Cabin

Pet-Friendly, Betsie River Retreat - Sleeps 10 - Ski, Fish, and More!

Photo gallery for Pet-Friendly, Betsie River Retreat - Sleeps 10 - Ski, Fish, and More!

A wooden bridge leading to a dock with red chairs and a warning sign.
A wooden bench, two coat hooks, a wooden shelf with baskets, and a door.
A living room with a brick fireplace, leather sofa, wooden table, and a television.
A cozy living room with a brown sofa, a wooden coffee table, and a dining area with a wooden table and chairs.
A forested area with a wooden walkway and a wooden fence.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
Located along the water, this 3-bedroom cabin accommodates 10 guests and features 2 bathrooms. It offers a deck and patio for outdoor enjoyment. Families can enjoy activities like kayaking and birdwatching, while nearby attractions include Crystal Mountain and Mountain Ridge Golf Course. The property is pet-friendly and includes games for entertainment.

Highlights

  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 10

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Air-conditioning
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

View in a map
Thompsonville, MI
  • Place, Crystal Mountain
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Place, Iron Fish Distillery
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Place, Mountain Ridge Golf Course
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Airport, Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
    ‪49 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

3 Single Bunk Beds

Bunk Room (2)

1 Double Bunk Bed

Porch

1 Double Futon

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Dining area

About this property

Pet-Friendly, Betsie River Retreat - Sleeps 10 - Ski, Fish, and More!

This cozy cottage in a secluded, wooded setting has easy access to many of northwestern Michigan’s favorite attractions. Life is Better North offers a true “up north” getaway for groups of 6-12 people. Accommodations include:

• over 1600 square feet of comfortable, roomy living space
• master bedroom with king sized bed
• 2nd bedroom with full-sized bunk bed and 3rd full-size trundle bed
• 3rd "bunk room" style bedroom with twin over full bunk bed
• porch area is furnished with a queen-sized futon couch, converting to a fourth, private, sleeping area for 2
• additional sleeping accommodations include a full-sized sleeper sofa in the living room, as well as twin-sized sleeper sofa in the sitting area.
• NEW FOR 2022 - 10x25 bonus room with XL sectional couch, smart TV, & games
• 2 full-sized baths
• fully furnished kitchen with refrigerator, stove, and microwave.
• wood burning fireplace
• satellite television
• high-speed internet
• DVD player
• washer and dryer
• ample parking (outdoor, hardwired outlets are available for additional RV parking for large groups. Please inquire with owner.)
• pets considered

There is a security camera located in the parking area. This camera is inactive while the property is occupied.

Winter activities:
Life is Better North is located just 4 1/2 miles from Crystal Mountain ski resort, offering 39 trails and 5 state-of-the-art lifts. Groomed snowmobile trail system access is less than a mile away. Snowmobile rentals are available just 4 miles away at Crystal Adventures. And with over an acre lot, there is plenty of room for sleds, trailers, and vehicle parking.

Iron Fish Distillery is located just over a mile up the road.

Local lakes and trail systems also offer snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ice-fishing, and more for the winter sports enthusiast.

Spring, Summer, and Fall Fun:
Enjoy world-class salmon and fly fishing with 120 ft of river frontage at one of the deepest bends of the river! Or relax and enjoy the serene beauty of the Betsie with a kayak or tube trip. In the fall, experience the gorgeous foliage and fabulous winery tours on Leelanau or Old Mission Peninsula, and the quaint shops and restaurants of nearby Traverse City. Incredible hiking and biking is available nearby with the Betsie Valley Trail, Betsie River Pathway, Manistee National Forest trailheads, and many more local trail systems.


Local attractions include:
Crystal Mountain ski and golf resort & spa – 4.5 miles
Iron Fish Distillery - 1.5 miles
Arcadia Bluffs golf resort – 18 miles
Lake Michigan beaches – 15 miles
Empire Beach (an awesome beach for families) - 22 miles
Beulah: brewery, groceries, and shopping - 15 miles
Frankfort: quaint town with great restaurants, shopping, beach - 22 miles
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park – 25 miles
Traverse City shopping, restaurants – 37 miles
Winery tours – 40 miles
Casino- 25 miles
Interlochen Fine Arts Center – 19 miles
Betsie Valley Trail system – 5 miles

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

Events allowed
Pre-approval required
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Pets

Pets allowed
Pre-approval required
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Leave any used beds unmade
Close all windows and shades
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Important information

You need to know

Property # 661825vb
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
Parties and events are allowed on site
Note from host: Pre-approval required
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include 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

Thompsonville

Located in Thompsonville, this cabin is on the waterfront. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Michigan and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, while Michigan Legacy Art Park and Benzie Area Historical Museum are cultural highlights. Take in the nearby slopes with cross-country skiing and snowboarding, or try out other outdoor activities such as ice skating and snowmobiling.
Map
Thompsonville, MI

What's nearby

  • Crystal Mountain - 4 min drive - 3.3 km
  • Iron Fish Distillery - 5 min drive - 2.9 km
  • Mountain Ridge Golf Course - 7 min drive - 5.4 km
  • Michigan Legacy Art Park - 8 min drive - 6.1 km
  • Misty Acres Preserve - 11 min drive - 11.9 km

Getting around

  • Manistee, MI (MBL-Manistee County-Blacker) - 43 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Rosie's Country Cafe - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪The Thistle Pub & Grill @ Crystal Mountain - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪The Yurt - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Waffle Cabin - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Laughing Horse Saloon - ‬11 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Pet-Friendly, Betsie River Retreat - Sleeps 10 - Ski, Fish, and More! pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Pet-Friendly, Betsie River Retreat - Sleeps 10 - Ski, Fish, and More!?

As of 29 Aug, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Pet-Friendly, Betsie River Retreat - Sleeps 10 - Ski, Fish, and More! on 15 Mar, 2027 start from S$921, 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 Pet-Friendly, Betsie River Retreat - Sleeps 10 - Ski, Fish, and More!?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Pet-Friendly, Betsie River Retreat - Sleeps 10 - Ski, Fish, and More!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Pet-Friendly, Betsie River Retreat - Sleeps 10 - Ski, Fish, and More!?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Pet-Friendly, Betsie River Retreat - Sleeps 10 - Ski, Fish, and More! located?

Situated on the waterfront, this cabin is 1.5 mi (2.4 km) from Iron Fish Distillery and within 6 miles (10 km) of Crystal Mountain and Misty Acres Preserve. Michigan Legacy Art Park and Glovers Lake are also within 9 miles (15 km).

About the host

Hosted by Melissa Balavitch

Host profile image
Our family enjoys skiing, hiking, kayaking, tubing, boating and the relaxed atmosphere of northern Michigan. Our primary residence is in Spring Lake, MI and this is our winter retreat from school and work.

Why they chose this property

We purchased this property because of its proximity to Crystal Mountain Resort as well as the peaceful riverfront setting.

What makes this property unique

With this 1600 square feet ranch style home, it is easy to find a space of your own to relax. Whether it is the four season front porch, front deck overlooking the
Betsie River, or on one of the benches built into the stairs leading down to the river, you are sure to find your own private place.

Languages:

English

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