Northwoods Lodge
2390 S Straits Hwy
Indian River, MI
A 1950s roadside relic reborn in logs and pine, right down to the tree standing in your room.
About Northwoods Lodge
Northwoods Lodge began as the High Life Motel, a small seasonal roadside stop built in the 1950s and known across Northern Michigan for the giant rotating stainless-steel ball that spun above its sign. When new owners bought the run-down property in 1995 they saw past the decay to the woodland setting, rebuilt it into a log lodge, and then gutted and rebuilt it again in 2015. The result is finished throughout in tongue-and-groove wood, log furniture, and wildlife art, with a full pine tree standing inside many of the rooms. It sits on South Straits Highway in Indian River, in the heart of the Inland Waterway between Burt Lake and Mullett Lake, a few minutes from the Cross in the Woods shrine and a half day south of the Mackinac Bridge.
What Northwoods Lodge Is Known For
Northwoods Lodge took a dead mid-century motel, the kind most owners would have flattened, and rebuilt it into something with a genuine point of view rather than a generic remodel. The theme is committed all the way down to a living pine tree in the room, and it is held together by an owner-run attention that guests feel in the stacked firewood, the waffle station, and the local tips. It is the rare roadside lodge that carries more character now than the roadside icon it replaced.
Amenities
- Pets Welcome
- Breakfast Included
- WiFi
- Bonfire pit with firewood provided
- Complimentary breakfast with a Belgian waffle station
- King Suite with a two-person Jacuzzi
- Keyless self check-in
- Log-themed rooms with an in-room pine tree
- Pet-friendly rooms
- On-site pond and nature trail
- Boat trailer parking with docking nearby
What Guests Love
- The bonfire pit comes with the firewood already stacked, along with picnic tables and a grill, so an evening fire takes no planning.
- The included breakfast has a hot Belgian waffle station that guests mention nearly as often as the rooms themselves.
- The Northwoods theme is committed all the way to a full pine tree standing inside many of the rooms.
- The North Central State Trail runs directly across the highway, so you can bike, walk, or snowmobile straight from the lodge.
- Keyless self check-in means no waiting on a front desk, a real convenience for late arrivals after the drive north.
Worth Knowing
- Check-in is keyless and self-guided: you receive an entry code, and the lobby is not always staffed, so save the property's number in case you have a question on arrival.
- Only a pair of rooms are set aside for pets, so mention a dog when booking to be sure of availability.
- The King Suite with the two-person Jacuzzi is the room guests request most for anniversaries: reserve it well ahead for summer and fall weekends.
- Boat trailer parking is available on-site and docking is about half a mile away on the Indian River, handy if you are bringing a boat for the Inland Waterway.
- Northern Michigan is busiest from summer through fall color season: book several weeks ahead for weekends.
The Room
Rooms carry the Northwoods theme all the way through: log bed frames, tongue-and-groove wood ceilings, wildlife and forest art, and in many rooms a full pine tree standing in the corner. Standard rooms come as queens or two-doubles, some with a kid-friendly log bunk setup. The second-floor Deluxe rooms and the King Suite step it up, the suite with a log canopy bed under cathedral ceilings and a two-person Jacuzzi. A pair of rooms are set aside for guests traveling with pets. Entry is keyless, so you let yourself in without a front-desk wait.
The Grounds
The grounds matter here as much as the rooms. A large bonfire pit sits out back with the firewood already stacked, ringed by picnic tables and a grill, and the lawn runs down to a small pond and a short nature trail. The North Central State Trail crosses directly across the highway, a rail-trail used for biking, walking, and snowmobiling straight from the lodge. Parking is free and on-site, with room to leave a boat trailer: the Indian River and its docks are about half a mile away, the gateway to the Inland Waterway's chain of lakes and rivers.
The Experience
A stay here runs on the rhythm of the Northwoods. You check yourself in with a keyless code, settle into a room that smells of pine, and end the night at the bonfire with wood the lodge left stacked for you. Mornings bring a complimentary breakfast with a hot Belgian waffle station that guests mention as often as the rooms. In summer the Inland Waterway and Burt Lake pull people out to the water; in winter the snowmobile trail across the road does the same. Repeat guests treat the place as their standing base camp for Indian River, and the owners are quick with local advice.
Details
Indian River, MI 49749
The Boutel designation is earned, not purchased. Boutels is editorially independent and has no financial relationship with any listed property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Northwoods Lodge have EV charging?
No, Northwoods Lodge does not have EV charging.
Does Northwoods Lodge have WiFi?
Yes, Northwoods Lodge has WiFi.
What is there to do near Northwoods Lodge?
Cross in the Woods National Shrine: 1 miles, about a 5 minute drive, or you can walk. Burt Lake State Park: 5 miles, about a 10 minute drive, or you can bike there. Mackinaw City and the Straits of Mackinac: 28 miles, about a 55 minute drive.
How far is Northwoods Lodge from Cross in the Woods National Shrine?
1 miles, about a 5 minute drive, or you can walk.
How far is Northwoods Lodge from Burt Lake State Park?
5 miles, about a 10 minute drive, or you can bike there.
How far is Northwoods Lodge from Mackinaw City and the Straits of Mackinac?
28 miles, about a 55 minute drive.
Is Northwoods Lodge pet friendly?
Yes, in a pair of designated pet-friendly rooms (pet versions of the Standard Queen and the Standard Two-Double). Mention your pet when booking to confirm availability, as the pet rooms are limited.
Does Northwoods Lodge include breakfast?
Yes. A complimentary breakfast is included for all guests, with a hot Belgian waffle station along with coffee, juice, cereal, bagels, and breads.
How does check-in work at Northwoods Lodge?
Check-in is keyless and self-guided. You receive an entry code, so there is no front-desk wait. The lobby is not always staffed, so keep the property's number handy if you have a question on arrival.
Does Northwoods Lodge have a hot tub?
The King Suite has a two-person in-room Jacuzzi under cathedral ceilings with a log canopy bed. It is the most requested room for anniversaries and honeymoons.
How far is Northwoods Lodge from the Cross in the Woods?
The Cross in the Woods National Shrine is about 1 mile away in Indian River, roughly a 3-minute drive.
How far is Northwoods Lodge from Mackinaw City?
Mackinaw City and the Straits of Mackinac are about 28 miles north via I-75, roughly a 30-minute drive, with ferries to Mackinac Island.
How can I give feedback on a property I stayed at?
If you are a guest that stayed at the property, we would love feedback about your experience. Boutels listed on this site do not pay to be included nor can they pay to be sponsored or promoted. Your feedback matters. Please .
I’m affiliated with this property and have feedback on this listing.
We’d love to learn more about your property. To provide images, simply log in as a member (it’s free), find your listing on the map, choose “Visited,” and you’ll be given the option to upload images and leave a note. You can also and we’ll be in touch, just be sure to provide us with contact information in that form. Thanks!
Things to Do Near Northern Michigan
Cross in the Woods National Shrine
1 miles, about a 5 minute drive, or you can walk.
1 mile, about a 3-minute drive. The Cross in the Woods is home to what is billed as the world's largest crucifix, a 55-foot bronze figure on a redwood cross, set in a shrine and sculpture garden that has drawn travelers off the highway in Indian River since the 1950s.
Burt Lake State Park
5 miles, about a 10 minute drive, or you can bike there.
5 miles, about a 10-minute drive. Burt Lake State Park sits on the southeast shore of one of Michigan's largest lakes, with a long sand beach, a campground, and boat launches onto the Inland Waterway. An easy swim or paddle from the lodge.
Mackinaw City and the Straits of Mackinac
28 miles, about a 55 minute drive.
28 miles, about a 30-minute drive north on I-75. Mackinaw City sits at the Straits of Mackinac beneath the Mackinac Bridge, with ferries to car-free Mackinac Island. It is the regional anchor for a Northern Michigan road trip.