Welcome to Cabin 3 at Wa-Ga-Tha-Ka Resort—your snug two-bedroom retreat tucked into towering red pines on the crystal-clear shores of Lake Wabana. Step through the screen door and you’re greeted by knotty-pine walls, wide windows that frame the water, and the gentle hush of waves lapping just beyond the deck. Mornings here unfold slowly: sip coffee on the porch swing while loons call across the bay and sunlight dapples the shoreline. Inside, an open living-and-kitchen space keeps the conversation flowing from breakfast pancakes to late-night card games. Two airy bedrooms (one queen, one twin-over-twin bunk) sleep up to four guests comfortably, with fresh linens and plenty of storage for fishing gear or extra sweaters.
As the day heats up, the lake becomes your backyard playground. Slip off the dock for a refreshing swim, push off in a resort canoe, or cast a line straight from shore—Wabana’s walleye and smallmouth won’t keep you waiting long. When the sun dips low, wander back to your private fire ring, roast s’mores over a crackling blaze, and count the stars blooming above the tall treetops. Inside, a classic wood-stove-style gas fireplace knocks the chill off northern evenings while you stream a movie or swap stories about the one that got away.
Even in a quiet moment, there’s an unmistakable sense that you’re part of something bigger—25 wooded acres where eagle nests, sauna steam, and the friendly buzz of the main lodge game room all weave together. Whether you’re plotting tomorrow’s bike ride on the Mesabi Trail or simply listening to wind in the birches, Cabin 3 is that sweet spot between rustic camp memories and just-right modern comforts.
Vintage soul, refreshed details. Built in the 1950s with locally milled pine, Cabin 3 still sports its original half-log siding and hand-hewn beams, yet the 2024 renovation quietly introduced full-house Wi-Fi, quartz countertops, and a deep farmhouse sink tucked beneath a picture window. The result is a space that feels both storied and sparkling.
Front-row lake life. Unlike some resort units set back in the second row, Cabin 3 perches fewer than 40 feet from the shoreline. From your picnic table you can watch youngsters splashing at the swimming beach, keep an eye on your bobber, and still dash inside for snacks without missing a sunset.
Private perks within a community vibe. Guests enjoy their own charcoal grill, Adirondack chairs, and dedicated dock slip, yet you’re steps from shared amenities: a wood-fired Finnish sauna, sand volleyball court, and the quirky “Wabanapoly” board in the rec hall. It’s the perfect balance for couples seeking quiet mornings and families chasing all-day action.
Start the day paddling a glassy-calm Lake Wabana. Grab a complimentary resort canoe at dawn and trace the shoreline as mist lifts off the water; you might spot loons, otters, or even a soaring bald eagle heading to its nest on the eastern point. Prefer speed? Rent a 15-horse fishing skiff at the marina and explore Little Wabana’s hidden coves in search of trophy walleye.
When you need dry land, lace up for the Taconite State Trail right in Grand Rapids—it’s paved for the first stretch, making an easy out-and-back bike ride through whispering aspen stands. Mountain bikers can push their limits at Tioga Recreation Area, a purpose-built flow network just 10 minutes away that’s getting rave reviews statewide.
For a dash of history, step into 1900s lumber-camp life at the Forest History Center, or click your ruby slippers over to the Judy Garland Museum where Grand Rapids’ most famous daughter grew up. Art lovers will find rotating exhibits at Macrostie Art Center, while live-music buffs can grab last-minute tickets at the Reif Performing Arts Center—both within a 20-minute drive.
Cap off the evening with a craft pint at Klockow Brewing or wood-fired pizza at Rapids Brewing Co., then pick up cinnamon-roll French toast from Brewed Awakenings for tomorrow’s breakfast on the deck. However you fill your days, you’ll always drift back to the crackle of your own campfire and the hush of pine-scented night.
BOOK DIRECT
$1195
-
$1195
per week
$1554 - $1554 per week
May & September - 2-night minimum stay.
2-Bedroom cabins (Cabins #2 and #3) $1195.00/week. Sleeps 4 guests.
Extra cabin guests: $25/day - $100/week
-Dogs: $50/week - $10/day. Dogs must have current vaccinations, remain well‑behaved, and owners are responsible for cleanup and any damage.
Click on our website link and print out a “Vacation Checklist”
Check-In: Saturdays at 4:00 PM
Check-Out: Saturdays at 9:00 AM
36363 Wabana Lake Road
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
See this location on Google Maps
763-420-4644
612-968-9055
If you call, mention "Rent Minnesota Cabins". Visit website (if
listed) then return and send your inquiry.
This owner/manager offers online booking
“Wa‑Ga‑Tha‑Ka” means “dwelling place among the birch trees” in the Ojibwe language—a fitting name for a resort that has sheltered three generations of the Miner family and thousands of happy lake‑lovers. Schoolteachers Morey and Barbara Miner first opened the doors in the mid‑1920s as a summer side‑gig; it quickly became their life’s calling. Together with their sons Jon and Doug, they welcomed guests for more than six decades, teaching fishing tips and Northwoods lore with the same patience they once brought to the classroom.
Today, grandsons Mark and Jay—along with their own kids—carry the torch. You’ll still spot the original log beams and birch‑tree shoreline that captivated Morey and Barbara, but you’ll also notice smart updates: comfy beds, faster Wi‑Fi, and well‑equipped cabins that make lake life effortless. What hasn’t changed is our family’s promise: every guest arrives as a visitor and leaves feeling like part of the Wa‑Ga‑Tha‑Ka story.
Whether you’re paddling out at sunrise, swapping stories around a crackling fire, or teaching the next generation how to reel in a walleye, we’re here to make your time on Lake Wabana unforgettable. Come write your own chapter among the birch trees—we’ll have the porch light on.