Welcome to The Backwater, a newly built architect designed year-round getaway on Pike Lake in Amery, WI. Nestled in the back of a quiet, lilypad-filled bay teeming with wildlife, our cabin is the perfect destination for guests who appreciate original design and crave a unique experience. Our amenities are luxurious, but our attitude is chill inside our comfy, creative digs full of nostalgic, vintage vibes. Come stay and play on the bay while enjoying Polk Co.! Follow along @thebackwater_wi on IG The space **PLEASE READ the rules before requesting to book: Scroll to the bottom of main listing under "Things to know>House Rules>Additional rules" Check out our feature in the June/July 2023 issue of Country Living magazine! Our cabin is the perfect stay for small groups of 6 or less: Couples, friend groups, and families with teens. Because there are many stairs inside with no gates, a steep 8-foot loft ladder, uneven terrain down to the lake, a shoreline that looks shallow but is deep muck, and high, rocky retaining walls, it is not safe for very young children or people with mobility issues. We recommend ages 7 and up. THE LAKE IN SUMMER: We are on Pike Lake, one of the clearest lakes in Polk County, and located in the back of a bay, known to locals as “The Bass Hole”. If you are looking for sandy lake frontage you can swim in, this is not for you. This is a peaceful, natural habitat full of flora and fauna. We’ve seen raccoons, beavers, muskrats, deer, turkeys, many varieties of frogs and turtles (including giant snappers), Trumpeter swans, loons, eagles, blue herons, green herons and sandhill cranes. There are bears in the area as well. You can sit in the adirondacks and birdwatch or catch fish right off the dock. We have 2 kayaks, a canoe and 2 Paddle North paddle boards that you can use to explore both Pike and North Twin lakes, as they are connected by a channel. If you want to go for a swim, take the paddle boards out to the main lake and jump in, or drive 1 mile down to the sandbar located at the Supper Club. You can also bring your own boat and use the Supper Club boat launch, or inquire with them to rent a pontoon. If bringing a boat, use caution. There are shallow spots and thick lily pads, along with occasional branches near the beaver lodge, as they often attempt to dam up the channel. WINTER FUN: Grab the snowshoes out of the garage and explore the lake on foot. Hike to the Supper Club for an Old Fashioned or bring your ice fishing gear and catch some bass right in the bay. There are snowmobile, ATV and fat bike trails nearby. Trollhaugen Ski resort is only 22 minutes away, and there are plenty of wineries and breweries to explore in the area. Our 3-level cabin very comfortably sleeps up to 6 people max (per Polk Co. regulations) with 2 bedrooms and 2 full baths, plus an open sleeping loft. We’ve outfitted all the sleeping areas with brand new Tuft & Needle Mint mattresses and lush hotel quality 100% cotton sheets. The 2 bedrooms and bathrooms are each on separate floors, so if two couples are traveling together, you will feel like you have your own private spaces. Both bedrooms have clothing storage and hangers. MAIN BEDROOM: Features a king-size bed overlooking a large wall of windows facing the lake. There are light filtering shades on all the lower windows, but there are no shades on the high transom windows. Step outside onto the seasonal private deck and sit on the Minnesota made Loll rockers while enjoying your morning coffee or evening wine. There is a soaking tub alcove with lake views to warm up before bed on those chilly fall and winter nights. A full bathroom is right across the hall and is shared with the upstairs sleeping loft. LOWER LEVEL BEDROOM: We dubbed this “The Steakhouse” because of the large vintage sign that hangs over the queen-size bed. This room is a quirky time-machine with fun vintage touches. The large window has room darkening shades and gives you an epic view of the lake. There is a full bathroom right outside your door. This room is cozy and feels private and tucked away. UPSTAIRS OPEN SLEEPING LOFT: This birds-eye-view sleeping space has two twin beds and is open to the main living area with wakeup views of the sky and lake. The bathroom is down the stairs and shared with the main bedroom. (There are no blinds on the upper windows) GREAT ROOM: Curl up on the gorgeous buttery soft leather Chesterfield sofa next to the gas fireplace, and soak in the lake views. Choose from our large, very eclectic selection of vinyl for the turntable or hook up your bluetooth to the Marshall speaker. KITCHEN: The stunning black soapstone counters welcome you to create your favorite meal in our fully stocked kitchen. Features include a 6-burner gas range, Le Creuset dutch oven, sharp Misen knives, a cookbook collection, and a light up glass cabinet filled with vintage glassware. We have everything you need to enjoy a gathering with friends or family! COFFEE BAR: Our coffee bar will satisfy any caffeine connoisseur with a Moccamaster coffee pot, glass pour-over, french press, regular and burr coffee bean grinders, a Fellow Stagg electric kettle and Yeti mugs for those outdoor coffee mornings. We provide you with 12 oz. of organic coffee beans, and supply sugar/stevia packets, simply bring your favorite creamer! We also have a selection of hot tea and hot cocoa. LOWER LEVEL REC ROOM: Sink into the soft and plush Joybird sectional after mixing a cocktail at the wet bar and store your libations in the mini-fridge. There’s a 65” Samsung Smart TV with Netflix, Peacock, HBOmax, Prime video, Hulu, Apple TV (Don’t forget your own login info). Enjoy our massive collection of vintage and current board games and puzzles. THE TINY LOFT: Only accessible by an 8 foot rolling library ladder, this getaway loft over the dining banquette that we call “The Cave” is the perfect spot to curl up in with a book or grab the binocs and pretend you’re in a tree-fort. A Big Joe beanbag and giant Yogi-Bo make for the comfiest seating. SEASONAL SCREEN PORCH: From spring to fall, grab your coffee and curl up on the Article sectional to watch and listen to all the wildlife, occasional anglers and kayakers that come into the bay to explore. FIREPIT: Sit around the 36” Breeo fire pit in the 6 Polywood adirondack chairs. We have plenty of stacked dry firewood for your use and blankets inside the basket at the back door. OTHER AMENITIES: • High speed Starlink internet (181 Mbps) • Desk with basic office supplies if you need to work remote • Plush white bath towels/washcloths, makeup remover towels • Shampoo, conditioner and body wash • Extra kitchen gadgets such as a Vitamix, immersion blender, waffle maker, griddle and crockpot • Extensive collection of unique and inspiring books to get lost in • Hammocks, bean bag boards, bocce ball • Tesla charging station • Plenty of life jackets for the kayaks, SUPs and canoe • A plastic sled to pull your own fishing gear down to the lake. • We have 8 pairs of snowshoes for your use. 3 pair of small (up to 150 lbs), 3 pair of medium (up to 200 lbs), and 2 pair of large (up to 250 lbs) Polk Co. Land Use Permit #2023-0958 Polk Co. Public Health Permit #76977 Guest access Guests have access to entire cabin except for the mechanical room and 2 locked closets - in the main bedroom and in the laundry room.