Ellison Bay · Wisconsin

The trees don't rush.
Neither should you.

Tucked into the pines along the shore of Ellison Bay, Gills Rock Outback is your door to quiet mornings, starlit nights, and the kind of stillness you can actually feel.

Explore Our Spaces See the Experience

About the Place

A stretch of Northwoods shoreline that has belonged to the same family for generations — and now, it belongs to you, too.

Gills Rock Outback sits where the forest meets the water, about two hours north of Green Bay. We run a small collection of cabins and lodge rooms, each facing the bay or the treeline. There's no lobby, no bell ringing, no rush. Just a fire pit, a dock, and the sound of loons calling at dusk.

Whether you're here for the walleye bite, a weekend of reading, or a family reunion where nobody checks their phone — we'll take care of the basics so you can settle in.

Accommodations

Where you'll sleep

Every room and cabin is oriented toward the water or the woods. Pick the one that matches how you want to wake up.

Pine Cabin

Forest-facing · 1 Queen Bed

A compact, wood-clad cabin perched at the edge of the property. Floor-to-ceiling windows face the treeline, and the porch is the perfect spot for coffee before the rest of the world wakes up.

Full kitchenette
Private deck
Fire pit access
Free parking

Bay View Room

Water-facing · 1 King Bed

Wake up to the bay from your bed. This room sits on the ground floor of the main lodge, steps from the dock, with a wide window that frames the water like a painting.

Private bathroom
Mini-fridge & coffee
Direct dock access
Kayak storage

Loon Cabin

Water-facing · 2 Queen Beds

Our largest cabin, built for a small family or two couples. It sleeps four comfortably, with a full kitchen, a sitting area, and a wraparound deck that catches both sunrise and sunset.

Full kitchen
Wraparound deck
Fire pit & seating
Free parking

The Experience

What you'll do here

Ellison Bay is one of Wisconsin's best-kept secrets for water sports, fishing, and quiet exploration. We'll help you find your way around.

Fishing

Walleye, smallmouth bass, and northern pike are all in season. We'll point you to the right spots and can arrange gear rentals.

Kayaking & Paddleboarding

Glide across the bay at your own pace. Calm mornings are magical — the water goes completely still and the loons come close.

Hiking & Biking

Miles of trails thread through the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, with routes for every fitness level right from our doorstep.

Stargazing

With zero light pollution, the Milky Way is visible from the fire pit. Bring a blanket and a telescope — or just look up.

Family Gatherings

Book the whole place for a reunion or milestone. We'll handle the logistics so you can focus on the people you came with.

Quiet Time

Sometimes the best trip is the one where you do nothing at all. Read, nap, listen to the wind — the bay doesn't judge.

Sunlight filtering through Wisconsin pine forest

The Setting

Ellison Bay doesn't put on a show. It just is.

The water here is clear enough to see the bottom near shore. The forests are old-growth in patches, with white pines that tower thirty meters into the sky. You'll hear loons at dusk, woodpeckers at dawn, and nothing else but wind in the branches.

The bay is part of the Chequamegon Bay system on Lake Michigan, and it holds its own microclimate — cooler in summer, calmer on the water, and dramatically different from season to season. Spring brings wildflowers. Summer is warm and green. Fall turns the hills to fire. Winter seals the whole thing in ice.

We're not a resort. We're a place that happens to be in one of the most beautiful corners of Wisconsin, and we're glad to share it.

Gallery