No.  Thanks to the generosity of veterans, veteran organizations, and caring business and individuals throughout Michigan and neighboring states, donations cover expenses, except food for your consumption.  To keep this fine facility going, you can opt to become a donOr and make a donation as well.  However, if you choose to take part in any off-site recreational activities, you may be subject to regular fees charged by those providers.

In order to stay at Wilwin Lodge please click on the link and fill out the RESERVATION APPLICATION.  The caretaker/manager will update the calendar confirming your application.

To make a reservation at Wilwin Lodge, please fill out our RESERVATION REQUEST  form. Once submitted, our team will review your request.  The caretaker/manager will update the calendar confirming your application.

Check out time is 10:00 A.M.  Check in time is 3:00 P.M. or later on the day of arrival.   Other arrangements may be made between you and the caretaker/manager depending on availability. 

To accommodate as many veterans and their immediate families as possible, each veteran is limited to one stay per household per calendar year. Special circumstances can be discussed with the caretaker/manager during your initial visit. Reservations open annually on February 1st at 12 noon.

Depending on the time of the year of your visit you may want to check out our PACKING LIST reccomendations.

No.  Fresh linens and towels are provided. 

Guests are responsible for providing their own food during their stay.

Each cabin/apartment is equipped with a full kitchen inclusive of all cooking utensils, dishes, silverware, coffee pot, toaster, refrigerator/freezer, stove, and TV with DVD player.

Only Certified Service Dogs are allowed.  The Service Dog must remain on a leash at all times and must wear a Service Vest at all times.  A Service Dog cannot be left unattended at any time and must be with the owner of which the dog provides the service.  Please carry waste bags with you and pick up after your pet.  No other pets, including emotional support animals, are allowed.

Yes, by all means we encourage you to bring your immediately dependent household family.  If you, as a veteran, want to enjoy the peace and quiet of Wilwin in solitude, discuss this with the caretaker/manager at the time of your application.

Wilwin is home to a 65 acre, sand-bottom, spring-fed lake with a sandy swimming beach on the north side adjacent to the main buildings.  A boat dock offers fishing from the dock, or a pontoon and row boat is available to take onto the lake.  Kayaking, canoeing, and rafting are also available and are a favorite pastime for many of the veterans.  Since the lake is considered an eco-friendly lake, all boating equipment is available on site.  No outside boats are allowed on the lake.  Bass, perch, bluegill, and northern pike are common to the lake.

The beach offers swimming, but no diving.  A handicapped accessible boathouse is nearby with a changing room, and toilet.   It also has a room for small gatherings or parties.

A children’s playground is available nearby with a sand box, swings and slides.

1183 acres have over 15 miles of trails for hiking, bicycling, or riding around on golf carts.  Golf carts are available on the premises.  Some trails are ruff, so please use caution and drive responsibly.

Picnic tables, benches, and campfire rings are available on the property.

A neighboring deer sanctuary can be observed from Wilwin as a place of solace and enlightenment.  The sanctuary is located within 500 feet of the main buildings on the property’s north side and extends over ½ mile.

Medically scheduled therapeutic activities are available only through your licensed psychologist, psychiatrist, or physician, and can include equine and canine therapy, meditation, and any other prescribed treatments.   Equine and canine therapy is administered by nationally certified equine and canine therapists in the presents of medical personnel in the treatment of PTSD and TBI.  When these groups are scheduled, no other veterans will be scheduled at Wilwin.

The Pere Marquette River, located just a few miles north, is a nationally recognized river for rafting, kayaking, canoeing, boating and trout fishing.  Bring your own equipment if you plan such an outing.

Mason County is home to three golf courses and several wineries operate in the area.  Bring your own equipment.

Ludington is nationally known for being the number one salmon area on Lake Michigan.  Charter boats are available during season at several locations.  Reservations are required.

High sand dunes are located near Ludington.   North Breakwater and Big Sable Point light houses are on nearby Lake Michigan.

The Little River Resort and Casino is located a few miles north of Manistee, and approximately  35 miles to the north of Wilwin.

A complete list of these and other outside activities will be given to you on request during your stay.

Firearms are not permitted on the property.  The facility houses PTSD and TBI veterans on a regular basis and respect is given for their privacy and peace from unnecessary noises.

Hunting is not permitted on the facility; however, the facility is surrounded by State and Federal Forest land on three sides.  Deer, turkey, upland birds, small game, ducks, geese and eagles abound on and around the property.  

Management has the right to modify policies of property use at any time.

Quiet hours are imposed at the facility and are from 11 P.M. to 8:00 A.M.

Reminder, Only Certified Service Dogs that preform a task for the Veteran are allowed on property.

There are several sleeping/living areas.  The main house has four bedrooms, three full bathrooms, an outside enclosed deck overlooking the lake along with a handicapped entrance.

The handicapped apartment is 100% ADA compliant designed for an individual or couple.

The loft apartment above the handicapped apartment has 2 bedrooms and a side bed and can sleep up to 5 or more people.

Veterans Village has 5 cabins. Four of these cabins can sleep 4 to 5. The cabins have two bedrooms, 1 queen and 2 twins, a couch that pulls out into a bed, a stove, fridge, microwave, and coffee pot.  The fifth cabin in 100% ADA compliant and has one bedroom.

Yes, arrangements need to be made with the caretaker/manager prior to arrival.  A special location for campers and motor homes is available just inside the third gate. This location is considered a rustic area and no services are available at this time.   Depending on current usage of the facilities and on rare occasions, the caretaker/manager may allow campers near the main buildings.

No.  Due to liability, only vehicles supplied by Wilwin will be allowed for use on the property. All trails are easily accessible by the vehicles that are at Wilwin and are there for your enjoyment.  Please drive as if you own the vehicle, trails can be ruff and maintenance costs are high.

The address of Wilwin is 3383 E. Hawley Rd., Custer, Michigan 49405.  Wilwin is located approximately 15 miles southeast of Ludington, in Mason County, Michigan.  From the east, take US-10 west from Bay City, Clare, Reed City and Baldwin to Custer.  Turn left (south) at the yellow light in Custer onto S. Custer Rd., approximately 5 miles to Hawley Rd.  Turn left (east) on Hawley Rd., and go approximately 1 3/4 miles to address.  From the West, take US-10 to the yellow light in Custer, turn right onto S. Custer Rd.  Go approximately 5 miles to Hawley Rd., turn left and go approximately 1 3/4 mile to address.  A Wilwin sign is on your right just before Hawley Road.