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ELY RESORTS~ELY VACATION RESORTS

Family History & Tradition

ABOUT US

 

Minnesota Family Resort  -  Minnesota Family Vacations  -  Minnesota Family Resorts

Continuing the Ely, Minnesota resorts family tradition at River Point Resort...

...The best vacations don't have to break the bank, and don't have to be far away. Trade in your blackberry and your computer, the kid's soccer and baseball schedules, and take the kids to the lake. They'll cherish the memory of quality family vacation time...a Minnesota family resort time!

We welcome you to come and share in the River Point tradition as we enter our 69th year of "Making Wilderness Memories" for generations of families who enjoy a vacation "up north" at the lake - a true Minnesota MN family vacation resort tradition!

Don't send your kids to camp, go "camping" [at a Minnesota Family Resort] with them!

Discover again the uniqueness of family and friends in a beautiful, peaceful wilderness setting, with lakefront cabins, villas, and vacation homes on Birch Lake and the South Kawishiwi River--northern Minnesota family resorts.

Spend quality time with your family while enjoying the array of recreation activities together: fabulous swimming, canoeing, fishing, "cooking up" the fresh fish, nature walks, berry picking, hiking, star gazing, cookouts, catching a glimpse of a fleet-footed whitetail deer or the playful antics of a loon, jumping off the dock into the lake--a Minnesota Family Resorts Experience at River Point Resort--one of the top-notch Midwest vacation spots.

The Bonfire...a Minnesota Family Vacation Resorts Tradition

Rejuvenate, Renew, Reconnect™

A stay at River Point Resort is a treasured time for family and friends, as well as honeymoon couples who are just beginning their new life together. Renew yourself and reconnect with each other in the private peacefulness of a secluded northern Minnesota family resorts wilderness lake setting. River Point Resort is one of the finest Minnesota MN Family Resorts and one of the finest Midwest resorts--an Ely Minnesota Resort.

Absence of phones and TV gives you time to play, to read, to think, to interact with your family...rejuvenate, renew and reconnect. Have the leisure time to learn more about nature's great outdoors while preserving its integrity for future generations of families just like yours.

"Go low-tech"        

The value of onsite entertainment is priceless [at a resort] because you'll save gas, time and money. Embrace your inner self: water activities, nature and animals are popular with travelers of all ages, especially children."..."The best Minnesota family resorts recognize the value of low-tech entertainment and provide free access to family board games, books, and craft materials."

                                                              -Star Tribune Travel, January 24, 2010

"a week at the lake"

"Other destinations beckon, but few can beat the classic Minnesota vacation. Up North, there's a lake cabin with my name on it. I don't own it, and I never will. But, for a week in June or July, it's mine...lake resorts...I have great memories of that....

  ...little has changed about the classic formula of sun, sand and water."

          -St. Paul Pioneer Press, April 15, 2007

Begin your Minnesota family resort vacation tradition now---at River Point Resort!

 

Brief History of River Point Resort & Outfitting Co.

The site of the River Point lodge is steeped in both family history and in the tradition of the family vacation resorts of Minnesota.  River Point has been in the same MN resort family. . .the Koschak family. . . for 69 years, and before that the Laurel Indians (dated 500 B.C.) called this tranquil northern wilderness near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area BWCA their home.

Fran and Frank Koschak began the resort in 1944 with only two cabins, and later expanded to seven rustic lakefront housekeeping cabins. Their vision was to create a tradition of Minnesota family fishing vacation whereby families returned every year to enjoy each other in a superior wilderness location and to catch fish. In 1976, their son, Steven, and wife, Jane (also born and raised in Ely) took over the operation of the facility with a vision of greater expansion and dreams of providing more comforts for their guests.

Beginning with the addition of inside bathrooms (yes, that is correct) and hot running water, Steve and Jane began the journey to "modernize" the Minnesota MN family resort experience in those early decades, along with continuing their teaching careers as master teachers in a suburb of Minneapolis where they made their home for the winter months.

In the late spring, summer, and early fall they lived at the resort while managing and maintaining it. A very busy life..especially so due to the fact that they did all the building, remodeling, and updating of all the accommodations and took care of the maintenance of the mile of wilderness property themselves, with the help of their two young sons, Kevin and James--lovingly calling their many, many years of family effort and hard work: "sweat-equity". In 2002, they sold their "winter" home in Plymouth, MN and moved back "home" to River Point to live year-round.

Today there are sixteen accommodations at their MN family vacation resort ranging in size from 1-3 bedrooms, five with double whirlpool baths, fireplaces, screen porches, many with private docks, and creature comforts unheard of in the 60's and 70's.

As second generation owners of River Point, they increased the offerings at the marina with the addition of pontoon boats, pro-fishing and touring boats, a Bait & Tackle Shop, and continued to provide their guests with the opportunity to enjoy a Boundary Waters canoe trip by being completely outfitted with all equipment, canoes, and fine food for either guided or unguided overnight canoeing adventures.

No longer in the traditional school classroom, Jane and Steve continue to share their knowledge in the natural wilderness classroom at River Point. Through the efficient help of their son, James, who grew up in the business and, earned a Construction Management degree, and an excellent staff, the operation of River Point continues to grow and change to meet the needs of today's resort vacationers and canoeists, who love the adventure of paddling the BWCA, and love the tradition of the Minnesota MN family vacation.

The vision that Fran and Frank Koschak had back in the 40's, 50's, and 60's to create a Minnesota family fishing vacation still holds true today. However, Jane, Steve, and James have added many other recreational pursuits, activities, and adventures, in addition to fishing for families to take part in.

Today's family will enjoy their time together, and begin to build their own Minnesota family resorts tradition of a "great week at the lake!" 

 

 

With a combined background of over 95 years of educational knowledge and experience in resorting, outfitting, and "Making Wilderness Memories," Steve, Jane, and James offer a service that continues the River Point history and tradition of the Koschak family, and the Minnesota family resorts vacation begun so many years ago.

Come and enjoy the camaraderie of family and friends and the memorable Midwest family resorts experience- spend another perfect day at the lake... at River Point Resort...a Minnesota family resorts tradition.

 

"We enjoyed our visit immensely, as we always do! This is our family home away from home. It's beautiful, and it gets better every year. Plenty of nature and lots to do!"

 -Meghan & Scott L, Des Moines, IA..... staying in The Point Cabin

 

At River Point, we know how important your Holiday is to you, and the amount of time and effort you invest in it. We hope this detailed web site will indicate how dedicated we are to being...your Minnesota family  vacation specialists.

River Point Resort...Minnesota Family Vacation Resorts

Steve, Jane, & James Koschak
"Making Wilderness Memories Since 1944"

Minnesota Family Resorts-Minnesota Family Vacations-Minnesota Family Resort-Ely, Minnesota