Follow the water.
Beach days, kayaking, and time on Higgins Lake. Kayaks are included with your stay.
✳ HIGGINS LAKE · NORTHERN MICHIGAN
Your place
in the woods.
Bring your favorite people.
We’ve got the lake days and fireside nights.
Check live availability & book securely on Airbnb.
4 adults+ 2 childrenYour getaway crew
2king bedrooms
2full bathrooms
1.25wooded acres
A little closer to nature.
A world away from routine.
MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME
Space to unwind.
Room to reconnect.
A quiet pocket of Northern Michigan, just minutes from Higgins Lake. Settle into 1,350 square feet of bright, welcoming space, surrounded by your own wooded retreat.
Start with coffee on the deck. Spend the day by the lake. Come back to the warmth of a real wood fire—and nowhere else you need to be.
The comforts that come with your stay ↓
Good times. Great company.THEY CAME FOR A GETAWAY. THEY LEFT WANTING MORE.
Your next stay.
Their new favorite.
★★★★★
“By far the cleanest Airbnb I’ve stayed at”
★★★★★
“Will definitely be coming back for more trips!”
★★★★★
“Very relaxing and quiet home.”
Guest review excerpts and recognition from Airbnb, checked November 3, 2026. Top 10% is based on ratings, reviews, and reliability.
A FEW FAMILIAR FACES. ONE GREAT GETAWAY.
Look who’s talking
Winter-Chard.
Richard Karn. Darren McCarty. Bigfootboyz.
Press play for their Winter-Chard messages.
Featured promotional videos · Guest reviews are shown separately above.
ALL THE RIGHT DETAILS
Pack less. Enjoy more.
Entire chalet
Your own home in the woods.
Kayaks included
Make room for a lake day.
Fireplace & fire pit
Cozy nights, inside and out.
Fully equipped kitchen
Easy breakfasts. Dinners together.
Wi-Fi & workspace
Stay connected when you need to.
Laundry & parking
Settle in for a longer stay.
REST COMES NATURALLY
Two kings.
One good night’s sleep.
Bring 4 adults + 2 children. Two king bedrooms, additional sofa-bed sleeping space, and two full bathrooms mean room for your favorite people.
PICTURE YOURSELF HERE
Come on in.
Take a look around.
YOUR GETAWAY, ON SCREEN
Press play.
Find your season.
Find your favorite season at Higgins Lake, from summer on the water to winter by the lake.
FOUR SEASONS. YOUR OWN PACE.
Out here, the best plans
leave room to wander.
Make Winter-Chard your base for Higgins Lake and the surrounding Roscommon area. The chalet is in the woods, near the lake—not on the waterfront.
HIGGINS LAKE / ROSCOMMON, MITake the scenic route.
Colorful woods, quieter days, and an evening around the fire pit.
Find your kind of winter.
Explore nearby skiing and snowmobile trails, then return to the wood-burning fireplace.
Watch the woods wake up.
Slow mornings, forest walks, and room to notice the little things.
THIS IS YOUR OUT-OF-OFFICE MOOD
Stay for the lake days.
Remember the sunsets.
EXPLORE THE AREA
Your basecamp.
A whole region to explore.
Where to eat, what to do, and which day trips are worth making room for. Find inspiration for your next day out.
Food & drink6 places · Breakfast to a special night out+
BREAKFAST
The Landmark
Start your day with breakfast close to the chalet.
Find The Landmark ↗DINNER NEAR HIGGINS LAKE
Cut River Grille
Head out for dinner near Higgins Lake.
Restaurant details ↗DRINKS · HOUGHTON LAKE
North Shore Lounge
Unwind with drinks around Houghton Lake.
Venue details ↗FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT · GRAYLING
Tinkers Junction
Make an evening of it with food and entertainment. Check the venue’s current listings.
Menu & events ↗BREWERY · GRAYLING
Rolling Oak Brewing Co.
See what’s pouring on the current tap list.
See what’s on tap ↗SPECIAL-OCCASION DINNER · GRAYLING
Mimi & Pipi’s Casa Italiana
An Italian dinner in downtown Grayling when you want to make a night of it.
Menu & reservations ↗GraylingOld-growth forest, river paddles and quiet trails.+
Old-growth forest · Grayling
Hartwick Pines
Walk the paved Old Growth Forest Trail beneath towering pines, then explore the logging museum.
Check current park access and trail alerts before visiting.
Plan your visit ↗Canoes & kayaks · Grayling
Penrod's Au Sable Paddling
Make a river day of it with a canoe or kayak trip on the Au Sable. Choose a route and rental through Penrod's in Grayling.
Seasonal. Reserve with the outfitter and check river conditions before setting out.
Plan your visit ↗Riverside hiking · Grayling area
Mason Tract Pathway
Follow wooded trails along the South Branch of the Au Sable for a quieter Northern Michigan outing.
Choose your trailhead and route before you go. Take the trail map with you.
Plan your visit ↗Roscommon & Higgins LakeBeach days, winter trails and a destination round of golf.+
Beach & trails · Roscommon
South Higgins Lake
Spend a warm day at the swimming beach or take a woodland walk around Marl Lake. A classic Higgins Lake day close to your basecamp.
Recreation Passport required. Check seasonal facilities and park conditions.
Plan your visit ↗Skiing & snowshoeing · Roscommon
Cross Country Ski HQ
A winter favorite for cross-country skiing, with rentals and lessons for guests who want to try something new.
Snow-dependent. Check the trail report and arrange rentals or lessons before visiting.
Plan your visit ↗Destination golf · Roscommon
Forest Dunes
Plan a dedicated golf day on Forest Dunes' pine-framed fairways and sandy terrain.
Seasonal. Book a tee time and confirm the course you want to play.
Plan your visit ↗Houghton LakeTraveler favorites around Houghton Lake and Prudenville.+
Golf · Houghton Lake
Pineview Highlands
Play 18 holes among tall pines, rolling fairways and views of Houghton Lake.
Seasonal. Check tee times and current course availability.
Plan your visit ↗Golf · Houghton Lake
The Quest Golf Club
Make time for a full round at this Houghton Lake golf destination.
Seasonal. Reserve your tee time directly with the course.
Plan your visit ↗Craft spirits · Houghton Lake area
Copper Kettle Distilling
Try a local craft-distillery stop in the Houghton Lake area for a relaxed afternoon or evening.
For adults 21+. Check current hours and arrange a designated driver.
Plan your visit ↗Make a day of it6 day trips · Lake towns, dunes, and an island escape+
Waterfront, downtown & dining
Traverse City
Stroll downtown, spend time by Grand Traverse Bay and choose a restaurant for an unhurried meal. Add a peninsula outing if you want a longer day.
Make this a day out from Winter-Chard, then return to the quiet of Higgins Lake.
Explore this day trip ↗Little Traverse Bay & town
Petoskey
Explore downtown shops and the bayfront, then add Harbor Springs if you want to keep exploring the shoreline.
Choose one town for a relaxed day or pair nearby stops. Check today's route on your phone.
Explore this day trip ↗Lake town, SkyBridge & resort fun
Boyne City & Boyne Mountain
Choose Boyne City's downtown and waterfront, or head to Boyne Mountain in Boyne Falls for SkyBridge Michigan and Avalanche Bay.
Boyne City and Boyne Falls are separate stops. Resort attractions require their own tickets; check hours and weather.
Explore this day trip ↗Harbor walks & storybook houses
Charlevoix
Explore the harbor town and Earl Young's distinctive mushroom houses. Add Castle Farms for gardens, architecture and history.
Use a public tour or view homes from public areas. Check Castle Farms' tour availability before visiting.
Explore this day trip ↗Lake Michigan views & trails
Sleeping Bear Dunes
Make a full day of the dunes, scenic overlooks and lakeshore walks. Start with the visitor center in Empire to choose your route.
Allow extra time beyond Traverse City. Check park alerts, seasonal road access and entrance passes.
Explore this day trip ↗A full-day island escape
Mackinac Island
Drive to Mackinaw City and take a ferry for an island day of waterfront exploring and town browsing.
Plan an early start. Allow for parking, ferry tickets and crossing time; confirm the last return ferry.
Explore this day trip ↗Check current hours, seasonal access, tickets, and reservations with each venue before heading out. Want help choosing? Ask Kyle.
Notes from Up North
Simple ideas for a better stay
A LITTLE EXTRA UP NORTH · BACKYARDMI LIVE
Stay where the
wildlife has the spotlight.
This is the backyard of Winter-Chard Lake Forest Chalet—the home of Northern Michigan’s Backyard. Get to know the woodland regulars before you arrive, make this your basecamp near Higgins Lake, and tune back in long after your bags are unpacked at home.
Join the watch on YouTube ↗Starts muted when your browser allows. Use the player controls for sound or full screen. If the camera is offline, check the current stream on YouTube.
Watch the backyard. Book the getaway.
Trade watching from home for a chalet stay among these woods. Your Northern Michigan basecamp is waiting.
The Ranger Station is a designed on-screen broadcast setting. Wildlife sightings and radio schedules vary.
How many guests can stay?
The chalet welcomes 4 adults + 2 children, with two king bedrooms, additional sofa-bed sleeping space, and two full bathrooms. See Airbnb for the full sleeping arrangements.
Is the chalet on Higgins Lake?
The chalet sits on a wooded lot in the Higgins Lake area near Roscommon. It is not a waterfront property. Plan a short trip to local public beach access.
What is included?
A fully equipped kitchen, Wi-Fi, a dedicated workspace, laundry, bed linens, towels, and essential toiletries. Kayaks are included, with garage space for outdoor gear. Check Airbnb for the complete amenities list.
How do we check in?
Entry is by keypad. Your arrival details and access instructions are provided for your reservation. The entire home, deck, fire pit, and forested backyard are yours to enjoy.
What should we know about the wooded setting?
Wildlife and insects are part of a Northern Michigan stay. Keep food and garbage secured, and pack insect repellent. The property has exterior security cameras; there are no interior cameras, according to the existing guest information.
Where can I find house rules and cancellation terms?
For Airbnb reservations, review the current house rules, check-in/out times, and cancellation terms shown during booking. For a direct stay, Kyle will confirm the terms with you before payment.
Can returning guests book directly?
Yes. Contact Kyle first to confirm dates, price, and booking terms. Pay through Venmo only after those details have been agreed. No payment is needed to send an inquiry.
MAKE TIME FOR UP NORTH
Your next great getaway
starts here.
Find your dates on AirbnbLake days, fireside nights, and a chalet all to yourselves.
A REAL PERSON, A PERSONAL STAY
Say hello
to Kyle.
Questions about the chalet? Planning a return visit? Send a note and let’s work out the details.
kdw082@gmail.com ↗Coming back to the woods?
Returning guests can ask about a direct stay. We’ll confirm dates, price, and terms together before any Venmo payment.