BIG NEWS FOR 2026:

We very much look forward  to the enjoyment of another summer at the Lake.  Vintage Vermilion Cabins and Retreat has been receiving guests for 77 years and this will be our own 24th summer on Black Bay.  Originally, the resort was water access only. Now, you reach our cabins via a 2-mile long forest road through the woods. You are already feeling the north woods atmosphere as you approach. Our spot is very private. Many have said it is like an island with a road to it. Don’t miss the giant boulders along the road, left by the glaciers. One is bigger than several of our cabins. The resort was formerly know as Black Bay Wilderness Camp and Blue Goose Resort. Although our bay is where some trumpeter swans return each spring, and does in respects elicit that fond feeling of going back to camp, we felt that those names did not convey the current character of the place. “Vintage” means something old but valued, often from a past era and prized for its quality and nostalgic appeal.

During our ownership, we have totally renovated all cabins and completed a number of additions including the Retreat and the great, expanded lakeside deck. We also have added a lives-onsite Manager who maintains the place in great condition and helps you with your needs. Some of the children and grandchildren of former owners return each year and they say it has all the special features that they remember but the changes are also wonderful. The goal was to improve our 5 cabins, the grounds and your experience while maintaining the unspoiled character of this unique and serene place. Our mission is  to make your stay at the Resort  ever more comfortable and special and something that you will remember fondly.  Our spot is most unique. So many people come to stay and return each year thereafter. We now have a number of guests, where one person came to fish with friends, who now returns with an entire family, renting three to five cabins for up to a week. Our bay feels like going to Canada without having to cross the border.

We hope you may decide to choose this summer  to visit and celebrate some special occasion or anniversary of your own or just to enjoy the serenity of our forested acreage on Lake Vermilion with  its unexcelled fishing and scenery.

 Speaking of fishing, Vintage Vermilion retains many of the attributes of a true fishing resort. Vast beach playgrounds, except for our one swim platform, and indoor game machines have not taken over. [We do have table tennis, corn-hole and card tables in the Lodge.] Anglers relish that. Black Bay is widely known for its crappie fishing. You can catch panfish before the season opener. Early May at the resort is magical. So quiet. Please throw back the really big ones so that they can reproduce. In June the bass spawn along our shore. You will have a lot of fun casting, catching and releasing. Of course, Lake Vermilion is renowned for its walleye and big yellow perch fishing. There are muskie tournaments on Vermilion for a good reason. Keep casting and you just may hook one. It is said that muskies are the fish of a thousand casts. You will see a 1950’s trophy of one in our Lodge.

The furnishings and decor include things that we have accumulated carefully over the years. This is not old, second hand stuff. It is high quality cabin design furnishing and a number of unique vintage pieces. Birch has an antique table with a unique birch top that we ordered from California. The coffee tables in the Main Cabins and the Retreat are shaped like boats. We could go on and on. The place was decorated with love and we had a great time collecting all the pieces. Each cabin has a theme, reflected in the tableware and pictures and other decorations. The dining table and most chairs are Old Hickory branded pieces. We do not exaggerate when we say that you will be delighted with the serenity of the property and the character of the cabins.

There are high quality, slatted shades on all windows, including in the Lodge.  Great for privacy. The Gazebo has been moved and now sits half way along the ridge-top path above the Resort. It is a great spot to stop in the middle of a hike along the path. There are several benches along the path as well. The path is a loop of about 8/10ths of a mile, which starts at the Resort, goes along the lakeshore, and up/down the hill via the old driveway at the west end of the driveway and then all along the top of the bluff, where on the east end of our property you can walk down the 64 steps to the path along the lakeshore back to the Resort. The views are amazing. At the west end, you can walk towards the water to the former site of the gazebo. There is a lovely view there and we have placed one of our benches there so that you can stop for a while and enjoy the spot. On the opposite, east end, you can take a slight detour further up the bluff, in a “circle” at the east end and walk through the woods and return to the main path. A highlight is the HUGE boulder covered with ferns by which you will pass.

 Birch cabin, one of the favorites of guests, has a bunk bed with Elfa mattresses where the lower bunk in Birch is a double. At the request of guests who rent all five cabins each summer, the mattress in the double bed in other bedroom of Birch was replaced in May 2025 with something much more comfortable. This is one of the last of our mattresses to be replaced within the past few years. We want all our beds to be comfortable. And so, now Birch cabin can accommodate 5 persons. Perfect for families with young children or two couples. 

Main Cabin has two bunk beds (sleep a total of four) and a raised, paneled  ceiling in the back bedroom, again with Leesa mattresses. The lakeside bedroom has two twin beds. This  spacious cabin (over 1,000 SF) now easily accommodates up to 8 persons. If you want to use one or both of the deluxe, extra-wide, fold up, roll-away beds, you can add one or two more persons in the large living room and then fold up the beds during the day. Main Cabin has a TV, a large propane grill, large dining table that sits 8 inside and a wonderful front deck overlooking the lake with tables seating 10, plus an over-sized kitchen. It is the perfect gathering spot when families or groups rent multiple cabins.

After several requests, the  comfortable double sofa bed is back in Larch and the top bunk has a new mattress. We removed one of the twin beds in the back bedroom of Larch and replaced it with a queen bed. With one person on the sofa bed in the living area, Larch now easily accommodates up to 6 guests.  

All of the cabins are cozy and the raised ceilings add volume. Plus, you have access to the lakeside Lodge with ample space for games or eating on the porch or deck. All cabins and the Lodge and Retreat have air conditioning units but you often will want to leave them off and hear the loons, enjoy the lake breezes and use the ceiling fans, of which there is one in every room.

 The popular cedar deck right next to the beach has been restored and provides chairs/lounges for sunning or watching children who are enjoying the sand beach. A few years back, we expanded the larger upper deck (see the photos below) for games, meals, reading or just  a relaxing snooze,  with several new tables and additional, comfortable lounge chairs. The deck sits above the water and provides a great view, almost as if you were on a boat, and it gets all the southeast breezes that we enjoy. Of course, the fire pit remains a favorite gathering spot and as always there will be an unlimited supply of complimentary  split logs for your enjoyment. 

We have a new manager for the 2026 season. His name is Mike Osboe. Mike has been coming to Lake Vermilion for his entire life, visiting his grandfather’s place on Oak Narrows. We will miss our former caretakers who needed a year-round job. However, they left the place in great shape and we know that Mike will continue our commitment to our guests’ experience at our special place. He has been managing a slightly larger resort in Minnesota for the last four (4) years where guests gave him rave reviews. We feel most fortunate that Mike decided to return to his “favorite” lake and will be at our place. Mike will help you launch your boat and park your trailer and generally make your stay as comfortable as possible. Ask him if you need anything.

We look forward to welcoming you to our Bay. The place is always at its best when being enjoyed by our guests. 

Warmest  greetings from the north woods, 

George and Emily 

Owners