Golden Shores Retreat Lake Access | Hot Tub, Two Decks & Sunset Views

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<b>Golden Shores Retreat</b> sits near the shores of Chippewa Lake, a 790-acre all-sports lake in the quiet lake country of Mecosta County, west-central Michigan. This custom-built home spreads comfortably across three levels, two decks, with open water views and lake access just steps from the door.

The main level opens into a bright, open-concept living, dining, and kitchen space — black counters, high end stainless appliances, and easy luxury-vinyl-plank floors made for wet feet and long weekends. Upstairs, a spacious primary retreat and a quiet office nook look out over the water; the lower level adds flexible space for the rest of your group.

With room for up to 10, a dog-friendly welcome, and the lake as your backyard, this is a home built for gathering — reunions, fishing trips, and unhurried summer weeks alike.

Book your stay on Chippewa Lake today!

★<b>THE LAKE</b>★

Chippewa Lake is a 790-acre all-sports lake, prized locally for its fishing and its sunsets. From this home you have lake access and open water views right off your choice of two decks — swim off the shoreline, drop a line, or head out to explore the bays under a wide Michigan sky. It's the kind of water that stays busy with boats on a warm afternoon and turns glassy and gold as the sun goes down.

★<b>WHAT WE LOVE</b>★

→ <b>Directly on Chippewa Lake</b> — lake access and open water views right from the yard
→ <b>Sunsets over the water</b> that turn the sky gold and pink, the reason this shoreline is loved
→ <b>790 acres of all-sports lake</b> for swimming, boating, and fishing all season long
→ <b>Bright, open-concept main level</b> made for easy lakeside living
→ <b>Room for up to 10 guests</b> across three levels — built for reunions and families
→ <b>Dog-friendly welcome</b> so the whole family can come along

⭐️<b>5 STAR HOSTS </b>⭐️

Forest & Flow Retreats focuses on unique homes and experiences so our guests can build memories for years to come. Over 15% of our bookings come from repeat guests, something we are very proud of. As you may have guessed from our name, we target natural properties with water or forest features that create a calm, peaceful and tranquil environment far removed from the hustle of day to day life.

We are avid outdoor enthusiasts and believe in protecting public lands through conservation efforts and the associated funds raised through hunting, fishing, and orv licenses.

We believe our homes and public lands should be a safe space for people from all walks of life, regardless of age, race, gender or ethnicity.

Each year, we donate a portion of our earnings to public land trusts and / or conservation efforts so that our waters and land can be protected for years to come.

We have hosted tens of thousands of guests over the years across our properties, helping family and friends have a memorable experience!

★<b>KEY FEATURES</b>★

🏠 <b>Entire Private Home</b>
🛌 <b>Premium Beds, Pillows & Linens</b>
❄️ <b>Central Air Conditioning</b>
🔓 <b>Contactless & Keyless Entry</b>
🛜 <b>Highspeed Internet & WiFi</b>
📺 <b>Netflix & Disney+ / Streaming</b>
🛶 <b>Outdoor Activities</b>
🐶 <b>Dog Friendly</b>

✨ <b>Starlight Nights</b>
☀️ <b>Sunset Views</b>
🚤 <b>Lake Access</b>
🏖️ <b>Beaches & Swimming</b>
⛳ <b>Golf & Pickleball Nearby</b>
🌲 <b>Hiking & Nature Trails</b>

🌸 <b>Spring Blossoms</b>
☀️ <b>Summer Sun</b>
🍁 <b>Fall Foliage</b>
❄️ <b>Winter Wonderland</b>

★<b>NATURAL ATTRACTIONS</b>★

This home puts you in the heart of Michigan's lake-and-trail country:

🚤 <b>Lakes</b> – Chippewa Lake (on-site), a 790-acre all-sports lake for swimming, boating, and fishing
🏖️ <b>Beaches</b> – Chippewa Lake Park (5 min) for public swimming and sandy shoreline
🌲 <b>Public Lands</b> – Haymarsh State Game Area (15 min) of woods, water, and wildlife
🚲 <b>Bike Trails</b> – Pere Marquette State Trail (20 min), a paved rail-trail for riding and walking

★<b>OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES</b>★

Whatever the season, the Chippewa Lake area gives everyone something to do outdoors:

✔ <b>Water Sports</b> – Swim, kayak, boat, and fish right off Chippewa Lake, a 790-acre all-sports lake
✔ <b>Golf</b> – Tee off at Tullymore Golf Resort, one of the region's best-known courses (about 15 min)
✔ <b>Hiking & Biking</b> – Walk or ride the Pere Marquette State Trail and explore area nature trails
✔ <b>Hunting & Wildlife</b> – Hunt, birdwatch, and roam the public land at Haymarsh State Game Area
✔ <b>Winter Fun</b> – Ice fish the lake, snowshoe the woods, and follow the area's ORV and snow trails

★<b>FURTHER AWAY</b>★

Set in the middle of west-central Michigan, this home makes an easy base for day trips in every direction:

→ <b>Big Rapids</b> – 25 min: Ferris State University, Muskegon River riverwalk, downtown shops and local breweries
→ <b>Clare</b> – 45 min: the "Cops & Doughnuts" bakery, Amish country, and the gateway to northern Michigan
→ <b>Mount Pleasant</b> – 50 min: Central Michigan University, Soaring Eagle Casino, and Saginaw Chippewa cultural sites
→ <b>Cadillac</b> – 1 hr: back-to-back lakes Cadillac and Mitchell, waterfront dining, and four-season trails
→ <b>Grand Rapids</b> – 1 hr 15 min: art and history museums, a celebrated craft-beer scene, and West Michigan's largest city
→ <b>Ludington</b> – 1 hr 30 min: Lake Michigan beaches, Ludington State Park, and the Big Sable Point Lighthouse
→ <b>Muskegon</b> – 1 hr 30 min: Lake Michigan shoreline, Muskegon State Park, and Michigan's Adventure amusement park
→ <b>Traverse City</b> – 1 hr 45 min: vineyards and wineries, Sleeping Bear Dunes, and lively waterfront dining

★<b>SLEEP SPACES</b>★

Golden Shores Retreat sleeps up to 10 guests across two bedrooms and two full bathrooms, with sleeping spread over the home's three levels so families and groups can comfortably spread out.

<b>Upper-Level Primary</b>
A spacious primary retreat crowns the home, with an adjoining office nook and windows that frame the water — the quietest corner of the house. A plush king bed is the focal point of the roam, anchored by a private seating area that doubles as a pull out queen sofa sleeper.

<b>Lower-Level Bedroom & Flexible Space</b>
The lower level holds a second bedroom plus laundry facilities, giving larger groups extra room to sleep and unwind.

<b>Bathrooms</b>
Two full bathrooms serve the home — one near the upper-level primary and one on the main living level.

<b>Sleeping Arrangements:</b>
→ <b>Master Bedroom</b> King Bed; Queen Sofa Sleeper
→ <b>Guest Bedroom</b> Queen Bed
→ <b>Air Mattresses:</b> Available Upon Advanced Request
→ Additional sleeping in the living areas to accommodate groups up to 10

★<b>COMMON AREAS</b> ★

<b>Living Room</b>

An open, light-filled living space on the main level, positioned to take in the lake views and made for the whole group to gather after a day on the water.

<b>Open-Concept Kitchen</b>

The main level's kitchen flows straight into the living and dining space, fully equipped for cooking and easy, family-style meals.

→ Stainless steel appliances
→ Black countertops
→ Luxury vinyl plank flooring throughout
→ Stocked for cooking and family-style meals

<b>Dining Area</b>

Dining opens right off the kitchen with a dual purpose island and eating area, keeping cooks and guests together for shared meals and game nights.

<b>Laundry</b>

In-home washer and dryer keep longer stays and lake days easy.

★<b>OUTDOOR LIVING AREAS</b>★

<b>Lakeside Main Floor Deck</b>

Low-maintenance Trex decking looks out over Chippewa Lake — the spot for morning coffee, an evening soak in the hot tub, an afternoon with a book, and watching the sunset drop into the water.

→ Full-thickness polymer decking
→ Open water and sunset views
→ Privacy curtains for night time soaks

<b>Lakeview Upper floor Floor Deck</b>

Evenings are spent on the upper deck with expansive seating on the outdoor sectional and sunset views rarely found elsewhere.

→ Full-thickness polymer decking
→ Open water and sunset views
→ Wrap around accent lighting

<b>Waterfront & Yard</b>

The home's location puts swimming, fishing, and launching a paddle just steps away, keeping the focus on the water.

→ Direct Chippewa Lake access
→ Low-maintenance grounds

★<b>GUEST ACCESS</b>★

Our guests have full access and use of the entire home and surrounding land. If you are unsure where the property lines end, please ask and we can assist! The privacy and safety of our guests and neighbors is very important to us.

Access is provided through a remote digital keypad, controlled through our Ring security system. Parking is convenient and close to the home, we only ask that guests do not park or drive on the lawn.

As a remotely located, rural home we manage travel times between our properties for turnovers between guests based on expected arrival times and the most efficient routes. Often, we can accommodate an earlier check in, just ask us in the days before your reservation and we will do our best to help!

🏠 Entire Home
🌲 Private (Not Shared) Outdoor Spaces
🅿️ Ample Parking
📞 24 / 7 / 365 Phone & SMS Support
🔓 Contactless & Keyless Entry
🛡️ Professionally Monitored Security by Ring Alarm Pro

★<b>EVENTS & USAGE</b>★

We get frequent requests from guests to use our homes for weddings, family reunions, camping, or other large gatherings. Many of these types of events are high-impact and can affect future guest stays, so we carefully manage them.

If this is something you are looking for, we can discuss details and whether any additional fees would apply.

In the event your preferred dates are already taken, or you are traveling with a larger group, please view our other listings or reach out to us as we provide numerous rental options in the region.

★<b>ADDITIONAL SERVICES</b>★

For an additional fee, we can provide concierge tailored services for anniversaries, birthdays, holidays or weddings.

🔨 A handyman is available for minor to moderate repairs, 24/7/365.
🔧 Professional services are available for major repairs, 24/7/365.
🧹 Cleaning services can be performed mid stay for guests who want a hotel experience for an additional cost.

★<b>LOCATION DESCRIPTION</b>★

Golden Shores Retreat sits in the quiet lake country of <b>Mecosta County</b>, in Central Michigan — a rural stretch of small, wooded lake communities rather than a resort strip. Chippewa Lake anchors the area, with the college town of Big Rapids an easy drive away. It's an easygoing base for families, groups, and anyone chasing water and quiet.

★<b>LOCATION ACTIVITIES</b>★

Chippewa Lake sits in the rolling lake country of Mecosta County, a rural corner of west-central Michigan where wooded lake associations, small towns, and open water set the rhythm. The nearest hub is Big Rapids, home to Ferris State University and an easy drive from the front door.

<b>Lake Access & Outdoor Recreation</b>
Chippewa Lake is a 790-acre all-sports lake made for swimming, boating, and fishing, and its sunsets are locally famous. Golfers can play Tullymore Golf Resort a short drive away, the paved Pere Marquette State Trail offers miles of riding and walking, and Haymarsh State Game Area opens up public land for hunting and wildlife watching.

<b>Big Rapids & Local Favorites</b>
About 25 minutes south, Big Rapids anchors the region with Ferris State University, a walkable downtown, riverwalk trails along the Muskegon River, and a growing lineup of local breweries and restaurants — the place to go for a night out, groceries, or a college-town game day.

<b>Small-Town Charm & Four Seasons</b>
The surrounding towns bring color year-round, from summer on the water and fall festivals to winter ice fishing and snowshoeing. Chippewa Lake Park, about a mile away, adds public swimming and shoreline access close to home. It's a quiet, family-friendly base whatever the season.

★<b>TRAVEL TIMES</b>★

Wherever you're coming from, Golden Shores Retreat is an easy drive. Here's roughly how far you'll be from the towns and regional cities nearby.

★<b>NEARBY CITIES & TOWNS</b>★

➡️ Mecosta, MI – 6 Miles / 12 Minutes
➡️ Barryton, MI – 8 Miles / 15 Minutes
➡️ Remus, MI – 14 Miles / 22 Minutes
➡️ Stanwood, MI – 15 Miles / 25 Minutes
➡️ Evart, MI – 15 Miles / 25 Minutes
➡️ Big Rapids, MI – 16 Miles / 25 Minutes

★<b>FURTHER AWAY</b>★

➡️ Mount Pleasant, MI – 40 Miles / 50 Minutes — Central Michigan University and Soaring Eagle Casino
➡️ Cadillac, MI – 45 Miles / 1 Hour — Lakeside downtown and four-season trails
➡️ Grand Rapids, MI – 65 Miles / 1 Hour 15 Min — West Michigan's largest city
➡️ Ludington, MI – 70 Miles / 1 Hour 30 Min — Lake Michigan beaches and state park
➡️ Muskegon, MI – 75 Miles / 1 Hour 30 Min — Beaches and Michigan's Adventure park
➡️ Traverse City, MI – 90 Miles / 1 Hour 45 Min — Wineries and Sleeping Bear Dunes
➡️ Detroit, MI – 180 Miles / 2 Hour 45 Min — Detroit sports, music and casinos
➡️ Chicago, IL – 240 Miles / 3 Hours 45 Min — Big city shopping, dining and entertainment

★<b>EVENTS & USAGE</b>★

We get frequent requests from guests to use our homes for weddings, family reunions, bachelor / bachelorette parties, camping, or other large gatherings. Many of these types of events are high-impact and can affect future guest stays, so we carefully manage them.

If this is something you are looking for, please reach out to us prior to booking. Deposits, event fees, and other conditions may be required based on the event type, size and request. Should a booking be made prior to a mutual agreement on any additional requirements for the event, our standard cancelation policy will apply.

In the event your preferred dates are already taken, or you are traveling with a larger group, please view our other listings or reach out to us as we provide numerous rental options in the region.

★<b>ADDITIONAL SERVICES</b>★

For an additional fee, we can provide concierge tailored services for anniversaries, birthdays, holidays or weddings.

🔨 A handyman is available for minor to moderate repairs, 24/7/365.
🔧 Professional services are available for major repairs, 24/7/365.
🧹 Cleaning services can be performed mid stay for guests who want a hotel experience for an additional cost.

★<b>PET-FRIENDLY HOME</b>★

We are a dog (only) friendly home, but maintain a few rules and regulations regarding this. All dogs must be controlled either through a physical leash or with verbal commands so that the dog returns to the owner when necessary. Dogs and owners should both respect the boundaries of the properties and the neighbors use and enjoyment of their own. Guests should ensure that there is no pet waste left in the yards, and all waste is bagged up and removed. Do not leave any animals in the home unattended or uncrated under any circumstance. The home is limited to two dogs, and there may be a fee for these dogs. Guests should thoroughly clean up any shedding or excess fur which may be left in the home so that our cleaning team has a normal turnover without excess or unscheduled work. While we do make every effort to ensure a perfectly clean home, small amounts of fur may be present in the air, settle on the floors or surfaces or may not have been reachable under furniture... an expected, but unfortunate byproduct of being pet friendly.

★<b>NO SMOKING INSIDE</b>★

All of our homes are exclusively no-smoking, of any kind, inside the home. Cigarettes and marijuana are incredibly potent smells for non-users and can have a negative impact on future guests. Evidence of a guest smoking in the house, including the attestment of our cleaning team, will result in a cleaning fee of up to $500.00 to change furnace filters, ozone remediate the air, clean duct work, and clean hard and soft surfaces.

★<b>DISCLOSURES</b>★

Our homes feature many amenities which might be seasonally available or would be considered outdoor recreational items. We make every effort to ensure that these items are available for use and in good condition, but mother nature and our previous guests also play a roll in our ability to do so. Items like outdoor furniture, grills, kayaks, canoes, yard games, fire pits and patios are cared for by our team but are stored outside in the elements. There may be leaves, dirt or debris on these outdoor items, and some may have limited use depending on the season and weather patterns. Other items may have experienced use or abuse by previous guests and were not reported as damaged or broken to us, limiting our ability to repair or replace them. As with all short term rentals, our homes can experience wear and tear at an accelerated rate due to heavy use from our guests. We strive to keep our homes fresh and schedule repairs and maintenance as quickly as we can. You may experience new items at our homes that replaced items from our photos which may have been worn or damaged.

The home is located in a natural setting. Guests may encounter native flora and fauna commonly found in the area, including but not limited to mosquitoes, ticks, spiders, bees, wasps, ants, poison ivy, poison oak, raccoons, squirrels, deer, snakes, birds, and other wildlife. While the property is regularly maintained, the presence of plants, insects, and animals cannot be completely prevented. Guests are responsible for taking reasonable precautions when enjoying outdoor areas, including using insect repellent, wearing appropriate footwear, supervising children and pets, and avoiding contact with unfamiliar plants or wildlife. By booking this home, guests acknowledge and accept the inherent risks associated with staying in a natural environment.

Exterior maintenance services, including but not limited to lawn care, landscaping, pest control, snow removal, and trash services are essential to maintaining the quality and function of the home and surrounding land. Many of these services are scheduled on a weekly or monthly basis and may require the service provider to alter their planned date and time to work within past, current, or future weather conditions. As such, services may be performed during a guests’ stay.

Rates & Availability

Cancellation Policy: One hundred percent (100.00%) of the total booking charges will be refunded if the cancellation is made more than 179 days prior to the arrival date of the reservation. Forty-seven percent (47.00%) of the total booking charges will be refunded if the cancellation is made more than 60 days prior to the arrival date of the reservation. For cancellations made within 60 days prior to the arrival date, no refund will be issued. Grace period with free cancellation (no cancellation fees or partial refunds possible) for 12 hours after booking if arrival is at least 33 days and 8 hours away at time of booking.

Location

Chippewa Lake, Michigan

Amenities

Guest Reviews