Notes from the host
Secluded Riverfront Home at Wildlife Haven Retreat
Just twenty feet from the edge of the river and with 450 feet of private frontage, you will feel a part of nature the second you arrive in this modernized classic northern cottage.
Paddle kayaks, float away on tubes, watch eagles fish, or cast your own line in the water from the deck or shoreline. At night, retreat to the all season porch, gaze at the stars or spend nights by the fire. This home has very few neighbors for privacy and peace of mind.
Start making “up north” memories today!
Wildlife Haven Retreat sits on 5.5 acres of land and is truly a unique and special property. Every surface of the home has been updated with tongue and groove paneling, expansive windows overlook the river below, and refinished flooring blend perfectly with the repurposed vintage cabinets and appliances.
A beautiful deck wraps around the exterior of the home, overlooking 450 feet of river frontage from just mere feet away. Below, an all-season porch with wrap around wall-to-wall windows encases a lounge with darts and a seating area for entertainment. Exiting the porch leads to a stone walkway with stairs down to the river on one side, and a large brick patio and fire circle on the other.
Wildlife Haven Retreat is a true classic northern Michigan cottage with thick timber stairs, a large loft space, cathedral ceilings and high windows to let in natural light. As a tri-level home, there is plenty of space for the whole family to settle in.
Perfectly designed for year-round, all-season use, whether you find yourself roasting marshmallows by the fire, gazing at the stars, listening to the birds chirp, watching the fish jump or curled up inside watching the snow fall on a winter wonderland.
Envoking a quintessential “up north” experience with modern furnishings so you can relax, rest and refresh with maximum comfort whether you stay inside or create an outdoor adventure. Your stay will be an unforgettable experience where you can reconnect with your significant other, family, kids or lifelong friends. At the end, you’ll find it hard to leave.
Located in Central Michigan, Wildlife HavenTimber Retreat sits in the middle of a small refuge of vacation homes a few minutes from Evart, Michigan and nearby Reed City, Hersey, Big Rapids, Sears, Marion, and Tustin. Central Michigan is the perfect destination at only an hour and a half from Grand Rapids, two and a half hours from Detroit, and three and a half hours from Chicago.
Forest & Flow Retreats focuses on unique homes and experiences so our guests can build memories for years to come. Over 15% of our bookings come from repeat guests, something we are very proud of. As you may have guessed from our name, we target natural properties with water or forest features that create an calm, peaceful and tranquil environment far removed from the hustle of day to day life.
Book your up north experience today!
NATURAL ATTRACTIONS:
The home is located in a perfect area for outdoor enthusiasts and is close to:
RIVERS: The Muskegon River, Hersey River and Manistee Rivers branches
LAKES: Rose Lake, Big Lake, Indian Lake, Chippewa Lake, Sunrise Lake, and Big Long Lake
PUBLIC LANDS: Cadillac State Forest Area, Roscommon State Forest Area, Mark Knee Memorial GEMs, Sugar Boal State Land, Mud Lake Recreation Area, Pere Marquette State Forest, Au Sable State Forest and Haymarsh Lake State Game Area
TRIALS: Pere Marquette State Trail and White Pine Trail are both part of the rails to trails program. Hiking trails are abundant in the state forests and at Mud Lake Trail Loop
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES:
Being in Central Michigan provides a host of year-round activities:
ACTION SPORT: Road Biking, Mountain Biking, Hiking and Backpacking
WATER SPORTS: Swimming, Boating, Canoeing, Kayaking and Tubing
POWER SPORTS: ORV Trails / Side by Side (SXS) Trails, Off Road Motorcycle Trails, Touring Motorcycle Trails
WINTER SPORTS: Snowmobiling, Downhill Skiing, Cross Country Skiing, Snowshoeing
FALL ACTIVITIES: Color Tours, Leaves Changing, Corn Mazes, Salmon Fishing, Cider / Winery Tours, Apple Picking
HUNTING: Whitetail Deer; Bear; Turkey; Predator; Pheasant, Woodcock, Grouse and Upland Bird; Goose, Duck and Other Waterfowl; Small Game Hunting
FISHING: Bass, Lake Perch, Northern Pike, Walleye, Trout, Salmon, Steelhead
GOLFING: Rose Golf Course, Birch Valley Golf Course, Spring Valley Golf Course
FURTHER AWAY:
Located less than an hour away are the cities of Big Rapids, Mt. Pleasant and Cadillac. Big Rapids is home to Ferris State University while Mt. Pleasant is home to Central Michigan University and Soaring Eagle Casino.
For outdoor enthusiasts who will be going on day time adventures, Manistee National Forest and Roscommon's Au Sable State Forest are also under an hour's drive.
SLEEP SPACES:
MASTER BEDROOM: A comfortably appointed full size classic craftsman bed and furnishings
GUEST BEDROOM: Another classic craftsman bed and furnishings.
LOFT BEDROOM: Two matching twin beds and create a loft sleeping area to comfortably sleep up to 4 more guests.
All beds have two pillows per guest, one premium down fill and one down alternative fiber fill. Extra pillows and linens are available, and heavy wool blankets are stocked for chilly nights.
A premium blow-up mattress is available upon request for additional sleeping space.
COMMON AREAS:
LIVING ROOM / GREAT ROOM: Huge windows overlook the river providing a relaxing view all year round.. A high definition, wall mounted TV with Nexflix and Disney plus provide entertainment for the kids or a late-night movie.
KITCHEN: The kitchen is equipped with all the appliances and every pot, pan, plate, utensil, cup or glass you would need for holiday cooking, baking & serving. A large island centers the room with built in cutting boards and architectural style.
DINING: Antique dining and chairs with seating for 8.
BATHROOM 1: Modern shower with glass doors and repurposed vintage sinks.
BATHROOM 2: A tiled grotto shower with overhead rain showerhead.
OUTDOOR LIVING AREAS:
HAMMOCKS: Four parachute style nylon hammocks are available for guests to use and relax outside.
FIRE PIT: A brick stone construction firepit sits on top of an interlocking brick patio
GRILL: A propane grill is provided with space to feed the whole family. (Please note, we try to keep two full tanks, but on rare occasions, propane may be out).
KAYAKS: We provide 4 premium kayaks for our guests use.
TUBES: We provide 4 river tubes for our guests use.
RIVER: The Muskegon River winds through the backyard with tall banks and a dock over the water’s edge.
Our guests have full access and use of the entire home and surrounding land. If you are unsure where the property lines end, please ask and we can assist! The privacy and safety of our guests and neighbors is very important to us.
Access is provided through a remote digital keypad, controlled through our Ring security system. Parking is convenient and close to the home, we only ask that guests do not park or drive on the lawn.
As a remotely located, rural home we manage travel times between our properties for turnovers between guests based on expected arrival times and the most efficient routes. Often, we can accommodate an earlier check in, just ask us in the days before your reservation and we will do our best to help!
I will be available via phone if needed. The home is completely electronically secured through remote security systems and a keypad entry system.
Neighborhood? What neighbors. In all seriousness, there are very few surrounding neighbors and really... that's kind of the point of this place, isn't it?
If you want complete seclusion from neighbors and freedom to enjoy yourself, this is the place. The city surrounding cities and towns provide plenty of dining options and we make recommendations in our guidebooks.
We get frequent requests from guests to use our homes for weddings, family reunions, camping, or other large gatherings. Many of these types of events are high-impact and can affect future guest stays, so we carefully manage them.
If this is something you are looking for, we can discuss details and whether any additional fees would apply.
ADDITIONAL SERVICES:
For an additional fee, we can provide concierge tailored services for anniversaries, birthdays, holidays or weddings.
A handyman is available for minor to moderate repairs, 24/7/365.
Professional services are available for major repairs, 24/7/365.
Cleaning services can be performed mid stay for guests who want a hotel experience for an additional cost.
Hosted by Robert M. Shindorf