Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla & Eric Elefson.
Hi Kayla & Eric, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Our dreams of Wildhaven began in 2016 after Kayla sustained an injury that required her to slow down her career as a dance artist. Inspired by a class at the Women’s Environmental Institute and hands-on experiences volunteering on several farms, we enrolled in the Land Stewardship Project’s Farm Beginnings course. It was here we began envisioning our future farm—one that included a farmstay where guests could connect with sustainable agriculture and experience the joy we had known as kids growing up on farms.
Our farm started in the basement of our home in Lake Saint Croix Beach, where we began growing microgreens and added garlic to our offerings. In 2018, we moved to Two Harbors to fully realize our farmstay.
With the help of family and friends, we built our yurt at North House Folk School in Grand Marais. In 2021, we began hosting guests. While we no longer grow food commercially, our focus at Wildhaven has shifted to healing the land through permaculture practices, nurturing our work as artists, and connecting people and planet through rest.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Our journey has been dappled with struggle. From securing permits for the yurt to battling crop disease, navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, and confronting steep learning curves, it often feels like there’s always a new challenge around the corner. Yet the land gently reminds us that change is constant, that a new season is always on its way, and that nature moves at its own pace. This reminder brings us comfort and perspective when things feel especially hard.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Wildhaven is a pet-friendly yurt stay in Two Harbors, Minnesota. Nestled among towering pine and aspen trees, our hand-built yurt offers unmatched privacy and serenity. Designed for couples or small groups, the yurt features electricity, cozy beds, Wi-Fi, a refrigerator, microwave, kitchenette, and more.
Guests can relax in our traditional Finnish sauna, wander the 16.5 acres of wooded walking trails, paddle Lake Superior in our foldable kayaks, or gather around a crackling campfire for s’mores under the stars.
Located just a few miles from Gooseberry Falls, Split Rock Lighthouse, the Gitchi-Gami State Trail, the Superior Hiking Trail, the Two Harbors Lighthouse, and Agate Bay, Wildhaven is the perfect home base for day trips to Grand Marais, Duluth, Lutsen, and the many state parks along the North Shore.
We offer an experience unlike the typical North Shore visit. With just one yurt tucked quietly in the woods, Wildhaven is an escape from the crowds—a peaceful retreat that invites you to slow down, reconnect, and recharge. Rest is our specialty, and we love helping guests create a worry-free getaway filled with nature, calm, and connection.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Go at your own pace and follow what excites you. Creativity and resourcefulness are powerful tools. Intention and authenticity always resonate.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wildhavenmn.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildhavenmn
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wildhavenmn
