About Us

In 1889, Dr. Arpad Barothy, a Hungarian immigrant and neurosurgeon, purchased 80 acres of land along the Pere Marquette River, twenty miles east of Lake Michigan.  Though his medical practice was in Chicago, Arpad opened a health retreat, offering ‘healing mineral waters in a recuperative setting’ at a time when city dwellers were finding their way north in greater numbers for recreation and relief.

In 1915 the doctor had the farmhouse remodeled into the building now known as Main Lodge. It was completed with six bedrooms, a large dining area and a restaurant kitchen.  A tavern, (Duffy’s), stable, and twenty-two bedrooms were added, (Long Lodge).

Today, Barothy Lodge is a twenty-first-century, year-round wilderness getaway.  Much has changed and much has remained the same.  More than a hundred years after the first guests drove the dirt roads or took the long train ride to the north woods, folks still come to Barothy Lodge to be in nature with friends and family, away from the distractions and stress of everyday life.

Barothy no longer operates bed-and-breakfast style.  Every lodge, from 1-bedroom Log Cabin to 9-bedroom Whitetail Lodge, has its own kitchen, fireplace, deck, and other amenities.  Most lodges have a pool table, hot tub, washer and dryer. See Lodges page

Barothy Lodge now encompasses 300 wilderness acres in the heart of the Manistee National Forest.  The Wild and Scenic Pere Marquette River winds 7 river-miles from Barothy’s upriver boundary to its downriver boundary.  Deep glacial sands feed the watershed with cool, clear water, creating a blue-ribbon fishery, a smooth flowing river for canoeists and other paddlers, and a haven for wildlife.

Sited along the river, are fifteen private lodges with walking access to:   swimming pool,  fire pit,  hiking and skiing trails,  tennis courts,  sand volleyball courts, children’s playground,  fishing ponds,  wetland preserves,  shuffleboard,  climbing wall,  horseshoes,  and a 1/2 court basketball pad.  Tube and watercraft rental for groups large and small available from Baldwin Canoe 231 745 4669 (See Map of Grounds)

The lodges have no televisions or telephones.  All have great deck views.

Main Lodge and adjoining Event Hall can be rented for receptions, catered meetings, yoga retreats, and other gatherings.  See Event Hall.

Main Lodge is also available to rent without a planned event in the hall.