TIOGA FALLS CABIN
The only place with sole, private access to the TRUE Tioga Falls!
SLEEPS: 6 (MAX, environmentally conscientious people due to the water and solar power conservation required)
BEDROOMS: 2
BATHROOMS: 1
*ON THE RIVER (Tioga Falls)
*WATERFALL VIEW
*VERY SECLUDED - "off the grid"
*CANOE/KAYAK INCLUDED (Memorial Day to Labor Day)
*HUNTING ON PROPERTY
*PETS FRIENDLY
Please keep in mind that the Tioga Falls Cabin/secluded 80 acres experience is not ideal in consideration of the average city person's level of comfort. EVERYONE in your group must be avid, authentic, outdoor-loving people. This is a technology-FREE vacation. Cell phones don't work well at all. It's not for everyone, yet absolutely IDEAL for the right people. In this environment, one unhappy or non-outdoorsy person in the group has a direct, negative impact on everyone traveling together in this secluded space.
*TECHNOLOGY-FREE (FREE OF TV, INTERNET, & RELIABLE CELL SERVICE) - just sit back and relax
*Water conservation is a must! It is a well, when the water is gone, it takes time for it to refill (typically within an hour). This is all dependent upon how everyone uses the water (in a short amount of time).
Have you every backpacked or camped in a tent, at any point in your life? Did you love the experience? Please ask this question to everyone in your group. If your answer is yes, then this is the ideal creature comfort step-up you've been looking for. As a backpacker myself, as I age, I find myself deeply appreciating the indoor plumbing and sleeping on a standard mattress that an experience such as staying in this gorgeous, custom-crafted log cabin deep, in the U.P. woods, provides.
Sitting on the fully screened-in porch watching and listening to the soothing waterfalls below as you enjoy the amenities from home, feels as though you are truly in the heart of a wilderness oasis. Fish for trout to your heart's content. Canoe down the river. Melt into your vacation within the 80 wooded acres surrounding the cabin and take this opportunity to truly get away from it all.
Drive the 2 mile 2-track trail from the main road into this peaceful log cabin. Ideally, it is best to bring a truck, though with good, careful driving, a regular car can make it down the 2 mile-2 track. Still, you will probably bottom-out at least once, and it is hard to avoid the tree branches close to your car.
When you are at the Tioga Falls Cabin, it's so refreshing to wade in the water, hike around the property, fish and read a good book. Perfect for the family vacation if the whole family is agile, adventurous and relishing exploring nature. This cabin is perfect for up to 6 adult friends and will be remembered by all. Or it can be the romantic retreat for two (if BOTH people enjoy the outdoors.) It isn't ideal for families with young children, or multiple couples traveling together, as there is only one bedroom with a door. Families with children who love nature, and can entertain themselves without electronic devices will absolutely love it! It is wonderful to fall asleep to the gentle sound of water falls right outside of the screened in porch.
Your nature-loving family will love this unique, full custom log (not a kit) home to call home for a week and beg to return again. Perfect privacy and deep relaxation await. Keep in mind that being deep in the woods requires you to be comfortable with nature. Yes, bugs do exist in the woods. Yes, when you open the door in the evening, bugs may get into the cabin. You have to be very conscious of your environment, even though this beautiful cabin has many of the amenities from home. Here you can escape from technology, though some cell phones do work, if you must turn them on. No TV or Internet-- just connecting with nature. Keep in mind that being at a place this secluded brings out everyone in the group's idiosyncrasies. In our personal experience, if even one person isn't a true, adventurous nature-lover, then that energy WILL negatively effect the whole group & your experience.
Experiencing the Fall colors at Tioga Falls is incredible. Imagine being surrounded by 80 acres of unique colors. Many photography opportunities are possible.
***It is STRONGLY recommended that you drive an SUV as the road leading into the property tends to get rough, but we can promise that the scenery will be worth it!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ATV: Yes, you are welcome to bring your ATVs. There is plenty of room to park and turn around your trailer as well. Keep in mind that while there are hundreds of miles of trails, while most of the trails are not groomed.
Bathroom: The bathroom is a very comfortable size with a standard toilet, vanity/sink and a shower. There is NOT a bathtub at the Tioga Falls Cabin. Please bring your own soap and shampoo. At times, we do have these supplies, yet we do not inventory them weekly.
Bed Configuration:
Downstairs = 1 Queen
Upstairs = 2 Full
2 Twins
Blow Dryer: We ask that you please limit the use of your hair blow dyer as it may drain the power enough to inhibit the well from working properly.
Boats: Are boats provided? Yes, we normally have 2 canoes awaiting you on the rivers. One on the Tioga River and another on the Sturgeon River. (Memorial Day to Labor Day)
Bugs: Yes, there are plenty of bugs in the wilderness, surrounding the waterfalls and on the 80 private acres. If doors are left open, even for short periods of time at the cabin, then bugs/flies/mosquitoes love to sneak in. We do not spray for bugs, as with the natural landscape, along comes bugs. Depending on our level of rainfall, mosquitoes can be plentiful. Bug spray is highly recommended. Hence, we love the screened in patio porch. If you are at all concerned about bugs, critters or small animals, the Tioga Falls Cabin may be too much of a challenge. It is important to us that all of our guests have a positive experience.
Campfires and Fireworks: Please keep your campfires in the provided ring away from the cabin. Plus, we do not allow fireworks at the Tioga Falls Cabin.
Cell phone service: Cell phone service is generally unreliable in the Upper Peninsula when you travel outside of Marquette and Escanaba. While it has improved over the years, it still varies by your provider and actually cell phone.
Critters: Even though we deep clean the cabin between each stay, at various times, especially after heavy rains, mice do get into the cabin. The Tioga Falls Cabin is in the middle of 80 private acres along the water.
Energy: Since the Tioga Falls Cabin is powered by solar (with a generator back-up that we try to keep the use at a minimum), we have to be sensitive to the electrical use. Therefore, there is NOT a TV or microwave. We ask that you please limit the use of your hair blow dyer as it may drain the power enough to inhibit the well from working properly. There are no power lines to look at anywhere you turn.
Fall Colors: Generally, the peak time period to see the colors is between mid-September through mid-October.
Fire Pit: There is a fire pit for guest use. Please bring your own firewood.
Fishing: There is primarily brook and brown trout in the Tioga and Sturgeon Rivers which surround the Tioga Falls Cabin. It is best to use worms, small trout flies or small spinners as bait.
Heat: Propane wall units. The wood fireplace is not operable.
Kitchen Supplies: We have many basic kitchen supplies at the cabin. If there is something that you can't live without, I strongly advise you to bring it. We do have a coffee pot, toaster, refrigerator, stove/oven. There is a cast-iron skillet, though keep in mind that the skillet is is washed differently than standard dishes. There is NOT a dishwasher. We normally have dish soap on hand for your use.
Propane Refrigerator: Keep in mind that the refrigerator may be a little smaller than most of us have in the city Also, with a propane refrigerator, you don't get the blast of cold air coming out, as you do with an electric fridge most of us have at home.
Stove/Oven: 4 burners, yet probably a bit smaller than most of us have a home.
Land: There is not a lot of cleared or flattened land around the property. We have a small space around the fire pit. The most clear and leveled land is in the parking area, at the entrance of the cabin, where there is a dirt/gravel parking area.
Linens/towels: We do provide the linens for the beds, which are fully made upon your arrival. Also, we provide basic towels. Please bring your own linens if you are particular about the thread count or are bringing a dog who sleeps with you. We provide basic bathroom and kitchen towels as well.
Paper products: We do our best to make sure there is plenty of toilet paper and paper towels during your stay.
Pet: 1 pet is allowed (no weight limit). Freshwater Vacation Rentals currently charges a one time pet fee of $75/ stay.
Shopping: Where is the nearest grocery store? The nearest grocery store is about 1/2 hour north, in L'Anse.
Trails: Yes, there are trails surrounding the cabin and the 80 private acres, yet they are not groomed, nor regularly maintained. It is a rugged adventure. The walking trail to the Sturgeon River is not straightforward, nor does it have a perfect walkway. You do need to have decent mobility skills to maneuver around the 80 acres comfortably.
2 mile Two-Track Entry: Depending on the weather, the 2-track can get quite rough. The 2 mile two-track is never predictable. You'd have to be prepared for a possible adventure. It's not your average cottage experience. You may have to travel the 2 miles at a snails pace, getting out to move a branch of a tree if needed. We have care-takers who drive in and out of the cabin on a regular basis in a regular car, yet we have also seen a storm come through before guests arrive and there are limbs that had to be moved as they drive in. We try our best to keep the road as functional as possible. The road has only been actually impossible in the winter. We are maintaining the road on a regular basis, yet in 2 miles of wilderness, sometimes it's a breeze to get in and sometimes it's a challenge.
Waterfalls: The falls are right outside the screened in porch. Still, the terrain isn't simple for a child or a non-agile adult to navigate. Still, if you are truly adventurous, you will love it! I can attest to the fact that it is tons of fun, and the beating of the falls on your back is a fantastic "natural spa" experience. Water shoes are essential.
