37mi from Houghton Lake · 4 sites · Tents, RVs · Mancelona, MIOver 400 acres of private land of upland forest, lake frontage, and cedar swamp with many secluded campsites separated apart for tents and RV's to choose from. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy their stay at this secluded and large acreage forest Up North! At nightfall, you will enjoy a starry night sky free from city lights. This is perfect for folks who want to camp but do not wish to be crammed in next to other campers. We offer over 400 acres and 4 sites at a time for campers but we have many more areas that you can camp at to choose from. You will have a lot of room to breathe the fresh forest air. You’ll have excellent opportunities for wildlife photos. This is a wilderness area and you will have cell phone reception mainly on the higher ground areas of the property. We have campsite maps soon online. Please contact us for hunting opportunities for deer season.
If you need a break from the quiet and relaxation, you can drive over to Kalkaska (12 miles), Mancelona (8 miles), or Traverse City (30 miles) for dinner and shopping.
We have been working on many large and small projects all over our property. We have recently majorly upgraded our road and trail system. Please drive on it gently, respectful of the work we have put into it and of other campers with pets and children. Another project is the rustic boardwalk down to Manistee Lake. This walkway is accessible via Cunningham Rd (the far western border of the property). Bring along some boots that can get a bit dirty, if it rains then it will be muddy, and bring your bug spray. The boardwalk building materials are constructed entirely of onsite native cedar hand-sawn timber – built by your host, Bryce. This leads you to the Manistee Lake frontage. Coming soon: a dock for boating and enjoying the water.
We now have 4 outhouses dispersed throughout the property for your convenience. Please understand we are not able to maintain these outhouses and campers must be respectful and clean up after themselves. Bring toilet paper in case there is none in the outhouses. Please respect our Leave-No-Trace policy and remove all trash from your campsite and area.
Your leashed pets are allowed but you must be respectful of other campers with pets as well. Do not let your pets run loose and to other campsites. All children and pets must be attended at all times for safety reasons.
Ticks are on the rise, and the springtime can be very buggy, and mosquito-y with the surrounding swampy areas. There are bear, coyote, fox, and an assortment of other creatures big and small. This is a wilderness area and so please be aware of wild animals. Never leave children or pets unattended!
The northernmost opening has honey bees maintained by an electric fence. Please keep pets and children away from this area. You are welcome to look at it but do not touch the fence or bother the bees, they are busy making honey for all of Michigan.
There is direct access to 100s of miles of snowmobiling trails spanning from Leetsville to Kalkaska (MCCCT Access). You’ll have access out the eastern gate but please remember to shut the gate going in and out. Otherwise outside ATV traffic will come in off of state land.
All motorized vehicles must stay on the trail system, do not spin tires or tear up the bare ground. The trail system has recently been updated at owner's expense and maintained for your convenience but it is easily rutted. Please be respectful of our trails. You must drive under 10 mph on the property due to safety and insurance regulations. There are areas along the trails that have deep holes close by the trails. Watch your step or driving around these areas. Safe, sober and responsible behavior and driving is imperative on the trails. No alcohol or drug use.
Do not put nails or metal in the trees. Do not use firearms without express written permission from the owners and when other campers are around. Hunting season is set for hunting rental on this site. No additional campsites will be offered during this time. Please contact us (owners) for available hunting dates and rates. This property can accommodate up to 8 hunters.
After 1 1/2 years of completely remodeling our cabin, we now can offer you a lovely stay in a snug, warm 2 bedroom 700 sq foot cabin, comfortably sleeps 6, 1 queen bed in one bedroom, 1 queen and 1 full sized bed in the other bedroom. The cabin is a 2-night minimum stay. It comes with all the amenities, wifi, hot shower, linens, bedding, towels wood stove, electric heat, a completely stocked full kitchen and much, much more. This is our personal family cabin so please treat it gently. Please contact us for scheduling the cabin. Traveling with more than 6? Reach out to us about the additional accommodations available on-site, including 120V RV hookups (addt'l fee). The cabin has internet and internet cell phone connection at the cabin. We are in the wilderness, so the internet is functional but not excellent. There is only cell phone reception on the higher elevations of the property.
Please contact me with your specific questions and needs.
We have nearby amenities- LAKES- Manistee Lake (southern most boundary of the property), Twin Lakes (3.1 miles), Pickerel Lake (4.1 miles), Starvation Lake (5.5 miles) BEACHES: Pencil Lake Beach (23.3 miles), Grand Traverse Bay (31.9 miles), Peninsula Beach (35.9 miles), Clinch Park Beach (36.1 miles), Torch Lake (36.1 miles), Lake Michigan (41.4 miles) BLUE RIBBON TROUT STREAMS: Manistee River (11.7 miles), AuSable River (16.7 miles) SKI DAYS: Mt Mancelona (9.1 miles), Shanty Creek Resort (16.6 miles), Hanson Hills (22.9 miles), Boyne Mountain Resort (30.0 miles), Mt. Holiday Ski and Recreational Area (31.3 miles) WINE + BREW: Short's Brewing Company (19.7 miles), Rolling Oak Brewing Co (23.2 miles), Paddle Hard Brewing (23.5 miles), Torch Lake Cellars (23.7 miles), WaterFire Vineyards (30.6 miles), Snowbelt Brewing (32.6 miles) CASINOS: Turtle Creek Casino (24.6 miles), Odawa Casino (44.0 miles), Leelanau Sands Casino (55.7 miles) SEASONAL: National Trout Festival - Kalkaska (Apr), National Cherry Festival- Traverse City (May), Bow Hunting Season (Oct 1—Dec 1), Hunting Season (Nov 15—Dec 1) AIRPORT: Cherry Capital Airport (34.2 miles)
