South Turtle Lake · Winchester, Wisconsin

The Northwoods At Its Finest

186 feet of clear, sandy frontage on the 900+ acre Turtle Lake chain. A freshly remodeled 3-bedroom lake home for up to 6 guests, the Vilas County limit.

★ 10/10 · 70 verified reviews · Top 10% in the area
186 ftclear sandy frontage, no muck or weeds
2 docksswim steps plus a long fishing dock
3 BR · 2 BAmaximum 6 guests (Vilas County limit), freshly remodeled
10/1070 reviews, many repeat families

About the cabin

Swim, fish, and watch the loons from your own sandy shore

This whole home sits on South Turtle Lake, part of the 900+ acre Turtle Lake chain. The water off the 186 feet of frontage is clear and sandy with no muck or weeds, so it's made for swimming. One dock has steps right into the water, and a second long dock is ready for fishing or tying up your boat.

Evenings center on the fire pit overlooking the lake and the wrap-around deck with swivel-glider furniture. Inside, the home has been freshly remodeled with central A/C, a gas fireplace on the main floor, and a gas stove in the finished walkout lower level.

There's a circle drive for boat trailers, parking for 3 to 4 cars, a free NEMA 14-50 EV outlet, and a whole-property generator.

Hosted by Darren Kalal, VRBO Premier Host · 0% host cancellations

Fire pit with a red Adirondack chair overlooking the lake

Sleeping

3 bedrooms · 2 baths · maximum 6 guests

Maximum 6 guests (Vilas County limit). The home has more beds than guests so everyone can spread out, but no more than 6 people may stay.

Main floor

Bedroom 1

King bed

Bedroom 2

Queen bed

Full bathroom

Shower only

Lower level

Bedroom 3

Queen bed

More sleeping space

Two additional queen beds in the lower level (not in a bedroom)

Full bathroom

Shower only

Amenities

Everything for a week at the lake

On the water

  • 186 ft clear sandy frontage
  • Dock with steps into the water
  • Second long dock for fishing or a boat
  • Raft, cornhole, and games

Outdoors

  • Fire pit overlooking the lake
  • Wrap-around deck with swivel gliders
  • Circle drive for trailers
  • Parking for 3 to 4 cars
  • Free NEMA 14-50 EV outlet

Kitchen

  • Granite counters and island
  • New dishwasher
  • 12-cup, K-cup, and Nespresso coffee makers

Comfort

  • Fresh remodel, central A/C
  • Main-floor gas fireplace
  • Gas stove in finished walkout lower level
  • New washer and dryer
  • Whole-property generator

Stay connected

  • Starlink WiFi (250+ Mbps)
  • 55" smart TV with Sonos
  • 50" TV downstairs

Nearby, off-site

  • Tennis, 15 min
  • Ski hills, 35 min
  • See Places to Go for The MAC, WinMan Trails, the pickleball courts, Snowriver and Rainbow Falls

Guest reviews

Loved by guests on VRBO and Airbnb

10/1070 verified VRBO reviews · Top 10% in the area
5.0 ★14 Airbnb reviews · Airbnb Guest favorite

“The home is beautiful, exceptionally clean, nicely updated, and very well maintained. You can tell the owners put a lot of thought and care into making this a comfortable and enjoyable place to stay. … The fire pit area and furniture was amazing.”

Andy · VRBO · Stayed Aug 2026

“Awesome for the kids we were in the water all week!!!”

Matthew · Airbnb · Stayed Jul 2026

“We had a great stay at the property. Everything you need is there. Very well maintained and nicely decorated. Lake is great with the Loons always talking. Host did an excellent job communicating with us as well.”

Jacob · VRBO · Stayed May 2025

“This is our go to vacation home once again! Fourth time! Our host is very accommodating and always available to answer any questions. The most complete kitchen I have ever experienced! No problem cooking ...the view of the lake makes cooking a pleasure.”

James & Mary Ellen · VRBO · Stayed Sep 2024

“We had such an amazing time! Our first night we got to see the Northern Lights, which was a first for all of us. … We went sledding at Winman Trails and cooked dinner at the house.”

Vanessa · VRBO · Stayed Mar 2023

“Spent our 30th Anniversary on this property, as our honeymoon location no longer existed. It was perfect! Darren is the perfect host and his home is fabulous. Everything you need down to the last detail. We even had a group of deer come visit us in the evenings.”

Terese · VRBO · Stayed Dec 2022

Quotes are copied word for word from guest reviews; … marks where a longer review was shortened. Read all reviews on VRBO · Read all reviews on Airbnb

Explore the area

Places to Go

WinMan Trails

Right here in Winchester · open year-round

Summer: 25+ miles of mountain biking and 10+ miles of hiking.

Winter: fat tire biking and cross-country skiing — use brand-new skis for a donation.

winmantrails.com

Snowriver Mountain Resort

Less than 1 hr · Wakefield, Michigan

Two ski mountains, Jackson Creek Summit and Black River Basin, with 400 skiable acres, the U.P.’s only high-speed chairlift and 200+ inches of snow a year. Scenic chairlift rides in summer and fall.

snowriver.com

Things to do

A Northwoods week in every season

Summer

Fall

  • WinMan Trails mountain biking
  • Iron County ATV trails
  • Fireside nights on the deck and patio

Winter

  • Snowmobile trails
  • Cross-country ski trails
  • Ski hills, 35 min
  • Gas fireplace evenings

Year-round: The MAC, WinMan Trails and Rainbow Falls (see Places to Go), plus nearby restaurants.

House rules

Good to know

7-night minimumrequired by Vilas County
Saturday to SaturdayMay 1 through October 31, check-in and checkout are on Saturdays
Maximum 6 guestsVilas County limit
Check-in after 4 PMcheckout by 11 AM
Dogsone dog under 50 lb; two small dogs considered on request
No partiesor events
RatesRates vary by season; contact Darren

Getting here

An easy drive to the Northwoods

The cabin is in Winchester, Wisconsin, in northern Vilas County near the Michigan border. Approximate drive times from Winchester:

By car

  • Green Bayabout 3 hr 30 min196 mi
  • Madisonabout 4 hr243 mi
  • Minneapolis–St. Paulabout 4 hr 30 min255 mi
  • Milwaukeeabout 4 hr 45 min287 mi
  • Chicagoabout 6 hr380 mi

Nearest airports

  • Ironwood (IWD)Gogebic–Iron County Airport, Michiganabout 55 min33 mi
  • Rhinelander (RHI)Rhinelander–Oneida County Airportabout 1 hr 30 min55 mi
  • Wausau / Mosinee (CWA)Central Wisconsin Airportabout 2 hr 15 min117 mi

Check each airport for current airline service. You will want a rental car.

Winter driving: snow and ice are common from November through March and can add a lot of time. Allow extra time, check road conditions at 511wi.gov before you leave, and plan to arrive in daylight if you can.

Drive times are estimates without traffic or stops, based on OpenStreetMap routing. Exact directions come with your booking.

Availability

Find your week

Open Booked Past

Stays are 7 nights minimum (Vilas County rule). May through October, stays run Saturday to Saturday. Rates vary by season; contact Darren.

Ask about these dates

Questions

Frequently asked questions

How many guests can stay?

A maximum of 6 guests, the Vilas County limit. The home has more beds than guests so everyone can spread out, but no more than 6 people may stay.

What is the minimum stay?

7 nights, required by Vilas County. From May 1 through October 31, check-in and checkout are on Saturdays.

What are the check-in and checkout times?

Check-in is after 4 PM. Checkout is by 11 AM.

Can we check in early or check out late?

Sometimes, if the dates around your stay are open. Email stay@turtlelakecabin.com to ask.

Can I bring my dog?

Yes, one dog under 50 lb with Darren’s approval. Two small dogs are considered on request. The pet fee is $250 per pet, per stay.

What are the beds and bathrooms?

Main floor: a King bedroom, a Queen bedroom and a full bathroom. Lower level: a Queen bedroom, two more queen beds (not in a bedroom) and a full bathroom. Both bathrooms have showers only.

Are sheets and towels provided?

Yes. We provide plenty of sheets and towels, so there is no need to bring your own.

Is the lake good for swimming?

Yes. The 186 feet of frontage is clear and sandy with no muck or weeds. One dock has steps right into the water, and there is a raft.

Can I bring my boat?

Yes. The public boat launch is on Chicago Ave, directly across the lake from the cabin. You can keep your boat tied to the second long dock and your trailer in the driveway (there is a circle drive for trailers) for your entire stay. Parking is for 3 to 4 cars, and there is a free NEMA 14-50 EV outlet.

Are kayaks, canoes or life jackets provided?

No. Please bring your own kayaks, canoes and life jackets.

Can guests use the garage or boathouse?

No. The garage and boathouse are for the owner’s use only, but there is parking for 3 to 4 cars, room in the driveway for trailers, and a second dock for your boat.

Is there WiFi and TV?

Yes. Starlink WiFi (250+ Mbps), a 55" smart TV with Sonos on the main floor and a 50" TV downstairs.

Is the cabin good in winter?

Yes. The home has a main-floor gas fireplace, a gas stove in the finished walkout lower level and a whole-property generator. Snowmobile and cross-country ski trails are nearby, and ski hills are about 35 minutes away.

How do I book direct, and how does payment work?

Email stay@turtlelakecabin.com with your dates. Rates vary by season. Direct bookings use the rental agreement: 60% of rent and fees plus a $500 refundable deposit at booking, and the remaining 40% 14 days before check-in, paid by Venmo. The cleaning fee is $225 per stay.

What is the cancellation policy for direct bookings?

100% refund of rent and fees 30 days or more before check-in, 50% at 14 to 29 days, and no refund under 14 days. The $500 deposit is refunded in full for any cancellation before arrival. Bookings made on VRBO or Airbnb follow that site’s policy.

Can we smoke or have a party?

No. There is no smoking or vaping inside the home, and no parties or events.

Are there house rules?

Yes. The house rules are posted right inside the front door, and they are also in the rental agreement.

Something else? Email stay@turtlelakecabin.com.

Check availability

Ask Darren about your week

Rates vary by season; contact Darren for dates and pricing.

Email: stay@turtlelakecabin.com

Booking direct? Read and sign the Rental agreement.

Book on VRBO

Fill this in and press the button. Your email app will open with a message to Darren, ready to send.

No email app? Write to stay@turtlelakecabin.com.