South Branch Au Sable River House and Nature Preserve.
Experience the quiet beauty of Michigan's north woods nestled in this secluded wooded setting on the beautiful South Branch Au Sable River. Perfect for canoeing, fly fishing for trout, or just relaxing in a peaceful setting surrounded by nature. Close to Higgins Lake for swimming and boating.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.
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Pets allowed: less than 453 kg per pet (limit 3 pets total)
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Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Please see the attached rental agreement for a complete list of house rules.
Non smokers only.
Important information
You need to know
Property # 3958761vb
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 indicated that there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances 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 has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
About the area
Roscommon
Located in Roscommon, this holiday home is in a rural area and on a river. Forest Dunes Golf Resort and B & B Sports Center & Marina are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Marguerite Gahagan Nature Preserve and South Higgins Lake State Park. Discover the area's water adventures with fishing and swimming nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking.
Roscommon Area Historical Society Museum - 7 min drive - 6.5 km
Tisdale Triangle Pathway - 7 min drive - 6.5 km
Marguerite Gahagan Nature Preserve - 9 min drive - 8.3 km
Restaurants
Matt's Lake Street Grill & Pizzeria - 8 min drive
Fred's of Roscommon - 7 min drive
Keeper’s Pub - 21 min drive
Jacks Place Roscommon - 7 min drive
Subway - 7 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is South Branch Au Sable River House and Nature Preserve. pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows pets (limit 3 total) with a maximum weight of up to 453 kg per pet.
How much does it cost to stay at South Branch Au Sable River House and Nature Preserve.?
As of 29 Jul 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at South Branch Au Sable River House and Nature Preserve. on 5 Dec 2026 start from £298, 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 at South Branch Au Sable River House and Nature Preserve.?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at South Branch Au Sable River House and Nature Preserve.?
Check-in begins at 5:00 PM.
What time is check-out at South Branch Au Sable River House and Nature Preserve.?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is South Branch Au Sable River House and Nature Preserve. located?
Situated on a river, this holiday home is steps from Huron-Manistee National Forest and within 3 mi (5 km) of Meads Landing and Wallace Park. Au Sable River Center and Tisdale Triangle Pathway are also within 3 miles (5 km).
Reviews
8.0
Very good
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
This was the perfect spot for me and my 2 dogs to spend the weekend while visiting friends in the area. I liked the privacy and river access as well. The place is clean, but a little outdated (to be expected from a rustic cottage). I would certainly stay there again!
Chris M.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024
Verified
2/10 Terrible
Margaret K.
15 Jul 2026
Disliked: Communication, listing accuracy
Our stay at this property was highly disappointing capped off by a completely false 250 post-stay charge.While we followed all house rules and strictly smoked outside the property, the host has falsely accused us of smoking indoors to levy an extra fee. To be entirely responsible and comply with rules, we smoked outdoors, collected all cigarette butts safely in a bottle, and placed them in the indoor trash exactly as instructed. Potential guests should be aware of the actual state of the property during our stay: Climate & Odor: The house was extremely hot upon arrival. Both the main house and the Florida room were incredibly damp, leaving a strong, persistent smell of mildew throughout. Plumbing Issues: The showers failed to get hot. Guest House Conditions: The guest house was in particularly rough shape—there were no working lights in the guest house shower, and we discovered a rodent nest inside the guest house vanity.We expected a clean, comfortable, and well-maintained home, but instead dealt with substandard conditions and a baseless penalty after checking out. I cannot recommend this property. Host is out of state and relies entirely on housekeeping feedback. Also the only 3 other reviews on this property are from 2024. No one stayed here in that past two years??? Or are they getting deleted. We will see how far this one gets.
Margaret K.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Jul 2026
The owner's desire is for every guest to have a high quality experience. He regrets that it didn't meet with this guest's expectations. Every effort is made to present a clean comfortable house and guest cabin for every guest upon arrival and will make changes or corrections upon being notified. While some guests may have been smoking outdoors, unfortunately some of the smoke drifted indoors which required extra effort to clean it up and air it out even if it wasn't intentional on the guest's part. While said guest's security deposit was initially withheld to cover this additional expense it was released back to the guest.
Travelers who are considering renting this property should keep the following points in mind:
- It is in a secluded wooded area on the river and offers possibilities for canoeing and trout fishing as well as privacy.
- You should be a non-smoker and have some tolerance for the fact that the house may at times be in less than ideal condition such as having bad odors, too hot or too cold, cobwebs, etc especially since it is semi-rustic in a natural setting and hasn't been occupied for a considerable length of time. It wasn't able to be used for much of last year due to a well failure and which necessitated the drilling of a new well. The vast majority of guests over the years have reported having a positive experience.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Alexandra M.
29 Aug 2024
Alexandra M.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024
About the host
Hosted by Ken Payette
I grew up in Southfield, Michigan and currently reside in St. Petersburg, Florida. I love northern Michigan and enjoy being out in nature and want to provide the best experience possible for my guests.
Why they chose this property
I really like the location on the South Branch Au Sable River. It's an ideal location for taking canoe trips from Wallace Park in Roscommon to the local canoe outfitter or to the property. And also for taking canoe trips downstream to Chase Bridge and longer trips through the Mason Tract to Smith Bridge. Also because the property has adjoining wooded parcels.
What makes this property unique
The fact that it is surrounded by two wooded parcels on the river which other nearby properties don't have. Other properties have homes or cottages adjacent to them and not surrounded by woods like this one.