On our amazing road trip to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan we had a stop to Munising on our itinerary. We had not stayed in Munising before, so we were excited to book a stay at Buckhorn Resort.
Located about 10 miles south of Munising, away from the hustle and touristy bustle of the city, Buckhorn Resort is a hidden gem that really took our breath away. Getting there was a bit of a challenge because our vehicle’s On Star wanted us to take seasonal roads instead of main roads – luckily we were able to phone for directions. As it turns out, we were one turn away from the main road; apparently this happens to many guests of Buckhorn Resort! If you go, be sure to follow our directions below.
Pulling in we were happy to see that not only was there the 20 unit motel but a full restaurant and bar as well; it had been a long morning and we were hungry for lunch. There are also cabins for rent.
The location of Buckhorn Resort is simply stunning; nestled in the Hiawatha National Forest and within minutes of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Woods, wildlife and nature’s beauty abound. Oh, and did we mention it is set on the shore of Lake Hovey? Seriously amazing views, peaceful setting and delightful owners that are focused on customer satisfaction.
The motel rooms were very, very clean with ample amenities including a fridge, microwave, flat screen TV (that included cable channels so we could watch our Detroit Tigers!), outdoor seating so you can enjoy the northern splendor and a free continental breakfast. Honestly we do not customarily stay at motels, so we were not sure what to expect. We were pleased to see that the hotel building has had many improvements and while some of the decor has yet to be updated, the total experience of staying at the Buckhorn Resort far out weighs the dated room decor. It is clean, quiet and we’d stay again in a heartbeat.
The first day of our stay after checking in we went to the bar and had a snack and a drink.
The waitstaff was very friendly and there were many travelers and locals enjoying a drink and lunch that day. Our appetizer was a combo basket and it hit the spot. They have pub chips, which are like home made potato chips; they are delish! Within sitting at the bar for 15 minutes we spotted 2 deer on the shores of Lake Hovey, strolling around.
The view of Lake Hovey, from the bar/restaurant of Buckhorn Resort.
The breakfast in the morning was just what we needed to kick the day off with a bang. There is a separate room for breakfast and it included english muffins, bagels, fresh fruit, cereal, coffee and juice.
You can also sit at a table in the main dining area, which we took advantage of! Who wouldn’t want to look out these marvelous large windows while dining? Both mornings we had 3 hummingbirds flying around the resort’s bird feeders which was perfect morning entertainment.
We spent a full day exploring area waterfalls and checking out scenic stop off points near Munising. The location of Buckhorn Resort makes for very easy and convenient travel to area attractions.
We were thrilled to return to the resort on our second night for dinner. The restaurant serves food from 11am – 9pm, and it was still very busy when we arrived back around 8pm.
You can view the online menu here. Jim and I had a craving for a burger so I ordered the Buckhorn burger and Jim ordered the Mustang burger.
Look how yummy they looked!
Buckhorn Burger
Mustang burger
And the taste? Seriously this is the best burger I have had in years and years. It is smothered in Fromage bleu cheese and comes with bacon. It was amazing!
Jim raved about his burger as well. We heard many patrons ordering fish dinners, which we were told are always very popular because the fish is locally supplied.
Buckhorn Resort is open all year round, and because it is on the doorstep of groomed trail #7 of the Hiawatha National Forest it has become a favorite of the snowmobile community. The resort has earned several awards including the “Best Trailside Pitstop in North America” by Snowgoer Magazine.
We were lucky enough to meet the owners, Ben & Karla. They are very kind and caring hands-on owners; every time we were at the resort we saw one of them working. In speaking with them they shared that they had dreamed of owning a resort like this for many years. When they took over the resort in 2012, along with their four children, they realized a lifelong dream come true. With the passion they show towards this magnificent property, we know this hidden gem is going to delight guests for years to come.
Headed to the Munising area? Stay at the Buckhorn Resort. You can also find Buckhorn Resort on Facebook.
Directions to Buckhorn Resort:
Take H58 West to 94West (towards Chatham). Turn left at Buckhorn Road (watch for the sign).
Follow Buckhorn Road for about 3 miles; the resort will be on your right.
The Clever Couple was supplied with one evening’s lodging in exchange for their honest review of the property. We loved it so much, we gladly paid for a second night.
