10 Things to Do at Wambolts Cabin Resort Near Itasca State Park

Do you enjoy cabin stays on the lake, the sound of loons singing at night and the ultimate hiking experience? Look no further than the oldest resort in all of Minnesota- Wambolts Cabin Resort near Park Rapids, MN. Wambolts Cabin Resort was originally a fishing lodge that drew fisherman from all over, opening in 1899. Since then, this historical resort has been replenished & passed down through four families.

Wambolts Cabin Resort now features 11 lakefront cabins, all beautifully restored. The resort is perfect for large groups, family retreats, a couples getaway or solo adventure! If you are feeling rustic, you can experience the vintage cabins, which can host different amounts of guests. There are also well maintained shower areas and a washer & dryer for cabins without (all cabins have bathrooms!). All cabins have a screened in front porch, picnic table, grill and fire pit (and yes, wife, even though you will not need it!).

Wambolts Cabin Resort near Itasca State Park also features 2 new additions- unique up cycled shipping containers turned into 2 unique stays! Both cabins have showers and can host up to 2 guests. One of them has a roof top deck & both feature a patio with a grill, fire pit and screened in front porch.

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10 Things to Do at Wambolts Cabin Resort Near Itasca State Park

1. Get Out on Upper Bottle Lake

If getting out on the water is a necessity when it comes to a cabin getaway, look no further! You can rent fishing boats, pontoon boats, kayaks, canoes or paddle boards. If you are a fishing fanatic, you will enjoy the selection of walleye, northern pike, large mouth bass, blue gill, crappie and perch. There is also the option to fish off the docks and grab some bait, tackle & gear at check in.

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2. Hang out at the Beach

It’s time to hit the beach- and it’s only steps away from your cabin! You have the option of lounging in the comfy chairs along the shoreline or going for a dip. The swimming beach offers a very long, shallow drop off, making it great for kids! Life jackets are available but there is not life guard on duty (swim at your own risk). There are also two Paddle North swimming docks.

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3. Relax in the Sauna

Right off the trail near the beach you can recharge after a day in nature in the sauna! There are essential oils you can pick from, and you also get a perfect view of the lake. We had the routine of ending our day in the sauna, and we had the most restful sleep ever!

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4. Go for a Hike at the Resort

There are several trails on the Wambolts property for hiking, going on a run or bird watching. We enjoyed hiking a trail that wraps along the shoreline of Upper Bottle Lake. Other trails nearby are the Paul Bunyan Forest, North Country National Scenic Trail, Thorpe Lookout Tower and Heartland Bike Trail. Remember to take a long bug spray and check for ticks!

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5. Mind the Hammock

What sounds better than relaxing in a hammock right on the lake? Wambolts Cabin Resort features several hammocks along Upper Bottle Lake for guests to relax in. Sometimes, the art of doing nothing is the best art of all! These are located near the vintage cabins.

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6. Relax on the Porch (Screened in Means No Bugs!)

Whether you rent a vintage cabin or up cycled shipping container cabin, you most likely will have a screened in porch with a view of the lake. This is a perfect way to be immersed in nature, minus the bugs! I read, wrote in my journal, star gazed, had breakfast and listened to the loons singing on the lake each night on the porch. It was my favorite part of our stay!

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7. Enjoy a Campfire or Grill

Wambolts Cabin Resort features grills and campfire areas for their guests to enjoy. I really loved the grill in the patio area, and the large campfire area that come with the Upcycled Shipping Container Cabins. The vintage cabins also have picnic tables nearby. Nothing says summer time like a campfire or grilling in the woods! Wood is available on site for $5 an armful.

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8. Enjoy Some Yard Games

Enjoy the community lending library right on site for any books or games you need! Sure, there is wife available- but trust us, you won’t need it! Bring the family over to choose from a variety of board games or classic yard games like corn hole, ladder toss, horse shoe and more!

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9. Venture out to Nearby Towns Park Rapids and Nevis

Twenty minutes from Wambolts Cabin Resort is the lovely town of Park Rapids, one of our favorite small towns in northwestern Minnesota. There is so much to do! Downtown, you can visit a vintage candy shop and comic book store. Downtown Park Rapids has a variety of options for fashionable fun and decor. My favorite stores I visited were Rust 2 Roses, Rustic Cabin Decor, Smoky Hills Outdoor Store, The Trading Post, Whatnot, Glick, Kathryn’s Boutique on Main, Tin Ceiling and Up North. There is truly something for everyone. Also make sure to check out the down town sculptures and art!

Park Rapids has a lot to offer when it comes to breakfast and cafes. My personal favorite stop was Bella Cafe, right next to a must see book store, Beagle and Wolf Books and Bindery (I bought quite a few books here from regional authors). Explore 3rd Street Market and Cafe’s home made soups, salads, wraps and pies. If you are trying to eat healthier, Beyond Juice has some great options. If you are on the go, I highly encourage you to visit the small, drive through coffee shop Espresso 34. They have the most delicious breakfast sandwiches and blonde lattes!

If you are looking for a nice dinner spot, check out Good Life Cafe, filled with classic American food with a twist and creative cocktail menus. Right next door is also a home made ice cream and popcorn shop.

If you like breweries, check out Revel Brewery as well!

For more day trip ideas in the Park Rapids area, check out our article, Explore Park Rapids and the North Woods.

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10. Explore Itasca State Park

Have you heard of the iconic Mississippi Headwaters at Itasca State Park? This iconic destination is located only 20 minutes from Wambolts Cabins & Resort! There is so much to see just at this ONE state park. However, I will note it’s a very big state park and there is a lot to navigate. There are 3 entrances: North, South and East. We entered the through the east entrance and decided we wanted to see the Mississippi Headwaters first. We just followed the signs (everything is well marked) and 12 minutes later we pulled into the parking lot for the Mississippi Headwaters. There is a large visitor center you can explore that shares a lot about the history of the area. The walk to the headwaters is very easy and short (1/2 mile)- not far from the visitor’s center.

Afterwards, we decided we wanted to take a cruise on Wilderness Drive, one of the famous Minnesota Scenic Byways. The drive is 10 miles, and along the way, there are areas where you can park your car and hike the trails or view some of the historic landmarks. Itasca State Park is home to some of the biggest pine trees in the world & they have them marked along Wilderness Drive, along with historic sites where Native Americans used to live. This drive is lovely during the fall months with the fall colors!

Lake Itasca also has a swimming beach and playground area, a rental center for bikes, pontoons, canoes, kayaks and paddle boats. There is also a tour boat that gives a guided view of the park from the waters.

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