4.7 avg rating
✓ Family Friendly ✓ Hunter Friendly ✓ ORV Friendly

Cheboygan and Presque Isle Counties • Northern Michigan

Where the Woods
Meet the Water

600 steps to the Black River. Gateway to Pigeon River Country. A private retreat built for people who need a real escape.

✓ Sleeps 11 ✓ 4 Bedrooms + Bunk Room ✓ Full Kitchen ✓ High-Speed WiFi ✓ Large Parking Area ✓ RV Hookups ✓ Fire Pit ✓ Family Friendly ✓ Hunter Friendly ✓ ORV Friendly
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Explore
600
Steps to the Black River
100+
Miles of Trail Nearby
4
Seasons of Beauty
1
Family Who Cares
The Black River
600

Steps to the Black River

Your private adventure starts just outside the front door. A short 600-step walk through the pines brings you to the Black River — paddle at dawn, fish from the bank, or simply sit and let the current carry the day away.

Kayaking & Fishing

The Black River

Black River Michigan
Black River Michigan
Black River Michigan
Black River Michigan
Pigeon River Country State Forest

Explore Pigeon River Country

One of Michigan's most treasured wild places is right outside your door. Over 100 miles of trails wind through old-growth forest, past elk meadows, and along cold-water trout streams in Pigeon River Country State Forest.

Hiking & Wildlife
Beautifully styled home interior

A Home Worth Coming Back To

Warm wood tones, thoughtful touches, and everything you need to truly unplug. Whether it's morning coffee on the deck or a board game by the fire, this is the kind of space that makes you want to stay just one more night.

Modern Rustic Comfort

A Family Home.
An Open Invitation.

Milligan Vacation Homes started with one simple idea: share the Michigan north woods we love with people who deserve a real escape. This property isn't a unit in an inventory — it's a place our family cherishes, and we've poured care into every corner of it.

When you stay with us, you're trusting us with your time off — and we take that seriously. From the firewood already stacked on the porch to the local trail maps left on the table, every detail is here because we thought of you.

— The Milligan Family, Cheboygan and Presque Isle Counties

Every Room Thoughtfully Done

Sleeps up to 11 across four bedrooms plus a bunk room — with the space, comfort, and amenities to make the whole group feel at home.

Bedrooms

King bedroom

King Bedroom

Master King bedroom

Master King Bedroom

Queen bedroom

Queen Bedroom

Full bedroom

Full Bedroom

Bunk room

Bunk Room

Master bedroom coffee bar and sitting area

Master Suite Coffee Bar

Master bedroom sitting area

Master Sitting Area

King bedroom dresser

King Bedroom Detail

Bunk room dresser

Bunk Room

Hallway

Hallway

Living Spaces

Main living room

Main Living Room

Secondary living space

Secondary Living Space

Living room

Living Room

Games and entertainment

Games & Entertainment

Kitchen & Bathrooms

Eat-in kitchen

Eat-In Kitchen

Pantry

Pantry

Master bath

Master Bath

Master bath

Master Bath Detail

Bathroom

Bathroom

Kitchen

Kitchen

Kitchen detail

Kitchen Detail

Wildlife in Your Backyard

Pigeon River Country is home to one of the largest free-roaming elk herds east of the Mississippi — and deer, eagles, and black bear are regular visitors too. You don't have to go looking; they come to you.

Elk in Pigeon River Country
Deer near the property
Bald eagle spotted near the property
Groundhog near the property
Wild turkeys near the property

Elk, deer, bald eagles, groundhogs, and wild turkeys spotted near the property

Built for the ORV Community

Whether you're hauling ATVs, a side-by-side, or a toy hauler, we've got the space and hookups to make your base camp as comfortable as the ride itself.

Large Driveway
Spacious parking with plenty of room to park your trailer, toy hauler, or RV — no tight squeezes, no worrying about space.
Full RV & Toy Hauler Hookup
Complete hookups on site — electric, water, and sewer — so your rig is fully set up while you explore the trails all day.
Trail Access Nearby
Minutes from Pigeon River Country ORV trails and the broader Indian River trail network — ride out straight from the property.
Ride All Day, Sleep Well
Come back from the trails to a real home — hot shower, full kitchen, cozy beds, and a fire pit waiting. No motel, no campground. Just comfort.
✓ ORV Friendly Property

Room for the Whole Family

Sleeping up to 11 across four bedrooms and a bunk room, this is the kind of place where cousins share memories, grandparents relax on the porch, and kids disappear into the woods for hours. Year-round adventures for every age.

Sleeps 11 Comfortably
Four bedrooms plus a bunk room the kids will love — plenty of space for the whole crew without anyone feeling crowded. Big gatherings, family reunions, multi-family trips.
Kids Love It Here
A safe, spacious yard to run in, woods to explore, a fire pit for s'mores, board games inside, and wildlife right outside the window. No screens needed — nature does the entertaining.
Four Seasons of Fun
Summer kayaking and fishing, fall color drives and elk spotting, winter snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, spring wildflowers and birding. There's no bad time to visit the north woods.
Reunions & Group Stays
A full eat-in kitchen, spacious living areas, and a big yard make this ideal for extended family gatherings. Cook together, eat together, and make the kind of memories that bring everyone back next year.
Wildlife Up Close
Elk, white-tailed deer, bald eagles, and more are regular visitors. For kids who've only seen these animals in books, spotting a wild elk at dusk in Pigeon River Country is something they'll talk about for years.
Day Trip Distance
Burt Lake, Mullett Lake, Mackinac Island, Tahquamenon Falls, Petoskey, and Harbor Springs are all within easy driving distance — so you can explore the best of northern Michigan and come back to a real home each night.

Something for Every Season

☀️
Summer
Kayaking · Fishing · Hiking · Elk viewing · Swimming at Burt Lake · Farmers markets
🍂
Fall
Color drives · Hunting season · Elk bugling · Mushroom foraging · Crisp trail hikes
❄️
Winter
Snowshoeing · Cross-country skiing · Ice fishing · Cozy fires · Quiet woods
🌼
Spring
Wildflowers · Trout opener · Turkey season · Birding · Morel mushrooms

Northern Michigan at Your Doorstep

Some of Michigan's most celebrated lakes, parks, and towns are within an easy drive. Use the property as your base camp and explore a different corner of the north woods every day.

Burt Lake
~20 min away
Michigan's 4th largest inland lake with sandy beaches, swimming, and boating. Burt Lake State Park has 2,000 feet of shoreline and a shallow designated swim area perfect for families.
Mullett Lake
~20 min away
Michigan's 5th largest inland lake — great for swimming, tubing, water skiing, and fishing. Stop in Topinabee on the shore for a great meal with a lake view.
Indian River
~15 min away
A charming north Michigan town connecting Burt and Mullett Lakes. Restaurants, shops, farmers market, and the Sturgeon River — great for canoeing and tubing for all skill levels.
Mackinac Island
~1 hr away
No cars, only horses and bikes. A must-do Michigan experience — fudge shops, Fort Mackinac, carriage rides, and stunning Straits of Mackinac views. A perfect family day trip.
Petoskey & Harbor Springs
~45 min away
Two of northern Michigan's most beloved towns — Petoskey stones on the beach, the historic Gaslight District, world-class dining, and stunning Lake Michigan views at sunset.
Tahquamenon Falls
~1.5 hrs away
One of Michigan's most spectacular natural wonders — the Upper Falls drops 50 feet and stretches 200 feet wide. A jaw-dropping day trip kids and adults won't forget.

Find Us on the Map

Cheboygan & Presque Isle Counties, Northern Michigan

Map showing property location in Cheboygan and Presque Isle Counties Michigan

Open in Google Maps →

Parks & Recreation
Ocqueoc Township Parks & Recreation

Local parks, recreation areas, and outdoor amenities in Ocqueoc Township — right in your backyard in Presque Isle County.

Explore →
Local Area
Presque Isle County Visitor Guide

Discover everything Presque Isle County has to offer — towns, attractions, outdoor recreation, and local resources for your northern Michigan getaway.

Visit Guide →
Camping & Lakes
Black Lake Lower State Campground

A beautiful state campground on Black Lake — perfect for day trips, fishing, and exploring one of northern Michigan's most scenic inland lakes, just minutes away.

View Campground →

A Hundred Years of
Hunting This Land

My grandfather and great-grandfather hunted, trapped, and fished the Pigeon River and Black River country for generations. When you stay here during hunting season, you're setting up camp on land with over 100 years of north Michigan hunting tradition — and some of the best public land access in the state right outside the door.

~1,150
Elk in Michigan's Herd
47,493
2025 Elk License Applicants
1.7M
Whitetail Deer in Michigan
100K+
Acres of Pigeon River Country
🦌
Elk
One of the most coveted tags in the Midwest. Michigan's elk herd of ~1,150 animals primarily roams Pigeon River Country State Forest — right in your backyard. A record 47,493 hunters applied for just 260 licenses in 2025. Apply early and often through the Michigan DNR lottery.
Whitetail Deer
Michigan's whitetail population sits around 1.7 million, and the state ranks #1 in the country for total archery harvest. Cheboygan and Presque Isle Counties offer excellent public land access through Pigeon River Country State Forest.
🦃
Turkey & Upland Birds
Spring and fall turkey seasons draw hunters from across the Midwest. Ruffed grouse and woodcock are also plentiful in the young forest habitat throughout Pigeon River Country — perfect for pointing dogs.
🐻
Black Bear
The diverse landscape of hardwoods, pines, and wetlands throughout Pigeon River Country provides ideal habitat for black bear in addition to elk and deer. Bear licenses are available through the Michigan DNR application process.
🐟
Trout & Waterfowl
The Black River, East Branch of the Black River, and Stewart Creek are all blue ribbon coldwater trout streams. The region also offers excellent waterfowl hunting along the river corridors and wetlands.
🚗
Base Camp Amenities
Large driveway for trucks and trailers. Side yard with full RV and toy hauler hookups. Game hanging tree on site — just like the Milligan family has done for over 100 years. Sleeps 11 comfortably for the whole camp.

Elk licenses are issued by lottery through the Michigan DNR. Deer, turkey, bear, and small game licenses available at michigan.gov/dnr. Always verify current season dates and regulations before your hunt.

Est. 1920s

Six Generations

Over 100 Years of
North Woods Roots

This land has been in the Milligan family for over a century. Long before it was a vacation home, my grandfather and great-grandfather walked these same woods — hunting, trapping, and fishing the Pigeon River and Black River country the way generations of north Michigan families did. They knew every trail, every bend in the river, every spot where the elk gathered at dusk.

That tradition never stopped. Six generations of our family have built memories here — and now we want to share this place with yours. When you stay with us, you're not just booking a rental. You're stepping into a piece of Michigan north woods history that our family has loved and cared for across more than 100 years.

This land has fed our family for six generations — from the fish pulled out of the Black River to the game taken from these woods every fall — and it still does today. That's not a figure of speech. It's a way of life that started with my great-grandfather and continues with us. We hope the river, the trails, and the quiet of these woods give your family the same sense of belonging they've always given ours.

— The Milligan Family

Cheboygan & Presque Isle Counties, Michigan

Everything You Need Before You Arrive

We've rounded up the most useful local resources so you can plan your perfect north woods getaway before you even pack the truck.

Fishing
Black River Fishing Guide & Access Map

Access sites, fish species, best spots, and a full map of the Black River — just 600 steps from your door.

View Guide →
Fishing
Michigan Fishing License

Buy your Michigan fishing license online before you arrive — no waiting in line at the bait shop.

Get License →
Hunting
Michigan Hunting License

Purchase deer, elk, turkey, bear, and small game licenses through the Michigan DNR online portal.

Get License →
Trails & Wildlife
Pigeon River Country State Forest

Trail maps, elk viewing info, ORV routes, hunting zones, and everything you need to explore 100,000+ acres of north woods.

Explore →
Swimming & Boating
Burt Lake State Park

2,000 feet of sandy shoreline on Michigan's 4th largest inland lake — swimming, boating, and fishing just 20 minutes away.

Park Info →
Day Trip
Mackinac Island

No cars, only horses and bikes. Plan your ferry crossing and find things to do on one of Michigan's most iconic destinations — about an hour away.

Plan Visit →
Local Town
Indian River, Michigan

Restaurants, shops, events, and the Sturgeon River — the closest town for groceries, dining, and exploring the inland waterway.

Explore Town →
ORV
Indian River ORV Trail Guide

Complete trail maps, difficulty ratings, and local ORV info for the Indian River area — your go-to guide for ATV and SxS riding nearby.

View Trails →
Day Trip
Tahquamenon Falls State Park

One of Michigan's most spectacular waterfalls — the Upper Falls drops 50 feet and spans 200 feet wide. A jaw-dropping day trip about 1.5 hours away.

Park Info →

What Our Guests Say

Real stays, real experiences — from guests who've enjoyed the north woods with us.

4.7
Out of 5

"This charmingly rustic camp suited our needs for location. So close to many great outdoor areas and downtown Cheboygan. Onoway is a gem within itself. Our family had a great chance to be together."

Karen
July 2025
Verified Guest

"What a beautiful place to stay."

Austin Butzler
May 2026
Verified Guest

"Nice place for us to stay while working out of town!"

Emily
November 2025
Verified Guest

"Overall the stay was perfect. House was as described. Super peaceful. It has A/C in the kitchen and one in one of the rooms. No signal but great WiFi."

Karina
August 2025
Verified Guest

"Nice and quiet."

Joseph
August 2025
Verified Guest

"Perfect home base for our fishing trip. Plenty of room to spread out and kitchen and supplies were perfect too!"

Patrick
June 2026
Verified Guest

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