Nestled on 11 private acres with Betsie River frontage, Riverbend Lodge is the perfect haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Unwind in one of two king-sized bedrooms or explore the second floor's spacious family room, complete with extra soundproofing and a pocket door. Enjoy a fully equipped kitchen, an expansive outdoor patio with dining and living spaces, an outdoor grill and fire pit for making s'mores under starlit night skies.
Welcome to your perfect northern Michigan getaway! Situated on 11 private acres with 1,200 feet of picturesque Betsie River frontage, our property offers a unique blend of space, seclusion, and adventure. Whether you’re planning a family vacation or a weekend of outdoor exploration, this is the place to make lasting memories.
Located just 8 miles from Crystal Mountain, you’ll have easy access to world-class skiing, golf, and hiking. For the adventurers, our property is directly adjacent to Trail 39, giving you seamless entry to countless miles of snowmobile, UTV/ATV, and dirt bike trails. Hop on your machine and explore the best of northern Michigan without ever leaving the property!
Our home is designed to accommodate large families or groups, with plenty of room for everyone to gather, relax, and enjoy their stay. Nestled in a serene rural setting, you’ll love the peace and privacy—no neighbors in sight, just the beauty of nature all around.
After a day of skiing, trail riding, or exploring nearby attractions like Traverse City, the wineries of Leelanau and Old Mission peninsulas, Lake Michigan, or the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, come back to unwind by the river or share stories under the stars.
With its unbeatable location, private acreage, and direct access to adventure, our property offers a truly unique northern Michigan experience. Book your stay and discover why we fell in love with this special place!
More about the property: The Riverbend Lodge is designed to comfortably accommodate large groups or multiple families, offering space, privacy, and thoughtful amenities. It features two primary king-sized bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, ensuring comfort and convenience for your stay. The main floor primary bedroom includes an optional folding bed and a travel crib for toddlers or babies, neatly tucked away in the closet.
The second floor boasts a spacious family room with extra soundproofing in the walls and a pocket door, creating two separate living areas. It’s an ideal setup for kids to play or watch TV while adults relax in the main-level living room. Upstairs, you’ll find the second king-sized bedroom along with two versatile bunk rooms. The first bunk room includes two queen beds and two twin bunks, while the second bunk room features a queen bed and a full-over-full built-in bunk. A convertible daybed in the family room can be configured into a third king-sized bed or two adjoined twins, with bedding provided for both setups.
The fully equipped kitchen is ready for any meal preparation, and the spacious covered outdoor patio offers a perfect gathering space with dining and lounging areas, along with an outdoor grill. On warmer evenings, enjoy roasting marshmallows and sharing stories around the large fire pit.
Want a closer look? Check out our YouTube video [https://youtu.be/RAjOvRaNHbo?si=iFncbWxALkx3yfjM] to experience the seclusion and beauty of Riverbend Lodge. The video highlights the serenely secluded natural surroundings and stunning Betsie River frontage, giving you a preview of the unforgettable experience that awaits.
For added convenience, the extra-large U-shaped driveway provides ample parking for multiple vehicles and trailers, making it easy to bring along all your gear for a memorable northern Michigan adventure.
The Riverbend Lodge provides direct access to the Betsie River, which is part of Michigan's Natural River Program, which protects the natural habitat and leaves the river largely untouched from human interference and is ideal for kayaking. It is home to lots of wildlife, including deer, eagles, and the occasional bear. The salmon fishing in the fall is unparalleled. In the summer months, the river is slow, shallow, and wide for kids to float in tubes, fish, or catch crayfish. This secluded country setting provides expansive views of the starlit night sky, and offers a glimpse of paradise.
Property amenities
Ski
Cross-country skiing nearby
Snowboarding nearby
Internet
Available in the house: Free WiFi
Parking and transport
Parking on site
Kitchen
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Dishwasher
Hob
Ice maker
Kitchen island
Microwave
Oven
Refrigerator
Spices
Toaster
Dining
Dining table
Bedrooms
4 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
3.5 bathrooms
Bathtub or shower
Hair dryer
Shampoo
Shower
Soap
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Living spaces
Dining table
Fireplace
Living room
Entertainment
Games
Smart TV
Outdoor areas
Barbecue grill
Firepit
Garden
Outdoor furniture
Patio
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washing machine
Comfort
Air conditioning
Heating
Pets
No pets allowed
Suitability/Accessibility
Smoke-free property
Location highlights
In a rural location
Near a health/beauty spa
On a river
On the waterfront
Things to do
Birdwatching nearby
Fishing nearby
Golfing nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Hunting nearby
Kayaking nearby
Motor boating nearby
Mountain biking nearby
Sledding nearby
Snowmobiling nearby
Swimming nearby
Winery tours nearby
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Rules
No helium balloons allowed. A fee of $50/ balloon will be assessed for removal. Additional fees may apply if balloon(s) are wrapped in ceiling fan.
Pets
Pets not allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
About the area
Located in Thompsonville, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Michigan Legacy Art Park and Kresge Auditorium are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Interlochen Center for the Arts and Burnett Park. Enjoy the area's slopes with cross-country skiing and snowboarding, and don't miss out on the snowmobiling and sledging. Visit our Thompsonville travel guide
How much is parking at Crystal Mountain Retreat: Private Betsie Riverfront & Recreational Trail Access?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Crystal Mountain Retreat: Private Betsie Riverfront & Recreational Trail Access?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Crystal Mountain Retreat: Private Betsie Riverfront & Recreational Trail Access?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Crystal Mountain Retreat: Private Betsie Riverfront & Recreational Trail Access located?
Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is 4.5 mi (7.3 km) from Turtle Lake and within 12 miles (20 km) of Crystal Mountain and Michigan Legacy Art Park. Iron Fish Distillery and Crimson King Commons Area are also within 12 miles (20 km).
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All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Beautiful property, easily accommodated three families for a ski weekend. Hosts are responsive, communicative and organized. Recommended, would stay there again.
I have stayed in many properties over the years, but this is certainly near the top of the list. Great style, very clean, excellent location close to Crystal Mountain. We will definitely return again!
An overall great property with plenty of room for everyone to enjoy either a nature walk, fishing, or just sit by the fire pit! The owners were phenomenal and excellent communicators. Whenever we had a question they responded immediately and appreciate their hospitality.
Blake and Rachael are wonderful communicators. Our large golf group of twelve really enjoyed this property. Plenty of space and sleeping accommodations for our large group. The house is absolutely amazing. Highly recommend staying here.
Everything was wonderful. A little hiccup at check in that was easily remedied with communication with the owner. Clean, good quality everything. Will be looking to be back again!
Excellent stay in an excellent, really perfect, property.
I felt very much like the owners of this property knew what they were doing when they built it (a very new property). Isolated along the Betsy River where a number a family members went fishing, not too far from the little
town of Frankfort on Lake MI (where we went to the beach). Everything worked in the house, and everything was laid out very nicely.
Our extended family spent the week at Riverbend. With the upstairs living space, it was the perfect place for two families to relax, fish, play and hang out. The location was great for day trips to the beach, Traverse City, other rivers, and exploring small towns in the area. The home is incredible with every detail considered for guests and the setting is so peaceful. It was a vacation we will all remember. Thank you Spooners!