Nestled on crystal-clear blue Elk Lake in Elk Rapids, Michigan, White Birch Lodge is a family-friendly, all-inclusive resort. Family-owned and operated since 1958, vacations at White Birch Lodge are a tradition. Guests return generation after generation to enjoy affordable, care-free vacations in a gorgeous waterfront setting. We feature an incredible watersports program including waterskiing, wakeboarding, and more in a private, safe lakefront setting. Our enthusiastic, energetic college-age staff does ALL the work while you and your family enjoy all that Northern Michigan and Elk Lake have to offer!
White Birch Lodge was fantastic! The resort is the definition of relaxation with beautiful sand beaches surrounded by trees and the crystal clear waters of Elk Lake. The lodge offers many different rooms options to accommodate any guest. The staff are very helpful and the grounds are very well maintained. They even provide free bikes to cruise into town! Very close to excellent restaurants and area activities. They revamped the classic all inclusive experience to ala carte and we stayed for 3 nights. Perfect spot for families, couples, or just getting away for the weekend. Highly recommend!
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Date of stay: July 2020
Cleanliness
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Room Tip:Get a lakeview room or upgrade to a condo!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
When I Googled "Top 10 Family Lake Vacations", I was debating between Minnesota and Michigan (we've never visited or vacationed in either state). I was reminiscing about a roadtrip to visit family in Iowa and Chicago when I was between my 10yo daughter and 7yo son's ages and wanted to recreate the great American Heartland roadtrip for my kids. Plus, my husband is English and the closest he's ever been to a good, old-fashioned roadtrip was watching National Lampoon's Vacation (the original) as a kid. I saw the review for WBL on Trip Advisor that said it was like vacationing on the set of Dirty Dancing (throwback to the 1950s, family-style dining, screened in porches, daytime water sports, evening activities), and I knew I wanted to try it. This was going to be great for all of us.
After my first trip there, I am hooked and already made reservations to bring back three generations of my family next year. Plenty of other resorts have water activities on turquoise lakes, delicious food, and kids programs with fancier accommodation. We're coming back to WBL because it is on the right side of the Haimish Line.
The Haimish Line is a fantastic piece David Brooks from the NY Times wrote in his column about his families' recent vacation, depicting the various places they had visited that summer. His family found that they connected more with other guests and had more fun at the simpler camps than the did at the more private luxury camps: "I know only one word to describe what the simpler camps had and the more luxurious camps lacked: haimish. It’s a Yiddish word that suggests warmth, domesticity and unpretentious conviviality." Brooks went on to describe how his family began avoiding camps that crossed the invisible "Haimish Line" into more posh, stuffy camps that they could afford so they would have more fun at the unpretentious, convivial camps. WBL is the most haimish resort where I have ever spent a week.
Maybe it because WBL is a 3-generation family-owned business since 1958. Maybe it is because the owners have always made their profession out of teaching or instructing sports and a number of their loyal returning guests also seem to have education in common. Maybe it is because the 20-something college kids that run around and staff your visit are without exception the most polite, well-trained, friendly, welcoming staff I have encountered. It's the Midwest turned up to Eleven.
Thank you Conrad Family and WBL Staff. You gave this West Coast family everything I knew we needed, but also something I didn't know we needed in this age of connected devices and high-tech: good old-fashioned, face-to-face connection with wonderful people.
"When we’re shopping for a vacation we’re primarily thinking about Where. The travel companies offer brochures showing private beaches and phenomenal sights. But when you come back from vacation, you primarily treasure the memories of Who — the people you met from faraway places, and the lives you came in contact with."
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Date of stay: August 2015Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
White Birch Lodge (WBL) is an amazing family vacation experience, like no other! We take other vacations (in addition to our annual trip to WBL) and we own our own lake house...No other place compares to being at WBL.
Although the accommodations are very rustic (think of the movie "Dirty Dancing"), they actually add to the charm. You don't go to WBL to feel fancy...YOU GO TO RELAX! There are no TVs in the rooms and the kids forget that they own electronics (so do the adults). Instead, the kids are beyond excited to go to the planned kids activities or to learn how to water ski/wakeboard. They try paddle boarding or kayaking while the adults are sitting on the beach reading, playing tennis or just taking a nap.
The staff is amazing and is made up of mostly college-aged kids who grew up vacationing at WBL. They know how magical the place was for them and work with great attention to make sure that everyone (young and old) has the same experience. The guests typically vacation the same week each year and since you can't just try WBL once, they usually end up coming every year for generations.
The meals are all served family style and are served each day at 9:00, 1:00 and 6:00. Instead of haggling with the rest of the family about when we are going to eat, where we are going to go, how we are going to get there, what we are going to wear, etc. (like other vacations), we roll off the beach, find our flip flops and stroll up to our table. No hassle, no mess, nothing to think about!
We were talked into trying WBL (when our oldest child was just an infant) by a friend who grew up going there for their annual family vacation. We had NO INTENTION of our first trip to WBL to be anything other than a one time vacation to Northern Michigan...Fast forward 15 years and we haven't missed a year. Our kids look forward to this vacation more than they do every other vacation and holliday combined (including Christmas and their birthday). Most kids have a countdown clock to Christmas; every year when we leave, there isn't a dry eye in the car and our kids start the countdown clock to the next year @ WBL, with holidays coming and going in between.
I will always owe a debt of gratitude to the Conrad Family (who have become friends) for the memories that their resort has given us. They could sell their land for millions and walk away. Instead - the third generation of Conrads (Mike) is now running the resort and works incredibly hard to make a decent living so the rest of us can make the best family memories of our lives!
On the way up this year, my 12 year old said "Dad - We aren't really going on a vacation; we're kind of just going home." She is right!
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Date of stay: June 2015
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I stayed at the White Birch Lodge over Labor Day 2024. The setting is idyllic! Reservations were easy, it was easy to find and the lodge was pretty much as expected for an Up North lodge. The lady who checked us in was SO kind. She offered us a tour of the facilities and walked us to our room. The room was quiet and dated but again was pretty much as expected for the setting. We stayed in the main building with a room that had a great view of the lake. We walked by the Rustic Cabins and while we never went in them, they do appear to be rustic. Down the lakefront there were newer buildings and we did go in one of these and I think they would be quite nice experience. My rating is based largely on the “surprise” $150 charge I got on my bill. My room was not air conditioned but they advertised that window units were available on request. I did not see that they charge $150 for the use of the air conditioner. This charge, while not a bank breaker, really soured an otherwise good stay
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Date of stay: September 2024Trip type: Traveled with friends
Room Tip:Make sure you ask about hidden charges
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My family and our friends families visited White Birtch Lodge in August . It’s is very nice camping place , clean , staff very nice and helpful. The only thing couple of our friends had very old rooms, not updated at all , style 1930’s. Not all units have air conditioning, very disappointed. No one notified us about those things ,we found out at the arrival day. AC is needed because of the humidity and the rooms are getting hot . Other then that very nice place to relax at the camping style . Access to beach , spot and parking to keep your boat which is great.
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Date of stay: August 2020Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Mike Conrad, General Manager at White Birch Lodge
Responded Oct 30, 2020
We apologize that your experience didn't exactly match your expectations. We do our best to represent our accommodations accurately on our website and via correspondence. We offer a large variety of rooms at our unique property. Our main lodge is a historical building originally constructed in the 1890s. All rooms have been updated frequently through the years with an intention to maintain the classic character that most of our guests find very charming. Accommodations range from rustic simplicity to modern luxury. Northern Michigan summers are typically very pleasant and cool enough that air conditioning is not a necessity. A cool evening breeze off beautiful Elk Lake usually provides comfortable sleeping weather. During hotter times, we offer air conditioning as an additional amenity that can be added upon request. Our condominiums all feature permanent air conditioning. Availability of air conditioning was clearly communicated and is documented in extensive email correspondence with this guest. Unfortunately there was still some confusion. Rooms with more amenities were available and were offered as well. Photos of all rooms are displayed clearly on our lodging web page. White Birch Lodge has 5-star ratings across all online travel review platforms, as well as a 62-year history of highly satisfied customers. We are a small family owned business that strives endlessly to provide a unique, relaxing, and fun experience.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This is our second summer at WBL and once again, we've had an amazing vacation! This may seem surprising, because our first full day here included the worst storm this area has seen in recorded history. We were without electricity until Tuesday evening, but that didn't stop the Conrad family and WBL staff from providing outstanding service. They got a generator in and never a meal was missed. By Monday evening most of the downed trees and all the debris was cleaned up. Every staff member greated guests with a smile and asked if there was anything he or she could do. Activities went on and everyone had a great time.
This is a beautiful place. The lake is amazing. It is an ideal place to relax and put aside the hustle and bustle of the world. The guests are friendly and our children enjoy meeting other children, the lake and all the activities.
I have food allergies and it is difficult to eat when I am away from home. Here, everyone on staff is very aware of the what is in the food. If they don't know, they are quick to find out. Special food has been made so that I can eat. It is wonderful to be able to eat away from home and not do the cooking.
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Date of stay: August 2015
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is our second stay at WBL and all comments in my review from last year still hold true. I wanted to write another review to give BIG kudos to the owners and staff for how well they handled the power outage this week. Major storms blew through the area on Sunday, knocking down many trees and leaving over 100,000 people without power including WBL. Immediately steps were taken to clear the downed trees and power lines, and to provide services for all the guests here. A generator was brought in to keep the kitchen going so there was never an interruption in meal service, and we were amazed at how quickly the mess was cleaned up. Clearly the owners have no control over the weather and how fast the power is restored, and the hard work of everyone on staff minimized the inconvenience and made the whole event a bit of an adventure. This type of thing can ruin a vacation, but thanks to great management, it was hardly a blip in our week. Well done!
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Date of stay: August 2015Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My family and I have stayed at WBL three times now and are looking at going back this year. For families with younger kids White Birch Lodge is great. The kids program in the morning, the movie in the afternoon, etc. takes them off your hands and the parents can relax.
The property is also great - I like the central 'park' area as it's quite peaceful. The buildings are aging and are not the most current designs and for those expecting the latest n' greatest, you'll have to look elsewhere. I will say that I wish the beds/linens were nicer.
We have some great memories from WBL and hope to make more. Come up and see Rick, Karen and Mike for some waterskiing and good times.
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Date of stay: July 2014
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What an awesome week with our family. White Birch Lodge staff and owners continue their 'magic': gorgeous comfortable venue, excellent food, great programs for our kids, safe beaches and water activities for the whole family, evening campfires by the lake, and so much more. The warm, clear azure-colored waters of Elk Lake were so inviting during a week of sunshine and the summer warmth of Northern Michigan. There are people here this week from all over the United States...and beyond...who've chosen White Birch Lodge for their family vacation. No wonder this is the Sine Qua Non of American Plan resorts that guests like us are drawn to return to year after year. The Conrad family who own the lodge, and the wonderfully caring staff who shepherd new guests from week to week, are beyond extraordinary; we'd like to adopt them all. I do know our kids practically cry when we reach the end of our week and have to leave. I think we've already made enough memories in the space of only a few days to keep us warm for the entire winter. And the week isn't over yet! God bless White Birch Lodge.
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Date of stay: July 2015Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We visited WBL for the first time this year. I had experienced resort-style vacations with my family growing up. These types of vacations were always our favorite, but I didn't think places like this existed anymore. While searching the internet to see if I could find something similar, WBL kept popping up, and always had stellar reviews. So my family of 5 decided to try it out. (We have 3 boys ages 11, 9, and 7.) Needless to say, we fell in love with the place. It is just like the old school family resorts of the past, but WBL is situated on the most beautiful spot on the most beautiful Elk Lake! The water is crystal clear, and so BLUE. My boys learned how to ski and wake board. They have tons of fun stuff to do on the beach...stand up paddle board, sail (and lessons!), kayak, or just play on the rafts. My kids all met friends their ages, and really had a great time. We all thought the food was good. Not 5 star, but better than what we expected! Always lots of fresh fruit and veggies, and the best for the kids was dessert with lunch and dinner. Yay! Our family stayed in one of the condos. It was plenty large enough for our family and had laundry in the unit. The condos are the most expensive of all the units, and was really a splurge for us. I would prefer to stay in one of the less expensive units, but not sure how we would manage without a dryer. I wish that WBL would have a small laundry room with a few coin operated machines. I think the guests would greatly appreciate that. Anyway, the best part of the whole trip was undoubtedly the service. The Conrad Family is so welcoming, and really go out of their way to make your stay enjoyable and fun. I really have to say, that without a doubt what made this trip as memorable as it was - was the group of college age staffers that are the backbone of WBL. I don't know where they find these kids, but they are the happiest, hardest working kids I have met in a long time. Each week their jobs rotate from kitchen staff, wait staff, and water sports, etc. It is obvious how much they love their summer jobs. While it would certainly be great spending the summer at such a beautiful place in Northern Michigan - the job comes with a lot of hard work. Despite that, everyone of them always had a smile on their face, and literally jumped at the chance to help you. This group of staffers were such good role models for all the kids staying at the lodge. Natalie, our server was super cheerful, and would make it a point to talk to all the kids at our table. She was always so excited to hear of all the progress our boys were making skiing and wake boarding. She would offer them tips as well, as she was an expert skier herself! (Top of the pyramid in the ski show) Speaking of the ski show, check it out on WBL facebook page. The video really does a great job capturing the magic of WBL while also showcasing the very awesome and entertaining ski show. My boys were in awe of Mike Conrad's ski skills! Can't say enough great things about White Birch. We had the best vacation! Of course the kids want to go back again and again. Thank you WBL for a great week!
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Date of stay: July 2014
Value
Service
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
"If you do not need a kitchen, forgo the kitchen option. There are very quaint cottages with screened in porches, which I envied all vacation long. Opt for these if possible!"
There are more places to choose from in the Elk Rapids area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
white birch hotel elk rapids
LOCATION
United StatesMichiganAntrim CountyElk Rapids
NUMBER OF ROOMS
43
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Frequently Asked Questions about White Birch Lodge
Which popular attractions are close to White Birch Lodge?
Nearby attractions include Walk Of Art At The Elk Rapids Day Park (1.2 miles), Guntzviller's Spirit of the Woods Museum (1.6 miles), and Rennie Orchards (2.7 miles).
