One of the most unique places to stay near two of the best Minnesota state parks is the unique Gathered Oaks in Alexandria, MN. These renovated grain bins are perfect for those of you (like me) who love hiking the great outdoors, but not a fan of camping or glamping. And they are located close to Lake Carlos State Park in Alexandria, Minn. and Glacial Lakes State Park in Starbuck, Minn.
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The most unique Airbnbs in Minnesota: Renovated grain bins
The unique grain bin resort-like rooms offer a great alternative to hotels and camping.
I am so excited to share our experience at one of the most unique Airbnbs near Minnesota state parks: Gathered Oaks in Alexandria, Minn. If you’ve been following me on my Minnesota State Park Challenge, then you know I finished hiking/exploring all 66 of them during my road trip in late June and early July 2021.
While I tried (and surprisingly loved) this thing called SUV camping (similar to van camping), I also researched some unique Airbnbs near MN state parks. And was so happy to discover the repurposed grain bins at Gathered Oaks (if the link looks broken, it’s not; it’s safe to click through). While our stay in one of these luxurious grain-bin hotel-style rooms was sponsored, opinions are always my own.
Where is the best Airbnb near Lake Carlos State Park and Glacial Lakes State Park in Minnesota?
Gathered Oaks, a wedding and event venue in Alexandria, Minn., also offers their eight unique grain bins as hotel rooms on non-event nights.
Set in rural Alexandria, Minn., you’ll find the best Airbnb just 15 minutes from Lake Carlos State Park. And this unique Airbnb – featuring 8 repurposed grain bins transformed into hotel rooms – is only 34 miles from Glacial Lakes State Park in Starbuck, Minn.
Review of the best Airbnb in Alexandria, MN and near Minnesota state parks
Cool look at some of the unique grain bin hotel rooms located near Minnesota state parks.
I grew up in a farming community. And while I didn’t grow up on a farm, my father did as well as my grandmother and my great grandparents and their parents. While they may have spent a night or two in a barn, I’m pretty sure a grain bin never crossed their minds as a sleeping arrangement.
Well, I’m pretty happy the idea crossed the visionary minds of Anne and Dave, owners of Gathered Oaks, which is also a popular wedding and event venue. When this beautiful property is not booked for a special event, you can rent one of the eight charming grain bins through Airbnb.
A look inside one of the most unique Airbnbs in Minnesota
A look inside our stay at one of the most unique Airbnbs in Minnesota
Our second-floor grain-bin suite featured a naturally vaulted ceiling over our queen bed along with wood flooring, white beadboard walls, a bathroom with a shower, mini fridge, and television. I also loved our little dinette area as the retro chairs reminded me of the ones that sat in my great grandparents’ backyard.
You’ll find that this upscale Airbnb offers lots of natural lighting through the windows and door as well as beautiful views of the grounds. It was very sunny and hot the day we arrived. However, blinds and the AC remedied that quickly. I appreciated and admired all the creative and clever attention to details such as their pipe fixtures and rustic headboard and sustainability features. And their gorgeous property grounds overlook a peaceful environmental lake .
The best Airbnb in Alexandria, Minn. offers comfortable beds and lots of natural light and great views of the property.
As a bed snob and light sleeper, I can attest that the best Airbnb in Alexandria, Minn. surpassed my standards and expectations. I found the queen-sized bed very comfortable. The gorgeous grain-bin suites at Gathered Oaks are the perfect alternatives to a hotel stay or camping. And while I loved my SUV camping experience, this experience at one of the best Airbnbs was a welcomed retreat.
Take a virtual tour of one of the best Airbnbs in Minnesota: Gathered Oaks in Alexandria, MN
Come take a virtual tour of one of the best and most unique Airbnbs near Minnesota state parks and Alexandria, Minn. – the beautiful grain-bin suites at Gathered Oaks.
One of the most unique Airbnbs in Alexandria, MN near two of Minnesota’s state parks: grain-bin home
Unique hotel alternative – renovated grain bins
You’ll find lots of free parking at this unique Airbnb property in Minnesota.
Our grain-bin hotel room was located on the second floor while you find several on the ground floor. One of the units features two levels. Here’s an exterior shot of our unique Airbnb experience in Alexandria, Minn.The grain-bin Airbnb rooms at Gathered Oaks in Minnesota are cozy, yet spacious and feature a queen-size bed, wood flooring, a bathroom with a shower, mini fridge, coffee maker and more.Our unique hotel room in a renovated grain bin featured cute retro chairs and a small table. Loved the little details in the grain bin amenities such as these convenient makeup remover wipes. And the shower comes with a wall-mounted shampoo, conditioner and shower gel dispenser.Loved the rustic charm in all the details at this unique grain bin Airbnb in Alexandria, Minn.Guests at the unique grain-bin home at Gathered Oaks also have access to the property’s firepit. So you can still experience a campsite favorite while staying at one of the best Airbnbs near state parks in Minnesota.Beautiful view of the property and firepit at sunset from our grain-bin Airbnb room – a great alternative to camping when hiking at nearby Minnesota state parks.Gathered Oaks in Alexandria is not only home to the most unique Airbnb experience with its grain-bin home, but also offers a beautiful 10-room farmhouse for weddings and other large events. The farmhouse features private access to a honeymoon suite as well as a full kitchen and lots of spacious gathering spaces inside and out. Guests at the unique grain-bin home may also roam freely around the spacious countryside setting. Like to fish? Guests at the unique grain-bin Airbnb in Alexandria, Minn. are welcome to cast a line in the adjacent environmental lake. Watch the sunset from the grain-bin home in Alexandria, Minn. It’s one of the best and most unique Airbnbs near Minnesota state parks
Most unique Airbnb in Minnesota, USA – repurposed grain-bin home
So if you’re not into camping and looking for the best Airbnb near Minnesota state parks, I highly recommend booking your stay at these unique and upscale grain-bin hotel-style rooms in Alexandria, Minn. (Note that while the link appears broken, it does work properly). Gathered Oaks is also the perfect destination for your next Minnesota staycation and is the most beautiful venue for weddings, family reunions and other gatherings.
More of the best Airbnbs and hotels near Minnesota state parks
Twin Cities-based blogger sharing memorable emptynester, solo, family and girlfriend-getaway adventures, as well as my day hiking adventures (including all 66 Minnesota state parks), latest book reviews, and updates on my quest for the best adult mac and cheese.
Also two WIPs: historical fiction and psychological thriller
70 comments
Not only do I want to go here if love to do something similar in my area. It’s been my dream to do some sort of unique Airbnb with a theme. How fun is this one.
That is so awesome! I could put you in touch with the owners and super hosts. They love sharing their inspiration and the evolution of repurposing grain bins into a meaningful and unique Airbnb experience. Let me know!
I always enjoy seeing things being repurposed like this! What an incredible use of grain silos. I would for sure love to stay here, and I like that there is a farmhouse option as well for events too!
Thanks! We loved our stay at this repurposed grain-bin Airbnb. And their 10-bedroom farmhouse was so beautiful! I’ll have to write a separate post on that as the property owners gave us a tour.
This is such an interesting concept, I don’t think I’ve seen something similar in Europe. As I stayed in all types of accommodations in the past, I would definitely try something like this. It looks much more authentic than a regular flat or house.
Thanks so much! This unique Airbnb is definitely a unique concept – so creative! We loved our stay and that it was so close to where we were hiking at nearby MN state parks.
Okay, this is seriously cool. I would stay here in a heartbeat. I love staying in unique, memorable places like this where we can say to each other, “Remember when we stayed in the grain bin?” This is going on my list!
Thanks! This unique Airbnb was definitely a great alternative to camping while I was hiking Minnesota state parks. I love repurposed places to stay also.
Thank you so much! I know you would love staying at this unique grain-bin Airbnb. Bonus that it is so close to Minnesota state parks so you can still be close to nature yet spend the night in a luxury room.
What gorgeous accommodations! We love staying in unique places, so we will definitely be adding this to our list. Looks like you had a really nice stay!
What an incredible place to stay! I love finding cool and quirky places to stay on our travels and this definitely fits the bill! I’d love to stay here! Thanks for sharing this great gem!
Thank you and my pleasure! This is definitely a unique and quirky Airbnb that’s also luxurious…love that it was so close to a couple of Minnesota state parks.
These AirBnbs near the Minnesota parks sound like perfect choices. Like you, I love the outdoors but camping is not for me. The renovated grains bins are so interesting. I love that they let some authentic looking decorations in place.
i’m absolutely in love with the grain bin! what a cool idea that also pays homage to what the building once was. i will 100% stay in that airbnb in minn.
We just recently got into the habit of finding and staying at more unique Airbnbs if we can. This grain-bin home looks super cool and unique, so I would love to spend a few nights here!
I love to find unique Airbnb’s like this one! What a great way to repurpose a grain bin into a beautiful retreat. Looks like it is in a great location to some of Minnesota’s State Parks also. Thanks for sharing!
I’d probably go camping (to save money), but I still absolutely love the grain bins! The other spots are beautiful, too, the bins truly are unique like you said. I love that it’s so close to the state parks, too.
What a great way to upcycle old grain bins but also provide a fun place to stay. I would love to stay in the unique grain-bin Airbnb in Alexandria, Minn. I really love the addition of the firepit too.
Thanks! I know you and your family would love to stay at this unique Airbnb in Alexandria, Minn. So close to water activities (lots of lakes in the area) and a couple of Minnesota state parks.
Thanks! If you’re every looking for a break from camping, this is definitely the place as you still get the nature vibe all around you. We loved our stay at this unique Airbnb!
What a neat article about the best places to stay in Alexandria. I thought the inside of the grain silos was super clever. We would love to stay there and explore some of the state parks in Minnesota. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you and my pleasure! I hope you get the opportunity to stay in this unique grain-bin Airbnb in Alexandria, MN. Love that it was so close to the Minnesota state parks in the area.
I am not a camper at all, so I am always happy to find alternatives. The grain bins are so clever and beautifully done. It would be a pleasure to stay for a couple of days.
Thank you! Loved their creativity and vision in repurposing these grain bins – a very luxurious Airbnb stay and alternative to camping when exploring the nearby Minnesota state parks.
After years of camping, I’ve turned into a non-camper for sure, and didn’t realize until you said so – I am also a bed snob!
This converted grain bin is a fun Airbnb – unique for sure!
We need to create a guide for all of us bed snobs! Ha! This repurposed grain bin Airbnb is a perfect alternative to camping while hiking the Minnesota state parks.
What a fantastic use of these old grain containers. With people sticking close to home still and looking for different types of stays this fits the bill perfectly! There are certainly some unique Airbnb’s out there!
What a cute blog. Only in the Midwest, especially in MN, would common sense dictate the reuse of a grain bins as an Airbnb. The land of 10,000 lakes and no wasted space.
Thanks! We loved our stay at this unique grain-bin Airbnb in Minnesota. So much natural light and the access to the beautiful property and making s’mores definitely a bonus!
Wow these repurposed grain bins certainly are unique, I’ve never seen anything like it. What a fantastic idea, though, and they sound like the perfect accommodation.
I’d definitely like to stay there!
Thank you! I think you would love them. These repurposed grain bins are definitely unique and a comfortable Airbnb option especially after hiking at the nearby Minnesota state parks.
What a fun and cool place to stay! I love staying in unique forms of lodging and staying in a grain bin would be awesome. Especially as it’s so nice, bright and has a comfy bed. Making note to stay here when I do make it up to Minnesota!
Thanks and awesome! I hope you get the opportunity to stay at this unique Airbnb in Alexandria, MN. We loved our grain-bin experience – so comfortable!
I’m not a big fan of camping either and this Airbnb looks like an amazing alternative for staying close to the parks. Grand idea to repurpose those grain bins, I would love to stay there!
I’ve got to say this was a sweet find. I love how spacious airy and bright the rooms are. The decor perfectly matched its surroundings too. These reimaginings of old things are really amazing.
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Not only do I want to go here if love to do something similar in my area. It’s been my dream to do some sort of unique Airbnb with a theme. How fun is this one.
That is so awesome! I could put you in touch with the owners and super hosts. They love sharing their inspiration and the evolution of repurposing grain bins into a meaningful and unique Airbnb experience. Let me know!
I always love finding unique airbnbs to stay in, it just enhances the experience of the trip! excellent post.
Thank you so much! Loved that we discovered this unique Airbnb near Minnesota state parks. Fabulous experience!
This is absolutely fantastic! What a great place to stay and not like MN is bereft of parks.
I love unusual B&B’s like the one in the tower of a train station in London or the one little house in the middle of a courtyard in Paris.
Thanks!
Thank you! This repurposed grain-bin Airbnb was so unique and a fabulous experience! Those sound like awesome B&Bs also…love the creativity!
I always enjoy seeing things being repurposed like this! What an incredible use of grain silos. I would for sure love to stay here, and I like that there is a farmhouse option as well for events too!
Thanks! We loved our stay at this repurposed grain-bin Airbnb. And their 10-bedroom farmhouse was so beautiful! I’ll have to write a separate post on that as the property owners gave us a tour.
This is such an interesting concept, I don’t think I’ve seen something similar in Europe. As I stayed in all types of accommodations in the past, I would definitely try something like this. It looks much more authentic than a regular flat or house.
Thanks so much! This unique Airbnb is definitely a unique concept – so creative! We loved our stay and that it was so close to where we were hiking at nearby MN state parks.
Okay, this is seriously cool. I would stay here in a heartbeat. I love staying in unique, memorable places like this where we can say to each other, “Remember when we stayed in the grain bin?” This is going on my list!
That’s so awesome to hear! I know you would love it! Our stay at this unique grain-bin Airbnb was defintely a memorable experience!
What a super cool place to stay!!! I would absolutely love to spend the day hiking and then come “home” to such a comfortable and unique room.
Thanks so much! This unique Airbnb is a great place to rest and recharge after hiking at the nearby Minnesota state parks.
I think this looks way better than camping! I love repurposed buildings fro restaurants and places to stay!
Thanks! This unique Airbnb was definitely a great alternative to camping while I was hiking Minnesota state parks. I love repurposed places to stay also.
These grain bins are so cute! I love the vibe and they’re perfect for a weekend getaway.
Thank you! This unique grain-bin Airbnb in Minnesota is a perfect weekend getaway and just a short distance from nearby Minnesota state parks.
Wow these grain mill Airbnb’s are awesome! I would stay in them!
Thank you so much! I know you would love staying at this unique grain-bin Airbnb. Bonus that it is so close to Minnesota state parks so you can still be close to nature yet spend the night in a luxury room.
What gorgeous accommodations! We love staying in unique places, so we will definitely be adding this to our list. Looks like you had a really nice stay!
Awesome! We loved our stay at this unique Airbnb in Alexandria, MN. Gorgeous room and a beautiful property so close to Minnesota state parks.
What an incredible place to stay! I love finding cool and quirky places to stay on our travels and this definitely fits the bill! I’d love to stay here! Thanks for sharing this great gem!
Thank you and my pleasure! This is definitely a unique and quirky Airbnb that’s also luxurious…love that it was so close to a couple of Minnesota state parks.
These AirBnbs near the Minnesota parks sound like perfect choices. Like you, I love the outdoors but camping is not for me. The renovated grains bins are so interesting. I love that they let some authentic looking decorations in place.
Thanks so much! This unique Airbnb is perfect for people who don’t care for camping…and so close to Minnesota state parks.
I love these fun accommodations! I’d definitely enjoy staying in one.
Thanks! I think you would love it. This repurposed grain-bin Airbnb is such a cool experience.
i’m absolutely in love with the grain bin! what a cool idea that also pays homage to what the building once was. i will 100% stay in that airbnb in minn.
Awesome! I think you’ll love your stay here in this unique Airbnb. I love that they played homage to the grain bin’s original purpose. So creative!
We just recently got into the habit of finding and staying at more unique Airbnbs if we can. This grain-bin home looks super cool and unique, so I would love to spend a few nights here!
Thanks…I think you would love this unique Airbnb! Love the repurposed grain bins and that they were located so close to Minnesota state parks.
I love to find unique Airbnb’s like this one! What a great way to repurpose a grain bin into a beautiful retreat. Looks like it is in a great location to some of Minnesota’s State Parks also. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you and my pleasure! This is such a unique Airbnb so close to Minnesota state parks. Love how they repurposed grain bins into luxurious suites!
I’d probably go camping (to save money), but I still absolutely love the grain bins! The other spots are beautiful, too, the bins truly are unique like you said. I love that it’s so close to the state parks, too.
These grain bins are so unique and beautiful. They are a nice alternative to camping when hiking at the nearby Minnesota state parks.
What a great way to upcycle old grain bins but also provide a fun place to stay. I would love to stay in the unique grain-bin Airbnb in Alexandria, Minn. I really love the addition of the firepit too.
Thanks! I know you and your family would love to stay at this unique Airbnb in Alexandria, Minn. So close to water activities (lots of lakes in the area) and a couple of Minnesota state parks.
I like to camp, but this is a pretty cool place to stay. It’s kinda like glamping!
Thanks! If you’re every looking for a break from camping, this is definitely the place as you still get the nature vibe all around you. We loved our stay at this unique Airbnb!
What a neat article about the best places to stay in Alexandria. I thought the inside of the grain silos was super clever. We would love to stay there and explore some of the state parks in Minnesota. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you and my pleasure! I hope you get the opportunity to stay in this unique grain-bin Airbnb in Alexandria, MN. Love that it was so close to the Minnesota state parks in the area.
I am not a camper at all, so I am always happy to find alternatives. The grain bins are so clever and beautifully done. It would be a pleasure to stay for a couple of days.
Thank you! Loved their creativity and vision in repurposing these grain bins – a very luxurious Airbnb stay and alternative to camping when exploring the nearby Minnesota state parks.
After years of camping, I’ve turned into a non-camper for sure, and didn’t realize until you said so – I am also a bed snob!
This converted grain bin is a fun Airbnb – unique for sure!
We need to create a guide for all of us bed snobs! Ha! This repurposed grain bin Airbnb is a perfect alternative to camping while hiking the Minnesota state parks.
What a fantastic use of these old grain containers. With people sticking close to home still and looking for different types of stays this fits the bill perfectly! There are certainly some unique Airbnb’s out there!
Thanks! This unique Airbnb in Minnesota makes the perfect staycation…especially when hiking the nearby state parks.
What a cute blog. Only in the Midwest, especially in MN, would common sense dictate the reuse of a grain bins as an Airbnb. The land of 10,000 lakes and no wasted space.
Thank you so much…and so true! This grain-bin Airbnb in Alexandria, MN was a fabulous experience!
I want to stay in a grain bin! Seriously, this is really cool. Thank you for the inspiration.
Thank you and my pleasure! This is the coolest and most unique Airbnb…you would love it! And it’s close to Minnesota state parks.
what??? how absolutely fun! I’d love to stay in one of these, and the flood of natural light just calls to me. Also, s’mores at night? 100%!!
Thanks! We loved our stay at this unique grain-bin Airbnb in Minnesota. So much natural light and the access to the beautiful property and making s’mores definitely a bonus!
Wow these repurposed grain bins certainly are unique, I’ve never seen anything like it. What a fantastic idea, though, and they sound like the perfect accommodation.
I’d definitely like to stay there!
Thank you! I think you would love them. These repurposed grain bins are definitely unique and a comfortable Airbnb option especially after hiking at the nearby Minnesota state parks.
What a fun and cool place to stay! I love staying in unique forms of lodging and staying in a grain bin would be awesome. Especially as it’s so nice, bright and has a comfy bed. Making note to stay here when I do make it up to Minnesota!
Thanks and awesome! I hope you get the opportunity to stay at this unique Airbnb in Alexandria, MN. We loved our grain-bin experience – so comfortable!
I absolutely love finding unique stays when I travel! I would love to check this spot out! Adding Minnesota to my list 😉
Awesome! You’ll love this beautiful and unique grain-bin Airbnb in Minnesota. Bonus that it’s so close to Minnesota state parks.
Recycling on a grand scale! Love it! It is so quirky and with such attention to detail. These grain bins would make for a really memorable stay.
Most definitely recycling on a grand scale! Love all the beautiful details of this unique grain-bin Airbnb. A very memorable stay in Alexandria, MN.
This is the coolest Airbnb I have ever seen! Definitely putting it on my bucket list!
Awesome! This really is a pretty cool and unique Airbnb in Minnesota! Love that it’s so close to the nearby state parks.
Lol! I am definitely not into camping, and these unique airbnb experiences like sleeping in a grain bin ( never even thought of that!) would be fun!
We loved our stay in the grain-bin Airbnb…so much fun and so close to Minnesota state parks. Perfect for people who don’t camp.
I’m not a big fan of camping either and this Airbnb looks like an amazing alternative for staying close to the parks. Grand idea to repurpose those grain bins, I would love to stay there!
These renovated grain bins were so charming to stay in. One of our favorite Airbnbs and places to stay near Minnesota state parks.
I’ve got to say this was a sweet find. I love how spacious airy and bright the rooms are. The decor perfectly matched its surroundings too. These reimaginings of old things are really amazing.
Thank you! We loved this repurposed grain-bin Airbnb. Great place to stay near Minnesota state parks.