10/10 Excellent
Scott C.
29 July 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family Gathering
Scott C.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024
The Old Dam Inn - A Spacious Waterfront Retreat in Northwestern Michigan
Photo gallery for The Old Dam Inn - A Spacious Waterfront Retreat in Northwestern Michigan
Reviews
10 out of 10
Exceptional
8 bedrooms4+ bathroomsSleeps 25297.3 sq m
Popular amenities
Explore the area
Newaygo, MI
- Emerald Lake1 min walk
- Pickerel Lake8 min walk
- Sylvan Lake14 min walk
- Big Rapids, MI (WBR-Roben-Hood)55 min drive
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.
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
Languages
English
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
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House Rules
Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 12:00 PM
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.
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 indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
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 Hardy Dam County Marina 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 Newaygo State Park. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Newaygo, MI
What's nearby
- Emerald Lake - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
- Pickerel Lake - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
- Sylvan Lake - 14 min walk - 1.2 km
- Kimball Lake - 8 min drive - 4.1 km
- Crystal Lake - 20 min drive - 10.9 km
Getting around
Restaurants
- Leppinks - 10 min drive
- McDonald's - 10 min drive
- KFC - 10 min drive
- Burger King - 10 min drive
- Wendy's - 10 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window10/10
Cleanliness
10/10
Check-in
10/10
Communication
10/10
Location
10/10
Listing accuracy
Reviews
10/10 Excellent
Deanna H.
30 Dec 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family Christmas
Deanna H.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023
10/10 Excellent
Milton S.
26 July 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A “dam” good place to
Milton S.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
10/10 Excellent
Laura P.
2 July 2018
A great place for a family reunion.
Laura P.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2018
10/10 Excellent
Marcy E.
19 June 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great three generations, weekend getaway
Marcy E.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022
10/10 Excellent
Verified traveller
27 Aug 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Old Dam Inn
Verified traveller
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023
10/10 Excellent
Jessica M.
27 Dec 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family Christmas
Jessica M.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022
10/10 Excellent
Lori Z.
27 June 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
60th anniversary family reunion
Lori Z.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
10/10 Excellent
Krystyna K.
25 Feb 2014
Great Place
Krystyna K.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
10/10 Excellent
5 Aug 2014
HAD A REALLY NICE JULY 4TH WEEKEND
10/10 Excellent
Andrew O.
26 Oct 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
100% Perfect
Andrew O.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
10/10 Excellent
Gary K.
5 May 2015
2015 Fishing Team
Gary K.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
10/10 Excellent
Shawn B.
8 Jan 2014
Fabulous Experience in this Restored Home.
Shawn B.
10/10 Excellent
Duane V.
23 June 2018
Great Place! Great Hosts!
Duane V.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2018
10/10 Excellent
Katie P.
9 July 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect place to Retreat
Katie P.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
10/10 Excellent
Alicia S.
1 May 2015
Awesome Surprise 40th Birthday for My Husband
Alicia S.
10/10 Excellent
Hunter G.
28 Aug 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Church retreat
Hunter G.
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
Jill N.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022
10/10 Excellent
Janette S.
4 July 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Relaxing week
Janette S.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022
10/10 Excellent
Riley W., Kalamazoo
4 Oct 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Loved it
Riley W.
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
Jacob B.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2021
10/10 Excellent
Verified traveller
20 Sept 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect
Verified traveller
10/10 Excellent
Sean v.
13 Sept 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing lakeside property for large groups
Sean v.
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!
michelle h.
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!
Angela P.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021
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.
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.
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.
Languages:
English
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