Escape the city to a cozy waterfront retreat. Nestled among centuries old Oaks along the Rock River, enjoy our 1920s cottage and private backyard directly on the river. Relax while watching wildlife out the picture window and listening to vintage vinyl or jump in the car for an easy commute to UW-Madison/Epic. The cottage is ideal for a romantic getaway, remote work or artist retreat. Located 30 min from Madison or a short drive from MKE + Chicago.
The space
Rock River Rest is an updated 1924 river cottage. We aim to offer the ideal escape from everyday life: your own private riverfront (125’ direct frontage) with outdoor amenities like fire pit, gas grill and kayaks available; and indoor space to relax and unwind with a good book, good coffee, vinyl records, games or movie night.
Enjoy a minimal, carefully curated interior with modern appliances and fast wifi. The cottage is cozy with low ceilings and 925 sq ft of living space: think of it as a step back in time or a big tiny house! We have used local Wisconsin and Midwest sourced products and furnishings (Fairbault Wool blankets, Lüsa Organics soaps, etc), as well as some fantastic vintage thrift shop finds and family treasures.
Well stocked kitchen with gas range, microwave, toaster, immersion blender, pour over or Italian coffee pot and retro refrigerator. Views of the river from many rooms. Small downstairs bedroom with half bath is right off the living room and has a double bed, a writing desk and view of the river. Up a short staircase is the upstairs bedroom with full bath and queen bed with our favorite luxurious made in Chicago natural latex mattress (note: full bathroom is accessed via the upstairs bedroom).
Our living room boasts beautiful river views, electric fireplace, 40" smart TV to connect to your favorite apps, vinyl record/CD/bluetooth player with vintage vinyl collection, ukelele, a well stocked games cupboard and a specially curated selection of books for all ages. (We highly recommend grabbing a good book and curling up on the couch for a relaxing day of reading!)
Our cottage is professionally cleaned between each guest using Branch Basics non toxic and eco-friendly cleaning products. *Please note there is no Central Air, rather, in keeping with aim to do better for the environment we provide a window AC unit in summertime for the upstairs bedroom and fans/ventilators around the house. We also highly suggest opening the windows for the refreshingly cool and clean evening breeze coming from the river.
This location is special in that you feel somewhat remote, yet are only a 5 minute drive to restaurants, Lake Koshkonong and Interstate I-90; and approximately 30 minutes from Madison, 60 min from Milwaukee or 2 hrs from Chicago.
We are child friendly and have a few special kid amenities--like the toy/book shelf in the downstairs bedroom closet--we just ask that they are used with care and returned to its place after use.
As a rural riverside location, we get our fair share of insects nearby. Our windows are equipped with screens to help keep them at bay, and we highly recommend keeping outdoor light use to a minimum in order to avoid attracting them to the house.
Only 5 minute drive from Lake Koshkonong, a 10,000 acre lake great for summer and winter water activities, and 2 minute drive from the free public boat launch. Or paddle to the lake easily by putting in your kayak or canoe at our shoreline (or ask us about renting one nearby). *Please note, on summer weekends our shoreline does get busy with boat/skiing traffic going by on the way to Lake Koshkonong.
In an effort to help conserve the beauty and habitat on the Rock River, $10 from each booking is donated to the River Alliance of Wisconsin and the Rock River Coalition. Thank you for helping us support our local watershed protection and restoration!
For more photos and local recommendations, follow us on social media @rockriverrest
And if you use IG please tag us as we love to see how guests enjoy our space!
Note: Parties and events of any kind including photo shoots are prohibited unless officially arranged with the host. Make sure your reservation accounts for every person staying. Please don't invite extra guests other than those included in your reservation.
No dogs, pets or animals of any kind.
Guest access
Guests can access the house, patio, yard and pier.
Please DO NOT access garage, basement or pump/well house (small white house by the red water pump near the river). *Note, red pump is an artesian well and as such is continually flowing, not broken.
Other things to note
>> Please ensure that all members of your group are made aware if our house rules. We expect you to return the property to us in the same condition in which you received it, aside from the bedding and towels, which we will turn over. You’ll find our full check out procedures printed in our guest guide.
>> Our cleaners work hard to ensure the property is clean and ready for each group. Please respect their time by checking out promptly at 11am.
>> Please be mindful that this is a 1920’s cottage, rich in character. The staircase leading to the upper level (consisting of queen bedroom and full bathroom) is original and has a rather steep and narrow incline. Also, the retro refrigerator is smaller than standard American size and includes a small freezer about the size of a shoe box.
>> Expect to encounter wildlife. We regularly see fish, ducks, and eagles at the river. Chipmunks are always scurrying around the property. If you’re lucky, you might see an otter. There will be bugs! A cost of being so close to the river. Consider packing big spray in summer and please keep all screens to the house closed and outdoor lights off to avoid them coming inside to join your stay.
>> Permitted by Town of Fulton and
Rock County Health Department License No. MWEN-BWXQ8N
