Cabin

Sidell's Sturgeon River Log Cabin - Bonfire Pit, WiFi, Biking Trails, Rafting

Riverside cabin with water park and sauna

Photo gallery for Sidell's Sturgeon River Log Cabin - Bonfire Pit, WiFi, Biking Trails, Rafting

View of Cabin from backyard.
View of Cabin from backyard.
View of Cabin from fire pit by the river.
Front elevation with patio and grill.
Chef's kitchen with stainless appliances, island for entertaining, etc.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 12204.4 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Air conditioning
  • Washer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

View map
  • Place, Burt Lake State Park
  • Place, Cross In The Woods National Shrine
  • Place, Burt Lake
  • Airport, Pellston, MI (PLN-Pellston Regional)

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Single Bed and 1 Double Bed

Loft

2 Single Beds

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 3

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Sidell's Sturgeon River Log Cabin - Bonfire Pit, WiFi, Biking Trails, Rafting

Our cabin is a custom-built cedar log home on the Sturgeon River completely surrounded by Northern Michigan’s best golfing, kayaking, trout and walleye fishing, canoeing, boating, mountain biking, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and x-country and downhill skiing! This is a GORGEOUS PROPERTY and is directly on the beautiful Sturgeon River and walking distance to Trail #7 of the infamous Rails-to-Trails mountain biking and snowmobiling trails and only 1/4 mile from the Michigan DNR Trailhead for ORVs, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, mountain biking and back country hiking. There’s nothing like this 4 bedroom (plus loft), 3 bathroom home in Indian River so close to everything, including:
1. 20 miles from the Gaylord golf courses, Bay Harbor Golf Club, Boyne Highlands, Little Traverse Bay Golf, Black Lake Golf Club, and Crooked Tree Golf Club
2. 25 mins. from Mackinaw City
3. 25 mins. from Petoskey, Harbor Springs, and the Odawa Casino
4. 5 min. from the Inland Waterways for boating and jet skiing.
5. 2 miles from Burt Lake State Park with a beautiful sandy beach.
6. 2.5 miles from beautiful DeVoe Beach in the village of Indian River on Burt Lake
7. 1 mile from Burt Lake Marina for snowmobile rentals
8. 3 miles from Indian River Marina for pontoon boat rentals
9. 2 miles to rafting, canoeing, and kayaking outfitters
Plus, there's lots of parking space for your boat trailers, motorcycles, and extra vehicles!


Inside Details: This is the perfect cabin for Northern Michigan enthusiasts looking to live large while on vacation Up North. Holidays, weekends, and weekly trips here will certainly be extra special with your family and friends! The home comes complete with oak hardwood flooring throughout and terra cotta tile in all the wet areas. It has custom-built cabinetry and stainless steel appliances in the chef’s kitchen and a BBQ deck and gas grill just off of the dining area. The main level also has a tidy living area with comfy seating and a 46” flat panel TV, WiFi, and a main-floor bedroom with a private entrance to the deck overlooking the Sturgeon River and a king size mattress for extra size and comfort . The upstairs is perfect for a couple and at least 4 children; two in the smaller bedroom and two in the loft overlooking the great room below. The upstairs bedroom has gorgeous views of the Sturgeon River and large back yard and has vaulted ceilings.

Outside Details: Outside, between the home and the river, is a nice lawn to run around on with your dog and a beautiful paver patio with stone bonfire pit overlooking the river. The cabin is well lit at night while you’re enjoying the late night bonfires at the river. On the big timber cedar deck overlooking the Sturgeon River is a nice outdoor table and chairs with umbrella for relaxing and a staircase that goes down to the lawn going to the river and the bonfire patio/pit. In the front of the home is a smaller lawn and driveway as well as another vacant lot for extra parking space for your extra vehicles, boats, trailers, etc. Also in the front is paver patio with a cedar log pergola, picnic table, and gas grill just off of the indoor dining area.

Extra Features: The finished lower level has a custom-built cedar sauna, a 46" screen TV set up to play Wii, and a foosball table! All three levels have full bathrooms, at least one bedroom and custom-made furnishings.

Once you've reserved the cabin online I'll receive your email address so I can send you the rental documents to sign and return to me.

Thanks for reading and for considering our cabin for your trip. We've put a lot into this home and it's a very special place. Feel free to let me know if you have any questions about the cabin, Indian River, N. MI, etc. I grew up not far from where I built our home and I know a ton about the region. I'm happy to help you plan your trip the best I can!

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Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Great for Families!
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs less than 9 kg per pet (limit 2 pets total)
Your Pets are Welcome! 2 pets maximum.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No smoking allowed in the home.
No smoking inside the cabin or on the decks/patios, No pets on the furniture or beds, Enjoy your time together as a family!

Important information

You need to know

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 is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a deadlock

About the area

Indian River

Located in Indian River, this cabin is on the waterfront. Michigan Central Depot Historical Marker and Oden State Fish Hatchery Visitor Center are local landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Indian River Golf Club and Seasons of the North Winery. Travelling with kids? Consider Big Bear Adventures and Chillermania!. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Indian River, MI

What's nearby

  • Burt Lake State Park - 5 min drive - 4.7 km
  • Cross In The Woods National Shrine - 5 min drive - 4.7 km
  • Big Bear Adventures - 5 min drive - 5.5 km
  • Burt Lake - 5 min drive - 5.5 km
  • Devoe Beach - 7 min drive - 6.5 km

Getting around

  • Pellston, MI (PLN-Pellston Regional) - 25 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Thirsty Sturgeon Bar & Grille - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Burger King - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Yaz’s - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Seasons of the North Winery - ‬8 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Sidell's Sturgeon River Log Cabin - Bonfire Pit, WiFi, Biking Trails, Rafting pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 9 kg per pet.

How much is parking at Sidell's Sturgeon River Log Cabin - Bonfire Pit, WiFi, Biking Trails, Rafting?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Sidell's Sturgeon River Log Cabin - Bonfire Pit, WiFi, Biking Trails, Rafting?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Sidell's Sturgeon River Log Cabin - Bonfire Pit, WiFi, Biking Trails, Rafting?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Sidell's Sturgeon River Log Cabin - Bonfire Pit, WiFi, Biking Trails, Rafting located?

This family-friendly Indian River cabin is located on the waterfront, within 3 mi (5 km) of Cross In The Woods National Shrine, Big Bear Adventures and Burt Lake State Park. Chillermania! and Devoe Beach are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 106 out of 117 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 10 out of 117 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 117 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 117 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 117 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Pamela B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

End of summer getaway

We enjoyed our stay at Sidelle's Indian River cabin. The cabin was clean and had everything we needed. Great time with family seeing the area sites, beaches, fishing and stories around the campfire.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rob V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

July Vacation

Great cabin. Location was perfect for day trips to Harbor Springs & Petoskey, Mackinaw, and Cheboygan. Close to awesome beaches on Burt Lake. Cabin was spacious and had everything we needed. Great spot on the river and quite private. Great place! Thanks!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Christine J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect family cabin!

What a great fall getaway! The property is beautifully located right along the river. We enjoyed S’mores as we listened to the peaceful river flow in the quiet of the woods. Mornings we took time to hike and jog along the snowmobile trail around the corner. The cabin is wonderful and stocked with anything you can think of. I hope I can get my family to gather there again. Loved it. Thank you
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jessica L.

Great place to stay with family!

There was plenty of room for all 9 of us. We only brought god and clothes and didn’t need anything else since it was provided! There was even a pack and play, bed rail and a big selection of books and puzzles. There was also and assortment of movies and a few toys. We enjoyed our stay especially going outside and sledding. It was close to snowmobile trails.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2019

8/10 Good

Tom M., Pittsburgh

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Burt Lake Vacation

Fantastic house! Lots of room to spread out. Extremely responsive owner. Plenty of nice touches, i.e., DVDs, Wii, corn hole boards, kayaks. Spent lots of time around fire pit. As described, house sits on Sturgeon River. Bit of an effort to get to Burt Lake. Unpaved road access to house. Ben (care taker) very available. Had an issue during the week and he addressed quickly. Recommend this property. 4.5 stars.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Anne L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Just what the doctor ordered 😄

On the last day of our trip, we gathered 6 kids, ages 13-16, by the fire and asked them what their favorite part of the trip was. We heard the Ocqueoc falls, the tubing, the day trip to tunnel of trees including Harbor Springs and the Sunset at Petoskey state Park. And going to the Cross in the Woods. But we also heard "just sitting around here the first couple days"!!!!! They read books on the hammock and whispered funny things there too.... They sat on the crooked tree with their feet dangling over the river. They challenged each other with fuseball. They had challenges for the best corn hole player! AKA.....We LOVED it! When the lady at the gift shop (Cross in the Woods) asked where we were staying, I proudly stated Sidells Cabin!!!! Which made my husband bust a gut. Lol... Like, "Doesn't everyone know this place?!?!?". Thank you Doug. You have a terrific place... Even WITH the Ohio State and Michigan State paraphernalia. 🥰🥰🥰. Anne and Tom Lamacchia and family
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Jack R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place to stay and we had a great time. Just a suggestion all the tub/showers could use a grab bar to assist older people getting in and out. Very relaxing around the firepit in the evenings. An electric lock would be much easier than the lockbox with key.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Clancy D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place to stay. Centrally located to many area attractions and activities for all seasons.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Janmarie R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great last minute vacation!Beautiful area. Beautiful Cabin
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kevin R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The outdoor space is amazing! We enjoyed family bonfires and cornhole games almost every night. Inside, the space was perfect for our family. My daughter's family of 3 took the basement and my son's family of 4 was upstairs and the wife and I stayed on the main floor. We never felt crowded and the kitchen had everything we needed. The location was perfect because it was quiet all week and the river running in the background was amazing! Pat and Gary's Store (which has almost everything) is less than two miles away and has a kitchen that makes great take-out food. We will be hoping this place is available for us next year!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Calleen H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Vacation

The cabin was the perfect size for our family. We picked this area because of all the things to do close by. Room to play outside for the grandkids to run some energy off. The property is quiet and peaceful. We enjoyed our stay!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ron L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect for snowmobiling

Plenty of parking for truck and trailers.North Central Trail right down the street
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rick C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

August 2024

Enjoyed the cabin as a home base to see northern Michigan. Easy to find, great location, and easily accommodated our group of eight.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Seth P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely escape up north.

A comfortable home and a great location . So much to see and do. We paddled from the backyard all the way to the state park a number of times. The bike trail was *so* close--we biked into Indian River for dinner and ice cream, and one day biked down to Wolverine for lunch at the Thirsty Sturgeon. We only wish it was a tad cooler during our stay so we could have enjoyed the fire pit. Highly recommend!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Christine S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Home on Sturgeon

Everyone enjoyed their stay!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mary K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay at the log cabin!!

The vacation house was so much fun!! The property was beautiful and private. Lots of space and our family had a great time Doug was very responsive to me when I realized I left some jackets at the house. I would highly recommend this log cabin for a family friendly vacation
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Stefan R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Loved It!!!

Everything was as described in the listing. Had all the amenities, essentials and utensils one would need for the kids (all kinds of games and toys) and the adults. The property owner was extremely kind and gave great ideas what to do locally.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Katherine M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Sidell Cabin 2024

We had a wonderful time at Indian River. The Cabin was clean and spacious for our group. Full bathrooms on every floor was a bonus. The back yard was a great place to hangout at the end of a long day. Very peaceful but close to many parks, day trip activities and beaches. Would recommend to friends and family! Vrbo host was amazing to work with.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Erin B., Wyandotte, MI

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful stay on the river

We couldn't have asked for a nicer place to stay! It was perfect. Charming, clean, with a great area for a fire at night. Would stay again in a heartbeat.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Dawn J., Grand Rapids. USA

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family reunion

Beautiful and peaceful property
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gary S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Bi-annual family week

The cabin was very comfortable and great for our family six adults and 3 children. The location was also very convenient for everything we were doing. We met Ben when we checked in, the property caretaker, and he an Inez were very helpful with all our questions. The first night we could not get the outdoor grill working so we called Ben and he immediately brought his personal grill over for us to use, when the owner was notified he replaced the grill with a new one.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

William M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Family vacation

Great location. Close to Indian River. Loved having 3 full baths. Would Beautiful cabin with a well-stocked kitchen with everything you need.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Michele K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Loved our stay

Our family stayed here and everyone loved it. A little bit of everything for everyone. Doug helped us with anything needed and property managers helped us get back a couple of items the grandkids left behind. All very very nice and helpful. Lots to do in the area. Worst part was we had to leave at some point.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gordon M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great rental

Absolutely would stay again. Caution to those that want to kayak... this river is not for beginners
Stayed 8 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A Lovely Cabin

The cabin was so clean and stocked with all the kitchen and bathroom supplies we needed. The sauna was also amazing and a welcome warm up after a day on the slopes at Nub's Nob. The kids/teens had fun in the game room/basement. There were plenty of comfortable beds and pillows too. We couldn't find trails from the property along the river but it was so calming to sit and watch the water in the morning. It was so quiet and peaceful!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023

About the host

Hosted by Doug Sidell

Host profile image
My name is Doug Sidell and I have a passion for life and for what I do! I'm a real estate broker and investor. I represent buyers and sellers of virtually all types of real estate in the Charlotte/Lake Norman area in North Carolina. My primary residence is in Denver, NC and my business is simply named after me: C. Douglas Sidell & Co. I graduated with undergraduate and MBA degrees from Michigan State University and absolutely love following the Spartans in basketball and football. Most of my free time is spent with my wife, Krista, who is a nurse practitioner and an alumnus of The Ohio State University, our son, Noah, and daughters Anna Faith and Lexi Ann. Some of my other free time is spent fly fishing, upland bird hunting, golfing, cooking, reading, traveling, kayaking, and working on just about anything around our home and Christmas Tree Farm! That's right...we also own a Christmas Tree Farm! Grace Tree Farm is where our home is in Denver, NC just 26 miles from Uptown Charlotte. I started the farm by planting the first trees just before our son was born in 2011. The farm has about 4000 Christmas trees for people to come out to and choose-and-cut the perfect tree. Thanks be to God for all our blessings.

Why they chose this property

We didn't buy our vacation cabin, we built it! It is a home I (Doug) designed and built in 2006 on the most perfect piece of Sturgeon River property. I (Doug) chose to buy the land because it is so close to everything that is fun to do in Northern Michigan and because it would enable me to build the type of home I was looking to construct. The finished product is a three-story cabin with a finished, walk-out lower level, a main floor that's set up perfectly for entertaining inside and out, an upstairs that is well-suited for kids and adults, and views of the Sturgeon River just 50' in back of the house. There is a never ending supply of fun things to do; especially for families with children. A few that are really high on our list include: kayaking, fishing, swimming, rafting, canoeing, boating, snowmobiling, biking, hiking, ATV & motorcycle riding, X-country skiing, downhill skiing, snowshoeing, etc. and it's all just outside the front door of my cabin. I love it! I hope you will to.

What makes this property unique

Some unique benefits I enjoy while staying at our cabin on the river include, but are not limited to: peace and quiet; late-night bonfires at the river; lots of room for all my guests/family members; space for the dogs to run around; relaxing in the cedar sauna; playing some of my favorite golf courses all within a 30 minute drive; cooking/BBQing big meals; watching movies on the big screen TV; listening to the birds early in the morning while drinking coffee on the deck; catching trout right in back of the house; riding our 4 Wheeler through all the back-country trails just outside the cabin; taking advantage of all the freedom!

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests