Riverfront cabin on the Betsie with private dock, kayaks & bikes - 2 dogs OK

Hidden River Cabin

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Get away from it all at Hidden River Cabin, a family retreat tucked away on 2.5 acres of quiet forest along the banks of the Betsie River. Here at the end of a private road and surrounded by the Betsie River State Game Refuge, you'll have 330 feet of natural river frontage and a private dock all to yourself.

The Betsie is a protected Natural River, which limits development and preserves natural beauty. It's shallow (averaging 2-4 feet deep) and gentle with a sandy bottom, making it great for big kids to play in and deep enough for leisurely trips in the provided tandem and single kayaks (two of each). The river will take you to the east end of Betsie Bay, Frankfort, and Elberta (roughly a two-hour float or a one-hour paddle), or all the way to Lake Michigan for the more ambitious paddlers.

For anglers, fall heralds the arrival of the king salmon run (starting as early as mid-August) with winter and spring bringing the steelhead trout. Use the portable fish-cleaning table and the grill/smoker to cook your catch for dinner, or take them to the Port City Smokehouse for the best smoked fish or pate you've ever had.

This home was seemingly designed for those who love to be outdoors. Enjoy a volleyball and badminton set, a bocce set, stomp rockets, and an outdoor firepit where you can roast s'mores nightly. Explore the forest, play in the river, or just curl up with a good book!

Hidden River Cabin is about five miles from the pristine beaches at Frankfort and Crystal Lake, and just 26 miles from Sleeping Bear Dunes. There's a family-size folding shade tent, lots of sand toys, and plenty of folding chairs that you can take along on your beach outings. Or, take out the provided bikes to explore the adjacent 22-mile Betsie Valley Trail, which connects Frankfort, Beulah, and Thompsonville, passing by some of the most beautiful scenery in the area.

Things to know
Two dogs are welcome for a nightly fee
Two single kayaks and two tandem kayaks provided (each tandem kayak seats two adults and one child); life vests are available for toddlers through adults
Inflatable stand-up paddleboard provided
A variety of adult- and kid-size bikes are provided (five adult, one teen, two child); please bring your own helmets.
Please note that this property does not have A/C.

This property is managed by Vacasa Michigan LLC.

If you are bringing a dog on your trip, the pet fee is already included in your quote when selecting ‘Yes’ to pets. If you would like to add more dogs, please contact us. The pet fee is per stay and ranges between $150 and $200, depending on the bedroom count, and will apply for each additional dog.

Parking notes: There is free parking available for 2 vehicles.

Dock details:



Damage waiver: The total cost of your reservation for this Property includes a nightly damage waiver fee, plus tax if applicable (the “Damage Waiver”). (A discount may be applied for stays of 28 nights or longer, if permitted.) The Damage Waiver covers you for up to $3,000 of accidental damage to the Property or its contents (such as furniture, fixtures, and appliances) as long as you report the incident to the host prior to checking out. The Damage Waiver fee eliminates the need for a traditional security deposit.
More information can be downloaded from the "Rental Agreement" on the checkout page.

Due to local laws or HOA requirements, guests must be at least 21 years of age to book. Guests under 21 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian for the duration of the reservation.