Welcome to Polaris @ Dark Star Cabins! Our solar powered cabin (NO RUNNING WATER) is your private North Shore getaway on 20 acres. You’ll enjoy hiking or snowshoeing with over a mile of trails on-property, a cozy wood burning stove, a clean outhouse, and an outdoor fire pit. Drinking water must be brought in but we do provide water for washing at the sink. With no Wi-Fi, no fridge, and no distractions, it’s a true wilderness escape for stargazing, slow mornings, and quiet nights.
The space
Polaris is an off-grid hideaway where modern distractions fade away. The cabin runs on a mix of solar power and propane, with soft lighting, a propane furnace, and a wood stove to keep you warm during the colder months. There is no running water or refrigerator, but we provide firewood, water for washing, and everything you’ll need to cook and share a meal—from pots, pans, and utensils to spices and a stainless steel carafe to keep your morning coffee hot. Guests should bring their own drinking water and a cooler for perishables.
Inside, the cabin is filled with character and creativity. You’ll find walls donned with artwork by Katie Bromme Watercolor, shelves lined with books and games, and even a record player with classic vinyl tunes to drift away while the fire crackles. Every detail encourages you to slow down, unplug, and settle into the rhythm of the woods.
The Land
Set on 20 private acres of northern forest, Polaris invites exploration in every season. Wander the onsite trails, perfect for hiking, snowshoeing, or simply enjoying the quiet. You’ll share the land with deer, a chorus of birds, and if you’re lucky, the distant call of a wolf pack. On clear nights, step outside for breathtaking stargazing and spectacular Northern Lights shows. Away from city lights, the Milky Way stretches overhead, and the cabin’s namesake–Polaris, the North Star, guides your gaze skyward.
Inside
+ Queen mattress with sheets and pillows
+ Futon with sheets and pillows
+ Extra Blankets (for those cold winter nights)
+ Dishes, pots, pans, cutlery, tea kettle, coffee maker, and all basic necessities for cooking on the propane stove
+ Wood Burning Stove (with pre-chopped wood)
+ 4 Burner Propane Gas Stove & Oven (for pizza!)
+ Non-potable water jugs for washing and cleaning
+ Batter operated faucet at sink
+ Coffee beans and grinder, tea, and hot cocoa
+ A couple extra gallons of drinking water (in case your run out)
Outside
+ Fire pit ring with 4 chairs and 2 side tables
+ Weber Gas Grill w/ extra propane tank
+ Snowshoes for hiking the paths around the land in winter
+ Five color-coded hiking trails around the 20 acres for you to explore the land and tune into nature
Lake County Permit: I-25-018i
Guest access
Guests have full access to the cabin, trails, and outdoor spaces. A fire pit, propane grill, and chairs/side tables around the fire ring area make outdoor cooking and gathering easy. The vault privy (outhouse) is a stones throw away from the cabin. Firewood is always stacked and ready for inside fires during the cooler months and the open fire pit becomes the heart of your evenings outside during the summer (please use the wood by the fire pit for outdoors and the wood in the wood shed for indoor use).
Other things to note
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this cabin for everyone? — Not exactly… We want to be clear that this is an off-grid cabin that was meant to be used as a rustic retreat. We know that not everyone digs an outhouse. Oh, and there's no running water, no shower, and no refrigerator.
Is there Wifi or cell network service? — There is some cell signal. Verizon tends to get about two bars. There is no WiFi… some say for an even better connection ;)
How long will the solar power last? — Well, you are completely off-grid. So, the solar-powered lighting & charging, etc is all dependent on the sun. However, with the current setup, one could last 7+ days without sunshine and charge almost anything you could ever imagine. In other words, you should never run out of power.
What about water? — We provide non-potable water at the battery operated sink/faucet for washing hands and dishes (the water is quality, as it’s from our home but we can’t permit you to drink it). Please keep an eye on the grey water 5 gallon bucket below the sink. Be sure to chuck the water in the woods when it's close to full so it doesn’t overflow (don’t forget to put the bucket back under the sink drain, or you’ll have a mess to clean up).
What is your bathroom situation? — We have a vault privy (or outhouse) that is compliant with Lake County, MN. It has a 1500gal tank below the latrine (toilet for you city folk) that is pumped annually.
Fire Pit & Grill? — Yes, both! We have a propane Weber Grill for you to cook to your hearts desire. We supply the propane and utensils. There is a fire pit. Guests are free to use the fire pit year round but are responsible for snow removal to use it if they wish to do so. There is enough wood outside just past the ring for you to use. If you need to chop any wood, grab the axe in the wood shed behind the cabin, be careful swinging, and please replace the axe after use.
Do you have a coffee maker? — We have a stainless steel, 12-cup carafe-style coffee maker. Which means it stays hot longer than a traditional glass coffee pot maker as it's insulated and takes less power to run (think solar energy conservation).
How remote is the cabin? — The cabin is easily accessed just off Hwy 2 on a maintained gravel/dirt road. Your views are woods, nature, and the wilderness at large. While this cabin is completely private, there are neighbors to the North, West, and East but you'll never see them when at the cabin. You're only 5 miles from the heart of Two Harbors. A short 10min drive to the banks of Lake Superior.
Winter Conditions:
We recommend AWD/4WD vehicles from Oct to May. If you have a 2 wheel drive vehicle and are coming durning the snowy season, please note this will be at your own risk. If you need a tow or for someone to get you out of the ditch, you can message us to see if we are avail to help but please note we are not responsible for any 2WD matters. Due to plowing shortages we cannot guarantee that the road will be plowed on a daily basis but will let you know during your stay if and when plowing will happen.
