Next Chapter Family Retreat | Dock and Lake Toys

Round Lake doesn't show up on the tourist maps, and that's exactly the point. This is a lake for people who know what they're looking for — calm water, good fishing, and the kind of quiet that's hard to find anywhere near a city. At 1,650 acres with 7 miles of shoreline, it has room to breathe, and your private dock puts you on it without asking anything of anyone else.

But what makes Next Chapter truly special is the land itself. Five acres on a private peninsula, wrapped in 2,500 feet of shoreline, with a meandering stream — the "Congo River" — running through the property and connecting to Little Bass Lake, Bass Lake, Star Lake, Little Star Lake, and Kendell Lake. You can canoe from the dock through the stream to multiple lakes, explore the sloughs, picnic on an island, or paddle all the way to the Methodist Camp. It's an entire water system, all yours to explore.

Next Chapter Family Retreat is the home for a group that wants a real lake experience without the trade-offs. Three bedrooms plus a sleeping loft — a king in the main bedroom, a queen in the second, a twin-over-full bunk in the third, and two twins in the loft above — mean there's sleeping for up to 9 and room for every generation to settle in. Two and a half bathrooms mean the mornings run smooth.

The outdoors here rewards every kind of guest. Anglers will find largemouth bass off the dock, northern pike at the Congo River mouth near Sunset Point, and walleye throughout the lake. A family of four bald eagles nests across from Sunset Point — they fish the stream opposite the cabin. Abundant birdlife fills the feeders daily: cardinals, pileated woodpeckers, grosbeaks, nuthatches, loons, herons, and more. After dark, the deck fire pit or the riverside fire pit at Sunset Point sets the tone for the kind of evenings that stretch long and easy.

Pequot Lakes itself is a genuine small town — local restaurants, the Paul Bunyan State Trail running right through it, and Bean Hole Days every July if you happen to plan ahead. Brainerd and Baxter are 20 minutes south when you want more — shopping, dining, Safari North Wildlife Park for the kids, and some of the best golf in the Midwest. Nisswa is a short drive and worth it for an afternoon. But the real reason people come here is the land, the stream, and the lake. Everything else is a bonus.


THE SPACE

Bedroom 1 (main level) — Queen bed
Bedroom 2 (second floor) — Queen bed
Bedroom 3 (second floor) — Twin-over-full bunk bed
Sleeping Loft (second floor) — Two twin beds (perfect for kids or extra guests)
Sleeps up to 9

2 full bathrooms + 1 half bath

The open main floor connects living, dining, and kitchen — a natural gathering space for the whole group. Whether it's a big breakfast before a day on the water or a late dinner after an evening on the dock, the layout makes it easy. High-speed fiber optic Wi-Fi (fastest available in the area) means those who need to stay connected can, and those who don't won't feel pressured. Smart TV with Amazon Prime, Disney+, CBS, DVD, and more.


OUTDOORS AND LAKE ACCESS

Round Lake is a 1,650-acre lake in Crow Wing County with 7 miles of shoreline, a maximum depth of 51 feet, and excellent water clarity. Walleye are stocked annually at a rate of over 600,000 fry per year. The lake also holds black crappie, largemouth and smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, yellow perch, and more. This is a serious fishing lake that's also genuinely beautiful.

Your private dock puts you directly on the water. But the real magic is the property itself — 5 acres on a peninsula with 2,500 feet of shoreline and the Congo River running through it. The stream leads to multiple connected lakes and is off-limits to motorboats (purposely), meaning it stays peaceful, wild, and yours.

Sunset Point is a short walk along the river bank — a platform shelter with chairs and a fire pit, positioned perfectly for watching the sun go down over the water. A horseshoe pit sits along the river before the small dock. Three hammocks are scattered across the property.

The sandy beach sits to the east of the cabin, complete with Adirondack chairs, a cedar picnic table, a child's swing, and a beach hammock. A water slide has been built into the stream for fun in the current.


AMENITIES

- 3 Bedrooms / 2.5 Bathrooms — Sleeps 9
- Beds: 1 King | 1 Queen | 1 Twin-over-Full Bunk | 2 Twins in Loft
- 5-acre private peninsula with 2,500 ft of shoreline
- Private dock + small river dock
- Sandy beach with Adirondack chairs, cedar picnic table, child's swing
- Canoe + 2 kayaks + tubes and floats
- John Deere Gator for exploring the property (trails, woods, river)
- Big Green Egg charcoal grill
- Electric griddle for deck cooking
- Multiple fire pits (deck, Sunset Point, south fire pit)
- Fully equipped kitchen with commercial coffee grinder + Bunn commercial pot
- High-speed fiber optic Wi-Fi
- Smart TV with Amazon Prime, Disney+, CBS, DVD, and HDMI/Apple inputs
- Ping pong table (garage)
- Horseshoes pit along the river
- 3 hammocks on the property
- Cornhole / bean bag toss (2 platforms, 8 bags)
- Croquet set
- 27 life jackets in assorted sizes
- Water slide into the stream
- Sunset Point platform and shelter
- Abundant wildlife: bald eagles, loons, herons, cardinals, pileated woodpeckers, and more
- Bear spray, whistle, and horn provided for walks
- Pet-friendly
- Parking for vehicles and boats


THINGS TO DO NEARBY

Fishing & Boating — Round Lake holds walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, crappie, bluegill, and perch. Fish from the dock, take the canoe to the Congo River mouth for northerns, or rent a pontoon or ski boat from Your Boat Club in Crosslake.

Canoeing & Kayaking — Launch from the dock and explore the Congo River to Little Bass Lake, Bass Lake, Kendell Lake, Star Lake, and Little Star Lake. A picnic island sits in the middle of the chain. Paddle to the Methodist Camp or hike up to Lake Henry from Star Lake.

Upguard Recreational Reserve — A 1-hour loop walk right out the driveway. The Hidden Lake loop is 45 minutes; the entrance off Hwy 16 has walking maps. Worth taking detours to the quiet spots and lookouts. Also accessible by bike (20-minute round trip).

Veterans Walk (6 miles west on Hwy 16) — Easy 20-minute boardwalk or 45-minute extended trail.

Crosslake Community Center — Dog park, frisbee golf, pickleball courts, tennis courts, and miles of walking trails.

Dining — The Riverside (Crosslake, past the dam; owner's favorite), Norway Supper Club (1 mile south on Hwy 39; upscale), Moonlite Bay Sports Bar (south on Hwy 66), the Wharf (3 miles east on Hwy 16), and a bar with full menu 1 mile west on Hwy 16.

Paul Bunyan State Trail (in town) — The longest continuously paved trail in Minnesota runs directly through Pequot Lakes, connecting Brainerd, Nisswa, and Pequot Lakes. Ideal for biking and walking.

Nisswa (9 min) — A classic Brainerd Lakes destination with shops, dining, and the famous Nisswa Turtle Races in summer.

Brainerd & Baxter (20 min) — Full dining, shopping, and entertainment. Safari North Wildlife Park features giraffes, tigers, zebras, and more — a family favorite.

Golf — The Brainerd Lakes region is one of the Midwest's premier golf destinations, with dozens of courses within easy driving distance.

Bean Hole Days (Pequot Lakes, July) — A beloved local tradition. Cast iron kettles of beans slow-cook overnight and are served the next day. A true small-town Minnesota experience.

Winter Activities — Ice fishing on Round Lake, snowmobiling on groomed trails, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing at nearby parks.


OTHER THINGS TO NOTE

- Wildlife — Bears are active in the area. Bear spray, a whistle, and a horn are provided near the main floor entrance. Please take a whistle on walks; there have been multiple encounters. A family of bald eagles nests on the property. Bird feeders attract cardinals, pileated woodpeckers, grosbeaks, and more — fill them and enjoy.
- Smoke-Free Space — Please keep the indoors fresh for everyone. A $300 cleaning fee applies if detected.
- No Parties or Events — Day visitors and small gatherings are welcome. Please keep things respectful — no large parties or events that might disturb neighbors.
- Guest List — Only registered guests are permitted unless pre-approved.
- Quiet Hours — Please keep it peaceful from 10 PM to 8 AM so everyone (including the neighbors!) can relax.
- Pet-Friendly — Well-behaved pets welcome. Pet fee applies per stay. Please clean up after pets both inside and outside.
- Gator — The property Gator is for use on the 4.5 acres of the property only. Do not take it on public roads.
- Jet Ski / Personal Watercraft — If bringing a jet ski, launch from the beach to the right of the dock. To be considerate of neighbors, take the jet ski through the stream to Star Lake for tubing and skiing. Review DNR regulations regarding the 150-yard-from-shore rule.
- Trapper Cabin — There is a historic trapper's cabin near the river. Please do not enter — it is structurally unsafe.
- "No Trespassing" Signs — The Sunset Point path goes past No Trespassing signs directed at non-guests. Guests are welcome and encouraged to walk to Sunset Point.
- Pet-Friendly – We happily welcome up to two well-behaved pets. The fee is $100 per pet, per stay. The second pet fee will be handled separately.
- Pet Cleanup – Please clean up after your pets both inside and outside. Excessive mess may result in additional cleaning fees.