The lodge sits on 38 wooded acres of a national Wild & Scenic river, and there's something worth doing here in every month of the year. Here's an honest local guide to all of it.
Check Availability · (248) 894-5115Steelhead move up the nearby rivers in March and April, the trout opener fills Baldwin at the end of April, and morels come up in the forest around the lodge through May.
The Pine is one of Michigan's premier blue-ribbon trout streams, and the lodge's stretch of it, 600 feet of both banks, is yours for the weekend. Season opens the last Saturday of April.
Chrome-bright steelhead run the nearby Pere Marquette and Manistee each spring. The Pine itself is trout water. Local guides in Baldwin and Wellston book drift-boat trips for groups.
The national forest around the lodge is well-known morel country. Bring mesh bags and good boots. The Mesick Mushroom Festival, about 35 minutes away, marks the peak of the season.
May is the quiet month on the river. Higher water, few other boats, and the lodge's 10 kayaks (and trailer) ready at the bank.
Summer is peak season on the Pine: long days on the water, dinner on the deck, and evenings around the two fire pits.
The Pine is rated among the Midwest's best kayaking and canoeing rivers, with quick current, sandy bends, and cold clear water. 10 kayaks and a trailer, plus life jackets, are included with your stay, and local liveries can bring extra boats and run a shuttle for big groups. The Forest Service requires an inexpensive watercraft permit on this stretch in peak season, reserved at recreation.gov.
Lake Michigan beaches, the lighthouse walk at Ludington State Park, and a good downtown for lunch. An easy day trip for anyone who wants a break from the river.
There are five golf courses within about 33 miles of the lodge, close enough to play 36 and still be back for dinner on the deck.
Troutarama in Baldwin runs in July, Luther has its Logging Days, and the Hoxeyville Music Festival in August is about twenty minutes from the lodge.
The forest turns in late September and October, salmon and steelhead run the nearby rivers, and hunting season follows in November.
Peak color usually lands between late September and mid-October. M-37 and the Caberfae Highway are the classic drives, and the view from the great room is not bad either.
Chinook and coho run the big rivers each fall, with steelhead behind them. Book a guide on the Manistee or Pere Marquette. The Pine at the lodge is trout water.
Thirty-eight private wooded acres with national forest around them. Grouse and woodcock in October, whitetail through November. Confirm current DNR seasons and rules before you plan.
Fall weeknights are the least expensive time to have the whole lodge, and a good fit for family retreats and quiet group getaways.
Two wood-burning fireplaces, a full game room, and snow country in every direction. Winter is the quietest season here, and many guests' favorite.
Caberfae Peaks, one of the Midwest's higher ski hills, is 20 miles up the road. Crystal Mountain is under an hour away if you want a second mountain.
Lake County is on Michigan's groomed snowmobile trail network, with the Caberfae Way trail nearby and trailheads a few minutes from the lodge.
Break trail on the lodge's own 38 acres, or head for the groomed loops in the national forest. The riverbank makes a decent sledding hill.
Shuffleboard, ping pong, darts, a poker table, a movie library, and a kitchen built to feed a crowd. A snowed-in day here goes by fast.
You book directly with Mark, the owner. No service fees, and a real person on the phone.
Check Availability & Send an InquiryA quick guide to when to come and how far ahead to book.
| Month | Best For | Book By |
|---|---|---|
| Jan – Feb | Ski weekends (Caberfae), snowmobiling, winter retreats | 2–3 months ahead |
| March | Late-season skiing, early steelhead, best rates | 1–2 months ahead |
| April | Trout opener (last Saturday), steelhead, morels begin | 3–4 months ahead; opener weekend fills first |
| May | Morels, quiet paddling, spring golf | 2 months ahead |
| June – Aug | Kayaking, beach days, reunions, golf trips | 6–12 months ahead; summer weeks fill first |
| Sept – Oct | Color tours, salmon, grouse, fall retreats | 3–4 months ahead |
| Nov | Deer camp (firearm opener Nov 15) | 6+ months ahead; camp groups rebook year to year |
| Dec | Holiday gatherings, first snow | 4–6 months ahead |
Season dates are typical; confirm current DNR regulations, festival dates, and trail conditions when planning.