A cabin with its own acreage offers a different kind of ownership experience from a home on a compact residential lot. The attraction is often the combination of indoor shelter, outdoor space, and access to recreation. At 1879 Cherry Creek Trl, Grayling, Michigan 49738, a log-sided cabin listed for $97,500 brings those elements together with a five-acre parcel, a spacious yard, a deck, and a fire pit.
According to the supplied listing, the property includes one bedroom, one full bathroom, and 1,163 square feet of interior living space. Built in 1958, it is classified as a single-family residence and described as an excellent hunting camp. The listing also highlights proximity to state land, Big Creek area trails, and the AuSable River.
Several practical features support its appeal as a recreational retreat. The cabin has a wall furnace and wood stove, a garage, a septic system, and included appliances. Recent improvements mentioned in the description include new roof shingles and underground electrical installation. Together, these details make the property worth examining for buyers seeking a cabin with room to spend time outdoors.
The opportunity is best understood by looking at both its setting and its ownership requirements. Acreage, an older structure, cash purchase terms, and a maintained dirt road all influence how a buyer might use the property and what should be reviewed before purchasing.
Property Overview
The supplied listing provides the following key details:
- Address: 1879 Cherry Creek Trl, Grayling, MI 49738
- Listed price: $97,500
- Property type: Single-family residence
- Architectural style: Cabin
- Year built: 1958
- Bedrooms: 1
- Bathrooms: 1 full bathroom
- Interior living area: 1,163 square feet
- Lot size: 5 acres
- Listed lot dimensions: 330 by 660 feet
- Heating: Wall furnace and wood stove
- Parking: Garage
- Foundation: Crawl space
- Sewer: Septic tank
- Road surface: Dirt, maintained
- Listing terms: Cash
- Listed annual property taxes: $972
These specifications describe a relatively modest cabin on a substantial parcel. For buyers who value the land as much as the building, that balance may be one of the property’s most appealing qualities.
Five Acres for Outdoor Enjoyment
The five-acre lot is central to the property’s character. A cabin can provide a comfortable place to stay, but the surrounding land determines much of the outdoor experience. Here, the listing describes a natural lot and a spacious yard, suggesting a setting where the grounds remain an important part of everyday use.
The stated dimensions of 330 by 660 feet give buyers a useful starting point for understanding the parcel’s scale. However, dimensions in a listing should be checked against a survey or other reliable boundary documentation. Knowing exactly where the property begins and ends matters when planning improvements, maintaining trails, identifying neighboring land, or considering recreational activities.
The acreage may appeal to someone who wants space for quiet walks, outdoor seating, or a more secluded cabin routine. The actual suitability of any particular use depends on terrain, vegetation, boundaries, and local requirements. Five acres should not automatically be interpreted as fully cleared, fully usable, or approved for additional construction.
For a prospective buyer, walking the parcel could be just as valuable as touring the cabin. That visit can reveal how the yard connects to the remaining land, where water collects, and how much ongoing maintenance the property might require.
A Log-Sided Exterior with Cabin Character
The listing identifies the home as a log-sided cabin. That exterior treatment helps establish the rustic appearance many buyers associate with a recreational retreat. It can make the building feel connected to its natural surroundings while giving it a distinct identity compared with more conventional residential siding.
Log siding should be distinguished from full structural log construction. The description confirms the exterior finish, but it does not establish that the walls are built entirely from solid logs. Buyers interested in the building’s construction should ask for clarification and inspect the underlying structure where accessible.
Exterior maintenance is also an important part of the ownership picture. A close examination should consider the condition of the finish, joints, trim, and areas exposed to splashback or persistent shade. The bottoms of exterior walls, window surrounds, and connections near the deck deserve particular attention.
Preserving the cabin’s appearance may involve periodic cleaning, staining, sealing, or localized repairs, depending on the material and its condition. Understanding those needs before purchase helps a buyer develop a realistic maintenance plan.
One Bedroom and 1,163 Square Feet of Living Space
With 1,163 square feet and one bedroom, the cabin offers a layout that should be evaluated by its actual room arrangement rather than bedroom count alone. The listed floor area gives buyers a useful measure of size, but it does not show how that space is divided among living, cooking, sleeping, and utility areas.
A one-bedroom configuration could suit an individual or couple looking for a personal retreat. It may also interest buyers who prefer a simpler interior with fewer separate rooms to maintain. For anyone planning frequent visits with friends or family, the available sleeping arrangements require closer consideration.
The listing does not confirm additional bedrooms or approved sleeping spaces. Buyers should avoid assuming that a living room, enclosed porch, or other area can function as a legal bedroom without checking relevant requirements.
During a viewing, useful questions include whether the living area accommodates comfortable seating, whether the kitchen has adequate storage, and how easily the bathroom can be accessed. Room dimensions, ceiling heights, natural light, and circulation can all affect how spacious the cabin feels in practice.
A 12-by-16-Foot Deck Connecting the Cabin to the Yard
The property description highlights a 12-by-16-foot deck that opens onto the spacious yard. At approximately 192 square feet, the deck adds a meaningful outdoor area beside the cabin.
A deck of this size could accommodate a small dining arrangement or several chairs, depending on its shape and access points. Its value comes from making outdoor time convenient. Instead of treating the yard as a separate destination, owners can step outside for coffee, a meal, or a quiet evening close to the house.
The condition of the deck remains important. Buyers should inspect its supporting structure, attachment to the cabin, decking boards, stairs, and any railings. Areas that retain moisture or sit close to the ground may need particular attention.
A well-maintained deck can become one of the most frequently used parts of a cabin property. Evaluating it carefully helps establish whether it is ready for regular use or whether repairs should be included in the initial ownership budget.
A Spacious Yard and Fire Pit
The spacious yard and fire pit give the property an inviting outdoor focus. These features support the idea of a retreat where time outside is part of the experience, whether that means a relaxed afternoon on the grounds or an evening gathering near the cabin.
A fire pit can create a natural meeting place without requiring an elaborate outdoor installation. Seating, a suitable surface, and a clear area around the pit may be enough to make it useful. Its exact placement and condition should still be reviewed during a visit.
Owners should check applicable burning rules and any temporary restrictions before using it. Clearance from the cabin, trees, stored firewood, and other combustible materials also matters.
The yard itself should be assessed for drainage and upkeep. Buyers may want to understand how much mowing is needed, whether trees require attention, and where seasonal debris tends to accumulate. A natural setting can be attractive, but it still benefits from routine care.
Close to State Land, Trails, and the AuSable River
The supplied description places the cabin close to state land, Big Creek area trails, and the AuSable River. That proximity is a major part of the listing’s recreational appeal.
For a buyer seeking a base for outdoor trips, nearby destinations can expand the usefulness of the property beyond its own five acres. A cabin may serve as a place to prepare for the day, store suitable equipment, and return to afterward.
However, the listing does not provide exact distances, access routes, or travel times. Prospective buyers should confirm where the relevant trail entrances, public land access points, and river access locations are situated. They should also review the rules governing the activities they intend to pursue.
The property’s frontage is listed as none. It should therefore be understood as a cabin near the AuSable River rather than a riverfront property. Buyers looking specifically for direct water access should verify the location carefully and avoid assuming that proximity includes private access rights.
Potential as a Hunting Camp
The listing describes the property as an excellent hunting camp. Its cabin, acreage, heating sources, and proximity to state land help explain that positioning.
A dedicated camp can provide a consistent place to stay during recreational trips. It may offer more convenience than arranging accommodation for each visit, particularly for buyers who return to the same area regularly.
Still, the description should not be treated as confirmation that every part of the parcel is suitable for hunting. Property boundaries, nearby structures, local rules, and activity-specific requirements need to be understood before use. Access to nearby state land also depends on the particular location and applicable regulations.
Buyers should think about practical camp needs as well. Those might include secure equipment storage, drying wet clothing, managing muddy footwear, and keeping the cabin usable during colder weather. A viewing can help establish how effectively the existing layout supports that routine.
Wall Furnace and Wood Stove Heating
The cabin’s listed heating systems are a wall furnace and wood stove. These are important features for anyone considering use beyond warm-weather weekends.
The wall furnace should be checked for its fuel source, age, condition, and service history. The listing does not specify those details. Buyers should also ask how effectively it heats the entire interior and whether there are areas that remain noticeably cooler.
The wood stove adds another heating option and contributes to the cabin atmosphere. Its safety and condition require careful review, including the stove, venting, chimney, surrounding clearances, and hearth.
A qualified inspection can help identify maintenance or repairs before regular use. Buyers should also consider how firewood will be obtained and stored. Heating costs and convenience depend on the building’s insulation, draft control, equipment condition, and intended occupancy pattern.
Newly Shingled Roof and Underground Electrical Installation
Two improvements highlighted in the listing are the newly shingled roof and installed underground electric. Both deserve attention because they relate to important building systems.
A roof protects the structure from moisture, so recent shingle work is a useful detail. Buyers should ask when the work occurred, what it included, and whether documentation or warranty information is available. New shingles do not by themselves establish the condition of roof decking, flashing, ventilation, or every underlying component.
Similarly, underground electrical installation should be examined in context. The description does not specify whether the project involved the service line, additional circuits, or other work.
A review of the electrical panel, wiring, outlets, and available capacity can help buyers understand the system’s present condition. Relevant records and permits, where applicable, can provide further clarity about the improvements described.
Garage and Included Appliances
Garage parking is listed among the property’s features. For a cabin, garage space can be useful for sheltering a vehicle, storing tools, or organizing recreational equipment.
The supplied information does not establish the garage’s size, configuration, or whether it is attached to the cabin. Buyers should verify those details and examine the roof, doors, floor, and any electrical service.
Included appliances are a washer, range or oven, and refrigerator. Their presence supports basic day-to-day use, although inclusion does not establish their age or working condition.
During a tour or inspection, it is sensible to confirm which appliances transfer with the sale and whether they operate as expected. This can help a buyer estimate immediate setup costs more accurately and avoid relying on items that may require replacement.
Crawl-Space Foundation and Septic System
The cabin is listed as having a crawl-space foundation and septic tank. Both systems deserve close review because issues may be difficult to recognize during a casual walkthrough.
A crawl-space inspection can identify moisture, ventilation concerns, insulation conditions, and visible structural problems. Buyers should also look for signs that drainage around the building directs water toward the foundation.
For the septic system, useful records include available information about installation, pumping, maintenance, and past repairs. The location of the tank and disposal area should be understood before planning landscaping or other improvements.
The supplied listing does not identify the water source. Buyers should confirm how water is supplied and arrange appropriate checks based on the system present. Understanding both water and wastewater arrangements is essential when evaluating how the cabin can be used.
Maintained Dirt Road Access
The road surface is described as dirt and maintained. This detail fits the property’s cabin setting, but buyers should investigate what maintenance includes and who is responsible for it.
Relevant questions include whether the road is public or private, whether access rights are documented, and how snow removal or repairs are handled. Any shared costs should also be clarified.
A visit can help reveal the road’s condition, but conditions may vary by season. Buyers planning regular winter use should pay particular attention to access during snow, ice, or periods of soft ground.
Reliable access influences more than convenience. It affects deliveries, service appointments, property maintenance, and the overall practicality of using the cabin throughout the year.
Asking Price, Taxes, and Ownership Budget
At the supplied asking price of $97,500, the property is listed at approximately $84 per square foot. That calculation describes the relationship between price and interior area, but it does not separately account for the five acres, garage, outdoor features, or building condition.
The listing reports annual property taxes of $972. Buyers should verify that amount with the appropriate local office and ask how a transfer of ownership could affect future taxes.
The advertised monthly payment estimate of $709 should not be treated as a guaranteed financing offer or a complete ownership budget. The listing specifies cash terms, which buyers should clarify directly with the listing representative.
A practical budget should account for insurance, utilities, heating, septic maintenance, exterior care, road-related costs if applicable, and a reserve for repairs. For an older cabin, understanding those ongoing expenses is as important as assessing the purchase price.
A Cabin Worth Evaluating for Its Land and Recreational Setting
1879 Cherry Creek Trl combines a log-sided exterior, 1,163 square feet of living space, and five acres in a property presented as a recreational retreat. The deck, spacious yard, and fire pit give outdoor living a clear role, while the garage and included appliances add practical utility.
The reported roof and electrical improvements are useful starting points for further review. The heating systems, crawl space, septic arrangements, water supply, and road access should all be evaluated in relation to the buyer’s intended use.
For someone seeking a personal cabin or hunting-camp base near the outdoor destinations identified in the listing, this property offers several features worth exploring. Its strongest appeal lies in the combination of a usable indoor retreat and room outside to enjoy the setting.
A careful tour, appropriate inspections, and confirmation of the supplied details can help a buyer decide whether the cabin fits their plans and ownership budget.
