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Manistee Forest Retreat: Group-Friendly Lake House

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Baldwin Vacation Rental | 5BR | 3.5BA | 2,900 Sq Ft | Stairs Required
Lakefront | Private Dock
Parking | Driveway (10 Vehicles) | RV/Trailer Parking
Living Room | Full Sleeper Sofa | Fireplace | 2-Story Home | 1st Floor
Living area

Reviews

8.8 out of 10
Excellent

Highlights

  • Family fun awaits
    Top-rated for families.
  • Arcade/game room
    A rare find - fun for all ages with on-site arcade and game room.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Near Whalen Lake
5 bedrooms3+ bathroomsSleeps 20

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Kitchen
  • Barbecue grill
  • Balcony
  • Internet

Explore the area

View in a map
Baldwin, MI
  • Place, Whalen Lake
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Big Star Lake
    ‪15 min drive‬
  • Place, Caberfae Peaks Ski & Golf
    ‪37 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 20)

Additional sleeping 1

2 Twin Beds

Additional sleeping 2

1 Double Sofa Bed

Bedroom 1

1 Twin Bed and 1 Double Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Twin Bed and 1 Double Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Twin Bed, 1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 5

1 Twin Bed and 1 Double Bed

3 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Full Bathroom

Full Bathroom

Full Bathroom

Half Bathroom

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden

About this property

Manistee Forest Retreat: Group-Friendly Lake House

Spacious Layout | Canoes & Rowboat Provided | Dogs Welcome w/ Fee

Pack your days with lakeside adventure at 'The Lake County Retreat,' a 5-bedroom, 3.5-bath vacation rental home in Baldwin! Scenic views and nature-centered relaxation promise a memorable stay with loved ones, whether you're grilling up the day’s catch or toasting s'mores under the stars. This Whalen Lake escape puts you close to paddling, trails, and top-rated local eateries — all in a tranquil setting.

-- THE PROPERTY --

SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS
- Bedroom 1: 1 bunk bed (twin/full)
- Bedroom 2: 1 bunk bed (twin/full)
- Bedroom 3: 1 bunk bed (twin/full), 1 queen bed
- Bedroom 4: 1 full bed
- Bedroom 5: 1 bunk bed (twin/full)
- Game Room: 2 twin beds
- Living Room: 1 full sleeper sofa

INDOOR LIVING
- Multiple living areas
- 2 Smart TVs, board games
- Wood-burning fireplace
- Game room, sunrooms
- Ping-pong table, mini basketball game
- Dining table, breakfast bar
- Punching bag, piano, jetted tub

OUTDOOR LIVING
- Private dock, lake views
- Fire pit (bring your own wood)
- Charcoal (bring your own charcoal)
- Patio, dining area, umbrella
- 2 canoes, rowboat, life vests

KITCHEN
- Stove/oven, refrigerator, dishwasher
- Microwave, toaster, blender
- Keurig dual drip/pod coffee maker
- Dishware/flatware, cooking basics
- Trash bags/paper towels

GENERAL
- Free WiFi
- Baseboard & electric heat, ceiling fans
- Linens, towels, hair dryer
- Iron/board, hangers

FAQ
- No A/C
- Pet fee (paid pre-trip, dogs only, 2 max)

ACCESSIBILITY
- 2-story home, 4 steps to enter
- 2 bedrooms & full bath on 1st floor

PARKING
- Driveway (10 vehicles)
- RV/trailer parking

-- THE LOCATION --

- Near ORV trails
- 0.2 miles to Pere Marquette State Trail
- 2 miles to shops & restaurants
- 3 miles to Idlewild Beach
- 11 miles to Manistee National Forest
- 93 miles to Gerald R. Ford International Airport

-- REST EASY WITH US --

Evolve makes it easy to find and book properties you’ll never want to leave. You can relax knowing that our properties will always be ready for you and that we’ll answer the phone 24/7. Even better, if anything is off about your stay, we’ll make it right. You can count on our homes and our people to make you feel welcome — because we know what vacation means to you.

-- POLICIES --

- No smoking
- Pet friendly w/ $100 fee (+ fees & taxes, dogs only, 2 max)
- No events, parties, or large gatherings
- Additional fees and taxes may apply
- Photo ID may be required upon check-in

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- The property has fans but does not have air conditioning
- This 2-story home requires 4 steps to enter with 2 bedrooms and a full bathroom on the 1st floor
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 12:00 PM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
A maximum of 2 pets are allowed.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Property # 20154579ha
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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

About the neighborhood

Baldwin

Located in Baldwin, this vacation home is on the waterfront. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Pere Marquette Floodplain Plant Preserve and Huron-Manistee National Forest, while Shrine of the Pines and Luther Area Museum are cultural highlights. Motor boating offers a great chance to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hunting nearby.
Map
Baldwin, MI

What's nearby

  • Whalen Lake - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • North Lake - 8 min drive - 9.3 km
  • Big Star Lake - 15 min drive - 17.9 km
  • Ferris State University - 32 min drive - 60.1 km
  • Caberfae Peaks Ski & Golf - 37 min drive - 68.5 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Red Rooster Bar - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪To Jo - ‬18 min walk
  • ‪Northern Exposure Cafe - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪876 - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Pompeii's Pizza - ‬3 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Manistee Forest Retreat: Group-Friendly Lake House pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Manistee Forest Retreat: Group-Friendly Lake House?

As of Jun 16, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Manistee Forest Retreat: Group-Friendly Lake House on Jun 22, 2026 start from $487, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking?

Onsite parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Manistee Forest Retreat: Group-Friendly Lake House?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Manistee Forest Retreat: Group-Friendly Lake House?

Check-out is at 12:00 PM.

Where is Manistee Forest Retreat: Group-Friendly Lake House located?

This family-friendly Baldwin vacation home is located on the waterfront, just steps from Huron-Manistee National Forest and Whalen Lake. Leverentz Lake and Bush Lake are also within 1 mi (2 km).

Reviews

8.8

Excellent

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 1 out of 3 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 3 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 3 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 3 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 3 reviews

8.0/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.4/10

Communication

9.4/10

Location

8.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

8/10 Good

Tim M.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice stay
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Response from VrboOwner on Sep 8, 2025
From the owner: "Thank you for your review. We hope you and your family/friends will visit 'The Retreat' again in the future."
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Bob B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Had a great time with family and the bedroom arrangements worked great
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025
Response from VrboOwner on Sep 24, 2025
Thank you Robert for your 5-star review! We hope you and your family will visit 'The Retreat' again in the future.
Verified

8/10 Good

John K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great location for fishing the PMCould use some updating such as a washer and dryer for laundrySome cracked floor tiles in kitchen that should be replaced.Big place with lots of beds.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Response from VrboOwner on Oct 25, 2025
"From the owner: “I’m glad this guest enjoyed the home’s spacious layout and convenient location for fishing the PM River. The cracked kitchen tiles are being repaired, and I’m working on adding guest access to laundry facilities in the utility room. I appreciate the helpful suggestions and remain committed to keeping the home comfortable and well-maintained for future stays.”

About the host

Hosted by Evolve

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