Golden Shores Retreat

Golden Shores Retreat sits near the shores of Chippewa Lake, a 790-acre all-sports lake in the quiet lake country of Mecosta County, west-central Michigan. This custom-built home spreads comfortably across three levels, two decks, with open water views and lake access just steps from the door.

The main level opens into a bright, open-concept living, dining, and kitchen space — black counters, high end stainless appliances, and easy luxury-vinyl-plank floors made for wet feet and long weekends. Upstairs, a spacious primary retreat and a quiet office nook look out over the water; the lower level adds flexible space for the rest of your group.

With room for up to 10, a dog-friendly welcome, and the lake as your backyard, this is a home built for gathering — reunions, fishing trips, and unhurried summer weeks alike.

Book your stay on Chippewa Lake today!

★THE LAKE★

Chippewa Lake is a 790-acre all-sports lake, prized locally for its fishing and its sunsets. From this home you have lake access and open water views right off your choice of two decks — swim off the shoreline, drop a line, or head out to explore the bays under a wide Michigan sky. It's the kind of water that stays busy with boats on a warm afternoon and turns glassy and gold as the sun goes down.

★WHAT WE LOVE★

→ Directly on Chippewa Lake — lake access and open water views right from the yard
→ Sunsets over the water that turn the sky gold and pink, the reason this shoreline is loved
→ 790 acres of all-sports lake for swimming, boating, and fishing all season long
→ Bright, open-concept main level made for easy lakeside living
→ Room for up to 10 guests across three levels — built for reunions and families
→ Dog-friendly welcome so the whole family can come along

⭐️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!

★KEY FEATURES★

🏠 Entire Private Home
🛌 Premium Beds, Pillows & Linens
❄️ Central Air Conditioning
🔓 Contactless & Keyless Entry
🛜 Highspeed Internet & WiFi
📺 Netflix & Disney+ / Streaming
🛶 Outdoor Activities
🐶 Dog Friendly

✨ Starlight Nights
☀️ Sunset Views
🚤 Lake Access
🏖️ Beaches & Swimming
⛳ Golf & Pickleball Nearby
🌲 Hiking & Nature Trails

🌸 Spring Blossoms
☀️ Summer Sun
🍁 Fall Foliage
❄️ Winter Wonderland

★NATURAL ATTRACTIONS★

This home puts you in the heart of Michigan's lake-and-trail country:

🚤 Lakes – Chippewa Lake (on-site), a 790-acre all-sports lake for swimming, boating, and fishing
🏖️ Beaches – Chippewa Lake Park (5 min) for public swimming and sandy shoreline
🌲 Public Lands – Haymarsh State Game Area (15 min) of woods, water, and wildlife
🚲 Bike Trails – Pere Marquette State Trail (20 min), a paved rail-trail for riding and walking

★OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES★

Whatever the season, the Chippewa Lake area gives everyone something to do outdoors:

✔ Water Sports – Swim, kayak, boat, and fish right off Chippewa Lake, a 790-acre all-sports lake
✔ Golf – Tee off at Tullymore Golf Resort, one of the region's best-known courses (about 15 min)
✔ Hiking & Biking – Walk or ride the Pere Marquette State Trail and explore area nature trails
✔ Hunting & Wildlife – Hunt, birdwatch, and roam the public land at Haymarsh State Game Area
✔ Winter Fun – Ice fish the lake, snowshoe the woods, and follow the area's ORV and snow trails

★FURTHER AWAY★

Set in the middle of west-central Michigan, this home makes an easy base for day trips in every direction:

→ Big Rapids – 25 min: Ferris State University, Muskegon River riverwalk, downtown shops and local breweries
→ Clare – 45 min: the "Cops & Doughnuts" bakery, Amish country, and the gateway to northern Michigan
→ Mount Pleasant – 50 min: Central Michigan University, Soaring Eagle Casino, and Saginaw Chippewa cultural sites
→ Cadillac – 1 hr: back-to-back lakes Cadillac and Mitchell, waterfront dining, and four-season trails
→ Grand Rapids – 1 hr 15 min: art and history museums, a celebrated craft-beer scene, and West Michigan's largest city
→ Ludington – 1 hr 30 min: Lake Michigan beaches, Ludington State Park, and the Big Sable Point Lighthouse
→ Muskegon – 1 hr 30 min: Lake Michigan shoreline, Muskegon State Park, and Michigan's Adventure amusement park
→ Traverse City – 1 hr 45 min: vineyards and wineries, Sleeping Bear Dunes, and lively waterfront dining

★SLEEP SPACES★

Golden Shores Retreat sleeps up to 10 guests across two bedrooms and two full bathrooms, with sleeping spread over the home's three levels so families and groups can comfortably spread out.

Upper-Level Primary
A spacious primary retreat crowns the home, with an adjoining office nook and windows that frame the water — the quietest corner of the house. A plush king bed is the focal point of the roam, anchored by a private seating area that doubles as a pull out queen sofa sleeper.

Lower-Level Bedroom & Flexible Space
The lower level holds a second bedroom plus laundry facilities, giving larger groups extra room to sleep and unwind.

Bathrooms
Two full bathrooms serve the home — one near the upper-level primary and one on the main living level.

Sleeping Arrangements:
→ Master Bedroom King Bed; Queen Sofa Sleeper
→ Guest Bedroom Queen Bed
→ Air Mattresses: Available Upon Advanced Request
→ Additional sleeping in the living areas to accommodate groups up to 10

★COMMON AREAS ★

Living Room

An open, light-filled living space on the main level, positioned to take in the lake views and made for the whole group to gather after a day on the water.

Open-Concept Kitchen

The main level's kitchen flows straight into the living and dining space, fully equipped for cooking and easy, family-style meals.

→ Stainless steel appliances
→ Black countertops
→ Luxury vinyl plank flooring throughout
→ Stocked for cooking and family-style meals

Dining Area

Dining opens right off the kitchen with a dual purpose island and eating area, keeping cooks and guests together for shared meals and game nights.

Laundry

In-home washer and dryer keep longer stays and lake days easy.

★OUTDOOR LIVING AREAS★

Lakeside Main Floor Deck

Low-maintenance Trex decking looks out over Chippewa Lake — the spot for morning coffee, an evening soak in the hot tub, an afternoon with a book, and watching the sunset drop into the water.

→ Full-thickness polymer decking
→ Open water and sunset views
→ Privacy curtains for night time soaks

Lakeview Upper floor Floor Deck

Evenings are spent on the upper deck with expansive seating on the outdoor sectional and sunset views rarely found elsewhere.

→ Full-thickness polymer decking
→ Open water and sunset views
→ Wrap around accent lighting

Waterfront & Yard

The home's location puts swimming, fishing, and launching a paddle just steps away, keeping the focus on the water.

→ Direct Chippewa Lake access
→ Low-maintenance grounds

★GETTING THERE★

Access & Setting
Golden Shores Retreat sits on Chippewa Lake, tucked into the quiet lake country of Mecosta County and reachable year-round by paved local roads off the area's main highways.

Parking
Private on-site parking but very limited. Extra vehicles may need to park along the street, as is common in these lakeside communities.

Navigation
GPS will bring you right to the address, but cell signal can be patchy in this rural stretch — download offline maps before you set out, and reach out anytime if you need a hand finding the turn.

★LOCATION DESCRIPTION★

Water Sports & Outdoor Activities

[DESCRIPTION] - Just an 8-minute walk from Lake Michigan and Stony Lake, this neighborhood is perfect for outdoor lovers. Enjoy kayaking, fishing, swimming, and sunbathing at the nearby public beaches, or take a scenic kayak ride down Stony Creek for a relaxing water adventure.

Local Attractions & Entertainment

[DESCRIPTION] - Discover nearby attractions like Silver Lake Sand Dunes, Benona Golf Course, Double JJ Ranch, and Stony Lake Stables, offering everything from thrilling dune rides to horseback riding. Whether you're into outdoor adventure or laid-back sightseeing, there’s something for everyone.

Dining & Shopping

[DESCRIPTION] - The neighborhood features a local market and an ice cream shop just steps away, perfect for grabbing a quick snack or enjoying a sweet treat after a day in the sun. Additional dining and shopping options can be found in the surrounding areas, offering fresh local flavors and unique finds.

Family-Friendly & Relaxing Atmosphere

[DESCRIPTION] - This quiet beachside community is ideal for families, couples, and groups looking for a peaceful getaway. With its laid-back charm, friendly locals, and beautiful natural surroundings, it’s the perfect place to unwind and make lasting memories.

Located as the last home on a private road of vacation homes, there are only two other homes within a half mile radius and separated by thousands of feet of dense forest.

The home is private, secluded, and modern allowing you the freedom to enjoy yourselves while still being just a short drive to restaurants, stores and other conveniences. The surrounding cities and towns provide plenty of dining options and we make recommendations in our guidebooks.

If you want seclusion from neighbors and freedom to enjoy yourself, this is the place.

⭐️ 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!