Lakefront Cabins on Lower Holly & Little Sand Lakes
O'Connell Cabin Co.
Where the water whispers home.
At O'Connell Cabin Co., the lake's tranquil presence sets a peaceful tone. Our pet-friendly cabins offer a harmonious blend of rustic allure and modern amenities, inviting you to linger by the fire pit or unwind in the wood-burning sauna. Embrace the simplicity and beauty of lakeside living, where every moment is a gentle escape.
Our Cabins
Located in Sawyer County just 20 minutes south of Hayward.
Hear first when this host opens direct rates or adds a new place.
Hi. In 2014 my wife and I rented a cabin in northern Wisconsin. We loved it so much that we rented the same cabin again a couple months later. It was then that we started thinking about doing this ourselves so that we could share this experience with others. After a lot of thought, some careful planning, and convincing family members to join us, we finished construction on our first cabin in the fall of 2018. My family and I now own 4 lakeside vacation rental cabins in the Stone Lake, Wisconsin area. We work with a local builder to build them brand new and then rent them out when they're finished. We self-manage our properties too, and always will. We felt this is the only way to provide a truly unique, peaceful, and complete experience for our guests. Perfect for any season, our cabins are for those who feel the need to get away every once in a while, because we can totally relate. Whether you're looking for a summer get-away or planning a winter snowmobiling weekend, you can book your stay with us directly on this website. We would look forward to having you.
Brad
FAQ
Our most frequently asked questions, all in one spot.
One hundred percent (100%) of the total booking charges will be refunded if cancellation is made more than 14 days prior to arrival. Fifty percent (50%) will be refunded if cancellation is made more than 7 days prior. For cancellations within 7 days of arrival, no refund will be issued. We understand plans change — just let us know as soon as possible so we can work with you.
We're pet-friendly and love welcoming dogs! A maximum of 2 well-behaved dogs are allowed with a flat $150 fee (whether 1 or 2 dogs). No cats, please. Kindly declare pets on your reservation so we can prepare for their arrival — we want them to feel at home too.
Check-in is 4pm or later. Check-out is 10am.
Yes! We offer early check-in (before 4pm) and late check-out (after 10am) when available, each at a $50 fee. Guests must request and confirm availability at least 24 hours prior to arrival or departure. The fee is due upon confirmation. We love helping extend your stay — just ask!
Lower Holly Lake and Little Sand Lake are both swimmable, as long as you're okay with a natural lake bottom (a mix of sand, muck, and aquatic vegetation along the shoreline). The water is clean and clear, and the lakes are perfect for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing — including Northern Pike and pan fish. Bring water shoes if you like!
There are several great restaurants in the area! Check out our Local Guide for our favorite local spots — from casual pubs and micro-brews in Stone Lake to more options in Hayward (just 20 minutes north).
Lots of great attractions! Check out our Local Guide for our curated recommendations — snowmobiling/ATV trails, CAMBA mountain biking, fishing, kayaking, local events, and more.
We're about 20 minutes south of Hayward, making us a quieter, more peaceful base for Hayward events, shopping, and attractions while still offering lakefront relaxation.
All cabins include high-speed internet, central air, Smart HDTVs, laundry facilities, firewood for the fire pit, and lake gear (kayaks, canoe, pedal boat). We also have a fishing boat + trolling motor at Cattail Cabin and Little Sand Lodge. Cattail Chalet and Little Sand Lodge each have a private sauna — perfect for unwinding after a day on the trails.
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Discover the stories behind O'Connell Cabin Co.'s lakeside retreats in our curated blog. Dive into tales of serene mornings on the deck, the timeless charm of wood-burning saunas, and evenings spent by the fire pit. Explore the harmony of rustic allure and modern comfort that defines each stay, offering a gentle escape into nature's embrace.
Winter Cabin Rentals Near Hayward: Wood-Fired Saunas, Snowmobile Trails & Birkie Day Trips from Stone Lake
By Brad O'Connell · October 22, 2026
seasonal getaways
Winter didn't ease in for us last year. It showed up all at once. On the Tuesday before Thanksgiving 2025, a huge storm buried Stone Lake under heavy, wet snow. The timing was less than ideal. All four of our cabins were booked for the holiday, and guests were arriving at every one of them the next day.
So on Wednesday morning I drove up to help dig out. We had roads and driveways to get plowed, steps to shovel, and paths to clear before everyone showed up. I was basically shoveling with one hand while take pictures with the other, the whole day. Mother Nature gave us a fantastic photo op that day and I didn’t want to miss out. It was stressful, but it was beautiful. Many of the photos in this post are actually from that day including this one below which is a shot I took as soon as I arrived on Cattail Lane that morning. The snow was so heavy it was literally bending trees over the top of Cattail Lane. It was something out of a Bob Ross painting.
We made it though. Every guest got in, warmed up, and settled in for the holiday. That storm reminded me why winter up here is special. It's a little wild but at the same time completely peaceful, and there's nothing like a warm cabin after a day in the snow. Here's what makes a winter stay near Hayward worth the drive.
Stone Lake Cabin Rentals, 20 Minutes South of Hayward
Stone Lake sits about 20 minutes south of Hayward. That's close enough for Main Street or a fish fry, and far enough out that your evening is the lake, the fire, and not much else. Cattail Cabin, Cattail Chalet and Cattail Cottage are on Lower Holly Lake. Little Sand Lodge is on Little Sand Lake.
The docks stay in all winter, so a walk out at dusk over a snow-covered lake is part of the stay. Every cabin has a gas fireplace, a full kitchen, and fast Wi-Fi. All four are pet-friendly (up to two dogs, $150 fee).
Watch or Ski the Birkie as a Day Trip
The American Birkebeiner is the biggest weekend of the winter around here. Birkie Week 2027 runs February 24–28, and the main race (50K skate and 53K classic, Cable to Hayward) is Saturday, February 27. The finish comes right down Main Street in Hayward.
Here's the honest part: all four of our cabins are already booked for Birkie Week 2027. So we won't pretend otherwise. If you're staying with us another weekend this winter, the Birkie trails are still worth a day. Ski a section, or drive up and watch the race on Main Street. It's about 20 minutes to town.
Planning for 2028? Our bookings open about 365 days ahead, so Birkie 2028 week opens up around late February 2027. Birkie regulars tend to grab it early. Watch birkie.com for the official 2028 dates, then check our calendar the day it opens.
Snowmobile Cabin Rentals Near Sawyer County Trails
Sawyer County is sled country. The Sawyer County Snowmobile & ATV Alliance, 10 local clubs, grooms over 600 miles of trails. The Sno-Trails club alone maintains more than 175 miles south and east of Hayward.
Trail pass: Every sled on Wisconsin trails needs a Wisconsin trail pass.
Grooming: The GTS Trails app shows what was groomed in the last 24, 48 and 72 hours.
Maps and conditions: Use the Alliance's Trail Treker map and check their Facebook page before you head out.
There's room for a trailer, and our guidebooks have trail access notes, fuel stops and nearby rentals. For more, see our snowmobiling post.
Two Cabins with a Wood-Fired Sauna Near Hayward
We have two wood-fired saunas, one on each lake, and both with a big window over-looking the lake.
Cattail Chalet (Lower Holly Lake)
Little Sand Lodge (Little Sand Lake)
Each one is private to its cabin. Nothing to share, nothing extra to book, and we supply the wood and kindling. Heat it up, sit for a bit, step outside into the cold, and decide whether you're going back in. After a day of skiing or a long day on the sled, it's hard to beat. No schedule. Just part of the cabin.
Which Stone Lake Cabin Fits Your Winter Crew?
Cattail Chalet — Lower Holly Lake. Wood-fired sauna and gas fireplace. A good fit for a ski group or a few families. Sleeps 10.
Little Sand Lodge — Little Sand Lake. Wood-fired sauna and gas fireplaces on the main floor and in the lower level. A good fit for a ski group or a few families. Sleeps 10.
Cattail Cottage — Lower Holly Lake. Stone-faced gas fireplace plus a second one downstairs. A cozy pick for families or couples traveling together. Sleeps 10.
Cattail Cabin — Lower Holly Lake. Arcade game room and a big yard. The fun pick for a smaller family or a sled crew. Sleeps 8.
If a sauna is the reason you're booking, look at the Chalet or the Lodge. For dinner ideas, our top 5 winter eats near Stone Lake post has the places we go back to every winter.
Book Your Winter Weekend
Most December, January and March weekends are still wide open right now. The Chalet already has a few weekends taken, and the Lodge is booked for early February. Check real-time availability at oconnellcabinco.com and let's get your winter weekend on the calendar.
Pro Tip: The weekend before Birkie Week (February 19–21, 2027) is open at all four cabins as of today. The trails are quieter, the drive into Hayward is easier, and you get the sauna to yourself.
