you have questions. we have answers.

Some places have traditions. Around here, we have a word for it.

Wambolting
verb | wam·bolt·ing | /ˈwäm-bōl-tiŋ/

1. The art of unplugging, slowing down, and finding yourself again in nature — often somewhere along the shores of Upper Bottle Lake.

2. A joyful state of being fully present outdoors: fishing at sunrise, spotting loons from the dock, wandering the trails through the pines, or reading in a hammock with nowhere you need to be.

Examples:

"We planned a full day in town, but ended up Wambolting — fishing, birdwatching, and hiking through the trees."

"Coffee on the porch, breeze in the pines, a half-read book, and nowhere you need to be. That’s Wambolting."

Payments

• 50% due at booking
• Remaining balance due 7 days before arrival

If plans change

• Cancel 90+ days out → 80% refund
• Cancel within 90 days → refund (minus $200) if your cabin rebooks

If you head home early, unused nights aren’t refundable.

For the comfort of our guests and the surrounding wildlife, Wambolts is a pet-free resort unless the entire property is reserved.

Check-in: After 4:00 PM
Check-out: 10:00 AM

There’s no front desk here. Your keys and welcome note will be waiting on your porch, so you can settle in and start your lake day.

Each cabin includes:

• Beds made with fresh sheets

• Basic kitchen amenities, silverware, cups, plates, pots and pans

• Coffee, sugar, toaster, microwave, and coffee pot

• Two Adirondack chairs and a grill

• Picnic table

• Peace, joy & quiet

Guests also have access to:

• Paddle boards, kayaks, and canoes (free!)

• Sandy beach & swimming

• The Wam – books and board games

• The Bolt – snacks, drinks, and Wambolts merch

• Fish cleaning house

Essentials

• Bath towels, washcloths, and hand towels (towels only are included in container cabin stays - not in the log cabins)

• Beach towels

• Flashlights or headlamps

• Sunscreen and bug spray

• Groceries, drinks, and snacks

• Paper towels, extra garbage bags

Nice-to-haves

• Lawn chairs or tree hammocks

• Ziplocks or foil

• Travel mug

• Life jackets (if you need special size)

For the kids (and the young at heart)

• Sand toys

• Swim goggles

• Bikes

• Books and games

Parking is behind the cabins, away from the lake so the shoreline stays peaceful and walkable.
Unload, park, and then begin your Wambolting.

Yes. Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.

You’ll find the network info on your cabin porch—though many guests forget their phones exist once they arrive.

Yes! Guests are welcome to use paddle boards, kayaks, and canoes at no charge.
Pontoons, fishing boats and our solar boat are also available for rent by the day or the week.

We do not allow Jet Skis or Personal Water Craft.

Item

• Emmaville Inn - Just two miles away, this tiny town shop (it’s really just one building) brims with basic supplies, gas, fishing licenses and the best breakfast around (try their caramel roles). Also you should have pie with lunch. Always have pie.

• Hugo’s in Park Rapids- offers delivery and Curbside pick up - lots of organic options and a Caribou Coffee inside the store if you need a boost.

• Walmart. -What can we say? Walmart has everything (including curbside pick up). If you’re looking for bulk buys, this is your place.

• Delaney’s Outdoor - is a great spot in Park Rapids for bait, fishing licenses and all your outdoor gear.

• North Country Bait - just a mile up 24. Cheapest, freshest bait in northern Minnesota. Also a fantastic buying experience.

Absolutely. Upper Bottle Lake is known for great walleye, bass, and panfish fishing, and many guests start their mornings on the water.

We also have a fish cleaning house:

• Clean and open for guests

• Bag fish guts and freeze them—we’ll take care of disposal

• Bait available in the fridge for purchase

Bringing a Boat?

We love seeing Wambolters out on the water.

If you're bringing a boat, please let us know before your arrival. We allow one motorized watercraft per cabin, and dock space is limited, so we'll reserve a spot for you if one is available.

We do not allow Jet Skis or Personal Water Craft.

To help protect Upper Bottle Lake from aquatic invasive species, Minnesota requires boats to be inspected and decontaminated before launch. Please bring proof of inspection with you. A photo of the decontamination process or the yellow inspection log showing the date, time, and license plate information works perfectly.

At this time, we're asking guest boats launched at Wambolts to remain on Upper Bottle Lake for the duration of their stay.

Need an inspection? The free decontamination station is located at:

812 Henrietta Ave S, Park Rapids
Open daily 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
On-call: 218-616-1631

A few quick reminders:
• Minnesota law requires a lifejacket for every person on board.
• Children should wear lifejackets whenever they're on the water.
• The public boat launch is located about one mile from the resort off County Road 24.
• Several of our docks have electrical outlets available for charging batteries. Please bring your own outdoor-rated extension cord if you'd like to use one.
• If you're renting one of our boats, fuel is included and we'll have everything ready for you when you arrive.

Thanks for helping us keep Upper Bottle Lake healthy and beautiful for future generations.

Of course—this is cabin country.

• Cabins 1, 5, 11, 15: private fire pits

• All guests: welcome at the community fire pit

• Other cabins: Solo Stoves available to rent

Big flames. Good stories. Maybe a s’more or two. Wood is available onsite for purchase (please do not bring your own).

None of the cabins have TVs, but the WiFi is plenty fast to stream if you want to bring a device.

Some cabins include A/C and some do not. Each cabin listing notes whether air conditioning is included.

Besides perfecting the art of Wambolting:

• Swimming at the sandy beach

• Canoeing, kayaking, and paddle boarding

• Fishing

• Sauna sessions

• Hammocks in the pines

• Yard games

• Hiking through 60 acres of woods

• Playing our 18-hole frisbee golf course

Or doing absolutely nothing at all—which is highly encouraged.

You can check out some other ideas too.

Yes, with advance approval. Registered guests may have up to two daytime visitors at a time during their stay. Please let us know in advance if you are expecting guests.

A few important guidelines:

• Maximum of 2 non-registered visitors per cabin at any one time.

• Visitors must depart by 8:00 PM and may not stay overnight.

• No pets may be brought by visitors.

• Resort amenities, including the beach, swimming area, docks, boats, kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and other guest equipment, are reserved for registered guests only.

• Registered guests are responsible for ensuring their visitors follow all resort rules and policies.

If you're planning a special gathering such as a baby shower, birthday celebration, or family get-together, please contact us in advance so we can discuss the details. We want to be as accommodating as possible while preserving the peaceful lake experience for all of our guests.