Category: Host Tips

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Your handy packing list for the Wisconsin Northwoods

We’ve filled Camp Kulisha, our Minocqua vacation rental, with the things we love when staying at a lakeside cabin. But, for sure, not everything you’ll want. Here’s our list of items that might smooth your transition from hectic home life to secluded cabin life.

Personal items

    • Layers to keep you comfortable through the Northwoods’ weather shifts—from hot, hot afternoons to cold, windy evenings.
    • Water-friendly everything—from bathing suits to sun shirts to sandals for wading into rocky swimming areas or launching your boat.
    • Sturdy shoes for muddy and uneven trails.
    • House shoes if you need to ditch muddy shoes at the door.
    • Raincoats for everyone—waterproof, not just windproof.
    • A water bottle and filter, if that’s your thing. We have well water that we cook with and drink. We think it tastes lovely—and so did our well digger!
    • Sleeping comforts. Do you travel with your favorite pillows like our kids? What about an eye mask?

Activities

    • A walking stick to keep you steady on uneven, earthen, or rocky trails.
    • Paddle boards, canoes, or kayaks to meander the waterways.
    • Bikes—for the quiet, empty roads, asphalt trail systems, or dirt trails. Maybe bring a few tools for on-trail repairs?
    • A float for open-water swimming along the shore.
    • A hotspot—just in case. Everyone’s idea of fast WiFi is different.

Eating well

    • Charcoal, if you like slow grilling
    • Comfort food items to make your morning coffee routine just so
    • Unusual, luxury items like a favorite whiskey or go-to spices. No one wants to waste precious vacation days running errands.

Planning a trip to the Northwoods?

Still looking for a modern cabin with lake access to get away this year? Check out our 2025 availability. Or email Liz at stay@campkulisha.com to see if our little slice of tranquility on Tomahawk Lake is right for you and your loved ones.

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Explore the Northwoods in Vilas and Oneida county trails

If you stay for longer than a week with us, you may get an itch to hike, bike, or paddle in the plentiful open land nearby.

Paddling near Minocqua, WI

You choose—a no-motor route through a chain of lakes, some white water, or a large lake with public or private land. Within a 30-minute drive, you can find dozens of boat landings to match your experience level and interest. Here are some to get you started:

Vilas county waterways

The Flambeau River offers the full range of turbulence—from Class I rapids to Class V. It’s further from us—around an hour away.

Nine Mile Tavern Outfitter if you’d prefer to rent equipment

Biking near Minocqua, WI

Bearskin Trail day trip

We enjoy walking this trail from Bearskin Trailhead Park, in downtown Minocqua. To bike, look for the Rantz parking lot on this trail map, allowing you to pick up the trail directly from our place. You just cross Highway 51 (obviously be quick!) and bike south to Blue Lake Road. If you can bike 10-miles to Goodnow, WI, we’ve heard great things about the Silver Birch Supper Club. Of course, that’s 10-miles back home!

Vilas County day trip

The huge network of paved trails through Vilas County offers many itineraries to spend a day out on your bike. This trail map can help. The M&N parking lot is about 35-minute drive from our parking lot. We can vouch for the food at Aqualand Ale House in Boulder Junction, an 8-mile trip, and recommend you get a reservation. If you’re ready for a much longer ride into Manitowish Waters, try  Dixie’s.

Aqualand Ale House

Dixie’s

Planning a trip to the Northwoods?

Looking for a Minocqua rental where you can launch your kayak directly into the lake and enjoy hours of quiet water time? (And then, buzz into town for dinner?!) Check out our 2025 availability to book your stay.

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Minocqua chain of lakes boat ramps

Bringing your boat to Camp Kulisha?
There are several convenient boat launches nearby. We’ve gathered the key info (including live cams and permit links) so you can get onto the water faster—to fish, ski, or cruise the Minocqua Chain of Lakes—on your arrival day.

Lake Tomahawk boat launch

About a 30-minute drive from our cabin, the town of Lake Tomahawk offers ample space to launch your boat and park your trailer. You can check the cam to see how busy the ramp is before you arrive.

Boat launch permit

Lake Tomahawk’s live boat launch cam

Minocqua boat launches

The town of Minocqua publishes a full list of local boat ramps, including address and ramp specifics.

The Thoroughfare Boat Landing is the closest boat launch to Camp Kulisha—just a 10-minute drive from our parking lot. A small launch, the line to launch can pile up fast on the weekends.

Minocqua boat ramp street address, fee + map

Online permit for Minocqua launches

Planning a trip to the Northwoods?

Still looking for a spot to enjoy your annual summer retreat? Check out our 2025 availability.

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Ditch the car. Get to dinner via boat on the Minocqua chain!

Motoring across the lake to eat is a novel Northwoods activity for our family.  If you’re staying at Camp Kulisha for the first time, these three Lake Tomahawk restaurants are pretty close to our place. Depending on your energy level, you could paddle to the first on this list.

Lakeside Grill (Minocqua) for sandwiches, burgers and wraps. Closest place to fill up your gas tank.

Gaslight Tavern (Lake Tomahawk) for sit-down pan-Asian food. You’ll need to tie up your boat at the town launch and walk 5 minutes.

Lake Tomahawk Village Cafe (Lake Tomahawk) for classic Northwoods fare, including fish fry. Also accessible via the town boat launch.

Want to make a day of it?

If you’d like to stay out all day, you can reach these spots by boating through Mid Lake and into Lake Minocqua via the channel. These Minocqua restaurants on the water are casual enough that you can be in your swimming gear too.

Yacht Club (Minocqua) lively newly remodeled spot for cocktails, flatbreads, entrees and periodic live music.

The Boathouse (Minocqua) Walleye bites are a favorite for our family. Upstairs dining room has more expansive menu.

The Thirsty Whale (Minocqua) is a favorite cheese curd and beer spot! If you time it, you can watch the Minocqua Bats show from the deck.

Prefer a picnic?

There are plenty of places to throw down your pontoon anchor or pull up your canoe on shore to enjoy your own treats. If you want to make a plan in advance, this helpful map of Lake Tomahawk commissioned by our lake association shows state-owned shoreline. And, here some of our own Minocqua-specific host tips on food.

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Immerse yourself in Northwoods supper club traditions

For those who delight in regional culture, the Northwoods offers a bounty. Our hiking trails and paddling routes—with their mix of boreal forest, loon and eagle battles and dramatic weather are magnificent, but maybe not singular. The Northwoods supper club dining experience, however, is iconic.

Step Inside, and Back in Time

“What’s a supper club?” our guests often ask, intrigued by nostalgia that hovers around them. Each supper club exudes particular charms and personality, like a carefully curated antique mall booth. Taxidermy? Maybe. Mounted canoe? Perhaps. Stocked bar? Likely.  Expect to eat heartily. Expect to be patient—with the staff, and with the kitchen. With all that’s unpredictable, plan to settle into conversation and laugher with your loved ones.

Here’s a fun video to let you peek inside!

Supper Clubs Near Minocqua 

Each of these spots—between ten to fifty minutes drive from our property—offers good food and a distinctive ambiance.

Boathouse (Minocqua)
Norwood Pines (Minocqua)
Little Bohemia (Manitowish Waters)

Reservations are recommended during the summer, and often in the spring and fall too. How to dress, you ask? There’s never been a dress code that I could suss out. If you like to spiff up, this is your moment!

One hot tip: If you enjoy a cocktail, try one. My husband and I prefer a more alcohol-forward version of an old fashioned. If that’s you, may we suggest you ask for a Manhattan or a martini.

Craft Your Own Pickle Tray!

When we’re up north, we like to recreate the supper club experience and stay at home. With a little prep, we can whip up fresh lake fish or a Tomahawk cut of meat from nearby markets. We make our preferred version of an old fashioned. Then, there’s just the relish tray to conjure up. Some favorite recipes:

Traditional Lacto Fermented Dill Pickles, from Fermenting for Foodies
Garlicky Fermented Green Beans, from Fermenting for Foodies
Marinated Red Peppers, from Eugenia Bone’s book

Bonus: the kids have freedom to roam and play by the water.

Share Your Supper Club Tips!

Love to hear your favorite spots. And, if you’d like our thoughts on how to avoid a three-drink wait time, email stay@campkulisha.com!