Whalan’s Cedar Valley Resort is Perfect Destination for Families Of All Sizes

By Steve Harris

For the last 50 years, Jim Glesne’s family has carried on a tradition. “We call it family camp,” he said. “Our extended families get together the last week in June to have fun and make memories.”

Where they do that — for the last 20 years — is a big part of their fun: they gather at Cedar Valley Resort in Whalan, Minn.

“Cedar Valley works great for us,” Glesne said. He is a retired minister now living in Decorah, Iowa. “We’ll have anywhere from 30 to 60 people attend and the resort’s central location helps facilitate travel. Relatives come from the East and West Coasts, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin. One year, we even had people from India and Kenya. We ride bikes and enjoy the Root River in canoes, kayaks and tubes. We fish, play games, visit and just relax. It’s a fantastic family bonding time.”

Rip Fernholz of Overland Park, Kansas, agrees. The Fernholz family made their first trip to Cedar Valley last summer. “Sixty-nine family members came, 37 of them under the age of 18,” Fernholz shared.

“We called it ‘Fernfest’ and it was wonderful. Cedar Valley didn’t just exceed our expectations — it exceeded our hopes. The facilities, the activities, the hosts and staff – it was literally perfect.”

Families love Cedar Valley. Maybe that’s because “family” is in its DNA. The owners, Larry and Sheryl Johnson, created the resort on stunning Bluff Country property that has been in the Johnson family for generations.

“My grandfather bought the land in the 1920s,” Larry explained. “Later, my dad, Gene, had his mink farm here. When I was growing up, our family went to resorts each summer and I always thought that would be a cool way to make a living. In 1988, Sheryl and I started thinking seriously about it and made some goals. Our dream has come true.”

The Johnsons’ dream grew into an award-winning resort destination that now welcomes close to 6,000 guests each year, enjoying a full-range of lodging options and amenities for all ages. Many guests, like the Glesne and Fernholz families, come to Cedar Valley in family groups.

That’s not by chance, Larry said. “We created Cedar Valley with families in mind. We originally lived in a two-bedroom mobile home on the property. Later, we moved but decided to offer that house as a rental. We figured 30 rental nights that first year would indicate good potential. We booked 100! Families have remained a priority.”

Priority guided planning. “We wanted a resort that gives families room to connect and play,” Larry continued. “We wanted big cabins where people would feel comfortable. We could have squeezed in more but decided against that. It has worked well.”

Very well, indeed. Today, Cedar Valley Resort has 11 rustic, logsided cabins (all built between 2001 and 2014) that can accommodate from two to 38 guests. Big Timber is the largest lodge with more than 5,000 square feet, two furnished kitchens, eight bedrooms and six bathrooms.

There are playgrounds for kids, basketball courts, two pickleball courts, sand volleyball, disc golf and outdoor games. All of that is within a frisbee toss of the Root River State Bike Trail that winds through the property, while the Root River meanders alongside. Convenient on-site outfitting services provide rental bikes (e-bikes coming soon), canoes, kayaks and tubes. An ice rink, cross-country skis and snowshoes make for winter fun. Cedar Valley is also fully accessible.

Growth has been steady through the years and post-covid numbers have been some of their best. Why are return rates well over 50% and waiting lists common? It’s more than nice lodging and amenities, Larry noted. “We put ourselves in the place of our customers. From their first phone call, to their arrival, to departure, we want guests to have a positive experience. Our staff is amazing and takes great pride in their work. We do all we can to make sure people enjoy their time with us.”

That shows, Glesne said. “Cedar Valley is top-notch in every respect. We can’t say enough good things about Larry and Sheryl and their staff. They bend over backwards to serve their guests.”

Fernholz highlights their flexibility as well. “They let us set up a Slip ‘n Slide; our kids loved it!”

Others notice that as well. In 2013, Larry and Sheryl Johnson were named “Operators of the Year” by the Minnesota Resort and Campgrounds Association.

“We’re pleased that so many families enjoy Cedar Valley,” Sheryl said. “We work hard to create a fun but peaceful atmosphere, a fun escape from the busy lifestyles many families have today.”

One returning family told the Johnsons that they had given their kids a choice for their next vacation. They offered Disneyland and Branson, the mom told Sheryl, but the kids all said they wanted to go back to Cedar Valley! “That tells you something!,” the mom said.

It tells the story of a special place, a family-run business helping other families create lifelong memories. Today, Larry and Sheryl’s daughter and son-in-law oversee Cedar Valley’s day-today operations and their son returned this year to join the team.

“God has blessed us in so many ways,” said Larry. “We’re glad to share the blessings of Cedar Valley Resort.”

For more information about Cedar Valley Resort, visit its website (cedarvalleyresort.com), email (info@cedarvalleyresort.com) or call 507-467-9000. z