Stay under the magic of the stars in the wilder bell tent at wilder retreat on the Saint croix River. We promise it will change you. This luxuriously appointed four season Belgian bell tent is designed for beauty, comfort and warmth. Queen bed with cozy bedding, wood stove for heat, cedar deck for morning coffee, outdoor campfire area. Guests have access to our Nordic wood fired sauna. Hike or snowshoe the half mile down to the River. Come to rest, leave restored. *update We have a bigger tent now with two doors and a new cedar deck! We have also added a Nordic sauna which guests can book a time slot to use, and outdoor shower (shower only available in warmer months). The tent is within view of the farmhouse but feels very private and is hidden by trees and overlooks the prairie and river valley. Year round Bell tent made in Belgium. Wood stove, queen size bed with comfy bedding. Port o potty bathroom. Campfire area equipped with a grate for campfire cooking! We highly recommend cooking over the Fire. It’s so fun and there are lots of campfire recipes online. Nothing better than a couple steaks or some veggies over the fire... Also campfire nachos, flatbread pizzas, and foil packet dinners are amazing! The possibilities are endless. Campers can bring there own camping stoves too for another cooking option. 2.5 gallon water jug. Coffee and French press, Tea kettle, tea provided. Picnic table, two Adirondack chairs. Bring camp chairs for lounging around the fire. Guests can access the river by hiking 1/2 mile down to the river. There is a portion of the hike that is a steeper incline. Tent is private and we will give you plenty of privacy. Please note we do have chickens and two dogs that live in the property. Book with our other listing “The writers cabin” for a fun group stay! Alison keeps in close contact with guests and we live onsite if you need anything during your stay. The tent is located in the Saint croix River valley near Taylor’s falls and the Wisconsin border. We provide a cart for guests to bring belongings to the tent. Although the tent is beautiful and equipped with bedding and many comforts of home, please note that this is a camping experience. Keep your forecast in mind when planning your trip. The tent is made for all four seasons, but your only heat source during cooler nights and in the winter is a wood stove. We will often light the fire for guests, but it is up to you to keep it going through cold nights to stay warm. Dress warmly and in layers. The same goes for summer months and bugs. Please come prepared for rain, snow, sun, mosquitos etc. In the summer months the tent has two doors and a built in screen that opens the whole bottom of the tent for air flow. But as any summer camping experience in a tent would be please be mindful, camping in the summer can be hot. Plan accordingly. Battery powered fans are a nice addition to bring along. Or usb compatible fans. Note: our roosters Puck and Papi will crow. Early. Lol. Bring earplugs if you’re not an early riser or if you are a light sleeper. Note: Our farmhouse and land borders federal land and the river, and we are also off of a road that will generate some noise... more so when the tourist season picks up in the river valley. Frequently asked questions. “Can I check in early?”. The tent is often booked back to back so I can’t always accommodate early check ins. Feel free to ask me and I will do my best. “Is there river access?” Yes, there is a map to the river inside the tent. It’s a half mile hike down with a steep incline on the way back up. Totally worth it. There is a campground at the river called “eagles nest” that has picnic tables, fire rings, bathrooms and a water source. The campground is maintained only in season. The Sand beach is off the left once you reach the river follow the path to the left and you’ll find it. Swimming in the river is lovely and it’s very clean. “Is there firewood?” Yes, we do provide firewood to keep the wood stove going and enough wood for campfires and cooking over the fire. More is available upon request, however, it’s not an all you can burn endless supply... please burn only what you need. “What’s the bathroom situation?” There is a port o potty that is shared with the guests for our other listing “the writers cabin”. Guests can book a time to use our Nordic wood fired sauna and outdoor shower. Sign up sheet is on the sauna fence for two hour private slots. “What do I cook over the fire?” Campfire cooking is fun and versatile. There are many recipes for campfire cooking. The grill makes it easy to cook anything from morning eggs or pancakes to a steak and potatoes over the fire. And don’t forget the s’mores! We ask that all cooking be done outside. You can warm soup or boil water for tea or coffee on the indoor wood stove, but nothing that would cause smoke or fumes to gather in the tent. You can always bring a camp stove too if you want more options for cooking. There is a picnic table with two benches for eating or sitting by the fire. Bring camp chairs if you prefer to lounge! “Do you provide dishes and cooking supplies and utensils?” Bring your own cooking supplies, cooler, and utensils etc, just as you would if you went camping. I do have mugs and spoons for tea or hot cocoa and a small camping tea kettle for heating water. I provide coffee and a Chem ex coffee maker with filters. “Do you rent canoes and kayaks?” We don’t rent them, but there are some great options for local rentals in Taylor’s falls and Saint croix falls. Check out my guidebook for recommendations for everything local! “Can I drive to the tent”. Parking is available at the beginning of the tent path. There is a cart there to help bring your belongings out to the tent. Vehicles are not allowed at the tent. We ask that you do not try to drive on the road to the river either. It’s walking only. “Is there electricity?” We do have solar power in the tent with usb compatible plug ins.