We research, evaluate and select travel destinations based on a number of factors, including our writers’ experience, user reviews and more. We may earn a commission when you book or purchase through our links. See our editorial policy to learn more.
Want a low-key escape on the water? Check out the Alexandria Chain of Lakes in central Minnesota for an outdoor getaway with adventures on and off the water.
Alexandria is a small city in central Minnesota, about two hours northwest of Minneapolis. It’s best known for its impressive interconnected chain of lakes comprising 11 bodies of water; the most notable are Lake Carlos, Lake Darling, and Lake Victoria. Outside of the main chain, there are over 350 lakes dotting the region, offering a wide variety of outdoor experiences.
The area is particularly popular with fishing enthusiasts, where it’s possible to catch species like largemouth bass and walleye. If fishing isn’t your thing, other great things to do in Alexandria include visiting Lake Carlos State Park, dining in the heart of the city, and touring the local wineries and breweries.
Before you venture off to Minnesota’s beloved lake country, dive into these best Alexandria cabin rentals for a cozy getaway.
Related Read: The 10 Best Airbnbs in Minneapolis, Minnesota
1. Greystone Lodge
Why you should stay: Lake house for a huge group with excellent outdoor amenities.
- Sleeps: 15
- Minimum stay: 2 nights
- Rates from: $525/night
The Greystone Lodge is a six-bedroom home equipped with three baths and numerous living rooms. While the upscale interior numbers an impressive 4,000 square feet, the spacious yard is the star of the show.
Featuring a sandy playground, a ground-level patio, an upper-level balcony, and a private boat launch, the outdoor spaces of this vacation rental offer plenty of ways to relax. Other fun amenities include an outdoor ping pong table, access to a seasonal pontoon, and a fire pit on the water’s edge. This Alexandria cabin rental is on the shore of Lake Latoka, a clear body of water with a sandy bottom and a hearty supply of walleye and panfish.
Check AvailabilityRelated Read: 8 Amazing Cabins in Northern Minnesota for a Relaxing Getaway
2. Lake Osakis Chalet
Why you should stay: Four-bedroom Alexandria cabin rental with a huge private dock.
- Sleeps: 7
- Minimum stay: 2 nights
- Rates from: $500/night
About 20 minutes west of the city of Alexandria, the Lake Osakis Chalet is a homey Alexandria cabin rental boasting a private 120-foot-long dock on the lake. Guests are welcome to take their own boat to the nearby public launch but may also rent the host’s pontoon for an additional fee. The home also has a sauna, lawn games, a gazebo, and a fifth bedroom you can rent out if you have even more guests.
Fortunately, your booking includes access to four kayaks and one canoe. When the weather is warm, there are two decks and a grassy yard for yard games. Inside the home, there’s plenty of space for the family to relax after whipping up a home-cooked meal in the Italian-inspired kitchen.
Check AvailabilityRelated Read: 10 of the Most Unique Places to Stay in Minnesota
3. Camp G
Why you should stay: Lux cabin on Lake Carlos for a group getaway on the deepest and largest lake in the area.
- Sleeps: 16
- Minimum stay: 5 nights
- Rates from: $1,300/night
Camp G is an expansive Alexandria cabin rental that offers an excellent stay for multiple families traveling together. Split between the primary residence and a smaller cabin, everyone will be able to find privacy even if you pack the house. Make sure you have a hard yes from everyone, however, as the booking is totally non-refundable.
Both spaces have their own look, but one thing they have in common is lush leather furnishings and attractive knotty pine walls. Camp G also features a bar with a big screen TV, an upstairs lounge, a sauna, and a game room with a pool table. Especially great for families traveling with kids, the home has two bunk rooms for serious sleepover vibes every night.
Check AvailabilityRelated Read: 7 Cozy Cabins for Rent Near Minneapolis, Minnesota
4. Chateau Lake Louise
Why you should stay: High-end, affordable home on the waters of Lake Louise.
- Sleeps: 13
- Minimum stay: 2 nights
- Rates from: $475/night
Chateau Lake Louise is a splendid Alexandria cabin rental only four miles outside the town’s main streets. It features chalet-style windows on the home’s back wall that allow natural light and lovely lake views to stream inside. When the weather is chilly, stoke a fire in the brick fireplaces found in both the upper and lower great rooms.
The gourmet kitchen and incredibly long dining table make it all too easy to enjoy nightly meals together, though there’s plenty of space to dine outside if the weather’s nice. It’s also worth mentioning the incredible primary suite with deck access and an ensuite bathroom. In addition, the home’s yard has a colorful playground for the kids and a bonfire circle with wooden benches for nightly s’mores.
With a starting rate of under $500 for all 13 guests, it’s a great price for a luxurious home.
Check AvailabilityRelated Read: 8 Spectacular Places to See Fall Colors in Minnesota
5. The Haven
Why you should stay: Lux Lake Louise home with a private sandy beach near wineries.
- Sleeps: 15
- Minimum stay: 2+ nights
- Rates from: $500/night
The Haven is a large six-bedroom lake house with a private sandy beach, fire pit, and lawn games. From the living rooms, double patio doors lead out to the ground-level outdoor seating area overlooking the lake. Inside, attractive finishes such as wood flooring and a stone gas fireplace foster a homey atmosphere. And there’s a covered balcony in case you want to dine outdoors in overcast weather.
A well-supplied kitchen and extra-long dining table mean your group can dine happily together, even with a whopping 15 people. The home is also a great Alexandria cabin rental if some of your guests are kiddos, very since it has a playground and a pull-out crib for those traveling with young ones. The home sleeps 15 if three are young children, or 12 if it’s all adults.
Check AvailabilityRelated Read: 7 of the Most Romantic Getaways in Minnesota
6. McCabe Cabin
Why you should stay: Romp in a huge yard on Lake Henry, a smaller and quieter lake in Alexandria.
- Sleeps: 14
- Minimum stay: 3+ nights
- Rates from: $366/night
The McCabe Cabin is a quiet home situated on a sprawling grassy yard about a mile and a half from the city center. Guest review rave about the lakeside brick patio with a dining table and fire pit, as well as the private dock with a swimming platform. It’s a great price for a cabin rental in Alexandria, even if you don’t have the full 14 guests.
During your visit, have fun fishing or floating on the calm waters with the 24-foot pontoon provided by the hosts. There’s also a wooden sauna to soothe sore muscles after a long day of hiking or paddling. Lake Henry is near City Park, which is an awesome spot for a jog or morning walk with coffee from a local cafe. It also has pickleball courts, if you’re one of the many fans of the growing sport.
Check Availability7. Haven on Ida
Why you should stay: Cute lakeside cabin with great interior design and the amenities you need for a relaxing stay on Lake Ida.
- Sleeps: 7
- Minimum stay: 2 nights
- Rates from: $325/night
Haven on Ida is a modern home filled with sunshine. Natural wooden surfaces complement the white walls, and pops of trendy decor create a bright and airy space that’ll make it difficult to leave. The hosts have stocked this two-bedroom with a pull-out sleeper sofa and a bunk room so it can actually sleep a big(ish) group. But remember that there’s only one bathroom.
Other nice touches include a good selection of board games, a three-season screened-in porch, and a small sandy area overlooking the water. Guests can also fire up the patio grill for a cookout. Lake Ida is a 4,400-acre lake less than ten minutes from Lake Carlos. It’s stocked with a wide variety of fish, so bring your tackle box.
Check Availability8. Lakefront Villa at Lake Darling Resort
Why you should stay: Sprawling pet-friendly home at a resort with a private lake.
- Sleeps: 12
- Minimum stay: 2 nights
- Rates from: $334/night
This four-bedroom lakefront villa at Lake Darling Resort offers guests the benefit of a private vacation rental with the bonus amenities of a resort stay. It’s recently updated with reclaimed farmhouse wood, high-end furnishings, and a gas fireplace set the scene for relaxing evenings at home.
You can watch the lake’s peaceful waters from the screened-in porch or from one of the two sandy beaches with fire pits. This villa has a private boat launch with access to various lake equipment like a pontoon, kayaks, paddleboat, and floaties. For an additional $30 fee, you can even bring your pup with you. Rates for this Alexandria cabin rental start low, but can double during popular summer weekends.
Follow ‘em: @LakeDarlingResort
Check Availability9. The Boat House
Why you should stay: Quaint cabin for a romantic getaway on Lake Le Homme Dieu.
- Sleeps: 4
- Minimum stay: 3 nights
- Rates from: $189/night
Knotty pine and classic cabin accents make The Boat House a lovely place to stay, as does the fact that it’s one of the most affordable Alexandria cabin rentals on this list. The warm interior has one bedroom, plus a sleeper sofa in the living room for two little ones. There’s also a lakeside porch where guests can sip their morning coffee or evening wine while watching the sun set.
This property is along the shores of Lake Le Homme Dieu, one of the larger bodies of water in the Alexandria Chain of Lakes. Other nearby things to do include visiting the Carlos Creek Winery or taking advantage of the snowmobile trails through the area come winter.
Check Availability10. Luxury Grain Bin Suite
Why you should stay: Unique home in a converted grain bin a short drive from the best lakes.
- Sleeps: 2
- Minimum stay: 1 night
- Rates from: $165/night
Make your trip to the Alexandria Chain of Lakes one to remember with this luxury grain bin suite on Little Charley Lake. This Alexandria cabin rental is one of eight in the building made entirely of former silos, so you may have some other guests nearby.
This home features a kitchenette with the basics (not an oven or stovetop, of course.) There’s also an adjoining seating area overlooking he surroundings from the row of windows. Upstairs, the lofted bedroom is outfitted with a comfortable queen bed and attractive domed ceilings promising a peaceful night’s rest. It’s a cool little place for a couple to spend the weekend.
Check Availability11. Alexandria Home
Why you should stay: Three bedrooms in downtown Alexandria, a few blocks from the lakes.
- Sleeps: 8
- Minimum stay: 2 nights
- Rates from: $140/night
This Alexandria home puts you within walking distance to shopping and dining for a hassle-free stay in the city. It’s tucked in a quiet residential area and has a private backyard complete with a treehouse and swings. There’s also a canopy-covered seating area, a picnic table, and an outdoor fireplace with complimentary firewood. The kitchen also has a fully stocked coffee and tea nook so you can start your mornings right.
This Alexandria cabin rental isn’t on the lake, but it’s a short drive to Lake Agnes and the Central Lakes Bike Trail. This is an excellent choice for a rental if you’re keen to explore the town’s museums and restaurants as much as you are the lakes.
Check AvailabilityExplore More in the Minnesota
Sign up for the Weekend Wanderer to join thousands of readers getting epic travel ideas every week.
Seen in: Cabins, Midwest, Minnesota, Where to Stay
