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Blue Ox Retreat
Riverfront | Sauna, Fireplace, Firepit & Huge Deck
- RiverChippewa River glides past
- SaunaAll-season cedar barrel sauna
- Smart TVNetflix and Disney+
- Internet / WifiHigh-speed connection
- Fire PitS'mores and starry nights
- Deck/Patio (uncovered)Multi-tiered riverfront deck
Wake to the gentle rolling of the Chippewa River, the soft rustle of the woods, and the soothing sounds of nature. Sip your morning coffee on the deck or in the screened in gazebo.
Afternoons can be spent relaxing with a gentle glide down the river in your kayaks. Evenings bring grilled burgers, fireside stories, echoes of laughter, and a quick sweat in the sauna beneath a canopy of stars.
Here, time slows and memories with family and friends grow deep.
Book your stay and reconnect!
The location
Directions via GPS other mapping services can be tricky because of the location, but we have plenty of information for you to make sure you start your trip out, stress free!
There is plenty of parking available for your vehicles and trailers if you're bringing any offroad toys along with you.
As always with rural homes, we recommend you download "offline maps" to deal with potentially spotty coverage along the way.
The story
⭐️ 5 STAR HOSTS ⭐️
Forest & Flow Retreats focuses on unique homes and experiences so our guests can build memories for years to come. Over 15% of our bookings come from repeat guests, something we are very proud of. As you may have guessed from our name, we target natural properties with water or forest features that create a calm, peaceful and tranquil environment far removed from the hustle of day to day life.
We are avid outdoor enthusiasts and believe in protecting public lands through conservation efforts and the associated funds raised through hunting, fishing, and orv licenses.
We believe our homes and public lands should be a safe space for people from all walks of life, regardless of age, race, gender or ethnicity.
Each year, we donate a portion of our earnings to public land trusts and / or conservation efforts so that our waters and land can be protected for years to come.
We have hosted tens of thousands of guests over the years across our properties, helping family and friends have a memorable experience!
Where you'll sleep
Master Bedroom
1 bed
Loft Bunkroom
2 beds
Loft Bedroom
2 beds
What this place offers
- Path To Entrance Lit At Night
- Museums
- Winery Tours
- Zoo
- Games/Board Games
- Life Size Games
- Satellite/Cable
- Smart TV
- Television
- Baking Sheet
Show all 123 amenities
Accessibility
- Path To Entrance Lit At Night
Attractions
- Museums
- Winery Tours
- Zoo
Entertainment
- Television
- Satellite/Cable
- Games/Board Games
- Smart TV
- Life Size Games
Kitchen
- Kitchen
- Refrigerator
- Stove
- Microwave
- Dishes & Utensils
- Coffee Maker
- Toaster
- Pots & Pans
- Dining Table
- Baking Sheet
- Barbeque/Grill Utensils
- Wine Glasses
- Ice Maker
Leisure
- Antiquing
- Bird Watching
- Eco Tourism
- Gambling/Casinos
- Horseback Riding
- Sledding
- Boating
- Wildlife Viewing
- Water Sports
Local
- Fitness Center
- Hospital
- Laundromat
Other Services
- Concierge
- Massage
- Staff
- Luggage Dropoff Allowed
- Private Chef
Outdoor
- Outdoor Grill
- Deck/Patio (uncovered)
- Lanai/Gazebo (covered)
- Balcony/Terrace
- Lawn/Garden
- Private Yard
- Fire Pit
- Outdoor Dining
- Outdoor Seating
Parking
- Free Parking
- Garage
Pool/Spa
- Sauna
Popular Amenities
- Internet / Wifi
- Central Heating
- Linens Provided
- Towels Provided
- Washing Machine
- Clothes Dryer
- Hot Water
- Private Living Room
- Hair Dryer
- Ceiling Fans
- Basic Soaps
- Paper Towels
- Shampoo
- Toilet Paper
- Hangers
- Private Entrance
- Extra Pillows & Blankets
- Body Soap
- Hair Conditioner
- Shower Gel
- Clothing Storage (closet or wardrobe)
- Laptop Friendly Workspace
- Fireplace
- Lock On Bedroom Door
Safety
- Carbon Monoxide Detector
- Deadbolt Lock
- Emergency Exit Route
- Fire Emergency Contact
- Fire Extinguisher
- First Aid Kit
- Medical Emergency Contact
- Exterior Lighting
- Police Emergency Contact
- Smoke Detector
- Enhanced Cleaning Practices
- Cleaning Disinfection
- Common Surface Disinfectant Cleaned
- Linens High Temp Wash
- Cleaning Products
Setting & View
- Water View
- Lake
- River
- Forest
- Rural
- Waterfront
- River View
- Lake Access
- Town
- Village
Sports & Adventure
- Cycling
- Cross Country Skiing
- Fishing
- Fly Fishing
- Freshwater Fishing
- Golf
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Ice Skating
- Jet Skiing
- Kayaking
- Mountain Biking
- Rafting
- Water Skiing
- Snowboarding
- Snowmobiling
- Swimming
- Water Tubing
Theme
- Adventure
- Family
- Romantic
- Tourist Attractions
- Historic
Availability
August 2026
September 2026
October 2026
The Best Price Guarantee
Booking direct is always guaranteed to be the lowest total price on this home. If you find the same dates listed for less anywhere else, send us the link — we match it and you will earn Roam Rewards. No forms, no fine print, no chasing.
Always the lowest total
Direct guests never pay a service fee. The number you see is the number you pay.
Simple price matching
Send the link before or after you book. We verify the same home and dates. It's easy.
Earn Roam Rewards
Earn 5% back as credit toward your next stay. Direct bookings only — the listing sites cannot offer it.
House rules & policies
- Check-in
- 16:00
- Checkout
- 10:00
- Maximum guests
- 10
- Pets
- Up to 2
- Smoking
- Smoking not allowed
- Events
- Other events allowed
- Minimum age of primary renter
- 21
- Infants
- Allowed
- Arrival days
- Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
- Departure days
- Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
- Minimum nights
- Minimum of 1 night. At least 2 nights over weekend nights.
Cancellation
One hundred percent (100.00%) of the total booking charges will be refunded if the cancellation is made more than 179 days prior to the arrival date of the reservation. Forty-seven percent (47.00%) of the total booking charges will be refunded if the cancellation is made more than 60 days prior to the arrival date of the reservation. For cancellations made within 60 days prior to the arrival date, no refund will be issued. Grace period with free cancellation (no cancellation fees or partial refunds possible) for 12 hours after booking if arrival is at least 33 days and 8 hours away at time of booking.
Other things to note
★EVENTS & USAGE★
We get frequent requests from guests to use our homes for weddings, family reunions, bachelor / bachelorette parties, camping, or other large gatherings. Many of these types of events are high-impact and can affect future guest stays, so we carefully manage them.
If this is something you are looking for, please reach out to us prior to booking. Deposits, event fees, and other conditions may be required based on the event type, size and request. Should a booking be made prior to a mutual agreement on any additional requirements for the event, our standard cancelation policy will apply.
In the event your preferred dates are already taken, or you are traveling with a larger group, please view our other listings or reach out to us as we provide numerous rental options in the region.
★ADDITIONAL SERVICES★
For an additional fee, we can provide concierge tailored services for anniversaries, birthdays, holidays or weddings.
🔨 A handyman is available for minor to moderate repairs, 24/7/365.
🔧 Professional services are available for major repairs, 24/7/365.
🧹 Cleaning services can be performed mid stay for guests who want a hotel experience for an additional cost.
★PET-FRIENDLY HOME★
We are a dog (only) friendly home, but maintain a few rules and regulations regarding this. All dogs must be controlled either through a physical leash or with verbal commands so that the dog returns to the owner when necessary. Dogs and owners should both respect the boundaries of the properties and the neighbors use and enjoyment of their own. Guests should ensure that there is no pet waste left in the yards, and all waste is bagged up and removed. Do not leave any animals in the home unattended or uncrated under any circumstance. The home is limited to two dogs, and there may be a fee for these dogs. Guests should thoroughly clean up any shedding or excess fur which may be left in the home so that our cleaning team has a normal turnover without excess or unscheduled work. While we do make every effort to ensure a perfectly clean home, small amounts of fur may be present in the air, settle on the floors or surfaces or may not have been reachable under furniture... an expected, but unfortunate byproduct of being pet friendly.
★NO SMOKING INSIDE★
All of our homes are exclusively no-smoking, of any kind, inside the home. Cigarettes and marijuana are incredibly potent smells for non-users and can have a negative impact on future guests. Evidence of a guest smoking in the house, including the attestment of our cleaning team, will result in a cleaning fee of up to $500.00 to change furnace filters, ozone remediate the air, clean duct work, and clean hard and soft surfaces.
★DISCLOSURES★
Our homes feature many amenities which might be seasonally available or would be considered outdoor recreational items. We make every effort to ensure that these items are available for use and in good condition, but mother nature and our previous guests also play a roll in our ability to do so. Items like outdoor furniture, grills, kayaks, canoes, yard games, fire pits and patios are cared for by our team but are stored outside in the elements. There may be leaves, dirt or debris on these outdoor items, and some may have limited use depending on the season and weather patterns. Other items may have experienced use or abuse by previous guests and were not reported as damaged or broken to us, limiting our ability to repair or replace them. As with all short term rentals, our homes can experience wear and tear at an accelerated rate due to heavy use from our guests. We strive to keep our homes fresh and schedule repairs and maintenance as quickly as we can. You may experience new items at our homes that replaced items from our photos which may have been worn or damaged.
The home is located in a natural setting. Guests may encounter native flora and fauna commonly found in the area, including but not limited to mosquitoes, ticks, spiders, bees, wasps, ants, poison ivy, poison oak, raccoons, squirrels, deer, snakes, birds, and other wildlife. While the property is regularly maintained, the presence of plants, insects, and animals cannot be completely prevented. Guests are responsible for taking reasonable precautions when enjoying outdoor areas, including using insect repellent, wearing appropriate footwear, supervising children and pets, and avoiding contact with unfamiliar plants or wildlife. By booking this home, guests acknowledge and accept the inherent risks associated with staying in a natural environment.
Exterior maintenance services, including but not limited to lawn care, landscaping, pest control, snow removal, and trash services are essential to maintaining the quality and function of the home and surrounding land. Many of these services are scheduled on a weekly or monthly basis and may require the service provider to alter their planned date and time to work within past, current, or future weather conditions. As such, services may be performed during a guests’ stay.
Guest access
★GUEST ACCESS★
Our guests have full access and use of the entire home and surrounding land. If you are unsure where the property lines end, please ask and we can assist! The privacy and safety of our guests and neighbors is very important to us.
Access is provided through a remote digital keypad, controlled through our Ring security system. Parking is convenient and close to the home, we only ask that guests do not park or drive on the lawn.
As a remotely located, rural home we manage travel times between our properties for turnovers between guests based on expected arrival times and the most efficient routes. Often, we can accommodate an earlier check in, just ask us in the days before your reservation and we will do our best to help!
🏠 Entire Private Home
🌲 Private (Not Shared) Outdoor Spaces
🅿️ Ample Parking
📞 24 / 7 / 365 Phone & SMS Support
🔓 Contactless & Keyless Entry
🛡️ Professionally Monitored Security by Ring Alarm Pro
What guests say
4.86 from 28 guest reviews
What a cool house right on the river with an incredible deck. There were nine of us that were there for two nights for a canoe trip on the Chippewa River. It was a great place to stay very clean lots of room. We absolutely enjoyed it. We’re talking about a return trip next year. Thank you Forrest for the prompt communication thru out the reservation.
Loved the location and deck leading to the water. We spent most of our time there and at the outside picnic table for meals.
Wonderful place to stay, enjoyed the river access and the home kept us cooled off even during the peak temps of 90-100F degrees!
This was a lovely place to stay. Peaceful, clean, cozy. The deck on the river is absolutely amazing. We had dinner at the Vineyard 15 minutes away and it had great food, service, and drinks. Highly recommend!
The location is peaceful. Sitting by the beautiful river with a cup of coffee in the morning was our favorite part. If you’re looking for a place to disconnect, enjoy the scenery, and simply relax, this is an excellent choice.
Perfect place for a getaway. The deck was perfect for watching the river and having breakfast . Our kids and dog loved the land to run around.
Read all 28 reviews
What a cool house right on the river with an incredible deck. There were nine of us that were there for two nights for a canoe trip on the Chippewa River. It was a great place to stay very clean lots of room. We absolutely enjoyed it. We’re talking about a return trip next year. Thank you Forrest for the prompt communication thru out the reservation.
Loved the location and deck leading to the water. We spent most of our time there and at the outside picnic table for meals.
Wonderful place to stay, enjoyed the river access and the home kept us cooled off even during the peak temps of 90-100F degrees!
This was a lovely place to stay. Peaceful, clean, cozy. The deck on the river is absolutely amazing. We had dinner at the Vineyard 15 minutes away and it had great food, service, and drinks. Highly recommend!
The location is peaceful. Sitting by the beautiful river with a cup of coffee in the morning was our favorite part. If you’re looking for a place to disconnect, enjoy the scenery, and simply relax, this is an excellent choice.
Perfect place for a getaway. The deck was perfect for watching the river and having breakfast . Our kids and dog loved the land to run around.
Beautiful place 😁
Beautiful, peaceful stay. The perfect reset
We loved the river view! We ended up spending majority of our time just out on the back deck and enjoying the outdoors. It was a very enjoyable weekend getaway! We did do some kayaking at buckeys that is about 30 minutes away which was great as well :) overall, I’d recommend the stay if you’re looking for something cozy, private, and with a great view!
A very nice place to stay. Cozy and Quiet, but located well to take advantage of local activities. would book again.
It was wonderful. I love that it was easy to check in and out without having to talk to the host. I also loved the fact we didn’t have to share space with anyone else and the neighbors are not too close.
This was a great spot for a long weekend with the family! Our dogs loved being able to walk right off the deck into the river. Everything felt new and clean. The area was very safe. The kitchen had everything we needed to cook basic meals the whole trip. The couch and beds were all very comfy!
We had a great weekend stay. Beautiful view off the back deck.
Nice and cozy, great for a little get away. Little hard water but your in the middle of no where so it’s expected.
Had a wonderful stay here. Its a great little cabin on a beautiful river. Quiet and peaceful. Using the sauna and then being able to do cold plunge in the river was amazing. I highly recommend this place. I will definitely be back
Such a beautiful spot, the river deck is a major highlight. Loved catching bass right there on the river while drinking coffee in the morning. We saw owls, a beaver, a snapping turtle, and lots of other wildlife. Would definitely return.
Great place to stay. Clean, comfortable, and exactly as described. Hosts were responsive and easy to communicate with. Would definitely stay again.
Beautiful home, the decks are amazing. we enjoyed our stay and our host was very helpful.
If you’re looking for a peaceful, beautiful view, this place is perfect. Looking forward to returning in the future.
This place was perfect for my friends and I for a birthday weekend getaway. There was plenty of space and everything was as described in the listing. It’d be nice to come when it’s warmer to fully take advantage of the porch and amenities!
This was a last minute trip I planned for my husband and I. He had a stroke in December and his mother died that same night and then the motor went out in my car. With him not working and stressing over everything, he started doing well with therapy and I thought this would be a good break for both of us on a budget at the moment. It was perfect. comfortable and this river out off the back deck was wonderful. Thank you. It was a much needed mini break.
This was the 3rd Forest and Flow property I've stayed at. I have yet to be disappointed. My dog and I spent a cozy, relaxing long weekend here. We came during a snow/rainstorm so the majority of our trip was spent on the couch with a book. The couch was so so comfy. We lucked out and caught a beautiful sunrise over the river from the deck one morning, and ventured out for coffee and a pup cup from The Corner Cup Coffee Shop. Highly recommend! The hosts were responsive and the cabin had everything we needed to hunker down and enjoy a peaceful break from the city.
Beautiful home with amazing things to do just within the property. Quiet and peaceful.
Beautiful place with breathtaking views of the river. Comfy beds and a nice open space. Will definitely book again when I’m back in the area!
Everything excellent, the host is very attentive!
Nice place
We had a low-key ladies weekend here and it was just what we needed. The house was cozy and had everything we needed to be able to play games and just chill! Robert was very friendly and responsive. We stayed in mid January, so of course there was snow (a lot of it). They had someone plow and shovel the walk and entire deck while we were there and it definitely made our departure much easier the next day. We look forward to returning in the summer to utilize that beautiful deck and river scenery.
Great place to stay ! We will come back again😊
The ROAM Standard
What every ROAM home guarantees
Where you'll be
Barryton, Mecosta County, Michigan
- Water View
- Lake
- River
- Forest
- Rural
- Town
- Village
- Water Front
- River View
- Lake Access
Neighborhood highlights
William's Cafe
~3 mi / 7 minWilliam's Cafe is a family-run diner in Barryton serving breakfast and American fare, open Tuesday through Sunday.
Barryton Hardware
~3 mi / 7 minBarryton Hardware is a locally owned hardware and general-supply store on East Northern Avenue in downtown Barryton, open Monday through Sunday.
Chippewa River
On-site (adjacent)The property sits along the main stem of the Chippewa River, which forms just upstream at Barryton where the north and west branches meet and flows east past this stretch.
Martiny Lakes State Game Area
~9 mi / 15 minMartiny Lakes State Game Area is a state-managed area of interconnected lakes and marsh southwest of Barryton with public boat launches, fishing, and rustic campgrounds.
Getting around
Managed by ROAM
ROAM Management
We manage homes across the country, and we run each one like a storefront, not a listing. We stay in these towns ourselves — we dine in the restaurants, hike the same trails, and know which lake is worth the early start. The same team answers the phone, checks the house, and sets the rate.
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