Our Location
Timberdoodle Lodge is located four miles east of Highway US 41, approximately halfway between Escanaba and Marquette in Michigan's Upper Peninsula — 16 miles north of Lake Michigan and 17 miles south of Lake Superior. This puts us at the geometric center of the UP: north, south, east, and west, every corner of the peninsula is within reach.
The lodge sits on more than 1000 acres of private property, bordered by thousands more acres of Michigan state forest. The west branch of the Whitefish River flows through a large portion of our land, feeding native brook trout, drawing deer and bear to our ridges, and giving us one of the quietest, most beautiful backyards in the Midwest.
Our History
The Anderson Family built Timberdoodle in 2002 as a destination lodge for extended families, hunting parties, and groups of friends who wanted more than a motel room. In the two decades since, Timberdoodle has hosted thousands of stays — honeymoons, elk-season deer camps, 50th-anniversary gatherings, writers' retreats, three-generation summer vacations, and more weddings than we can count.
Many of our guests have become friends. Several come every year, booking the same week the day after they leave. We take that as the highest compliment.
Our Approach
We're a working lodge — not a cookie-cutter resort. That means every booking is personal. We ask what you're hoping for, we tell you what we think will make the trip best, and we adjust everything we can to make it happen. Hunting group needs an early breakfast at 4:30 AM before the stand? Done. Wedding party wants s'mores at midnight after reception? We'll have the fire going.
The property is maintained year-round by a small, dedicated team. Many of them have been with Timberdoodle for a decade or more. They know the woods, the river, the weather, and the regulars. If you need advice on where the fish are biting or which trail to take, ask them first.
"We came here for a wedding, loved it, and now we come every year with our kids. This place feels like home — just with a thousand acres of yard." — The Petersen Family, Minneapolis
What's On the Property
- 10-bedroom main lodge sleeping 16+ with convertible options
- Fully equipped commercial kitchen
- 900 sq ft great room with pool table and stone fireplace
- Outdoor fire pit with surround seating
- Traditional UP sauna
- Groomed hiking, cross-country, and snowshoe trails
- On-site target range (rifle, shotgun, pistol, archery)
- Access to Whitefish River for fishing
- Snowmobile trail connections right from the back door
- Wedding ceremony sites and reception space for up to 60