“Lodge of Whispering Pines is Link with Nature” Before you witness spectacular sunsets and views of Big Lake from your Lakefront cabin, you’ll be treated to a secluded drive through the Superior National Forest along the Echo Trail - Along granite cliff roadways that hug the edge of wilderness landscapes to you - you'll experience an awakening to your natural surroundings and an enlightening of your spirit. The noise, the crowds are left behind, and traffic seems nonexistent. Your vacation has already begun. Just twenty miles north of Ely a secluded private drive leads you further into the Superior National Forest to Lodge of Whispering Pines on Big Lake. Poised among tall pine, picturesque birch, spruce, balsam, and aspen, you realize you are encircled by the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and are now guests of the deer, moose, black bear, timber wolves, loons, and all the other wild creatures that inhabit northern Minnesota's truly natural park. "True Wilderness Resort"
We enjoyed our stay in the Cedar cabin, which was very pleasant, clean, and comfortable with a beautiful view of the lake, and more privacy being at the end. So relaxing! We like smaller, family-owned resorts, a lot of history here. Staffing is tough for a lot of businesses these days, and cell/wifi can be limited, spotty this far out, so need to give a little grace and flexibility. The owner and staff were quite helpful, available and responsive with cabin needs and suggestions for hiking trails and moose spotting. The camping sites also have some nice views, and there is a hiking trail that is easy (short) to moderate (hilly, roots, rocks, downed trees) past the camp sites to Osprey Bay that we liked.
Read more
Date of stay: July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
If you're looking for 5* Ritz Carlton experience, then this is not the resort for you. BUT if you're looking for a resort well off the beaten path; (there's only one other resort on the lake), peace and quiet, wonderful star gazing, wildlife, hiking trails, a big lake to fish on or go paddleboarding, canoeing, kayaking and other adventures then this IS THE resort for you. The staff are just as AMAZING as the resort. Friendly, very accomodating - they instantly make you feel like family. Cabins have comfy beds, and are very nice. Large bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, eating and sitting areas with windows giving you plenty of views of the wooded area and the lake. There are even campsites for the more adventurous. Newer motors for the boats and a variety of types of boats to choose from be it just a simple 14' alum. fishing boat to a large pontoon boat. The resort is just 15 miles from the Canadian border and is located in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. The town of Ely, MN is about a 45 minute trip from the resort. The resort has a small general store, washer and dryer, bait, and has gas for the boat motors. The cabins come with a TV and there is WiFi. But why watch TV when you have those great views to look at instead?!?!! For these 2 senior citizens this was the perfect place to go to unwind and recharge.
Read more
Date of stay: September 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:Go grocery shopping in Ely before you check in, saves you a 45 minute trip into town later. The...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We were in the Juniper cabin for a week starting May 27, 2023. The cabin was really nice and the pictures ontheir website show the interior well. The cabin was right on the lake. It was clean, roomy and very well supplied. The bed was comfortable. We especially liked the screened porch overlooking the lake. We were able to enjoy the quiet and pretty much ignore the biting mosquitoes and flies that were there that week.
The new owner has had a lot of work done at the resort since recently purchasing it, and two men were there doing work on cabins and other projects during our stay. We saw others come and go who were doing work as well. The manager mentioned that they updated the water system and sewer system. The water was good. They are really making great improvements to the resort. It operates “off the grid” yet provides such things as cable tv (not watched) and internet in the cabin.
The resort manager, Denise, was great. Very personable and hard working. She was attentive and responsive to our questions. By her actions and attitude, she seems dedicated to having the guests enjoy their stay.
Big Lake is a fun lake. It is bigger and more interesting than we thought it would be. It has islands and bays and no big section of open water. Part of the lake borders the BWCA. There are only a few houses on the lake. There is another resort on Big Lake, which might now be private cabins rented out as a resort. We fished quite a bit but disappointedly caught only enough for one nice walleye meal. Fish were scarce for all when we were there. The story was that a party of 4 guys caught 100 fish the week before.
We would highly recommend the Lodge of Whispering Pines for a northern Minnesota vacation!
Read more
Date of stay: May 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It was our second time staying and we plan to be back again. We stayed in Timberwolf for a week in October 2023. The cabin was great, exactly as expected- pet friendly, clean and well supplied including games. On the property there is a sauna, boats to rent, canoes and kayaks to use, a lodge to hang out in, hiking trails, fire pits, laundry facilities, a beautiful lake, and helpful staff. The only reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is the dogs loose on the property. Guests were not made to leash or cleanup after pets and it caused some issues.
Read more
Date of stay: October 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
If you want to get away from it all, this is the place to go! The whole goal of the staff at Whispering Pines is to make sure everyone has a wonderful vacation. The resort is tucked away in the woods in northern Minnesota. Over the years we have stayed in most of the cabins, some in the woods, some on the lake front, and each one has it’s own distinct charm. The lake is large and beautiful. One of the things we like best is the sandy swimming area which slopes out to deeper water very slowly, a perfect spot for families with small children. There are many things to do nearby. Lots of trails to hike, beautiful waterfalls, easy canoe portage to see painted rocks and more. Or just throw your line in the water, enjoy the scenery and relax!
Read more
Date of stay: July 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:It is a bit of a drive to Ely, so grab your gas and groceries before hitting the Echo Trail.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The cabin was spacious and the kitchen was well appointed. The lake views spectacular. Fishing was good and you didn't have to go far. Kids enjoyed the paddle boat and kayaks. Sunsets from the screenporch were breathtaking. Denise was super helpful. We will definitely be back!!
Read more
Date of stay: August 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I'd like to keep this place a secret but that wouldn't be nice. We discovered this paradise quite by accident and have spent so many summers there and made so many wonderful memories. We have the same cabin every year - Cedar - and it sits about 5 feet from the water with a view down the full length of Big Lake. Big Lake is a whole other story. I've always said if Disney had designed the perfect "wilderness" it would look like this. Only one other resort on entire 3000+ acre lake and a few water access properties. It's a special place on the face of this earth. It's not for everyone but it's perfect for us!
Read more
Date of stay: August 2016
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The sunsets were amazing! The hosts were very accommodating. The beach was incredible, we had a wonderful vacation and look forward to returning. It was very quiet and the scenery was magnificent. It was a family camping trip.
Read more
Date of stay: August 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We camped here July 1st, planning on staying until the 5th when we were going to Fall Lake. Between the fishing, swimming and sauna trips, we decided to stay put for our whole trip. Dog friendly, family friendly and wonderful owners. We decided to come back for another week at the end of the month. If you can, book a lake side campsite (we loved #4 for our large family).
Read more
Date of stay: July 2017Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Been going to Whispering Pines for the last two years and looking forward to this year's trip. Very friendly service always. Private owned and they try and take care of all the needs. The resort is kept clean. The cabins are beautiful and cozy. This year we will have extended family with the younger on camp sites as well. Can't wait to get back again.
Read more
Date of stay: August 2016Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Ely area.
LOCATION
United StatesMinnesotaEly
NUMBER OF ROOMS
10
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
