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The Old Dam Inn is located on a wide channel leading to four beautiful lakes.

Fall colors along the Penoyer Creek Channel as seen from The Old Dam Inn.

Emerald Lake from the bridge at The Old Dam Inn. Great spot for group photos.

Front of The Inn, with large enclosed porch. Private boat launch 50 feet away.

The Old Dam Inn is located on a quiet cul-de-sac with privacy for your group.

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

Exceptional

8 bedrooms4+ bathroomsSleeps 25297 sq m

Popular amenities

Breakfast available

Free WiFi

Outdoor space

Air conditioning

Kitchen

Barbecue grill

Check-in time

4:00 PM

Check-out time

11:00 AM

Explore the area

Newaygo, MI

Fremont Lake Park19 min drive
Michigan's Adventure51 min drive
Lake Express Ferry Terminal63 min drive
Muskegon, MI (MKG-Muskegon County)64 min drive

Most relevant reviews

10/10 Excellent

Great property for extended family stay Very clean. Large kitchen with everything you need.

Deanna H.

Dec 30, 2023

Rooms & beds

8 bedrooms (sleeps 25)

Inner Sanctum

1 Double Bed

Lava Lounge

2 Double Futons

Newt's Nook

1 Double Bed

Raptor's Roost

1 Double Futon and 1 King Bed

Sunrise

1 Double Bed

Sunset

1 Double Bed

The Crow's Nest

1 Double Futon and 2 Single Beds

White-tail Point

1 King Bed

4 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

First Floor Common Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

First Floor Private Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Second Floor Common Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Second Floor Private Bathroom 1

Toilet

Second Floor Private Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio

Porch or lanai

Kitchen

Separate dining area

Outdoor play area

Garden

Dining Area

About this property

The Old Dam Inn - A Spacious Waterfront Retreat in Northwestern Michigan

NOTES: We require the home address and drivers license number of potential guests before approving reservation requests. There is one security camera in use that shows the parking lot only. This camera, which may be recorded, is used by the host to confirm guest departures so that cleaning services can be initiated.

The Old Dam Inn is a great historic vacation spot for families that love the outdoors! Enjoy 300 feet of frontage on the Penoyer Creek Channel plus direct boat access to four beautiful lakes totaling 650 acres. With eight bedrooms and five baths (three in private suites), you'll have plenty of room to stretch out and relax.

Central air conditioning was installed in May of 2018. Six of the eight bedrooms also have large ceiling fans. A whole-house standby generator was added in 2023.

Easily accommodates 20-25 overnight guests with privacy. Private, wooded setting in the Manistee National Forest. Commercial style kitchen with two ranges, two refrigerators, two ceiling fans and two dishwashers. All cookware, utensils, paper products and linens provided - just bring your toys and your treats. Parking on-site for up to 20 vehicles, including room for several boat trailers.

Two large covered porches, washer/dryer, fire pit, BBQ/Smoker, 36 inch flat top griddle. Two paddle boats, a two person kayak and three-person rowboat are included (seating for thirteen people). Only three miles by car to the Mighty Muskegon River for excellent Trout, Salmon and Steelhead fishing.

Close to cities of Newaygo and Fremont for fun shopping and dining. Many other lakes and rivers also in the area. Travel time from Chicago is about 4.5 hours and 3.5 hours from metro Detroit. We are less than an hour from Grand Rapids and Lake Michigan.

Check-in time is 4:00 p.m. EST and Check-out time is 11:00 a.m. Early Check-in and late Check-out may be available depending on adjacent booking schedules. Much more detail can be seen by clicking on the "Links & Video" section of this listing.

Unfortunately, VRBO prohibits us from showing you any floor plans for The Old Dam Inn. We apologize for this inconvenience.

Property manager

Innkeepers - Kurt and Heather Giberson

Premier Host

Languages

English

Amenities

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Free WiFi

Air conditioning

Outdoor space

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Free WiFi

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 25

Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Well behaved kids always welcome.

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Thank you for smoking only outside of the home.

We do not host weddings, receptions, bachelor/bachelorette parties, high school/college student groups under 25 years of age, or similar gatherings.

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 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 that there is a smoke detector on the property

Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Newaygo

Located in Newaygo, this holiday home is in the city centre and on the waterfront. Waters Edge Golf Club and Newaygo State Park are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Huron-Manistee National Forest and Fremont Lake Park. Travelling with kids? Consider Arboretum Park and P&J Plantiques. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

Newaygo, MI

What's nearby

Fremont Lake Park - 19 min drive
Waters Edge Golf Club - 22 min drive
Newaygo State Park - 27 min drive
Michigan's Adventure - 51 min drive
Lake Express Ferry Terminal - 63 min drive

Getting around

Muskegon, MI (MKG-Muskegon County) - 65 min drive

Restaurants

‪McDonald's - ‬10 min drive
‪Shamrock Pub & Grill - ‬13 min drive
‪Burger King - ‬10 min drive
‪Tiny's Tasty Treats - ‬8 min drive
‪Taco Bell - ‬10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The Old Dam Inn - A Spacious Waterfront Retreat in Northwestern Michigan pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at The Old Dam Inn - A Spacious Waterfront Retreat in Northwestern Michigan?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Old Dam Inn - A Spacious Waterfront Retreat in Northwestern Michigan?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is The Old Dam Inn - A Spacious Waterfront Retreat in Northwestern Michigan located?

This family-friendly Newaygo holiday home is located on the waterfront, 0.2 mi (0.3 km) from Huron-Manistee National Forest, and within 9 mi (15 km) of Arboretum Park and Waters Edge Golf Club. Fremont Lake Park is 9.4 mi (15.1 km) away.

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Deanna H.

30 Dec 2023

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

Family Christmas

Great property for extended family stay Very clean. Large kitchen with everything you need.

Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Andrew O.

26 Oct 2023

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

100% Perfect

The Old Dam Inn was absolutely perfect! A group of 10 of us stayed here for a friend's wedding at Camp Newaygo, and it couldn't have gone better. The inn had more than enough space and the hosts have thought of everything. We couldn't get over how perfect the kitchen was for a big group! The garage was also the perfect place to watch the football game while shooting some pool. 5/5!

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

27 Aug 2023

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

Old Dam Inn

Very fun house with an interesting history and more games than you can play. Awesome yard space and just a 1 minute paddle to the larger lakes made this a perfect spot for a reunion gathering.

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Milton S.

26 July 2023

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

A “dam” good place to

A historical house with beautiful views and perfect for family gatherings Twenty members of our family had a great week

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Katie P.

9 July 2023

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

Perfect place to Retreat

Even better than the pictures! It is such a beautiful property and the themed rooms were such a fun touch. The owners were so friendly, helpful, and responsive. We were staying in the area for a retreat and we couldn’t have picked a better location if we tried. The owners have thought of everything for their guests. Everything was labeled clearly and easy to find, we had plenty of wood for daily campfires, and enough space for all 24 of us. The weather was perfect so we enjoyed the outdoors (boats, volleyball, griddle, walks) the most but the garage was a favorite hang out spot after dark. Thanks again!

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lori Z.

27 June 2023

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

60th anniversary family reunion

We really enjoyed our stay. Great property! Very clean and as described. Very near lake access, enjoyed many kayak trips and swimming in the beautiful emerald lake. Kitchen is very well equipped and labeled. Could use a few more kitchen towels. Hosts are very helpful and responsive!

Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jessica M.

27 Dec 2022

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

Family Christmas

This property was perfect for our Christmas Party. The house was all decorated for Christmas and Kurt and Heather the owners were so very nice and helpful. My family loved the map room the most.

Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Hunter G.

28 Aug 2022

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

Church retreat

Beautiful stay, such a great experience. Will be returning again in the future. The pictures do not do the property justice! Fantastic hosts! Newaygo is such a great town as well.

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jill N.

18 Aug 2022

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

Stay with extended family of all ages

Thoroughly enjoyed our stay with family ranging from 4 months to 80 years old. Everything at the Inn was as described online. House and property were clean and well kept. Everyone loved the garage space with all the fun games. This property is well-stocked with everything you need. Owners were quick to arrive with extra bedding when needed and they were very responsive the entire time. Pretty hard to beat this place.

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Janette S.

4 July 2022

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

Relaxing week

This property was perfect for our family. The garage/game room and the outdoor activities kept the older kids occupied. The kids play room kept the younger kids happy. The lake and fishing kept the men busy. The large kitchen made preparing meals easy. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and had a wonderful, relaxing vacation week at the Old Dam Inn.

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Marcy E.

19 June 2022

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

Great three generations, weekend getaway

Spacious, up-to-date home. Owners were gracious and home was clean and organized. Lots of fun activities to do on the property.

Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Riley W., Kalamazoo

4 Oct 2021

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

Loved it

My friends and I rented this property for a long-weekend reunion and we were so happy that we chose the Old Dam Inn. There was plenty to keep our group occupied, from the pool/foosball/poker tables to the numerous lawn games to the kayaks and paddle boats. We appreciated the thoughtful and charming decor, and several people expressed how happy they were that we rented here. Thanks for the great stay!

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jacob B.

26 Sept 2021

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

Old Dam Lodge

A beautiful property with a cool house. Comfortable for our group of 15 and very nicely furnished.

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

20 Sept 2021

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

Perfect

This place is absolutely wonderful. Very very clean and well appointed. The property is beautiful, peaceful and relaxing. The Innkeepers work hard to make your stay the best it can be. If we could give it 10 stars we would. Sharon and Friends - Michigan

10/10 Excellent

Sean v.

13 Sept 2021

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

Amazing lakeside property for large groups

Kurt and Heather's property is a gem. My extended family has been searching for a property to host annual family reunions for a few years now. After staying at the Old Dam Inn this summer, our search is over. The property was better than we expected. The pictures really don't do it justice. Each room is quirky and themed. Kurt and Heather outdid themselves with how well they executed each theme. The property was also remarkably clean and well-prepared for our visit. The hosts went above and beyond, turning on the property's lights and playing soft music for our arrival. Everyone in our group was thrilled with their hospitality. Part of me regrets giving this review because I selfishly don't want others to discover this gem, but oh well...

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

michelle h.

13 Sept 2021

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

The best place!

This place had met and exceeded our expectations for a 4 day family vacation. Ages ranging from 5mo-60yrs. 22 family members in all. Will return without question for another stay! Thank you!

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Angela P.

16 Aug 2021

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

Great friend escape with everything one needs!

The Old Damn Inn was much more than expected and the area was GORGEOUS! Kurt was helpful and his wife and he thought of everything! The house was incredibly accommodating and they anticipated all guests needs with the necessities and also the fun stuff too! 5 out of 5 in our books!

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Ryan F.

13 Aug 2021

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

50th Wedding Anniversary

Our stay was absolutely perfect! Kurt and Heather are the perfect hosts and took care of every detail. They made us feel so welcome and trusted us to take of their beautiful place. There is so much to do around the property and space for everyone. We will definitely be back for our next big family gathering!

Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Kathy H.

27 July 2021

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

Had a great time!!

Loved Old Dam Inn!! Our family enjoyed all the diverse things to do without going anywhere. We paddled, kayaked, swam, biked, hiked and played a lot of games in the evening. plenty of room for our crowd of 24! Very pleasurable!!

Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jackie A., Mattawan

28 June 2021

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

Great place, Great time with lifelong friends!

We had a group of 18, all in our 40’s and 50’s. We had planned on floating the river but it rained the entire time and thank god we chose this place because there was more than enough things to do and space to spread out. The place has everything you can think of and it’s a cozy and very clean place to stay!

Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Rosalyn B.

3 June 2021

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

Memorial Weekend GetAway

My friends and I really enjoyed our stay here. We played plenty of board games, enjoyed the firepit and grills, played frisbee, used their rowboats/kayaks and explored the lake, went hiking in Muskegon state park, and ate plenty of food! It easily fit me and my 14 friends. We had plenty space in the kitchen, and the two dishwashers made cooking and cleanup super easy for a large group. Our hosts met us at the beginning, and even personally came to give us more papertowel when we ran out. We also appreciated how everything is labeled and there were so many cute, small touches! We would happily stay here again.

Stayed 3 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Abbey D.

23 Oct 2020

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

Birthday Celebration!

What an amazing Inn to stay at! There was 20 of us celebrating by brother and another close friend's 30th Birthdays, not to mention 5 others had Birthdays during September as well. It rained all weekend, which was upsetting that we couldn't take the boats out, but we were so thankful to have the garage game room to keep us entertained! I would suggest bringing a heat or two since the garage isn't heated though. Other than that, I have no complaints! The large kitchen was a must with all of us and we all had a bed/futon to sleep on. I would love to all go back next year, with hopefully nicer weather. Thanks for having us! :)

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2020

10/10 Excellent

Nathan L.

23 Oct 2020

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

Very large and cool house!

Plenty of beds and bathrooms for all people. The kitchen was very big and convenient for 20 people and their food. The large yard was excellent for yard games and the game room/barn was excellent for spending time in as well!

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Kimberley L.

21 Sept 2020

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

Perfect wedding setting

We had a small family wedding at the Old Dam Inn and it couldn’t have been a more perfect spot. The house is so charming, with unique touches throughout. We had everything we needed and great communication and cooperation from the hosts. This place is special, truly couldn’t have imagined a more picturesque wedding spot. Thank you Heather and Kurt for this little slice of heaven!

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Alana Z.

11 Sept 2020

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

Great getaway with friends!

We are a group of adults from Chicago who were looking to get away during the pandemic. This house was perfect! We had access to the lake from the dock with lots of different boats to choose from - paddle boats, a kayak and a row boat! We loved sitting around the camp fire each night and seeing all the stars as well as all the details in the house that made it so welcoming! 2 dishwashers! 2 refrigerators! Perfect for a large group. The lakes are beautiful and so clear and easy to get around. We really loved the opportunity to relax. I highly recommend Old Dam Inn! Thank you!

About the host

Hosted by Innkeepers - Kurt and Heather Giberson

Your Innkeepers are Kurt and Heather Giberson, originally from Dearborn, Michigan and now living in beautiful Brooks Township in Newaygo County. Kurt is a retired public works director and Heather is a retired public schools teacher. We live in our former cottage, just down the street from the Old Dam Inn. We are enjoying the rural experience, which includes raising our friendly chickens.

Why they chose this property

We've owned woods and water property in western Michigan since the early 1990's and every time we were driving back home to southeastern Michigan we took a different route to explore new opportunities. After years of doing this we came across a very hilly area in Brooks Township, Newaygo County, that was heavily forested and had many beautiful lakes.

We learned that it had been a white pine logging area over one hundred years ago and it also was famous for the cottages surrounding the lakes. This spot came to be known as 'Little Switzerland' due to the beautiful waters and steep sloped terrain. One day as we were heading home we noticed a for sale sign on Old Dam Road and stopped to look at a small cottage on the Penoyer Creek Channel. The creek was named after the Penoyer brothers from Chicago, who were the first non-natives to settle here (1830's). To us it seemed perfect with the waterfront views and wooded setting. We quickly arranged to purchase the property and over the years we acquired three more parcels on the Channel, including The Old Dam Inn.

While there are many cottages and homes very nearby, where we are just about all you can see are the woods and the water, which is just fine with us. The towering white and red pines on the property are very special for us.

We spent four years renovating the The Old Dam Inn to provide our guests with quality furnishings and a flavor of the local history. The Inn is the former residence of the well-known local aviator, photographer, journalist and outdoorsman, Dick Black. In the 1960's and 1970's, he was a partner of Mort Neff, who hosted the popular 'Michigan Outdoors' television program in Detroit for many, many years. A few years ago we learned from Mr. Black's granddaughter that he was a personal friend of the writer Ernest Hemingway and that he had also saved Hemingway's life one time. The Inn's rooms feature aviation, fishing and hunting themes that are based on real local history.

What makes this property unique

The Old Dam Inn is perfect for family gatherings, reunions, anniversaries, small business retreats and hunting/fishing groups (we do not host weddings, or bachelor/bachelorette/graduation/sorority/fraternity parties). With eight private bedrooms and five bathrooms (three in private suites) you can very comfortably and privately accommodate 20-25 overnight guests. We offer complimentary high-speed wireless internet access throughout the Inn and its grounds, as well as DVD movies. There are seven flat screen televisions.

You can bring your own boat or use our two paddleboats, rowboat and two-person kayak to reach four inter-connected and unique lakes (Emerald, Sylvan, Pickerel and Kimball). Enjoy these clean and clear lakes for water-skiing, fishing, swimming or just for the beautiful views. You can also kayak down the picturesque Penoyer Creek to the Old Dam. If you like the woods, you will like our setting. From the Camp Newaygo Wetland Trail only a 1/4 mile away by foot, to the vast North Country Trail a couple of miles away, there are many opportunities to hike. If you like quaint towns, you will enjoy the arts and outdoor themes of nearby Fremont (Baby Food Capital of the World - Gerber Baby Food Company) and Newaygo, which straddles the Mighty Muskegon River and offers some of the finest salmon and trout fishing in the U.S. Check out the giant concrete fish heads poking out of the ground in Newaygo's Riverside Park

There are also thousands of acres of the Manistee National Forest within minutes of the Old Dam Inn. From our property we regularly see Bald Eagles, Ospreys, Kingfishers, Great Blue Herons and Pileated Woodpeckers (one was banging away on our front porch this morning!). Other regular visitors include an abundance of White-tailed Deer, as well as the River Otters, Beaver, Mink, Muskrats, Opossum and Raccoons. On occasion we see coyotes and bobcats too.