Frequently Asked Quesitons:

If your question isn’t answered here, email us at info@theriverretreatmn.com

Where is The River Retreat?

The River Retreat is in Motley, MN. It is almost exactly a 2 hour drive from the Twin Cities. It is easy to get to by highway I-94 West or US-10 North.

What are the amenities at The River Retreat?

You can see a list of amenities on the Overview page.

What is the layout of the bedrooms and such?

Learn more here: https://www.theriverretreatmn.com/en/bedroom-layouts

What activities can we participate in?

The River Retreat has indoor and outdoor games, kayaks (with life jackets available), snowshoes of various sizes, fire pit, indoor wood burning fire place, TVs, less than a mile walk to Dairy Queen, The BBQ Smoke House and the local antique store. Be sure to check out Morey's Fine Fish where people drive in to Motley from all over Minnesota to visit! In less than a half hour you can drive to the Brainerd Lakes Area with nearly everything you could imagine for Minnesota Recreation. Of course, many may choose to relax, read, share stories and just enjoy being together!

Is there wifi?

Absolutely - and good Wifi! Fiber Internet is available at The River Retreat and the Internet speed is faster than the average home in the Twin Cities. No additional charge for Wifi access.

Is The River Retreat kid-friendly?

We love kids and want them to enjoy The River Retreat! We will do our best to make sure The River Retreat is as kid-friendly as possible. We will have some helpful items such as a pack n play, a high chair, kid oriented games and kids life-jackets. However, there are some items and objects that are not safe for kids on the property, it is the guardian’s responsibility to ensure the safety of their children and other minors.

What is the parking situation?

There is a long driveway with plenty of parking for everyone.

Is the river safe to swim in?

Safety of swimming in the river is up to each family. The river depth fluctuates with rain and season, but in general it is no deeper than 5 feet. Sometimes you can walk across the river with water only 1-3 feet deep. You can read more on the safety of the Crow Wing River.

Is the river safe to walk/drive on in the winter?

No, we strongly recommend that you don’t walk, ski or drive on the river when frozen.

Can I bring my own boat? Is there a dock/load in?

There is a boat launch 1 mile away at 149 Riverfront Ln, Motley, MN 56466. Powered boats cannot be launched easily/safely from The River Retreat property. There is a dock on the property, but we don't recommend storing a boat at the dock. Kayaks and tubes recommended, but storage should be out of the water and you will need to have a vehicle to pick you up down river as it is nearly impossible to paddle up river.

What bedding, towels, etc. do I need to bring?

Clean and fresh sheets, blankets, pillows, indoor towels, outdoor towels, wash cloths and more are provided for your stay. You are of course welcome to bring your own if you would like.

What if I forget toiletries or other items?

There is a small grocery store in Motely called BBQ Smokehouse Plus (69 US-10, Motley, MN 56466) that has limited items. There is a large grocery store in Staples called Ernie's Food Market (1230 US-10, Staples, MN 56479) that has a large selection. Main-stream large stores (Target, Walmart, Walgreens) are 20 minutes away in the Baxter/Brainerd area.