Tugboat/Private Lake - Farm Animals - Fish, Swim, Boat, Hike/Bike 5+Miles Trails

Louisa, Virginia
$550 avg/night Minimum Stay 2 Nights
Bed 3

Bed

Bath 1

Bath

Home House Boat

Property Type

Sleep 5

Max Sleeps

Night 2 nights

Min Stay

Get swept away to a Magical Tug/Houseboat! Renovated with all modern conveniences, including fully stocked kitchen, full bathroom, AC, heat, & WiFi. The Luxury Tugboat floats on an 8 acre private Lake with an Island on 142 Wooded Acres, with 5+miles of hiking trails. Enjoy Swimming, Kayaking, Stand Up Paddle boarding, Fishing, Hiking, Exploring, or just relax on your own beach by the fire pit. Only our family and our Log Cabin and Airstream Listings have access to the Lake and Property. We also have some farm animals...Sheep, ducks, chickens and rabbits that you can meet and feed.

*Please read entire listing*
Our goal is to provide a unique adventure for guests with all the conveniences of home.
Our Custom Tugboat was brought all the way from Connecticut! Getting the boat in the water and put back together was it's own adventure!
The Tug is at the opposite side of the Lake from our home and our Log Cabin Listing. Guests can drive over the Dam to the other side of the lake where you can park (Paved road except last 1500' is gravel/dirt 4x4 is NOT required). From there you walk a short way through a beautiful wooded trail(1/10th of a mile or 500').
We provide a yard cart to help move luggage or we are happy to help deliver your luggage for you with our ATV.(Please let us know in advance if you will need help)

Inside The Tug Boat
There is a Galley/Kitchen with cooktop, microwave, coffee pot, full-size refrigerator w/ freezer, utensils and everything for your cooking needs. We do provide coffee, tea, sugar, flour, condiments(Ketchup, Mustard, Mayo) along with spices and cooking oils.
The main level:
Has a lovely dining area with view of the lake and kitchen, there is a Double Bed located at the stern of the boat. There is a twin air mattress located in a drawer under the main level bed that can be blown up and placed in the dining area. A small full bathroom is also located on the main level of the boat with a full shower and flushing toilet.

The Pilot house/upper level:
Offers 360 degree views of the Lake and Forest. Accessed from a ladder and trap door within the boat or from the outside stairs. There is a comfy seating area that transforms into a California King Bed. Enjoy your coffee or cocktails on a deck overlooking the water with the best views on the property. This is the spot for stargazing, with no light pollution whatsoever.

The Outdoor space:
Is very well lit at night by twinkle lights(can be turned off) which makes for a very romantic setting. A beach area sits just outside the Tug to play, launch boats or slowly wade into the water. Kayaks are provided and trails are right outside your door that can be taken all the way around the lake and more! There is a large fire pit with a grate that swings over for grilling over wood or bring charcoal. We sell dry Firewood or you can help yourself to any fallen wood that you can find.

There is never a lifeguard on duty! Please use life vests and supervise children. By booking with us you agree to use the lake, trails, and property at your and your guests own risk.
Swimming, or any other water play is at your own risk. You are accepting responsibility of yourself and other guests when having full use of the property, trail hikes, biking, swimming...etc.

Please use your best judgement when bringing children of all ages, if you are unsure about something please ask.
No parties.
No outside guests allowed.
No motorized vehicles on trails or Lake
No jumping/diving off boat - SHALLOW water


You will most likely meet our golden-doodle Mabel while hiking. She is extremely friendly but please do let us know if she's a bother. She enjoys meeting new guests and their furry companions and is wonderful with kids!

FAQ:
WIFI
Wifi is available through Starlink, typical speeds are 50-250 Mbps. Stream movies and shows on the TVs. We also provide a DVD/BluRay player and try to keep movies available for your use.

Are Dogs allowed
We are allowing dogs on a case by case basis. You may need to lift your dog in and out of the boat. There is a 2 step ladder down into the boat, some dogs jump in. We do charge a $125/ per pet fee that we charge in advance. The terrain is dirt/gravel so please wipe paws so we can keep the Tug beautiful and maintain our rental. Please do not allow dogs on the furniture.

Does the boat rock
Yes, but not much under normal circumstances. Mostly just when someone is getting on or off.

Is there Heat and A/C
Yes, there is one window mounted A/C unit on each level and will be equipped with space heaters durning the cold months (It stays quite warm with little effort). Of course the boat will not regulate temperature as well as a home so please come prepared with warm and cold weather clothes.

How are the bugs
The Tug boat is in the middle of the forest on a Lake, so yes there will be bugs, frogs, toads, and all that mother nature has to offer. Mosquitos are not bad at all, but bring bug spray anyway.

Can you Swim in the Lake
Yes, our family swims here on a regular basis. About 1/2 way to the island the water is much deeper and makes for a nice swimming spot.

Is there a motor
No, the boat cannot be moved around the Lake.

Is it safe for kids
Please note that while we have done our best to make the Tug safe for everyone, it may not be suitable for all young children. The boat is surrounded by water and forest with many entrances and exits. Please use your best judgement as parents.

Is there running water
Yes, there are 2- 50 Gallon tanks of water and a pump that turns on when you open a faucet. If you run out during your stay we can easily fill it back up! We fill a 1 Gallon Jug in the refrigerator for drinking. The water is potable but if you'd like to limit the use of water please bring more drinking water. We do provide marine safe/ biodegradable soap in the shower and at the kitchen sink.

How big are the doors
Please see our pictures and info under accessibility. There is no standard size door to use, so please ensure you are comfortable with the small doors before booking.

Can you jump off the boat
NO! The Tug is docked in 2-3' of water.

Is there a grill
The fire pit has a grate that swings over the fire for grilling over wood or charcoal! It is also the perfect setup for S'Mores! You may purchase wood from us and we provide lighters and grilling tools in the Tug.

Do you need 4 wheel drive
No, after our paved driveway the road turns to gravel and dirt. However, it is hard packed soil and gravel and fairly easy to manage for most cars. If you are concerned, you can park on the driveway and we will help you get to the boat.

Does boat make noise
You will hear the bilge pumps occasionally test for resistance. They are located in the hull on the front and back of the boat and it sounds like a dull groan.

*Please read all rules*
Our family lives here and we have other listings on the property, please be courteous:)
No loud music as it disrupts the sounds of nature and possibly other guests. Noise does travel across the lake.

There is never a lifeguard on duty! Please use life vests and supervise children. By booking with us you agree to use the lake, trails, and property at your and your guests own risk.
Swimming, Kayaking, SUP, or any other water play is at your own risk. You are accepting responsibility of yourself and other guests when having full use of the property, trail hikes, biking, fishing...etc.

Please use your best judgement when bringing children of all ages, if you are unsure about something please ask.

No parties.

No outside guests allowed.

You must be comfortable climbing a ladder to the loft.

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  • Feature Features
  • Map Map
  • School District Rates & Availability
  • Review Review

Feature Features

  • PETS

    1 Total Pets Pet Friendly Welcoming Dogs Only
  • BEACH

    Near The Beach
  • DINING

    Dining Table
  • SAFETY

    Carbon Monoxide Detector Installed (host Has Indicated There Is A Carbon Monoxide Detector On The Property) Fire Extinguisher First Aid Kit Smoke Detector Installed (host Has Indicated There Is A Smoke Detector On The Property)
  • BEDROOM

    3 Bedrooms Bed Sheets Provided
  • GENERAL

    Unit Size: 500 Sq Ft (46 Sq M)
  • KITCHEN

    Coffee/tea Maker Cookware/dishes/utensils Freezer Microwave Refrigerator (full Size) Spices Stovetop Toaster
  • LAUNDRY

    Near Laundromat
  • PARKING

    Car Recommended Onsite Parking
  • INTERNET

    Free WiFi
  • OUTDOORS

    Balcony Charcoal Grill Firepit Garden Yard
  • BATHROOMS

    1 Bathroom Hair Dryer Shower Towels Provided
  • LANGS SPOKEN

    English
  • THINGS TO DO

    Boat On Site Cycling Nearby Ecotours Nearby Fishing Nearby Fitness Facilities Nearby Hiking Nearby Horse Riding Nearby Kayak On Site Kayaking Nearby Sledding Nearby Swimming Nearby Water Skiing Nearby Water Sports Equipment
  • ENTERTAINMENT

    Books DVD Player Games Stereo Video Library Smart TV
  • LIVING SPACES

    Dining Room
  • CLIMATE CONTROL

    Air Conditioning Heating
  • LOCATION HIGHLIGHTS

    In A Rural Location Near A Hospital On The Lake On The Waterfront
  • SUITABILITY/ACCESSIBILITY

    Elevator Gravel Flooring In Public Areas If You Have Requests For Specific Accessibility Needs, Please Contact The Property Using The Information On The Reservation Confirmation Received After Booking. Note From Host: Smoking Outside Is Fine Smoke-free Property

CheckIn Check-in : 03:00 PM CheckOut Check-out : 10:00 AM
No Wheelchair No smoking No pets Children allowed
Occupancy Max occupancy : 5

Map Map

School District Rates & Availability

Review Review

  • Mary

    Submitted Sep 4, 2020

    Stayed Sep 1, 2020

    This place is amazing. Perfect place to escape and relax. And the owner’s are so helpful and friendly.

  • Liza

    Submitted Aug 9, 2025

    Stayed Aug 4, 2025

    The tugboat was such a fun, unique experience. It was extremely spacious for our family of five. The hosts thought of every amenity you could need. We enjoyed watching the ducks, fish, and turtles float by our window. Stargazing and sleeping on the top deck was incredible. We enjoyed kayaking/paddle boarding across the lake as well as hanging out by the campfire at night along with the ducks. The memories made are priceless.

  • Jodi E.

    Submitted Aug 5, 2024

    Stayed Aug 2, 2024

    The property was even cuter than it’s pictures and we had a wonderful time! I especially loved the resident ducks?

  • Bryan S.

    Submitted May 22, 2024

    Stayed May 17, 2024

    We stayed 2 nights in the Tugboat and it was the perfect escape. The lake and trails were amazing scenery for a relaxing weekend, and the closeness to Louisa/Charlottesville made it easy to make short trips to break up the day.

  • Christopher K.

    Submitted May 11, 2024

    Stayed May 6, 2024

    We had such a wonderful time sitting by the pond! The ducks were delightful companions, adding a special charm to the setting. Cooking over the fire was a joy, and the hosts were incredibly kind and helpful, giving us space once we were settled. Thank you for this unforgettable experience!

  • Marilyn F.

    Submitted Oct 25, 2023

    Stayed Oct 19, 2023

    Ashleigh and Michael have thought about every detail when it comes to staying here. They are great communicators of what you need to bring and what is supplied. It makes planning so much easier. I don’t know how many times we’ve stayed somewhere not knowing what was needed. They have everything listed down to the condiments provided in the refrigerator. Everything is labeled and well organized. The tug boat was very clean. The location is beautiful and so quiet. We look forward to staying here again.

  • Carolyn L.

    Submitted Sep 13, 2023

    Stayed Sep 8, 2023

    The Lux Tug exceeded ALL expectations! It is charming and beautifully appointed with comfortable, welcoming, cozy finishes and design elements. It was roomy and my husband at 6'4 could fully stand inside. The location was peaceful and spectacular 360 views upstairs in the pilot house. (Perfect place to nap during an afternoon rain shower!) The property was fun to explore - hiking, kayaking, and everything was well maintained! It was magical at night with string lights lit up outside....and all interior lights are also dimmable, allowing guests to customize each space for ambience and/or function. We highly recommend this unique experience to all!!

  • Submitted Jul 18, 2023

    Stayed Jul 11, 2023

    Wonderful stay on the boat. Everything we needed was there, including duck food for our morning guests. Kayaks and SUP were easily accessible. The boat was super clean and the air conditioning was great during our July visit. We would love to return if we are in the area. Truly a memorable place to stay while seeing Monticello.

  • Gwynn W.

    Submitted Jun 27, 2023

    Stayed Jun 17, 2023

    I can’t believe we found such a beautiful spot! I don’t think I can say enough good things about this trip. The tug was so unique and perfect. It’s amazing clean and decorated perfectly. The whole property is an adventure. We lacked for nothing. And the owners…..they are some of the kindest people we have ever met. So excited to book another stay with them!

  • Trisha M.

    Submitted Jun 27, 2023

    Stayed Jun 24, 2023

    This is the rating of our guests who visited us for the day. They too were amazed and the planning began for another trip!

  • Lourdes C.

    Submitted May 24, 2023

    Stayed May 19, 2023

    Our tugboat weekend was absolutely magical! The property is beautiful, and the tugboat is so charming. Our daughter loved adventuring through the trails, kayaking, making s’mores and even befriended the ducks on the property. We will most definitely return. Ashleigh, thank you for a beautiful stay!

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Total

Includes taxes and fees
$550+
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