Get Out is your monthly guide to what's great in the great outdoors.
Here’s something I keep asking myself: Can a column about outdoor recreation feature an indoor destination? I decided “Yes,” since the place in question is really more of a launchpad for all kinds of outside activities—in all seasons. I’m talking about Barothy Lodge in Walhalla, Michigan, which is kind of in-between Ludington and Baldwin off of M-10. It’s really a hidden gem, and I had to check myself on that point, too, wondering if I really wanted to reveal it to Revue readership or keep it a closely held secret out of pure selfishness.
But, I already have lodges booked this year for winter and summer, so I guess I can share the love. Here’s the scoop: It’s a massive, 320-acre wooded complex set on the Pere Marquette River with fifteen lodges in a range of sizes, from one bedroom to nine and a half. They all have a full kitchen, fireplace, deck, and outdoor grill, and most of them have a pool table, hot tub, and washer and dryer. Gray Hawk has a private pool and Whitetail has a sauna, in addition to the above. Are you starting to feel me on this?
The grounds are expansive and great for exploring, and they connect to Manistee National Forest if you want to delve deeper. There are wetland preserves and fishing ponds (and tons of waterfowl and other avian fauna roaming around, too), plus a frisbee golf course, sand volleyball courts, and tennis/pickleball courts. You can also shoot hoops on their half basketball pad, and play horseshoes or shuffleboard. And, there’s a public swimming pool that’s open Memorial Day through Labor Day.
In winter, you can hike and ski either on site or at Ludington State Park, about 20 minutes west. This year, we’re winter rafting again in Luther, which is roughly 40 minutes east-north-ish of our home base at Barothy.
When it starts to warm up, you can canoe, tube, or kayak on the river, whether you BYO equipment or rent from Baldwin Canoe Rental. Baldwin will actually pick you up at the lodge near the entrance and take you to your put-in location. At the end of your trip, you disembark back on Barothy land, and just leave your rented gear there. It’s pretty slick.
This summer will be the third year I’ve booked the Gray Hawk; the one with the private pool. It may sound silly, but it does kind of make you feel like a celebrity when staying there. Or it makes me feel like one, anyway. When the other guests start rolling in and you greet them with a wave from your floating lounger, there’s definitely a Hollywood vibe to it. And, if you don’t get into that lodge, there’s still the public pool, which is just as inviting.
Barothy is also a hot spot for fishing on the river and, while on the water yourself, you’ll often pass folks clad in waders sending out lines for Brown and Rainbow Trout, Lake Michigan Steelhead, and Chinook Salmon, depending on the season. They also host a Casting for Recovery flyfishing retreat in August, which is specifically for women who have received a breast cancer diagnosis (no matter the stage or where they are in treatment or recovery). This offering is especially close to my heart! Check out castingforrecovery.org to learn more.
Finally, the last cool thing about Barothy is that it is set up really well to accommodate groups. That’s one of the reasons my Rec Sisters and I like it so much. They charge by the person, and it has an affordable nightly rate that you won’t come close to finding on those vacation rental sites. And, the fee is the fee; no surprises. You just have to remember to count beds, not go by how many it sleeps, or you may be shacking up in a queen with a friend. Been there!
For our winter trip, which will have occurred by the time you read this, we are going as a group of 17. I’m mildly terrified by this large number of individuals holed up in one place, but I expect we’ll break off into smaller groups to hike, hit a nearby winery, or head to Ludington, which always has plenty to do year round. Let’s hope it’ll be both a good story AND a good time!
Find out everything you need to know at barothylodge.com.
