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Shady Rest Acres

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· Brownsville, Houston, Minnesota

23 acres hosted by Patty & Michelle B.

1 lodging site · 2 tent sites

Creature comforts

Enjoy the comforts of home at some sites—including flush toilets, showers, and a kitchen.

Private sites

98% of recent Hipcampers say the sites felt private.

Staff verified

Accuracy verified by Hipcamp's on-the-ground team.

Best in Minnesota: Finalist

Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2023.

Once the site of the historic V.J. Fetzner Brewery from the late 19th Century. The land is now used as a hobby farm, honey bee sanctuary and nursery to a unique tree species normally not found in Southeastern Minnesota. Remnants of the brewery are still visible. Foundation walls outline the massive structure of the brewery. Nestled in the center of the foundation is the entrance to the sixty-seven foot deep cave that once held barrels of beer and can be accessed by canoe only. Hops have been located on the property and are believed to be ancestors of those raised to make the beer once stored in the cave. The pond that provides access to the cave was dug out in the early 1990's to create a fish out for the Spring Falls Trout Farm that used to exist across the highway. Some of the original brood stock still exist and continue to naturally stock the pond. It is not uncommon to see fish that are five to ten pounds in size. We do not allow fishing from our pond. The residents house is built to scale to the original brew master's house. While the house is only twenty-four years old it looks as though you have taken a step back in time. The name Shady Rest was given to the house by the Brew Master's wife. We thought it was appropriate to keep the name alive. Shady Rest Acres is comprised of twenty-three acres of beautiful woodlands and pasture that are protected forever in the Minnesota Land Trust. The pasture is home to Scottish Highlander cows, two miniature donkeys, five sheep, four goats, honey bees and a flock of chickens. Scottish Highlanders were selected for both their grazing and browsing abilities. They are very docile and make excellent pasture mates to the smaller species sharing the pasture. The cows are excellent forest managers. They clear out invasive species such as Honey Suckle, Buckthorn, and Barberry which can often be difficult to manage. A guided tour with the host can be taken to meet the pasture animals. The forest is comprised of many tree species. Some are unique in that they normally do not grow in this region of Minnesota. The yellow birch is a species normally found in Northern Minnesota. It's bark is golden in color and glistens when the sun hits it just right. We have a cluster of several yellow birch including one that is so big that the bark no longer looks golden but instead is grey and very rough. Years ago the largest of these trees made excellent wood for turning bowls. Blue Beech (musclewood) can also be found on the property. As the name indicates the bark is shaped like muscles. Songbirds and some other species will use different parts of the tree as a food source. Towering white pines also speckle the landscape. Mother pine requires at least two humans arm lengths to encircle the whole tree. She is a favorite resting spot for the barred owl. There is oak, elm, maple, ceders, poplars and numerous other species. Honey bees are an integral part of the landscape. We partnered with a friend and started raising honey bees two years ago in order to do our part to keep pollinators thriving. Their hives are located in the pasture where it has the perfect amount of early morning sun to get them moving and afternoon shade to balance out the summer heat. It is not uncommon to see them pollinating garden plants, trees and wild flowers around the property. One of their favorite feeding spots is the acre and a half prairie which offers a range of plants including big blue stem, wild indigo and baby blue stem, to name a few. Not only are honey bees essential to the food chain but they also provide a very enriching experience when they are observed moving about their hives. There is nothing more relaxing and fascinating than watching these amazing creatures.

Activities

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275 ratings · 211 reviews

Michael C.recommends

June 14, 2024

Heart's Content

Biking Packing the Minnelowisco

Patty & Michelle were greats hosts. Would definitely stay again if we are biking in that area again. Highly recommend.

Kevin P.recommends

June 9, 2024

Heart's Content

A wonderful camping experience

Great hospitality. Fantastic campsite. Unique experience with a beautiful hobby farm setting.

Martha M.recommends

June 2, 2024

Bee Relaxed Studio

Beautiful, quiet & relaxed

We were very pleased with our 2-night stay at “Bee Relaxed” cabin!! We were in town for our niece’s high school graduation party and it was nice to have our own space to relax, sleep & get ready leisurely for our adventures & family time. It was very clean, had just what we needed and fun to be able to play cards and make coffee. Quiet & beautiful location, fun to look out the windows at the farm, nature, hearing the roosters & watching the chickens, goats, cats & dogs from a distance. Would love to check out the rest of the farm next time, timing & weather didn’t allow, all the more reason to stay again sometime! Thank you for your hospitality & accommodations! We would recommend and would definitely stay again! Great location, close to our local family!

Nick C.recommends

May 25, 2024

Life is Good

Wonderful stay. Patty and Michelle were welcoming and introduced us to the animals. Quiet and beautiful countryside.

Haley T.recommends

May 13, 2024

Bee Relaxed Studio

Girls trip!

We went for a girls weekend and had the absolute best time! Patty and Michelle were so welcoming and kind. The cabin was clean and we loved the space and decor. The property was beautiful we loved waking up and walking in the pasture saying good morning to all the farm animals! We had such a good time we want to make it a annual trip. Thank you for sharing your beautiful home and land with us!!!

Elizabeth K.recommends

May 7, 2024

Bee Relaxed Studio

Relaxing stay

Loved the stay at the guest home, it was perfect amount of comfort and a beautiful location. Would had loved to stay longer but hope to be back!

Location

Brownsville, Houston, Minnesota, United StatesTraditional, ancestral territory of oθaakiiwaki‧hina‧ki (Sauk) & Meškwahki·aša·hina (Fox) and Očhéthi Šakówiŋ First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking

Hosted by Patty & Michelle B.Joined in December 2017

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