Entire cabin·Private host

Relaxing Betsie River Cabin by Crystal Mtn 5bd+2ba+Loft+Game Rm+Fire Pit+Kayaks!

Riverside cabin with water park and fitness centre

Photo gallery for Relaxing Betsie River Cabin by Crystal Mtn 5bd+2ba+Loft+Game Rm+Fire Pit+Kayaks!

Interior
Beach
Property grounds
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Property grounds
Located in a tranquil setting amidst mature hardwoods and pines, Balsams on the Betsie cabin offers an idyllic retreat. Enjoy family-friendly activities like sand volleyball, fly fishing for Steelhead or Trout, and relaxing by the river rock stone wood-burning fireplace. With 5 spacious bedrooms plus a loft sleeping up to 14 people comfortably and two full bathrooms recently renovated with updated appliances & granite countertops in the kitchen.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire cabin

5 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 15

Popular amenities

  • Gym
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill

Add dates for prices

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire cabin to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Relaxing Betsie River Cabin by Crystal Mtn 5bd+2ba+Loft+Game Rm+Fire Pit+Kayaks!

Create your own family memories in this beautifully renovated Betsie River cabin with over 165' of prime direct river frontage & private dock. Tucked back close to state land on two acres of mature hardwoods and pines, this 'family friendly' updated cabin with 5 nice size bedrooms plus a loft will easily sleep 14 in beds. There is also an additional powered queen air mattress at your disposal for another two if needed. House also has Central Air Conditioning and fast Fiber Internet.

Whether it be kids playing/wading in the water, fly fishing for Steelhead, Salmon or Trout, serving up a family game of backyard sand volleyball, or simply enjoying a nice fire inside or out with friends and family, your vacation retreat awaits! We have (4) kayaks for navigating the Betsie River as well. This cabin has gone through an interior remodel and provides an updated kitchen with updated appliances & granite countertops. Large bedrooms also have closets to store all of your gear. The kitchen is fully stocked with everything you need for multi-family stays and cooking. Cabin has two full bathrooms. (One main floor and one upstairs).

Rainy Day? We have you covered. A large basement game room has ping pong, foosball, shuffleboard, electric dartboard, Fullsize Pac-Man arcade with 14 games, 55” Smart TV & game table with many games that are perfect for keeping everyone entertained. A river rock stone wood-burning fireplace will keep you warm and cozy on cooler nights in the great room and the large screened in porch is perfect for listening to river while enjoying your favorite libation, catching up with friends/family or playing a game. The cabin also has a spacious outdoor deck with patio table & chairs, Weber propane grill and a fantastic stamped concrete firepit area with plenty of Adirondack chairs that are great for listening to river after a busy day of activities. (Limited firewood provided as a courtesy) A full-size sand volleyball court with nearby outdoor hot/cold shower are at your disposal as well.

Outdoor games such as Corn Hole, Washer Toss, Bocce Ball & Kan Jam are provided in shed. A 4'x12' private dock is on the property and provides easy access to the river with swim ladder. The Betsie River is a great shallow river for Steelhead, Salmon and Trout fishing as well as canoeing and kayaking. Also great for smaller kids to safely play around off of the dock. State Snowmobile & ATV/UTV trails are also very close outside the neighborhood for summer/winter fun.

Up for water fun? Grab one of the (4) provided kayaks and walk down the trail to the river/dock and launch right from the house. Paddles and standard life vest provided but bring your own life vest if desired. (Please note the Betsie River flows one way so plan accordingly) You can launch upriver or launch at the house and pull out at multiple public access pts. down river. Map provided upon request. Feeling like a walk, bike ride or snowshoe adventure? Our quiet gravel driveway and private road is perfect for walks, riding bikes & snowshoeing as well. You can even walk, ride a bike or snowshoe over to the Iron Fish Distillery!


Located just four miles from Crystal Mountain Resort and Spa you have skiing, golf, biking, pool/hot tub, outdoor water park, a beautiful spa & fitness center, high-ropes, climbing wall, laser tag along and many other activities waiting for you. (Nominal daily fee applies) The cabin is also a short drive to Arcadia & Frankfort Lake Michigan Beaches, Traverse City, Crystal Lake in Beulah, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Platte River Rafting, Bear Lake and Manistee. The popular Iron Fish Distillery is just across other side of river from cabin and St. Ambrose Cellars & Tasting Room (Mead/Wine/Beer) just 15mins north. So many things to do and places to see that are close to cabin, although the privacy and peacefulness of the cabin may be all you need.

If the dates you are looking for are not available, or if you need an additional rental close by for additional family, please check out:
The Lemon Lodge: ID#4475313 (4bed, 2bath, 2 family rooms & sleeps 13)
The River Pine Lodge: ID#9465007 (3bed + Loft, 2bath directly on Betsie River w/ 8 acres and 600' of private frontage and sleeps up to 13)
The address of Balsams on the Betsie is 14552 Old Grade Rd. Thompsonville, MI 49683.

Property amenities

Ski

  • Cross-country skiing nearby
  • Snowboarding nearby

Pool/Spa

  • Communal pool

Internet

  • Available in the cabin: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Hob
  • Ice maker
  • Kitchen island
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 5 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • Games
  • Smart TV with cable/satellite channels
  • Stereo
  • Video games

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Dock
  • Firepit
  • Free firewood
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washer/dryer

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property
  • Note from host: No smoking inside the house.

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • Near the marina
  • On a river
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Arcade/game room
  • Foosball table
  • Golf
  • Gym
  • Kayak
  • Snow sports gear
  • Table tennis
  • Tennis
  • Water park
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Casino nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Hunting nearby
  • Ice skating nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Rafting nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Sledding nearby
  • Snowmobiling nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Winery tours nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Garden

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Minimum check-in age - 24

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Rules

NO underage drinking or illegal drug use on the property.
No Hunting or Target shooting allowed on property
Quiet Hours 10:00pm to 8:00am daily

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Events

No events allowed
No weddings.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No smoking inside the house.

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
Note from host: No weddings.
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit 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

Property is also known as

Beautiful Betsie River Cabin A/C Mins Crystal Mtn. Resort
Beautiful Betsie River A/C Mins Crystal Mtn. Thompsonville
Beautiful Betsie River A/C Mins Crystal Mtn.
Beautiful Betsie River A/C Mins Crystal Mtn. 5bd Loft

About the area

Map
Thompsonville, MI

What's nearby

  • Crystal Mountain - 7 min drive - 4.7 km
  • Mountain Ridge Golf Course - 8 min drive - 6.1 km
  • Michigan Legacy Art Park - 9 min drive - 6.1 km
  • Crystal Lake Golf Club - 25 min drive - 28.1 km
  • Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course - 28 min drive - 33.2 km

Getting around

  • Manistee, MI (MBL-Manistee County-Blacker) - 39 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Iron Fish Distillery - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪The Thistle Pub & Grill @ Crystal Mountain - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪A. Papano's Pizza - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Rosie's Country Cafe - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪The 231 Bar & Grill - ‬10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Relaxing Betsie River Cabin by Crystal Mtn 5bd+2ba+Loft+Game Rm+Fire Pit+Kayaks! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Relaxing Betsie River Cabin by Crystal Mtn 5bd+2ba+Loft+Game Rm+Fire Pit+Kayaks!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Relaxing Betsie River Cabin by Crystal Mtn 5bd+2ba+Loft+Game Rm+Fire Pit+Kayaks!?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Relaxing Betsie River Cabin by Crystal Mtn 5bd+2ba+Loft+Game Rm+Fire Pit+Kayaks! located?

Located on the waterfront, this family-friendly cabin is within 6 mi (10 km) of Iron Fish Distillery, Crystal Mountain, and Misty Acres Preserve. Glovers Lake and Michigan Legacy Art Park are also within 9 miles (15 km).

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Relaxing Betsie River Cabin by Crystal Mtn 5bd+2ba+Loft+Game Rm+Fire Pit+Kayaks! Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 273 out of 281 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 8 out of 281 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 281 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 281 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 281 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Staff & service

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Karen S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect summer Michigan getaway.

House was perfect spot for family trip to upper Michigan! Hosts were terrific. We had 6 adults & 4 kids 8 & under. Clean & plenty of space for each family to have their own space and also gather together. Place was very well equipped with kitchen supplies, plenty of towels, lots of amenities. Kids & adults loved the game room downstairs. Surroundings were beautiful and somewhat secluded, perfect for recharge, yet close to lots of attractions like Lake Michigan beaches & Traverse City! Would definitely stay again if in the area!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Kid-friendly family fun

The indoor and outdoor activities available for both kids and adults make this perfect for families looking to spend time together.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quiet and clean

This riverside cabin was clean with comfortable beds and a well-supplied kitchen. We all had a blast in the game room playing ping pong and fussball. I would love to return in the summer to take advantage of the porch, deck and River.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Olesia

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
This is a very quiet and nice property. The house is full with everything you will need for your vacation.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kim L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family get-away on the Betsie

My family had a wonderful week at this property. We had fun watching the salmon swim up river, having fires and exploring the surrounding area. House had everything we needed. Thanks for everything.
Stayed 8 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

alen c., Michigan, USA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Location great vibes

Great clean cabin on the Betsie River. All the amenities you could need. The host is very helpful, and nice. I would definitely come back here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2020

10/10 Excellent

Lisa C., Lafayette, IN

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful get-away!

We really enjoyed our stay at this property! It had everything we needed for a comfortable stay- the kids really enjoyed the game room, and it was very conveniently located to Cyrstal Mountain for skiing. The only extra thing that would have been nice to have would be a hot tub, but otherwise no complaints!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful and feel like home cabin. Excellent communication with owner.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2019

8/10 Good

Cameron D., Holland mi

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Comfortable family cabin

Lots of amenities, comfortable stay, great communication with owner. Shower experience could use updates
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

mary E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful getaway

We rented this place as a landing spot for family during our oldest sons wedding. It had everything we needed and then some. Property owner very helpful too. We will rent again if available.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gina B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quiet getaway

Very nice cabin in the woods on the Betsie River. Had tons of games indoors and outside for the kids. Corn hole and a fire made for the perfect evening. Plenty of room for everyone to sleep. Enjoyed our time there.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Meredith R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Repeat Stay- Great!

We love this property and even more-we love how well the owners have made it so easy! Everything is labeled and they have thought of everything! Kids loved the new additions in the game room this year. Always a wonderful stay at Balsam on the Betsie!
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Deborah M.

Absolutely wonderful! Charming cottage decorated for Christmas. Extremely clean!

Fireplace was an added bonus. Lots of outlets for hair dryers and other needs. The boys loved the playroom. Quiet area that is so beautiful with the river running through it! We will come again.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2018

10/10 Excellent

Annemarie S.

Beautiful, well-appointed home convenient to ski hill

Awesome and responsive host. Beautiful home with kitchen to make full meals. Cozy yet large. Wooded property, minutes from Crystal Mountain. We loved all the games in the basement and the fireplace for family togetherness.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2019

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nature & Fun

My group and I couldn’t have been happier with our stay at Balsam’s. The house was clean and well stocked. The fire pit area is great to hang out at night. And the river is just a short ways through the woods. We got to see salmon spawning and eagles flying above the cabin. I highly recommend.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mary T.

Perfect home for our weekend getaway!

Balsams on the Betsie was the perfect spot for our girls weekend but would also be ideal for families or couples. The setting is beautiful, located on the Betsie River! There is everything you need in the home to make your stay comfortable. Check in and out were incredibly easy! David was in contact with us before the trip to offer any assistance, provided info on the area and attractions there. We really enjoyed our stay and are looking forward to returning next year!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2018

10/10 Excellent

Mike F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Weeklong boys getaway

This is our third straight year for boys week at Balsams and it continues to be a perfect location to kick back, relax and maybe catch a fish or two. The house is clean, spacious and well appointed. The back deck is the perfect place to hang out and the screened in front porch makes it an all weather venue. From the well stocked kitchen to the beautful game room, this house is truly a home away from home. David is a great host, providing tons of local entertainment options and help with any issue. We will be back in 2025 for more good times at Balsam's on the Betsie.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brian B.

Beautiful House & Property!!

What an amazing house and property. We had a group of five couples up for a weekend getaway. Got to watch it snow through the huge great room windows with a nice fire going. The cabin is decorated with different and neat nostalgic/cabin items. Everyone was very comfortable and all enjoyed the layout of the house. Plenty of room for us to cook, hang by fire and watch some football while all being in the great room. Bedrooms are nice size and the basement game room was a lot of fun. We played ping pong, darts and some card games. Plenty of other games in there as well. Took a tour of Iron Fish Distillery across the river and enjoyed that. Highly recommend stopping there and it is close. The house has been updated and was very clean. Was also cool checking out the river and property. A beautiful piece of property. I can imagine how relaxing it would be in the summer as well. House had everything we needed in the kitchen and was well-stocked. Overall we loved Balsams on the Betsie and look forward to coming back again. Thanks!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2018

10/10 Excellent

Marjory H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
My family of 14 stayed here for a week. Great location, great communication with the host, beautiful Betsie River for morning kayak trips.The house was well appointed. Improvements I could suggest are pretty small...a screen on the downstairs bedroom, more hooks for hanging clothes in bedrooms, a clothesline for drying towels. Small things, indeed!We loved staying in David's home. The screened in porch was a favorite! Perfect for a big group.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Vitalii K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Very nice

Very beautiful place by the river. Beautiful house in a cozy place. I recommend
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ambie F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect weekend retreat

We had a wonderful time. The home is well equipped and in a wonderful location. It was exactly as described.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rachel S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful experience

This property was amazing. Communication with the owner was excellent. Very responsive. The place was exactly as described. We had the very best time and will cherish our memories from this trip. We look forward to coming to stay again. Thank you.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

ccbwcp

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fabulous host, house and location

David was a fabulous host! He made it so easy and perfect.The house is new and just awesome. It’s even better than the photos.This was one of two of David’s houses we used for a golf trip at Arcadia Bluffs and it worked perfectly. We will be back!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Anna G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Moms 80th birthday party

We stayed for the weekend my brother caught a nice size fish from the river. And the young adults enjoyed the kayak's and the birthday party was a success
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jonathon V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful for Skiing

Host was responsive, gave personal advice based on the group in the area. Place was clean and well-kept, perfect for our weekend getaway and group skiing at Crystal Mountain.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025