ABOUT RIVER VIEW LODGE

Redefining the Up North Experience

A New Era of Hospitality in Aitkin

River View Lodge was born from a vision to bring modern convenience and high-end comfort to the heart of Aitkin, Minnesota. Established in June 2024, we didn’t just open a business; we completely reimagined the property at 701 Minnesota Ave S.

We saw the potential for a true "Lodge" experience—one that sheds the dated connotations of traditional roadside motels and replaces them with sleek, contemporary design and premium amenities.
LIFE ON THE RIVERBANK

A Front Row Seat to Nature

River View Lodge lives up to its name. We are situated directly on the banks of the Mississippi River, offering guests a rare combination of in-town convenience and secluded natural beauty. For us, the river isn't just a backdrop—it is the centerpiece of your stay.

Peace & Quiet

There is a unique stillness that comes from staying by the water. Whether you are sipping your morning coffee as the mist rises off the river or unwinding with a sunset after a long day of work, the view is always spectacular.

Wildlife & Wonder

The river corridor is a highway for nature. Our guests frequently enjoy sightings of bald eagles, waterfowl, and deer right from the lodge grounds. It’s the perfect place to disconnect from the noise of the road and reconnect with the outdoors.

Instant Access

There is no commute to nature here. You can walk out your door and cast a line from the bank or simply pull up a chair and watch the current flow. It is an "Up North" experience without the isolation.

From Renovation to Revelation

Our journey began with a complete top-to-bottom renovation. We stripped everything back to create a space that feels brand new. From high-quality bedding and modern bathroom fixtures to our streamlined keyless entry system, every detail was chosen to ensure your stay is seamless, safe, and comfortable.

Our Promise to You:

Modern Comfort

We believe "Up North" doesn't have to mean "rustic" accommodations. Enjoy high-end finishes, climate control, and spotless cleanliness.

Local Connection

We are locally invested and committed to helping you enjoy everything Aitkin has to offer, from the Mississippi River to downtown dining.
Testimonials

Hear from our Guests!

River View Lodge place picture
4.9
Based on 133 reviews
powered by Google
Jenny Krafty profile picture
Jenny Krafty
16:23 16 Mar 26
Rooms are clean and nicely updated. Checking in process was easy and quick. Jackie was incredibly helpful, accommodating and quick to respond !
Nancy Moore profile picture
Nancy Moore
02:11 02 Mar 26
We were in town for business and stayed at River View Lodge. The rooms were lovely - exceptionally clean and up to date. It was a great place to stay!
tom mobry profile picture
tom mobry
20:36 21 Feb 26
The River View was a pleasant surprise.
It was nicely updated, clean, comfortable, and quiet.
Tom Reich profile picture
Tom Reich
12:56 19 Feb 26
Nicely renovated, spacious, and most importantly, clean. Service was top-notch and accommodating. Definitely would stay there again. Thank you!
Dawn Wilke profile picture
Dawn Wilke
21:15 18 Feb 26
I recently stayed at River View Lodge as I was recovering from surgery that required me to get around without using stairs. The suite here at the lodge was a perfect solution my recovery. The separate bedroom allowed someone to stay with me when needed and the kitchen/pantry setup allowed us to heat and eat meals as well as prepare toast and coffee. The refrigerator/freezer was great to keep leftovers and plenty of ice. There were extra chairs for visitors and family that stopped in to keep me company. The front office (Jackie) was so helpful and checked in with me numerous times to make sure I had every thing I needed. We had some bad weather around the time I was going to check out and I was able to extend my stay for a couple of days until the weather was clear. I would certainly recommend this Lodge to anyone who is staying in the Aitkin area or anyone who may need a spot away from home for a bit. I sure appreciate the excellent service I received!
Paula Mortenson profile picture
Paula Mortenson
00:05 09 Feb 26
We were so thankful for the clean and beautifully updated room. We needed a place to stay last minute as we had family end up in the hospital and Amy and Jackie were so helpful. The location was also convenient. Wouldn't hesitate to stay again.
Burke Zimmerman profile picture
Burke Zimmerman
01:09 09 Jan 26
We loved the area, Jackie, our host, was gracious and helpful. Winter is tough in Aitken! Bathroom was a delight, appreciated the grab bars for my wife and the fancy shower head and attachment.
Refrigerator was too low for our aging backs to use very well. Coffee maker and supplies were supurb.
Highly recommend this establishment.
Dave Grey profile picture
Dave Grey
19:37 27 Dec 25
Stayed at River View while visiting family for Christmas. I was very pleasantly surprised at the lodging. Simple rooms, but very tastefully done. The place was remodeled last year and they did a great job. Bed was comfortable, towels were thick and plentiful, and everything from the coffee supplied to the soap and shampoo were more upscale than one might expect in northern Minnesota.
Mary C profile picture
Mary C
01:52 05 Dec 25
Beautiful room, very clean. Coffee was great, nice to have regular coffee cups! I didn’t have much contact with any staff. Jackie was very helpful on booking my room and if I needed anything she would have helped me.
39tubeyou profile picture
39tubeyou
17:06 04 Dec 25
Rooms are freshly renovated and very nice. The room was warm and comfortable as soon as we walked in. Nice location in town and couldn’t have asked for more.
Cynthia Miltich profile picture
Cynthia Miltich
17:02 25 Nov 25
Entering the room with it's warm earth colors was soothing. It was very clean. The beds were great. Shelving unit for clothes and such was a thoughtful arrangement. The chairs were comfortable. Coffee was great. I have stayed at several abnb's and hotels and was very pleased with our experience. I look forward to returning in March.
Scott Blixt profile picture
Scott Blixt
23:08 23 Nov 25
A great place to stay. For a small town, Aitkin has a lot going on. Nice brew pub in town and a great restaurant on the East end of town
Steven Anderson profile picture
Steven Anderson
13:24 22 Nov 25
The room was recently updated and so clean and modern! The service was great. I would definitely stay here again!
Stacey Cable profile picture
Stacey Cable
04:02 19 Oct 25
We had a great experience. The two rooms worked perfectly for our family. It was quiet, clean, and a very convenient check in check out process. Thank you, we will definitely stay again in the future!
Mikayla Kitchen profile picture
Mikayla Kitchen
16:06 24 Aug 25
Would absolutely recommend this place to anyone! The owners did an amazing job remodeling the hotel. The rooms were clean, spacious, and comfortable. The bathroom was beautifully done and the travel sized amenities for the bathroom smelled wonderful and were not the run of the mill hotel ones; we actually wanted to use them! Our favorite thing was the easy check in/out process by not having to deal with a front desk.
Richard Baldwin profile picture
Richard Baldwin
01:04 17 Aug 25
An excellent "motel" up north for couples or families...close to downtown Aitkin and yet set back off the road.

Rooms are very clean, and their bed sheets and bath towels are high quality. Their pillows, bed mattresses are very comfortable. We travel and this is a hidden gem (especially for it's location).

The new owners recently remodeled down to the wall studs, and refinished the rooms with quality furnishings.

It was a pleasure to stay at the River View Lodge (for 3 nights). The manager Jackie, and her staff do a great job on providing a clean, well maintained property.

The coffee packs (Wolfgang Puck), and the bath products (Guild & Pepper) are all quality and enjoyable to use.

You would have to drive a long ways to find nicer accommodations.

More Than Just a Room

Located directly on the banks of the river, our property serves as a gateway to the outdoors. Whether you are parking your rig in our riverside RV Park, heading out for a day of fishing, or hitting the snowmobile trails, we provide the perfect basecamp.

Yes, River View Lodge does have fully refundable room rates available to book on our site. If you’ve booked a fully refundable room rate, this can be cancelled up to a few days before check-in depending on the property's cancellation policy. Just make sure to check this property's cancellation policy for the exact terms and conditions.

Yes, dogs are welcome, with a limit of 2 total. There's a charge of USD 50 per pet, per stay. Service animals are exempt from fees.

Yes, there's free self parking.

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime. Check-out time is 11:00 AM.

River View Lodge is located by the river, a short 13-minute walk from Northern Pacific Depot and 16 minutes' walk from Aitkin City Hall.

Logo for River View Lodge showing a stylized landscape with pine trees, white river, and blue sky.

Contact Info