(Including: How to Explore 10 Lakes in 3 Days)
There are lake getaways, and then there’s Manitowish Waters — a 4,200-acre, 10-lake chain that’s fully navigable by boat and wired directly into Northwoods legend. (rentwisconsincabins.com)
From your cabin on the Manitowish Waters Chain of Lakes, you’re not just “near” the water. You’re plugged into a watery street grid: breakfast on one lake, a sandbar swim on another, sunset cocktails on a third, and a quiet stargazing cruise back home.
This guide is written for cabin-time people — guests who book direct through RentWisconsinCabins.com and want to actually use the chain, not just look at it from the shoreline. (rentwisconsincabins.com)
We’ll walk through:
- Cabin “home bases” on or near the Chain
- Where to rent boats and toys
- Bait shops, public docks, beaches, and boat launches
- A practical “10 Lakes in 3 Days” game plan you can actually follow
Cabin Home Bases on (and Just Off) the Chain
On RentWisconsinCabins.com, Manitowish Waters is all about cabins that drop you right into the system — especially on Little Star Lake, Spider Lake, and the Aberdeen grounds. (rentwisconsincabins.com)
A few of the stars:
Hojnacki’s Cedar Hideaway – On the Chain, On Aberdeen Grounds
Hojnacki’s Cedar Hideaway is a 2,250-square-foot cedar-sided home right on the Manitowish Waters Chain, set on the historic Aberdeen Lodge grounds. (rentwisconsincabins.com)
- 4BR / 2BA (flexible layout), year-round, with open-concept living–dining area
- Access to a private sand beach, boat docks, boathouse, playground, fire pit, and screened gazebo
- Easy access to snowmobile trails in winter and lake-hopping in summer (TravelWisconsin)
From here, you can idle out onto Rest, Stone, and Fawn in minutes — or point the bow toward Little Star for a dinner run.
Absolute Heaven – Little Star Lake, Legendary 10-Lake Chain
Absolute Heaven is a newer, thoughtfully designed cabin right on Little Star Lake, squarely in the middle of the 10-lake chain. (rentwisconsincabins.com)
- Direct Little Star frontage, private dock, modern interior
- Set up for families, couples, or solo cabin-timers who want light, bright spaces but still Northwoods charm
- Hop in the boat and you’re quickly on Manitowish, Island, Spider, or Alder
Cozy Cottage on Little Star Lake – Pet-Friendly, Dockside Living
Cozy Cottage on Little Star Lake is pet-friendly and sits just steps from the water, with a private dock and calm swimming area — plus instant chain access right from your pier. (rentwisconsincabins.com)
This is the classic “morning coffee on the dock, evening pontoon cruise back under the stars” cabin.
Birch Hollow Cabins on Spider Lake – Quiet Middle-of-the-Chain Vibes
Birch Hollow Cabins on Spider Lake (STePAWAY Vacation Rentals) gives you a tree-lined, tucked-away base that still sits inside the Manitowish Waters Chain. (rentwisconsincabins.com)
- Two cabins (1BR + 3BR) that can sleep up to 14 when combined
- Private, wooded setting on Spider Lake with classic cabin interiors
- Just minutes by boat or car from Greer’s Pier Marina and key trail systems (rentwisconsincabins.com)
All of these cabins are listed on RentWisconsinCabins.com, so guests book direct with owners/managers and keep OTA fees out of their trip budget — more room for pontoon days, fish fries, and old fashioneds. (rentwisconsincabins.com)
Meet the Legendary 10 Lakes
The Manitowish Waters Chain is a neat, navigable loop of 10 lakes, each with its own personality:
- Rest Lake – Big water, ski-show home base, sandy public beach, and two town parks (Rest Lake Park & Koller Memorial Park) right on its shores.
- Stone Lake – Quieter, great for paddling and fishing, tucked between Rest and Fawn.
- Fawn Lake – Small, cozy, and a bit more secluded; great for a slow morning paddle.
- Clear Lake – Crystal water, strong swimming, and public ramps for easy access. (Wisconsin DNR)
- Spider Lake – In the middle of the chain, known for excellent fishing and quiet coves.
- Island Lake – Bigger water with islands to weave around; classic chain-cruising terrain.
- Wild Rice Lake – Marsh edges, bird-watching, and a public boat ramp off Townline Road.
- Manitowish Lake – Central connector, easy lake-hopping hub with resort shoreline and on-water dining nearby.
- Little Star Lake – Home of Little Bohemia Lodge and Little Star Beach Park; sand, history, and big-sky sunsets.
- Alder Lake – Quieter, shallower, great for paddling and relaxing away from the busier sections of the chain.
Once you understand who’s who, planning a “10 lakes in 3 days” circuit becomes a fun routing puzzle instead of guesswork.
Boats, Toys, and How to Get on the Water
No boat? No problem. The chain is built to be rented, borrowed, and played on.
Full-Service Marina on the Chain: Greer’s Pier Marina
Greer’s Pier Marina sits on Spider Lake right in the chain and functions as marine HQ: boat sales, rentals, launch, marine fuel, supplies, plus a bar & grill called The Lower Unit. (greerspier.com)
- Rental options typically include:
- 24’ premium pontoon boats
- Ski boats
- Fishing boats
- Stand-up paddleboards (SUP)
- All boats go out directly from Spider Lake, so you’re launched already on the chain. (rentals.greerspier.com)
Pontoon Delivery & More: Northwoods Pontoon Rentals and The Northwoods Life
Northwoods Pontoon Rentals (on US Hwy 51 in MW) offers daily and weekly pontoon rentals and will deliver to Manitowish Waters, Presque Isle, Winchester, and other nearby lakes. (northwoodspontoonrentals.com)
The Northwoods Life (based at 5325 Aberdeen Lodge Rd) also rents pontoons specifically for the Manitowish Waters Chain, with online agreements and local support — a nice fit if you’re staying on or near Aberdeen.
Between these options, your cabin guests can choose the vibe:
- Big pontoon with sun deck for multi-family cruising
- Ski boat for tubing and wake-play
- Smaller fishing rigs for slipping quietly into Wild Rice or Spider coves
Bait Shops, Tackle, and Fishing Essentials
The chain is loaded with musky, walleye, bass, and panfish, and local shops make it easy to gear up:
Close to Manitowish Waters:
- Dietz’s Service Station – Right in Manitowish Waters; one of the go-to bait and tackle spots for chain anglers.
- Townline Sports – On the south side of Manitowish Waters; another convenient stop for bait, licenses, and tackle tweaks.ortsman’s Motel and Resort)
Nearby, but still an easy drive:
- Karsyn’s Korner in Presque Isle
- Turtle River Trading Company in Mercer
Layer in local guides like Rob Friedley’s Guide Service if guests want a musky-or-bust mission.
Public Docks, Beaches, and Boat Launches
One of the reasons the chain works so well for “lake-hopping” from your cabin is the network of parks, public docks, and launches.
Rest Lake Park – Big Beach + Launch + Ski Show
Rest Lake Park sits on 10.7 acres with 675 feet of sandy frontage on the west side of Rest Lake:
- Large sand beach & swimming area
- Pavilion with fireplace, picnic tables, grills, restrooms
- Public boat launch ramp and dock with parking
- Home of the Manitowish Waters Skiing Skeeters water ski shows in summer
Perfect for: a mid-day family beach break between lake segments, or a launch point if your cabin isn’t directly on Rest.
Frank B. Koller Memorial Park – Downtown Docks & Music in the Park
Right by the Rest Lake Dam in downtown Manitowish Waters, Koller Memorial Park is your “pull up and wander town” stop:
- Five public boat docks
- Fishing pier and small swimming area
- Gazebo, bandstand, picnic tables, grills, and restrooms
- Summer Music in the Park concerts and other waterfront events
Boat-in to Koller, tie up at one of the docks, grab food or coffee in town, then head back out.
Little Star Beach Park – Sandbar Swim & Boat-In Beach
On the east side of Little Star Lake, Little Star Beach Park is a classic “drop anchor and swim” spot:
- Sand beach with buoyed swim area
- Picnic tables, grills, parking, and basic facilities
- Accessible by watercraft; people commonly nose pontoons up to the sandy shallows
This is your textbook “sandbar swim on another lake” stop during a 10-lake run.
Key Public Boat Launches on the Chain
You don’t need to memorize GPS coordinates, but it’s useful to know the main public access points:
- Rest Lake Boat Landing – Public landing for Rest Lake
- Clear Lake Boat Landings – Two public landings off Clear Lake Road
- Wild Rice Lake Boat Landing – Public landing with paved ramp at the end of Townline Road
- Little Star Lake Boat Landing – DNR-listed public landing off Park Road near Little Star Beach
- Greer’s Pier Marina – Private launch on Spider Lake (fees may apply), handy if you’re renting or trailering in
From a cabin-guest perspective, the message is simple: you’re never far from a launch, a dock, or a beach where you can step out of the boat and into town or sand.
Where to Eat & Drink by Boat (or Short Drive)
This is where Manitowish Waters really leans into the “experience” part: multiple true Northwoods dining options are either on the water or a very short walk from public docks.
On or Very Near the Chain
- Little Bohemia Lodge – Little Star Lake
The historic lodge from the John Dillinger shootout and Public Enemies film, perched right on Little Star. Classic supper-club-style fare, bar, and a built-in history lesson, plus boat-accessible shoreline. - Aberdeen Restaurant & Bar – Aberdeen Lodge Grounds
Hand-hewn log lodge with a dining room overlooking the Manitowish Waters Chain. Upscale, cozy, and explicitly designed for “views while you eat.” Great pairing with Hojnacki’s Cedar Hideaway or any cabin near Aberdeen Road. - White Oak Grill – Chippewa Retreat Resort (Lake Manitowish)
Lakeside restaurant on Manitowish Lake with a “rustic elegance” vibe, multi-course options, and a proper Northwoods cocktail list. Ideal as a final stop on a chain-wide dinner cruise. - Manny’s Parkside – Overlooking Rest Lake
Modern tavern and backyard space with pizzas, wings, paninis, and frequent live music, with views over Rest Lake. The “Backyard” is built for hanging out after a day on the water. - Pea Patch Motel & Saloon – By the Rest Lake Dam
A classic bar-and-grill next to the Rest Lake Dam in downtown MW; their tagline brags “Best Burger by a Dam Site!” Dock at Koller Park and walk over for burgers and beers. (thepeapatch.com)
Coffee & Breakfast with a Lake View
- Dixie’s Coffee House – On Vance Lake
A lakeside coffee house with deck, dock seating, and some of the best “first light over water” views in town. Breakfast sandwiches, paninis, and baked goods make this a perfect day-start before you hop back onto the chain. (dixiesmw.com)
Fine Dining Finishers
- Smokey’s Restaurant & Supper Club
Classic Northwoods supper club: steaks, chops, walleye, salmon, deep wine list, and a quietly fancy atmosphere tucked in the pines along County Hwy W. When guests ask, “Where do we go for that special dinner?” — this is the answer. (smokeysdining.com)
Between all of this, your guests can realistically build full days where they never need the car — just a boat, a dock, and some time.
How to Explore 10 Lakes in 3 Days!
A Practical Cabin-Time Game Plan
Let’s turn all this into something guests can follow. This three-day plan assumes you’re staying on or very near the chain (Little Star, Spider, Alder, or Rest). Adjust the start/end lake based on your cabin’s dock.
Day 1 – Little Star, Manitowish, Island
Theme: History, sandbar swim, and sunset cruise
Morning: Coffee & Orientation
- Start at Dixie’s Coffee House on Vance Lake for breakfast and a caffeine boost with lake views. (dixiesmw.com)
- Head back to your cabin dock on Little Star, Rest, or Spider and launch the pontoon.
Midday: Little Star Beach & Chain Sampler
- Cruise into Little Star Lake and idle over to Little Star Beach Park on the east shore. Pull the pontoon up to the sandy shallows and let everyone hop out for a swim and picnic.
- From there, make a lazy loop: Little Star → Manitowish → Island Lake, getting everyone used to the channels and markers.
Afternoon: Historic Stop at Little Bohemia Lodge
- Return to Little Star and tie up near Little Bohemia Lodge for a late lunch or early dinner. Guests can walk through the Dillinger history, browse the memorabilia, and then walk back out to the boat for golden-hour calm.
Evening: Sunset Cruise Back to the Cabin
- Finish with a slow cruise back through Manitowish and Little Star as the sky turns orange.
- Back at Cozy Cottage or Absolute Heaven, drop anchor off the dock for a final swim, then move to the fire pit. (rentwisconsincabins.com)
Goal for Day 1: You’ve touched 3–4 lakes, figured out the channels, and started your “we commuted to dinner by boat” vacation flex.
Day 2 – Rest, Stone, Fawn, Clear, Spider
Theme: Parks, beach time, and mid-chain exploring
Morning: Launch at Rest Lake Park & Explore
- If your cabin isn’t on Rest, use the Rest Lake Park boat launch and dock there. (manitowishwaters.org)
- Head east across Rest Lake, through the channel into Stone Lake, and onward into Fawn Lake and Clear Lake — you’ll get a feel for how the quieter eastern lakes change in character.
Midday: Clear Lake Swim & Picnic
- Clear Lake’s public access and clear water make it ideal for a swim stop; tuck into a quiet bay, drop anchor, and swim off the boat ladder.
Afternoon: Spider Lake & Greer’s Pier
- Continue into Spider Lake, one of the best mid-chain fishing and exploring lakes.
- Swing by Greer’s Pier Marina: top off with fuel, grab snacks or a drink from The Lower Unit Bar & Grill, and check out their rental fleet if you’re day-renting instead of keeping a boat all week. (greerspier.com)
Guests staying at Birch Hollow Cabins on Spider Lake can treat this day as a full “home-loop”: zig-zagging Spider’s bays and then out into Stone, Fawn, and Clear before coming right back to their own dock. (rentwisconsincabins.com)
Evening: Dinner & Music on Rest Lake
- Cruise back toward Rest Lake and dock at Koller Memorial Park or Rest Lake Park.
- Depending on the day:
- Catch Music in the Park at Koller, then walk to Pea Patch Motel & Saloon for burgers and drinks.
- Or roll over to Manny’s Parkside for pizzas and live music in Manny’s Backyard, overlooking Rest Lake.
Goal for Day 2: You’ve stitched together the eastern and central chain, mixed in town time, and shown guests how easy it is to “dock and do stuff.”
Day 3 – Alder, Wild Rice, Quiet Corners & Fine Dining
Theme: Wildlife, quiet paddling, and a big-finish supper club night
Morning: Wild Rice & Alder – The Quiet Side
- Launch from Wild Rice Lake’s public boat landing off Townline Road or from your cabin if you’re on the western chain.
- Start with an early-morning cruise on Wild Rice Lake. This lake’s marshy edges make it a bird-watcher’s dream — think eagles, herons, loons.
- Continue into Alder Lake, where the vibe gets even quieter. This is the place to pull out the kayaks or SUPs and drift.
Midday: Dock-and-Dine or Back-Deck Lunch
- Head back toward Manitowish Lake for a dock-and-dine lunch at White Oak Grill (Chippewa Retreat) or a mid-day bite at Aberdeen Restaurant & Bar.
- Alternatively, return to your cabin (Hojnacki’s, Absolute Heaven, Cozy Cottage) and grill lunch on the deck — that’s still part of the cabin-time script. (rentwisconsincabins.com)
Afternoon: Last-Chance Swim & Sandbar Stop
- Use the afternoon to revisit your favorite spot from Days 1–2:
- Another Little Star Beach Park sandbar swim
- A sandy shoreline stop on Rest Lake Park’s beach
- Or a final, quiet float in a Spider Lake bay
Evening: Classic Supper Club Send-Off
- End the trip with a reservation at Smokey’s Restaurant & Supper Club. Arrive by car or time your day so you can boat back toward County Hwy W and dock at a nearby access before dinner.
- Signature steaks, walleye, salmon, dessert, and Dixie’s coffee cap the trip with a very Northwoods “last night.”
Goal for Day 3: You’ve visited the quieter western lakes, circled back for favorite swim spots, and capped the trip with a supper club story your guests will tell for years.
Putting It All Together (and Keeping It “Cabin Time”)
When you connect the dots — book-direct cabins on RentWisconsinCabins.com, marinas and pontoon rentals right on the chain, on-water restaurants and bars, and an unusually rich network of public docks and beaches — Manitowish Waters stops being just “somewhere with a nice lake.” (rentwisconsincabins.com)
It becomes a lake system you live in for a few days:
- Morning coffee at Dixie’s or on your dock
- Boat-in beach time at Little Star or Rest Lake
- Bird-heavy drifts on Wild Rice and Alder
- Dock-and-dine nights at Little Bohemia, Aberdeen, Manny’s, or Smokey’s
- Cabin decks, fire pits, and quiet Spider-or-Little-Star nights to reset between adventures
That’s how you turn a rental into a full-tilt Manitowish Waters Chain experience — and why your It’s Cabin Time blog can proudly claim “niche authority” on how to do 10 lakes in 3 days without ever losing that cabin-time heartbeat.
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