Your Northern Michigan Escape
Boat, bike, golf, ski+relax
Welcome to River Rock Retreat at Shanty Creek, our Bellaire vacation rental condo.
Your Northern Michigan getaway begins in Bellaire
Right where you want to be
Location matters—and this one has it all. Whether you’re craving adventure, relaxation, or quality time with family and friends, River Rock Retreat delivers. In the center of it all—Shanty Creek Resort in Bellaire, Michigan—River Rock Retreat keeps you close to adventure in every season.
In summer, families love to spend the day at the private beach club on Lake Bellaire swimming and playing in the sand, while adrenaline seekers hit up over 31 miles of hiking and biking trails at Glacial Hills. During fall, hop on a scenic chair lift ride and take in the breathtaking fall vistas. The snow is abundant in winter and the skiing epic. Schuss Mountain has terrain and fun for all skill levels. As the snow melts, spring brings new life - and golfers. With 90 holes over five golf courses, including the iconic Cedar River and The Legend, Shanty Creek is a golfer's haven. After a day of excitement, a favorite pasttime is strolling through the unique shops in the quaint Village of Bellaire, then grabbing a beverage at Short's Brewing Company.
Once you’ve explored nearby adventures (no small feat), River Rock Retreat is just a short drive from even more of Northern Michigan’s best destinations --Torch Lake (20 min), Traverse City (45 min), Mackinaw City (1.5 hr), and Sleeping Bear Dunes (1.5 hr). The possibilities are truly endless -- start your Northern Michigan memories at River Rock Retreat.
What awaits you at the condo
Amenities at River Rock Retreat
River Rock Retreat is a 3-bedroom, 2.5 bathroom condo unit that accommodates up to eight (8) guests with over 1,700 sq. ft of living space. It is ideal for families and friends.
This modern, yet rustic retreat is decorated with a nod to the natural beauty of Michigan. The showcase feature is the stunning floor-to-ceiling stone wood burning fireplace in the great room (firewood provided seasonally). You can enjoy the sounds and warmth of the fireplace from the kitchen bar top stools, the cozy West Elm sectional or while gathering for a meal at the extra large dining table. Don't miss out on the awe-inspiring sunset views of Summit Mountain while relaxing on the deck.
Our completely remodeled kitchen is fully equipped with cooking basics, including a full-sized refrigerator, electric range, dishwasher, and microwave. We also include a toaster, slow cooker, tea kettle, coffee maker, pots, pans, dishes, silverware, glassware, and utensils. There is also a selection of plasticware for children.
Our bedrooms feature a total of five (5) beds with new Sealy Posturepedic Memory Foam mattresses. The first floor bedroom has two (2) queen beds with an en-suite bathroom, large soaker tub and attached deck. The second and third bedrooms, located on the upper floor, feature a king-sized bed and two (2) full beds as well as a bathroom with shower. There is a half bath located on the main level.
We provide wireless internet. The great room as well as all bedrooms feature smart TVs with many built-in streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and YouTube (guests need to provide their own access). We also have a selection of games, puzzles, and DVDs.
For your conveniece, we provide a washer and dryer, including detergent. We provide box fans to help circulate the air in each bedroom (there is also central air conditioning).
For your security and ours, we have a camera facing the front entryway. And, please note there are 33 exterior steps to access our unit. While we would love to host everyone, our condo is not accessible to all.
During the winter months, we provide a shovel and salt (salt bins are located in the common areas). There are interior and exterior ski/snowboard storage racks.
One (1) well-behaved dog is welcome with prior approval and additional fees.
Endless adventures for everyone
Escape, Explore & Recharge
Are you dreaming of a laid-back pool day with the kids and breathtaking views? Ready to explore nature with a peaceful paddle down Grass River? Or maybe you’d rather sip and savor new wine blends at a nearby vineyard? At River Rock Retreat, the possibilities are endless — from adventure to relaxation, your perfect getaway is yours to create. The list below highlights just a few of our favorite experiences when staying at River Rock Retreat.
Activities
*Walk to restaurants, bars, and coffee in Summit Village
*Hot tub, and indoor and outdoor (seasonal) pools at Lakeview Hotel
*Private beach club privileges on Lake Bellaire
*Sking and snowboarding at Schuss Mountain
*Alpine tubing at Summit Mountain
*Golfing at The Legend, Summit, Hawk's Eye, Cedar River, and Schuss Mountain.
*Hiking and biking at Glacial Hills Reccreation Area
*Boating on iconic Torch Lake
*Exploring scenic trails at Grass Lake Nature Area
*Wine tasting in the Grand Traverse region
Eats & Drinks
*Short's Brewing Co.
*Mammoth Distillery
*The Corner Bistro
*Chloe's Chophouse
*The Nest
*Ruthie's Chicken & Twist
*Bee Well Mead & Cider
*Fireside Lounge
*Torch Lake Cellars
*Dockside Torch Lake
*M-88 Morning Grind
*Alden Muffin Tin
*Torch Lake Beer Company
*Toonies Fish & Steakhouse
Events
*Independence Day celebration every July with fireworks at Shanty Creek
*Balloons Over Bellaire every August
*Paddle Antrim Festival in September
*Scenic chair lift rides at Schuss Mountain in September and October
*Bell's Iceman Cometh Challenge in November
*Christimas celebrations during December, including Breakfast with Santa, Ski with Santa, and Storytime with Santa
*Slush Cup at Schuss Mountain in March
*Founder's Brewing Co. Open Championship in June
Opinions matter
What our guests think you should know about River Rock Retreat
Darcie and Ryan B.
“Come for the Views, Stay for the Memories"
We were sold (quite literally) by Shanty Creek’s breathtaking views. We are not just owners of the condo, but we vacation here as often as possible. Our favorite activities are lounging by the outdoor pool, tubing on Summit Mountain, and watching Balloons over Bellaire from the deck. We invite you to join in the festivities and have a blast at River Rock Retreat!
Jeremy W.
“Sunsets and space galore"
Really enjoyed our stay! We had a work and play vacation and the condo worked out perfectly. Tons of space. Immaculately clean. Kitchen was great to cook in. Sunsets are amazing here! We enjoyed the access to the hot tub and indoor pool and wound down in front of fireplace after a long day on the slopes! Would recommend coming here and look forward to returning in the summer months.
"So close to everything"
Location of the condo was great! We didn’t realize how close we were to restaurants, the golf course and the pool. Would be awesome for winter too. Great space for a large family with lots of games, beach items and space to hang out.
Scott
Airbnb
"Puzzles and pools"
The condo was lovely. It was a family vacation with four adults and one child. Plenty of space for everyone. The owner paid attention to details. They had games for all ages, as well as puzzles and books. The location was ideal. There were many restaurants in the resort. The pools were enjoyed by all. An added plus was there were many towns to visit within one hour of the resort. A great vacation.
Karen
Airbnb
"Beautiful and spacious"
Beautiful, spacious home. Home was very clean and very well stocked (more than you usually see in an Airbnb). Minimum departure to do list. Host was very responsive and accommodating. Would highly recommend this place and host!
Taylor
Airbnb
Directions
River Rock Retreat is located on Shanty Creek Resort property in Northern Michigan in Trappers Lodge.
5828 Shanty Creek Rd, Bellaire, Michigan 49615
Detailed directions will be provided upon booking confirmation.
Contact us today!
