Where the Rush River Whispers and Gardens Bloom

Nestled near the scenic Rush River in Wisconsin’s rolling countryside lies a private, 38-acre haven of natural beauty. In the warmer months, stroll to the riverbank for an afternoon of fly fishing or wander through our colorful gardens. When winter beckons, strap on your snowshoes and discover a multitude of nearby trails before returning to your cozy abode and gathering by the fire pit to plan your next day’s adventure.

Choose between two lovingly maintained cottages—The Milk House and Trout Haus—each a refuge from urban bustle, offering all the comforts of home surrounded by the soul-soothing beauty of the river valley.

Explore our cottages

Milk House Cottage

Despite the riot of flowers just outside your window, you’re sure to sleep well in this gloriously cozy cottage, directly adjacent to our gardens. The first floor offers a living area with sleeper sofa, as well as a full kitchen and bath. Ascend the stairs to the loft and you’ll find a welcoming sleeping environment with a queen-sized bed. The ambiance is warm and rustic, yet steeped in comfort and enlivened by original art. This is a place not just to relax, but to be restored by the beauty of nature.

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Trout Haus

Built 70 years ago as a barn, the one-story Trout House gleams from a ground-up renovation that makes abundant use of repurposed oak. The luster and warmth of the interior are complemented by contemporary artwork and modern amenities, including two bedrooms, full kitchen, laundry, sofa sleeper, and full bath. Guests also enjoy a private patio with fire pit and gas grill. Directly outside your door, a newly built trail leads to a fly fisher’s dream: the banks of the pristine Rush River, just a 10-minute walk.

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Discover the Rush River Valley

Little more than an hour’s drive from the Twin Cities, Ellsworth and the surrounding valley are a playground for lovers of the outdoors. Hike, bike, fish or paddle through scenic landscapes – all just minutes from your stay.

Reviews

One of the most loved properties on Airbnb, according to our guests. Rated 4.96 out of 5 stars.

“My daughter and I stayed here during a long overdue Mother Daughter road trip. COMPLETLY exceeded our expectations!! BEAUTIFUL indoor decor and super clean. The bed was SUPER comfortable. Quiet location with beautiful gardens and a little walkway through them. Many of the items utilized in their e garden area were parts of the old barn. Overall, a very relaxing experience that we will have in memories forever. Thank you Phillip and Karen. We will definitely be back and recommend you to anyone we know traveling to the area 🩷”

Lisa

“Everything was perfect! Loved the authentic art and photographs. Beds were comfortable, shower was hot. Great stay! Thank you!”

Jodi C.

“We entered the home to a sign welcoming us. The owners live on the property and Phil came over and talked for a bit. Very nice man. The home was cozy, clean, and had anything you would need”

Mary S.

“Amazing place tucked away in beautiful views. Wish we would have been able to stay longer. Hosts we very kind and welcoming. Recommend this place!!!”

Anthony D.

“We loved our stay. The living space was cozy, inviting, warm, and had everything we could need for some time to relax and just be. The garden and the trails were a different kind of beauty to appreciate. We were welcomed by friendly hosts and greatly valued their recommendations of places to eat and explore. We would return in a heartbeat.”

Renee K.

“Such a beautiful cottage and property! We had a great time. The fire pit was so nice and all the flowers were beautiful. Such a nice, quiet stay in a scenic location. The cottage has everything you could need and is so nice!”

Dana
La Crosse, WI

“Everything was great! We found the location perfect for all we wanted to do: Day 1 – Interstate state park, Willow river state park, nugget lake Day 2 – Kinnickinnic state park, Maiden Rock Bluff, Nugget Lake Dam What a beautiful area!”

Becky T.

“Beautiful location and cottage! The owners were excellent hosts! We picked rocks by the river and thrifted in the area and Red Wing. Lovely get away and I’m definitely going to stay there again. ”

JoJo Glow

“Excellent stay for a few days of fly fishing on the Rush River. felt like you had your own private beat on the river. peaceful place to return to at the end of the day.”

Milton
Minneapolis, MN

“The owners Phil and Kay were very responsive in communication. They allowed us to stay longer than the advertised time the next day, which made all the difference in our trip. They were great.”

Kevin

“We loved every minute we got to stay in this unique, quiet, restful, clean, well-designed property. We hope it it will be available again for our next visit! Hosts were truly lovely and genuine people – great to meet them!”

Michael R.

“Second time staying here and it was wonderful again! What a delight to get to enjoy the flowers blooming and birds chirping. Sweet hosts and a cozy spot.”

Margaret Z.

“Our stay at The Milk House was perfect. Such a cute and cozy place and the hosts were wonderful! We look forward to staying there again in the future!”

Emily B.

“We were looking for a nice place for a relaxing weekend in the Maiden Rock area — we found it! The cottage was very well appointed and comfortable. We only reserved and stayed one night, but we feel we’ll be back. Phil was very responsive to the one question we had before check-in. Much appreciated.”

Brian

“This was a beautiful and unique place. Located out in the country, it was tranquil and peaceful. The gardens were beautiful and well-kept. The fire pit was a nice touch. We enjoyed watching the bunnies and deer. It was the perfect place for a couple of longtime teacher friends to kick back and celebrate turning “50 and Fabulous”! Our hosts were super friendly and super responsive.”

Joanne

“We absolutely loved our stay at the Milkhouse! The space was the perfect calm and clean getaway from the cities. The cottage is beautifully decorated and thoughtfully stocked with all the essentials. Our favorite spot was the garden which feel like they are out of a fairy tale – filled with birds, beautiful flowers, and even a cute friendly snake! Philip and Kay were so kind and hospitable, even sharing their extra cold brew with us on the hot day! We definitely plan to come back for another peaceful getaway and hopefully get some fishing in!”