Entire home

Red Dog Lodge - Beautiful Riverfront Chalet - Sportsperson's Paradise

Photo gallery for Red Dog Lodge - Beautiful Riverfront Chalet - Sportsperson's Paradise

Exterior
Outdoor dining
Lake
Smart TV, DVD player, books, video library
Snow and ski sports

Reviews

10 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms2 bathrooms145 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Pet friendly
    Pet friendly
  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Washer
    Washer
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
    Kitchen
  • Air conditioning
    Air conditioning

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Red Dog Lodge - Beautiful Riverfront Chalet - Sportsperson's Paradise

Welcome to the Red Dog Lodge!

Situated in the heart of Lovells, Red Dog is truly a sportsperson's dream with endless opportunities within reach.

This clean and well maintained 1997 chalet sits on over 200' of frontage on the North Branch of the AuSable river and features a nice yard with a gentle slope down to the river. The home contains three bedrooms with ample sleeping capacity along with two full baths, new washer and dryer, and an open concept kitchen, dining, and living area. Includes air conditioning and all of the kitchen appliances and utensils you likely have at home along with cozy and welcoming northern Michigan décor throughout. There is a large, new deck facing the river with a propane grill for your enjoyment. High-speed cable internet allows you to stay "plugged in" and enables Netflix/Prime/YouTubeTV/other streaming apps on the smart tv.

Whether the objective is to fly fish the historic North Branch or nearby Main/South Branches of the AuSable, fish nearby lakes, recreate on the river, golf, access hundreds of miles of ATV/Snowmobile trails, grouse/small game/deer hunt on thousands of acres of nearby state and federal land, hike, bike, or simply to relax in beautiful northern Michigan, Red Dog is an ideal base camp.

When you fish in the immediate vicinity, you are fishing in the footsteps of legends: Ernest Hemingway, Henry and Edsel Ford, Thomas Edison, John and Horace Dodge, Charles Nash, Harvey Firestone, and the list goes on. In fact, there is a large and elusive brown trout in this vicinity that has been named "Ernest" for obvious reasons. ***NOTE*** this section of the North Branch is artificial flies only (extends from Sheep Ranch upstream all the way down to the confluence with the main branch of the AuSable). While there are harvest opportunities with appropriately sized fish, catch and release fishing is strongly encouraged.

Within walking distance to:
-Additional access to the North Branch
-North Branch Outing Club (historic lodge with available fly fishing guides and full service fly shop for all of your fishing needs)
-Lovells Museum of Trout Fishing History
-Douglas Park/children's playground
-The Lovells home center (outstanding homemade sticky buns, cinnamon rolls, brownies, pizzas and more)
-Lovells Riverside Tavern (food, riverside ambiance, spirits)
-Main Snowmobile Trail (47)

Short Drives:
5 minutes to Shupac Lake (fishing, beach, swimming, boating - electric motor only)
7 minutes to KP Lake (fishing, swimming, boating - electric motor only)
10 minutes to Hartwick Pines
15 minutes to Lewiston
20 minutes to Grayling
25 minutes to Garland Resort
25 minutes to Upper Manistee River
30 minutes to Treetops Resort
30 minutes to Gaylord

And if you were wondering, "Red Dog" is an homage to our beloved Golden Retriever named Bella.

Property manager

Greg and Erin Bierl

Languages

English

Property amenities

Ski

  • Close to skiing

Internet

  • Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Onsite parking

Kitchen

  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Toaster
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils
  • Paper towels
  • Coffee/tea maker

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided

Bathrooms

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Smart TV
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • Video library
  • Books
  • Stereo

Outdoor areas

  • Patio
  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Firepit

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • 1 total pets
  • Welcoming dogs only

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property
  • Note from host: Absolutely no smoking of any kind indoors.

Services and conveniences

  • Limited housekeeping

Location highlights

  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Kayak on site
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Wildlife and game walks nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Rafting nearby
  • Snowmobiling nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Golf nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector installed (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • Unit size: 1564 sq ft (145 sq m)

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 30

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
1 total pets
Note from host: Allow potty trained, non-aggressive breed dogs.

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

Property is also known as

House

About the neighborhood

Map
Grayling, MI

What's nearby

  • Hartwick Pines State Park - 23 min drive
  • Garland - 26 min drive
  • Au Sable River - 28 min drive
  • AuSable Artisan Village - 35 min drive
  • Hanson Hills Recreation Area - 39 min drive

Getting around

  • Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) - 86 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Lovells Riverside Tavern - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪Valhalla Ranch - ‬11 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Red Dog Lodge - Beautiful Riverfront Chalet - Sportsperson's Paradise pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total).

What time is check-in at Red Dog Lodge - Beautiful Riverfront Chalet - Sportsperson's Paradise?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Red Dog Lodge - Beautiful Riverfront Chalet - Sportsperson's Paradise?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Red Dog Lodge - Beautiful Riverfront Chalet - Sportsperson's Paradise located?

Located on the waterfront, this family-friendly vacation home is within 12 mi (20 km) of Hartwick Pines State Park, West Twin Lake, and Little Bear Lake. Guthrie Lake is 12.1 mi (19.4 km) away.

Red Dog Lodge - Beautiful Riverfront Chalet - Sportsperson's Paradise Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 60 out of 65 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 65 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 65 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 65 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 65 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Michelle C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely home friendly community
Nice spacious home, very comfortable.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mark F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fun in the Outdoors
It was well located for our activities and suited our needs. The Red Dog Lodge offers all the enmities for a comfortable get away.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

sharon m.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect quick getaway
Perfect place for a getaway with friends. The home was clean and ready for visitors. The floors were a little sandy but nothing horrible. It was stocked well with whatever you would need. We had most of our meals there and lacked nothing. We had one beautiful day and spent it hanging out in the water. The rest we spent sitting on th
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kevin W., Seattle, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Fall fishing trip
Great location right on the river. The cabin was clean and well appointed. Large back yard with a fire pit and easy stairs down to the river. Excellent spot on the river with easy wading up and downstream.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Paul P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Incredible!
Beautiful quiet spot with plenty of space!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Annika D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fun-filled birthday trip
This was the perfect spot for our family birthday trip. The property was beautiful, with lots of green space and the pretty river access. The rooms were quite comfortable. The location was great for us to be able to go to the beach, hike, and shop. At night we enjoyed the fire pit and the great DVD collection!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Carole D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Red dog lodge
Very cozy clean place. Comfortable beds and furniture. Loved our stay. Owners extra nice too.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

David K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place on the North Branch
Second time we’ve stayed. Enjoy Fly Fishing and this is a great location! It was my wife’s first time to Fly Fish. She loved it, and we’ll be back again. Thank you for everything.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2024

8/10 Good

David E.

Liked: Cleanliness
Morel Mushroom trip
Grass needed to be mowed. Everything else was good.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dan R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fly fishing weekend
This property is terrific! Right on the river, with easy entry into the water. The home was clean and had all the amenities needed for a getaway. This was our second time staying here and I highly recommend this property.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tom R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Awesome Place
Red Dog is an awesome property on the N. Branch of the AuSable. The house is super clean and comes well stocked. I highly recommend Red Dog!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

radwan f.

Liked: Cleanliness
Deer hunting
Very clean and great setting and location.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mark F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful way to spend a week with my brother
We enjoyed the deck and grill as well as the comfortable indoor accommodations. A great venue for relaxation.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tom G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Up North vacation
Great accommodations for our family get together. The house had everything needed for a great vacation. The campfire close to the Ausable was perfect. We will definitely book this place again.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Traci W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Exceeded our expectations!
This was a last minute up north trip for us and we could not have asked for a better property to spend it at. The kids were sad to leave. You can't beat being outside enjoying a fire with a backyard view of the AuSable River. We will definitely be coming back.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Deb W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cabin on the North Branch
Very nice cabin. Set up well and comfortable. Plenty of usable closets, dressers, kitchen utensils, plates, glasses, and cookware. Nice back yard right on the river. Netflix and Amazon Prime available on a large flat screen tv. Interesting reading materials and games closet. General store across the street…restaurant just down the road. Historic North Branch Outing Club close by. Pretty much all you need!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sarah B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Rustic Charm, Beautiful Outdoors
The Red Dog Lodge is well stocked and quite clean. It's definitely rustic, and shows some signs of use, but was completely comfortable and relaxing. The true star of this property - and the reason I gave it a high rating - is the outdoor space. The deck immediately off of the house is large and furnished. There was a grill, plenty of seating, and storage space for fishing gear. The lawn is spacious, and the surrounding areas are full of beautiful local wildflowers which attracted hummingbirds daily. A fire pit was perfectly situated and had a set of comfortable chairs surrounding it. Stepping stones lead down a path to the river where yet another deck and set of chairs were waiting to be enjoyed. It was fairly easy to walk right in to the river, and in August, the water temp was cool but comfortable. Our family, dog included, spent a majority of our time enjoying the outdoor spaces at the Red Dog. Yes, the road is nearby, but the noise was infrequent and not distracting. We could also hear distant military training exercises on the last day of our stay. We would certainly recommend staying here if you are looking for a laid back, "up north" experience!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nina S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Relaxing
Real nice place. Highly recommend. Loved relaxing on deck and watching river.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Thomas B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cozy Cabin on the River
The cabin had all the amenities needed for a long stay. The kitchen was spacious enough to easily make homemade dinners, and the hardware store across the street does fresh homemade sticky buns. If you are looking for restaurant dining, those are fewer and farther away in the Lewiston, Grayling, and Gaylord. Easy enough to keep the cabin at a comfortable temperature in the summer with AC units and multiple windows. The beds were comfortable and there are plenty for sleeping multiple people as needed. Access to the river is easy enough, but swim socks are recommended, and road traffic can sometimes be heard depending on the time of day.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

THOMAS STUART S.

Liked: Cleanliness
4th of July week.
Everything was great. Very comfortable.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Garrett D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Place!
Such a nice stay :)
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mark F.

Liked: Cleanliness
This location was perfect for our outdoors activities and the property is all that we could have wan
No surprises only expectations exceeded.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Wendy H.

Liked: Cleanliness
A wonderful cozy cabin
Thank you for this cozy cabin. My husband and I stayed there with 2 other couples and felt so comfortable and relaxed. We sat by the river with a campfire in the evenings, enjoyed cooking for one another in the well stocked kitchen, slept peacefully at night in the comfortable beds and enjoyed a lovely kayak ride in Grayling during the day. Would definitely return and will be happy to recommend this home to friends in the future.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Scott W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Place
My family and I had a great weekend! Everything was as described. But bring some chairs if your planning on sitting around the fire.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

LeAnn H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Yearly kayaking and hiking getaway with friends.
Red Dog Lodge is a lovely, comfortable waterfront property. The home was fully stocked with many thoughtful touches for guests, and the owners were helpful and responsive to any questions we had. One of our best VRBO experiences - will definitely recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022