Cedar Lake Chalet Guidebook
Food scene
Our #1 pick for dinner if you don't mind the 25-minute drive. Lodge-style theme with rich tradition dating back to 1936. Menu items include pub fare including wings, burgers, pizza and signature dishes such as lake perch, steak, fajitas, and smoked BBQ.
13 locals recommend
Mountain Inn Inc
5495 US-23Our #1 pick for dinner if you don't mind the 25-minute drive. Lodge-style theme with rich tradition dating back to 1936. Menu items include pub fare including wings, burgers, pizza and signature dishes such as lake perch, steak, fajitas, and smoked BBQ.
Our #1 in-town pick for a quick bite. The Hilltop is a lodge-style pub featuring pub fare with daily specials ranging from all you can eat Coneys to a Prime Rib dinner. The service is quick and the staff is very friendly.
9 locals recommend
Hilltop Bar & Grill
431 West Mill StreetOur #1 in-town pick for a quick bite. The Hilltop is a lodge-style pub featuring pub fare with daily specials ranging from all you can eat Coneys to a Prime Rib dinner. The service is quick and the staff is very friendly.
If you're looking for an awesome burger, house-brewed craft beer, and an upscale vibe, choose Wiltse's. Wiltse's also sells smokehouse foods that are smoked in their pit using white oak.
15 locals recommend
Wiltse's Brew & Family Restaurant
5606 F41If you're looking for an awesome burger, house-brewed craft beer, and an upscale vibe, choose Wiltse's. Wiltse's also sells smokehouse foods that are smoked in their pit using white oak.
If you find yourself heading to Alpena (45 mins), Austin Brothers Beer Co is a must for lunch or dinner. Their most popular brews are also available for purchase in most stores and party stores in Oscoda.
31 locals recommend
Austin Brothers Beer Company
821 W Miller StIf you find yourself heading to Alpena (45 mins), Austin Brothers Beer Co is a must for lunch or dinner. Their most popular brews are also available for purchase in most stores and party stores in Oscoda.
G's is more spendy than some of the franchise pizza places, but the quality and taste are worth the price. G's has good starters, gourmet pizzas such as the Smokin' Cuban and Ninja Turtle, and specialty pizzas such as the BLT and the BBQ Chicken. If you choose G's, don't forget an order of the famous Mozzarella Spears!
14 locals recommend
G's Pizzeria & Deli
5226 N U.S. 23G's is more spendy than some of the franchise pizza places, but the quality and taste are worth the price. G's has good starters, gourmet pizzas such as the Smokin' Cuban and Ninja Turtle, and specialty pizzas such as the BLT and the BBQ Chicken. If you choose G's, don't forget an order of the famous Mozzarella Spears!
Formerly the Red Rooster, The Red Fork is our top pick for breakfast. This is a down-home venue where "homemade" is taken to heart. Very reasonally priced and it's impossible to leave The Red Fork still hungry, so bring your appetite.
10 locals recommend
The Red Fork
3228 U.S. 23Formerly the Red Rooster, The Red Fork is our top pick for breakfast. This is a down-home venue where "homemade" is taken to heart. Very reasonally priced and it's impossible to leave The Red Fork still hungry, so bring your appetite.
Looks can be deceiving with this place, a passerby could easily blink and miss out on the areas BEST donuts! Go see Scotty on Saturday or Sunday from 0800 - 1100 and ask for some hot, fresh, and delicious breakfast treats... be warned, there will be lines!
Cedar Lake Grocery
3448 U.S. 23Looks can be deceiving with this place, a passerby could easily blink and miss out on the areas BEST donuts! Go see Scotty on Saturday or Sunday from 0800 - 1100 and ask for some hot, fresh, and delicious breakfast treats... be warned, there will be lines!
If you're looking for a grinder, look no further than Mancino's Featuring Rob's BBQ. The Smokehouse Club and The Porker are two of our favorites. Mancino's also serves breakfast and dinner featuring pizza and BBQ meals.
Mancino's Pit Stop
5665 U.S. 23If you're looking for a grinder, look no further than Mancino's Featuring Rob's BBQ. The Smokehouse Club and The Porker are two of our favorites. Mancino's also serves breakfast and dinner featuring pizza and BBQ meals.
Sightseeing
Foote Pond Overlook provides a spectacular view from the high sand bluffs overlooking Foote Pond. Visitors may see the eagles that nest nearby. The Overlook has a paved access road, parking and barrier-free access to a wood deck.
9 locals recommend
Foote Pond Overlook & Champagne Hill
West River RoadFoote Pond Overlook provides a spectacular view from the high sand bluffs overlooking Foote Pond. Visitors may see the eagles that nest nearby. The Overlook has a paved access road, parking and barrier-free access to a wood deck.
Lumberman’s Monument Visitor Center interprets the area’s colorful lumbering past. The 14-foot Lumberman’s Monument stands on a high bank with the Au Sable River providing a scenic backdrop. Climb through a log jam, use a peavey, cut a wooden cookie with a cross-cut saw, and learn about the life of a lumberjack through video and displays. Hike the stairway down to the wanigan, a loggers floating kitchen, or take the short trail to the dune observation deck. Enjoy a Kid’s Day program or take a guided nature hike on the Forest Discovery Trail.
71 locals recommend
Lumberman's Monument Visitor Center
5401 Monument RdLumberman’s Monument Visitor Center interprets the area’s colorful lumbering past. The 14-foot Lumberman’s Monument stands on a high bank with the Au Sable River providing a scenic backdrop. Climb through a log jam, use a peavey, cut a wooden cookie with a cross-cut saw, and learn about the life of a lumberjack through video and displays. Hike the stairway down to the wanigan, a loggers floating kitchen, or take the short trail to the dune observation deck. Enjoy a Kid’s Day program or take a guided nature hike on the Forest Discovery Trail.
Highbanks trail is a scenic, flat, and slightly rolling 7-mile trail along the bluffs of the Au Sable River. Expect some of the best views of the river overlooking the river valley with occasional views of Huron. If you're hiking in the summer, be on the lookout for nesting bald eagles! You can access this trail from Largo Springs, Sid Town, and Lumberman's Monument.
6 locals recommend
Highbanks Hiking and Ski Trail
Highbanks trail is a scenic, flat, and slightly rolling 7-mile trail along the bluffs of the Au Sable River. Expect some of the best views of the river overlooking the river valley with occasional views of Huron. If you're hiking in the summer, be on the lookout for nesting bald eagles! You can access this trail from Largo Springs, Sid Town, and Lumberman's Monument.
Eagle Run is a cross-country ski and hiding trail that runs along the south shore of the lower Au Sable river (loop trail). The outer loop is 10-miles but there are several inner loops that you can explore.
7 locals recommend
Eagle run
East River RoadEagle Run is a cross-country ski and hiding trail that runs along the south shore of the lower Au Sable river (loop trail). The outer loop is 10-miles but there are several inner loops that you can explore.
Located along several hundred feet of gently sloping sugar sand, the park offers modern playground equipment, basketball court, skateboard park, bathhouses, grills, picnic tables, bandshell and a boardwalk. With many large shade trees, the park is ideal for 'kids' of all ages and is just two blocks from downtown Oscoda.
31 locals recommend
Oscoda Beach Park
201 E River RdLocated along several hundred feet of gently sloping sugar sand, the park offers modern playground equipment, basketball court, skateboard park, bathhouses, grills, picnic tables, bandshell and a boardwalk. With many large shade trees, the park is ideal for 'kids' of all ages and is just two blocks from downtown Oscoda.
Adjacent to Town Square, Shoreline Park recreational identity comes from the 450-foot-long pier with an additional 100 feet added in 2021 to create a L-shaped pier. The presence of the pier encourages active (fishing) as well as passive (benches) recreational opportunities. Aside from the pier, Shoreline Park, 429 W. Lake St., is also equipped with picnic pavilions, a food concession stand, restrooms, boardwalk along the beach and playscape for the children.
11 locals recommend
Tawas City Shoreline Park
501 W Lake StAdjacent to Town Square, Shoreline Park recreational identity comes from the 450-foot-long pier with an additional 100 feet added in 2021 to create a L-shaped pier. The presence of the pier encourages active (fishing) as well as passive (benches) recreational opportunities. Aside from the pier, Shoreline Park, 429 W. Lake St., is also equipped with picnic pavilions, a food concession stand, restrooms, boardwalk along the beach and playscape for the children.
The Wurtsmith Air Museum is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, dedicated to preserving the history of Wurtsmith Air Force Base and aviation in Northeastern Michigan. They offer visitors three hangars full of military (all branches) and aviation history, static aircraft displays, artifacts, equipment and lots of WAFB memorabilia.
12 locals recommend
Wurtsmith Air Museum
4071 E Van Ettan StThe Wurtsmith Air Museum is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, dedicated to preserving the history of Wurtsmith Air Force Base and aviation in Northeastern Michigan. They offer visitors three hangars full of military (all branches) and aviation history, static aircraft displays, artifacts, equipment and lots of WAFB memorabilia.
Right down the road from Lumberman's Monument and trailhead for the Highpoint Trail, Largo Springs is a sight that you have to see. It's a mystical place where underground springs come together and form cold water streams. If you're looking for peace, tranquility, and serenity, this is your spot. Be advised, 300 steps up and 300 steps down, so bring comfortable shoes!
45 locals recommend
Iargo Springs
Right down the road from Lumberman's Monument and trailhead for the Highpoint Trail, Largo Springs is a sight that you have to see. It's a mystical place where underground springs come together and form cold water streams. If you're looking for peace, tranquility, and serenity, this is your spot. Be advised, 300 steps up and 300 steps down, so bring comfortable shoes!
Floating or Paddling the Au Sable River is one of our favorite activities. Oscoda Canoe Rental can set you up with equipment rentals or take you on a prescheduled trip. The trips range from the Whirlpool Launch (6 miles) to the Foote Dam Launch (12 miles).
20 locals recommend
Oscoda Canoe Rental
678 W River RdFloating or Paddling the Au Sable River is one of our favorite activities. Oscoda Canoe Rental can set you up with equipment rentals or take you on a prescheduled trip. The trips range from the Whirlpool Launch (6 miles) to the Foote Dam Launch (12 miles).
Sunnybuns will rent watercraft on an hourly or daily rate and will deliver right to the Cedar Lake public access launch. Be sure to tell them that you are Airbnb Guests of the Cedar Chalet across from Lakewood Shores as the owner is familiar with our property.
8 locals recommend
SunnyBunns
5400 N U.S. 23Sunnybuns will rent watercraft on an hourly or daily rate and will deliver right to the Cedar Lake public access launch. Be sure to tell them that you are Airbnb Guests of the Cedar Chalet across from Lakewood Shores as the owner is familiar with our property.
The AuSable River Queen is the only paddlewheel riverboat of its kind and offers a variety of tours. This unique paddlewheel boat runs into the fall so that you may take in the splendor of the autumn colors. Live music is provided on the AuSable River Queen on weekends and there is a snack bar as well. Two hour round trip on the beautiful AuSable River. Open Memorial Day until mid-October.
20 locals recommend
Ausable River Queen
1775 E River RdThe AuSable River Queen is the only paddlewheel riverboat of its kind and offers a variety of tours. This unique paddlewheel boat runs into the fall so that you may take in the splendor of the autumn colors. Live music is provided on the AuSable River Queen on weekends and there is a snack bar as well. Two hour round trip on the beautiful AuSable River. Open Memorial Day until mid-October.
Cedar Lake
Welcome to Cedar Lake, a long/narrow 1,075 lake that's only 8-10' deep at it's depenst point. Sunrises and sunsets are absolutely captivating, we hope that you enjoy them. If you're looking to fish, you can expect to catch large/smallmouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch, walleye, northern pike, and muskie. Please see linked image for boat ramp location in relation to the house.
Cedar Lake
Welcome to Cedar Lake, a long/narrow 1,075 lake that's only 8-10' deep at it's depenst point. Sunrises and sunsets are absolutely captivating, we hope that you enjoy them. If you're looking to fish, you can expect to catch large/smallmouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch, walleye, northern pike, and muskie. Please see linked image for boat ramp location in relation to the house.
City advice
What to pack
Boats on Site
We have a paddleboat and 4 kayaks (2 adult, 2 child) on site for your use. If you're going to use them, you must return to us a signed liability release waiver. Lifejackets are mandatory while using the boats and dock. To remind guests, we have signs on premises and on the watercraft.
What to pack
Bring Lifejackets
As a courtesy to guests, we purchase lifejackets every year and leave them in the garage. We cannot always promise that we will have the sizes that you require. Our lifejackets tend to walk off as the summer season progresses so we cannot promise that we will have adequate quantities. Guests are responsible for ensuring that all members have proper lifejackets during their stay.
What to pack
Fire Wood
Fire wood is not included with the propertly rental. The owners keep a pile on the side under a tarp, please do not remove any of this wood. Wood can be purchased at most businesses in town or along the sides of many of the roadways.
What to pack
Beach Towels
Unfortunately, beach towels have been hard to keep stocked, so don’t forget the beach towels.