Designing a Life in the Northwoods: Meghan & Jake's Hands-On Journey of Cuyuna Cabin Collection

Meghan and Jake left behind city life and careers in auto body and journalism to build something entirely different in the heart of Minnesota’s Cuyuna Country. What started as one cabin flip has grown into the Cuyuna Cabin Collection: thoughtfully designed getaways built for bikers, families, and anyone chasing trailheads and time well spent.

To learn more, visit the Cuyuna Cabin Collection.

A Bike Trip to Cuyuna That Changed Everything

Jake didn’t know it yet, but a casual weekend invite to Meghan’s parents’ cabin in Cuyuna was about to change everything. At the time, the couple was living in the Milwaukee area. Meghan was working in broadcast journalism, Jake at his family’s auto body shop. Meghan’s family had a tradition of going to the cabin every weekend, and she encouraged Jake to bring his bike along, figuring he could sneak in a solo ride while the family relaxed.

That ride turned into a revelation. “Meg, this is a mountain bike mecca,” Jake told her afterward, stunned by the red dirt, the flowy trails, and the sheer scale of what Cuyuna offered. They both loved biking, but this was something different. Trails were everywhere. The pace of life felt different. And something about it just stuck.

They started coming up north every weekend, chipping away at their first cabin renovation while still living in Wisconsin. Eventually, Jake left the family shop to devote himself full-time to the project. Meghan joined him not long after. “People say you can run a short-term rental business from anywhere,” Meghan said, “but it really is nice to live close to where you're working.” So they moved to Cuyuna, no backup plan, no looking back.

From Flip to Full-Send: Building the Cuyuna Cabin Collection

Jake had always been handy; flipping cars, fixing anything, and working at his family’s auto body shop. But after falling for Cuyuna, he left it all behind to renovate their first property: the Crosby House, a 100-year-old miner’s home turned mountain bike basecamp.

Meghan, a former TV news anchor, leaned into her creative side, handling all the interiors and guest experience while Jake handled the layout and construction.

Over time, they added new builds and bike-accessible properties, some tucked in the woods, others just steps from the trail. Each one is designed with intention, balancing comfort, style, and a deep connection to the biking lifestyle they love.

Cabins That Ride the Same Line You Do

Each stay blends location, layout, and lifestyle for riders who want the trails just outside their door. Cuyler and Una are ride-in, ride-out to the CroftsMine trails, while Little Rabbit Retreat sits just minutes from Sagamore. At Cuyler and Una, Jake even carved in private bike trails through the property, perfect for warmups or letting the kids ride while dinner’s on.

Beyond location, the cabins are packed with post-ride perks: outdoor showers, private saunas, hot tubs, and even a bucket-dump cold rinse. They’ve hosted everything from Midwest MTB Fest after-parties to casual New Belgium cabin hangs, proof that these spaces are just as much about community as they are about rest.

On the Horizon: A New Cabin Unlike Anything Else in Cuyuna

Next up for the Cabin Collection: their most unique stay yet. Tucked along an unnamed lake with no neighbors in sight, the new property opens this September and blends total seclusion with spa-like details. Think private sauna, outdoor shower, stargazing net, hot tub, and a mural made for trail-weary selfies.

They bought the cabin materials before even finding land, then called over 100 people to track down the perfect slice of lakeshore. The name is still in the works, but the intention is clear: not to scale endlessly, but to keep building meaningful places that feel special for guests and for them.

Meghan and Jake's Cuyuna Favorites

From trail snacks to paddle spots, here’s what Jake and Meghan reach for when they’re off the clock and soaking up their own backyard.

Meghan's Favorites

Meghan leans toward the smoother side of the trail map, with the Sagamore Unit as her go-to ride: fun, flowy, and easy to sneak in between cabin turnovers. For sunset hangs, she and Jake pack up Rafferty’s pickle pizza (with ranch, obviously) and head to the Miner’s Mountain overlook with camp chairs. She’s also a die-hard fan of MacDaddy’s cronut (but get there early), and loves paddleboarding the mine lakes when it’s time to slow things down.

Jake's Favorites

Jake’s all about adrenaline on the bike, and his trail picks reflect that. You’ll find him hitting the jumps and rock drops on Roly Poly at the Rally Center, railing the endless berms on Bobsled, and riding the expert lines at the Mahnomen Unit North, where challenging drops and features keep things spicy. Off the bike, his go-to spot is Cuyuna Brewing Company, especially with a plate of nachos from Burritos California next door. He’s also big on lake time: fishing, wake surfing, kayaking, or just relaxing on the water whenever he’s not swinging a hammer or checking in guests.

Living the Dream, One Cabin & Ride at a Time

For Meghan and Jake, the Cuyuna Cabin Collection isn’t just a business. It’s the life they set out to build together. What began as a single cabin flip has become something deeper: a hands-on way to connect with the land, the trails, and the people who ride them. Every cabin they create reflects their love of design, adventure, and community from the post-ride saunas to the handwritten notes left for guests.

And even as the collection grows, the heart behind it stays the same: build with intention, welcome people warmly, and create spaces that celebrate everything they love about Cuyuna.

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To learn more, visit the Cuyuna Cabin Collection.