Cabin
Pet-Friendly, Betsie River Retreat - Sleeps 10 - Ski, Fish, and More!
Riverside cabin with kitchen and patio
Photo gallery for Pet-Friendly, Betsie River Retreat - Sleeps 10 - Ski, Fish, and More!





Reviews
10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 10148.6 sq m
Popular amenities
Explore the area

Thompsonville, MI
- Place, Crystal Mountain5 min drive
- Place, Mountain Ridge Golf Course5 min drive
- Place, Michigan Legacy Art Park6 min drive
- Airport, Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)50 min drive
Rooms & beds
3 bedrooms (sleeps 10)
Bedroom 1
1 King Bed
Bedroom 2
3 Single Bunk Beds
Bunk Room (2)
1 Single 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
• NEW FOR 2022 - 3rd "bunk room" style bedroom with twin bunk beds
• 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
• 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
• NEW FOR 2022 - 3rd "bunk room" style bedroom with twin bunk beds
• 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
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
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House Rules
Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 24
Check out before 10:00 AM
Children
Children allowed: ages 0–17
Events
Events allowed
Pre-approval required
Pets
Pets allowed
Pre-approval required
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Check-out instructions
The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Remove personal items and remove leftover food and drinks
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
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
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
We should mention
A car is required for transport to and from this property
About the area
Thompsonville
Located in Thompsonville, this cabin is on the waterfront. Crystal Mountain and Iron Fish Distillery are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Lake Michigan and Misty Acres Preserve. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

Thompsonville, MI
What's nearby
- Crystal Mountain - 5 min drive - 4.7 km
- Mountain Ridge Golf Course - 5 min drive - 4.4 km
- Michigan Legacy Art Park - 6 min drive - 5.4 km
- Crystal Lake Golf Club - 22 min drive - 26.3 km
- Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course - 28 min drive - 32.9 km
Getting around
Restaurants
- Rosie's Country Cafe - 7 min drive
- Iron Fish Distillery - 5 min drive
- The Thistle Pub & Grill @ Crystal Mountain - 7 min drive
- A. Papano's Pizza - 5 min drive
- The 231 Bar & Grill - 6 min drive
Frequently asked questions
About the host
Hosted by Melissa Balavitch
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.
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
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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