Orchard Acres | Charming Lake Superior Retreat

Feel your worries slip away at Orchard Acres. This is a classic Northwoods retreat, tucked away on four wooded acres and full of nostalgic touches. You’ll love looking out at the trees, wandering through the gardens, and admiring your own secret glimpse of Lake Superior. With two beds and two baths and tons of woodland, not to mention all that cozy garden space, Orchard Acres is an intimate hideaway with enough room for everyone to hang out together—and find their own peace by the lake.

Your host runs Bark Point Ventures, a vacation rental management & concierge company that specializes in properties on Lake Superior's South Shore. We're nearby and we're always available to assist our guests. Our passion is ensuring guests experience the magic of the South Shore--what we feel is one of the most amazing places in the world.

Orchard Acres is on Bark Point, a spit of land that extends several miles out into Lake Superior. There's a boat landing nearby where you can check out the bay behind the point, and you're also just a few minutes from the beautiful estuary at the head of the bay. To get your feet wet in the lake there’s no better spot than Herbster Beach, which is just a few minutes down the road.

The other South Shore towns, Port Wing to the west and Cornucopia to the east, are both close by, both with their own beaches. Port Wing has an awesome coffee shop that roasts its own beans (we stock them in the house) and a great little convenience store with a fish counter. Cornucopia (or ‘Corny' as the locals call it) has an excellent coffee shop, a general store, and a few restaurants and shops. It can be a little more crowded, but it's got a few more amenities, too. Bayfield is close by, too, about 45 minutes’ drive: perfect to check out the attractions over there then return to your South Shore oasis for another Superior sunset. Ashland, where you’ll find more stores and amenities, is just under an hour away. Duluth and Superior are about and hour and a quarter to the west.

Orchard Acres has that timeless feel you might find in an old farmhouse: it’s welcoming, it’s calming, and you’ll be at home as soon as you step in the door. It’s also just about as secluded as you can get on Bark Point, with a long driveway that takes you away from the road and through some of the gorgeous boreal forest that covers the point. You've got four acres of that forest to explore during your stay.

The common space is anchored by two things: the fireplace, and the gorgeous views of the Lake Superior out the windows. You’ll also find a sofa and chairs all ready for lounging, and seating for six at the dining table. The table is great for playing board games, and we've got a bunch for you to choose from! If you'd prefer to read, there are a lot of books, too!

The kitchen is big, and it's up to any task you might need. It’ll handle a quick breakfast before the day’s adventures, and with tons of counter space and a full-size oven and fridge it’ll also turn out a feast to celebrate your time on the South Shore. (And remember that we’ll deliver local foods, from veggies to meat and fish and all sorts of things in between, direct to the house—just ask before you check in.)

At the end of the hall you’ll find the back bedroom, and it’s the most serene space you could imagine: antique furniture, comfy queen bed, and a calming view out to the trees. It feels far away from the bustle of the kitchen and common space, so it's perfect for sleepyheads (or anyone who needs some quiet time).

Whoever claims the back bedroom will love the convenience of the en-suite bath, with the sink in a separate space from the toilet and tub (that’s right, an actual bathtub: kind of uncommon around here).

The front bedroom is bright, relaxing space with great light and great views across the driveway and into the trees. It’s also got a comfortable queen bed.

The front bathroom is big and clean, and, yep, it’s got a tub too!

Across from the front bath you’ll find another nice perk: laundry!

After you’ve explored inside the house, check out the outside spaces, too! The deck is a great place for your morning coffee, and it’s also got some fantastic views of the lake and the garden.

But don’t just look at the garden, go outside and check it out! If you're looking for a space for a cookout, or an epic bocce ball tournament, this is it (we've even got the equipment!). You’ll also find tons of fun features (and creatures!) hidden away as you make your way from the house toward the water. We think the garden is the perfect space for kids to explore, and it makes for some great additional living space to round out your time at Orchard Acres.

Due to the lack of public transit and the distance between amenities, a car is a must here on the South Shore. On the other hand, traffic is not a concept that we have up here!