all of the way. Do not set anything on top of the stove. From my experience, it takes 30 minutes to get the sauna hot. Get the fire going and fill with wood, check it again in 15 minutes to add more wood, then return 15 minutes later to take a sauna, it will be plenty warm to enjoy.
Make sure the door to the sauna room is closed or it will not heat as efficiently.
There is a drain in the sauna under the stove, but with heavy water use, it can pool on the floor. If you notice pooling when you are done, please use the floor squeegee provided to help push it towards the drain.
When you are done using the sauna, please sweep excess water towards the drain, push the stove drawer all the way in, close all doors, and turn out the light on your way out.
Sauna location:
The Sauna is the tall dark brown building with lots of windows on half of it. The windowed side is the sunroom/my office, it is still under construction. The side without windows is the sauna.
To get to the sauna, follow the string of lights, which begin at the common area and end at the sauna. The lights will remain on during open hours and shut off automatically at closing time.
Thank you for enjoying this space and let me know if you have thoughts on ways I can make this more enjoyable or the instructions more clear!
Other things to note
There is no cellphone reception. Some phones can pick up reception 3 miles up the road at the Conglomerate Falls parking area. I do offer my wifi but it is limited and it does not always work so please download videos/music prior to arrival, or just enjoy the lack of communication with the outside world!
Rockhound Hideaway is a pet friendly property. Please keep pets on their leash when in common spaces, but well behaved and non aggressive dogs are welcome to be off leash at your private lodging outdoor areas. You will be charged for destructive pets. I do ask that you message me first just so I can be aware of furry friends. Please pick up after your pet when on a trail or common area, and check the area surrounding the cabin before checkout.
There is no freezer in the cabin's mini fridge, if you have frozen items, please bring a cooler for storage, or in the winter items can be left in your vehicle.
The entire Cabin area/fire pit/grill is private for your use. You may encounter other guests on your walk to the vehicle, down to the waterfall on the back of the property, or at a common outdoor space for guests who care to mingle. The common space, is currently under construction but still available for use when I am not actively working on it. It provides an outdoor fire place, seating, a lawn toss game, and most importantly, a place for all guests to mingle if they would like!
420 Friendly for 21 and up. Woman Owned. LGBTQ+
