About
Come “Up North” and enjoy a stay at historic McGrath’s Big Arb Resort with 8 wonderful cabins to choose from in Wisconsin’s beautiful Northwoods! Open all year round, we are located just 10 minutes north of Minocqua on Big Arbor Vitae Lake which features 1100 acres of Class A fishing, chock full of Musky, Northern Pike, Walleye, Bass, Bluegill, Perch, and Crappie! 75% of our lake is state parkland, which means breath-taking natural beauty and no crowds. Built sometime in the 1920’s, “Connie’s Tavern” emerged as a lakeside respite for thirsty fishermen. In the ’30’s, cabins were added to accommodate visiting family members eager to escape big cities for the peace, solitude and beauty of the Northwoods, and “Hall’s Knotty Pine Bar & Resort” was established. Time has moved on and eventually the bar was transformed into living quarters with a second floor, but not much else has changed…the peace, solitude and timeless beauty of the Northwoods remain as enchanting as ever! Whether you are a sportsman or a family looking for a fun, pet-friendly retreat (5 of our units allow a pet!), a vacation in a McGrath’s Big Arb Resort cabin offers a variety of activities 365 days a year!
Spring
The spring season is a great time of year to enjoy some of the best fishing without all of the crowds. The ATV trails are open May 1st, and game fish opening weekend is the first Saturday in May. You can also visit the area wildlife parks, dine at one of our fine restaurants, shop quaint downtown Minocqua’s Main street, ride the numerous area bike trails, or try your luck at the casino.
Summer
Swimming, boating, waterskiing, fishing, golfing, antiquing, zip-lining, mountain biking, ATVing, horseback riding, mini-golf, go-karting, kayaking are just a few of the many things to do on hot summer days. At night, sit back and relax around the campfire, make s’mores and enjoy the shooting stars.
Fall
The fall season offers the chance to enjoy breathtaking colors as the trees turn or attend one of the areas many fall festivals. There are thousands of acres of state forest to try hunting for small game or going after the elusive whitetail deer. Fall fishing for musky is when the biggest trophies are caught.
Winter
The ice fishing right in front of the cabins is some of the best fishing on the lake. You can snowmobile right from your front door with access to hundreds of miles of the best snowmobile trails in the state. Family activities such as sledding, snow-tubing, and ice-skating all close by, and if you are into quiet sports, there are many places to cross country ski and snowshoe.
Contact Info
Big Arb Resort
10328 Big Arbor Vitae Drive
Arbor Vitae, Wisconsin 54568
Ol’ Woodsy
Across the street and two drives to the east:
10323 Big Arbor Vitae Drive
Arbor Vitae, WI 54568
Gramma’s House
Located right down the street at:
10619 Big Arbor Vitae Drive
Arbor Vitae, Wisconsin 54568
Grandview
Also located across the street from resort, however the driveway is accessed from Marshview Lane:
1427 Grandview Lane
Arbor Vitae, Wisconsin 54568
For all onsite needs
Please contact our Property Manager Renee Anderson.
Call/Text 1-715-892-2186
Reservations Office
Call/Text: 1-715-301-0386
Email: bigarbresort@gmail.com
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Resort Cabins
Our Resort Cabins include the Walleye, Bass, Musky and Northern cabins. Starting out as a tavern in the 1920’s, McGrath’s Big Arb Resort is now a lakefront family resort offering Northwoodsy, yet modern, fully-equipped units with knotty pine interiors. The Walleye, Bass and Musky cabins are pet friendly for an extra fee! All resort cabins have flat screen TVs with Roku streaming service, WiFi, towels, bed linens, pillows, kitchens with range/oven, microwave, drip coffeemaker, toaster, all the necessary dishes and cooking utensils, a charcoal or gas grill, lawn furniture and picnic table. In addition, there is a sandy beach perfect for little ones and sand-castles, a swim raft, campfire pits, plus shared canoe, kayaks, aluminum rowboat and heated, screened in fish-cleaning-hut with electricity, lights and running water. There is also plenty of dock space for your boat with NO dock fee. Walk right next door for dinner at the Four Seasons Supper Club and Tavern which features lakefront dining and stroll a little further down the lake to famous Slo’s Pub. Reserve all of our units for the perfect family reunion or group gathering.
Northern
Info:
One of our Resort Cabins, this 3 bedroom unit is 30 feet from the water and encompasses the entire second floor of our main lodge with a large main level private mudroom. With 1500 square feet of living space, it is quite spacious with vaulted ceilings, skylight, and has 2 kings and a double bed with a double futon in the living room, full bathtub with shower, gas fireplace, central air conditioning, WiFi, Roku TV streaming service and large walk-out deck with gas grill & gorgeous lake views. The entire main lodge is also available for rent and is ideal for family reunions, group events, or any other large party for up to 12 people!
*6 person capacity
Photos:
Availability:
Select dates from the calendar below, then enter in your name and email to reserve.
Musky
Info:
One of our Resort Cabins, this 3 bedroom unit is 30 feet from the water. The Musky is the entire main level of our Main Lodge building. With 1350 square feet of living space, it is spacious with high ceilings, large picture windows, and has 2 queens and 2 twin beds with a double size futon in the living room, gas fireplace, central air conditioning, WiFi, Roku TV streaming service and two walk-out decks with gorgeous lake views. The entire main lodge is also available for rent and is ideal for family reunions, group events, or any other large party for up to 12 people!
*6 person capacity
Photos:
Availability:
Select dates from the calendar below, then enter in your name and email to reserve.
Bass
Info:
One of our Resort Cabins, this 2 bedroom unit is 10 feet from the water. It has a queen and 2 twin beds with a double futon in the living room, gas fireplace, air conditioning, WiFi, Roku TV streaming service and it’s own picnic table sitting area, with stone fire-pit, just steps off the lake and adjacent to the sandy beach.
*4 person capacity
Photos:
Availability:
Select dates from the calendar below, then enter in your name and email to reserve.
Walleye
Info:
One of our Resort Cabins, this 2 bedroom unit is 10 feet from the water. It has a queen and a double bed with a double futon in the living room, gas fireplace, air conditioning, WiFi, Roku TV streaming service and private lakefront patio with picnic table and fire-ring.
*4 person capacity
Photos:
Availability:
Select dates from the calendar below, then enter in your name and email to reserve.
Gramma’s House
Info:
Our cozy, retro 4 bedroom, private lake home on Big Arbor Vitae Lake sits on over 2 acres right on the snowmobile trail, next door to Slo’s Pub! Privacy galore with woods and a lovely state-owned pond on one side and directly across a quiet street is 170 ft. of level lake frontage on Big Arbor Vitae with dock with a bench. Sleeps 10: Main level bedroom #1: Queen bed. Main level bedroom #2:Two twin beds. Second level bedroom #3: Queen bed. Second level bedroom #4: Three twin beds. Also has 1.5 baths, fully equipped kitchen, wood-burning fireplace, air conditioning, walkout deck, 2 campfire pits, fish cleaning table, 43 inch TV, firestick and fast WiFi. Perfect for ice-fishing and a snowmobilers’ dream location! This home is the ideal setting for a large family, with a huge 2 acre grassy, tree-lined yard to frolic in with kids play-set, volleyball and more! NOTE: Gramma’s House is located on a separate piece of property a short jaunt down the lake from the resort. It has its own grounds, dock space, facilities and amenities that are separate from the resort.
*10 person capacity
Photos:
Availability:
Select dates from the calendar below, then enter in your name and email to reserve.
Ol’ Woodsy
Info:
Ol’ Woodsy is a 3 bedroom, cute and cozy traditional Northwoods cabin experience! This rustic adorable cabin with knotty pine interior is situated on a lakeside bluff, surrounded by natural beauty and views of the water! With a driveway and stairs leading down to it’s own lake frontage with private docks, this cabin also has plenty of yard for kids to play. Sleeps 6 with a bunkbed in bedroom #1, a queen memory foam in bedroom #2, a full sized bed in bedroom #3 and a queen sized futon in the living room. This cabin also has a full bathtub with shower, fully equipped kitchen, air conditioning, campfire pit, 43 inch TV with firestick and fast WiFi. It is located on the main snowmobile trail and some of the best ice-fishing on Big Arbor Vitae lake is just a short walk away! NOTE: Ol’ Woodsy is located on a separate piece of property across a quiet street from the resort and lake. It has its own grounds, dock space, facilities and amenities that are separate from the resort.
*6 person capacity
Photos:
Availability:
Select dates from the calendar below, then enter in your name and email to reserve.
Grandview
Info:
Our Grandview cabin has 2 traditional bedrooms with a 3rd bonus room used as a third bedroom or mudroom. It is a bright and sunny spacious 1500 sq ft home sized cabin, on a large, flat private lot with a screened-in porch in the rear, and is situated on a lakeside bluff, surrounded by natural beauty and breathtaking views of Big Arbor Vitae Lake! With a driveway and stairs leading down to its own lake frontage and private dock space, this cabin also has a huge grassy yard for kids to frolic. Sleeps 6 with a queen sized bed in bedroom #1, a ‘twin over full’ bunkbed in bedroom #2, a full sized futon in the bonus room, and a queen sized futon in the living room. This cabin also has a large eat-in, fully equipped kitchen, hardwood floors, wood burning fireplace, bathtub with shower, bath towels, central air conditioning, campfire pit, front and back wooden decks with patio furniture, basketball hoop, sandbox, 50 inch smart TV and fast WiFi. Grandview is located on the main snowmobile trail and some of the best ice-fishing on Big Arbor Vitae Lake is just steps away! NOTE: Grandview is located on a separate piece of property on a lakeside bluff across a quiet street from the resort and lake. It has its own grounds, dock space, facilities and amenities that are separate from the resort.
*6 person capacity
Photos:
Availability:
Select dates from the calendar below, then enter in your name and email to reserve.
Little House on the Big Arb
Info:
Welcome to “LITTLE HOUSE on the BIG ARB” with 1 bedroom on the main level and additional sleeping in the loft. Inspired by Laura Ingalls Wilder’s book ‘Little House in the Big Woods’ and the Old Sawmill that dwelled on this property way-back-when, our Little House is about as cozy and charming as it gets. Located on the main snowmobile trail and steps away from famous Slo’s Pub, our Little House utilizes a combination of early 20th century cabin fixtures, 19th century materials & antiques, plus modern treasures, this tiny cabin concept is the perfect couples cabin, or with its added sleeping loft, can accommodate a small (3) person family. It has one main level bedroom with queen sized, memory foam bed, cozy flannel sheets and ceiling fan; a sleeping loft with another queen-sized bed accessible via ladder; AC, fast WiFi with 43 inch smart TV, gas fireplace/heater, a large bathroom with a huge (relatively!) 3’x5′ shower; fully equipped kitchen with small fridge/freezer, gas range/oven, microwave, pots-n-pans, plates, cups, silverware, bath towels; and beautiful views of Big Arbor Vitae Lake across a quiet street in front, and Mill Pond in back! Private dock, outdoor chairs, gas grill and firepit with firewood also featured!
*3 person capacity
Photos:
Availability:
Select dates from the calendar below, then enter in your name and email to reserve.
Cabin Rates
Minimum Stay Requirement:
- Summer Season (June – August): Saturday to Saturday weekly reservations for the 4 Resort cabins, Walleye, Bass, Musky and Northern
- Summer Season, Friday to Friday weekly reservations for Gramma’s House, Ol’ Woodsy, Grandview and Little House on the Big Arb.
- 3 night minimum: January, February, May, September, October, plus holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Eve*
- 2 night minimum: March, April, November, December (except during holidays where 3 nights is required)
More Details:
- Rates do not include the 11% state/county/Arbor Vitae room tax
- A 50% deposit is required to make a reservation. Balance is due 30 days prior to arrival date
- A well behaved, house-trained pet is allowed in 5 of our cabins for an extra fee, but must be supervised at all times, cleaned up after and all owners must strictly adhere to our posted Pet Policy**
- Pontoon and rowboat with motor rentals are available in advance
*A 2 night reservation may be accepted to fill last minute vacancies or in the event of a cancellation. Please contact Reservations for details.
Off-Peak Season
***Contact us for last-minute vacancy discounts & off-peak specials!***
9/3/24 – 5/22/25
Nightly:
2 bedroom – $175
3 bedroom – $225
Ol’ Woodsy – $175
Gramma’s House – $250
Grandview – $200
Little House – $175
Weekly:
2 bedroom – $1100
3 bedroom – $1260
Ol’ Woodsy – 3 bedroom – $1100
Gramma’s House – 4 bdrm – $1500
Grandview – 2 bdrm w/ bonus room – $1260
Little House – 2 bdrm – $1100
Pre-Peak Season Special
5/30/25 – 6/12/25
Receive 10% off the Peak Season rate for your Fri – Fri or Sat – Sat Weekly reservation!
Peak Season
Today thru 9/2/24 and 5/22/25 – 9/2/25
Nightly:
2 bedroom – $225
3 bedroom – $275
Ol’ Woodsy – 3 bdrm – $225
Gramma’s House – 4 bdrm – $300
Grandview – $250
Little House – $200
Weekly:
2 bedroom – $1350 – Saturday to Saturday
3 bedroom – $1550 – Saturday to Saturday
Ol’ Woodsy – 3 bdrm – $1450 – Friday to Friday
Gramma’s House – 4 bdrm – $2100 – Friday to Friday
Grandview – 2 bdrm w/ bonus room – $1650 – Friday to Friday
Little House – 2 bdrm – $1250 – Friday to Friday
Additional Fees
Pet Fee (non-refundable):
Nightly – $35
Weekly – $175
Extra Person Fee:
For each person over the listed cabin capacity:
Nightly – $35/per night per person for the first 2 nights
Weekly – $70/per week per person
Pontoon Rental*:
Single Day $250
Weekly $1100
Aluminum Boat (with 7hp)*:
Daily – $50
*please book in advance
**PET POLICY
Please note, pets are NOT permitted in our Northern, Grandview or ‘Little House on the Big Arb’ cabins. We are one of very few pet friendly lodging establishments in the area. Let’s keep it this way by being mindful of our Pet Policy.
- A valid credit card must be presented for each reservation that brings a pet. Failure to adhere to the below policies may result in an additional $50 pet cleaning fee. This includes pet hair found on furniture/bedding, and dog poop left on the grounds. If there is damage to cabin, grounds, furniture/fixtures because of a pet, the renter is responsible for all costs incurred to repair the damage. (or replace damaged items) Cabin and grounds are inspected post check-out by management.
- Pets must be leashed and under your control at all times.
- Please keep pets off of all beds, bedding and furniture.
- Please be diligent about cleaning up after your pet inside and out… this includes pet hair within and droppings outside…no exceptions. Brooms and vacuum are provided in each unit for your convenience.
- Pet droppings must be picked up, placed in a baggie (provided in your cabin), sealed and disposed of in our outside garbage cans… no exceptions.
- Excessive barking cannot be tolerated, as it will disrupt our other guests.
- Dogs left in the unit for over 4 hours must be crated.
- Any damage to the unit (inside and out) caused by a pet, must be reported to the property manager, and will adhere to our Damage Policy as stated in our Rental Agreement.
- 1 pet maximum – a non-refundable pet fee of $35/night or $175/week applies units that are pet friendly.
Reserve Now
To make a reservation:
- Go to the cabin of your choice, check the online calendar for availability, and select your dates by clicking on each day you will be staying. The first day has a check-in of 3pm and the last day you will be checking out at 10am. (unless it is summer season, check-out may be 9am) Fill out your name, email and phone number, and you will receive a confirmation email within 24 hours.
- Following the confirmation, an electronic invoice with payment instructions and our rental agreement will be emailed to you. This will include everything you need to know about your cabin and check-in.
- To finalize your reservation, please make a 50% deposit payment (or pay in full) via personal check or credit/debit card. The mailing address is listed on the agreement. Please note a 4% convenience fee applies to electronic payments.
- For other payments, you can also pay below by clicking BUY NOW, filling in the fields with your dates, the cost of the item you are reserving, and hit “continue”. On the next screen, scroll down to the very bottom and click “pay with credit or debit card”. (Paypal is our credit card processer…you do not need a Paypal account to pay with credit/debit card) Fill in the fields to complete your payment.
We are available 24-7! (almost!)
If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to text, email or call us. We are happy to help you select the cabin(s) that will work best for your vacation!
Text/call: 1-715-301-0386
Email: bigarbresort@gmail.com
Please note that reservations are not considered final until deposit payment is received.
Cancellation Policy: Cancellations made 30 days or less from check-in date will result in forfeiture of the entire deposit. There is a $50.00 administration fee for all cancellations. The entire deposit, minus the $50 administration fee, will be refunded if we can re-rent the unit for the same number of nights.