This is a hidden gem! We typically stay at chain hotels for convenience, but we wanted something that was more of a destination so we could explore the area. The Black River Falls are not too far away... a few minutes by car to get to the hiking trails. This place is charming. Our room was clean, the owners are the staff and they were very nice. We had a drink in the tavern and enjoyed the ambiance and the conversation. We had dinner before we arrived, but someone ordered a pizza at the bar and it looked and smelled delicious (plus the diners said it was very good). There are several options of rooms. Be aware, there is no elevator so you'll have to carry luggage up the stairs. We had a room on the upper floor with two rooms, 3 beds, and two bathrooms! On that floor was a full dining table, a game table with lots of games to choose from, and a sitting area in the common space. The ceiling is beautiful pine. The main lobby has several sitting areas, a coffee station, a pool table, and a foosball table. A room divider is made from white birch trunks, and there is a beautiful fieldstone fireplace. It is eclectic and delightful! The owners live in the building and do all the maintenance, cleaning, and upkeep themselves. This was in far better condition than expected being off the beaten path. If you're looking for a quiet place in the woods, this is a place to consider. read more

We stayed at the main house, and the rooms are spacious. There's also a nice bar (basement), a common area on the first floor (including a pool table), and a table for board games (which are provided). Cons: the bed wasn't very comfortable, and the bathroom was in dire need of an upgrade. Some fixes seem easy, others probably require more investment: like, keeping the shower switching from hot to cold. What would go a long way, though, is a warmer welcome. Many people drive long hours looking forward to their vacation, and the surly tone at check-in was disappointing. On a high note: bestest hotel dog ever. read more

Comfortable place for friends, small groups and retreats! Lots of room layout choices. Plenty of places to gather- downstairs for chats, or a game of fooseball! Wish a lot of these places would just take OUT the CARPETS... especially when they are pet friendly... rugs are so much easier to clean and replace when they are smaller. Hardwood floors would be great but other than that... Enjoyed a good bed, quiet and dark accommodations. Nearby are hikes to waterfalls, and places to enjoy the beauty of nature! Not much in the area for dinner so bring food with you== like a picnic dinner-- ! Brittany was super friendly and they make checkout super easy too! They really made you feel welcome! Hope to return read more

Black river lodge is so welcoming, we stayed for the 4th of July weekend. Accommodations are idea, rooms are spacious;I love the idea of 2 restrooms and separate space. we traveled with our dog Daisy, I searched and it brought us to the lodge. The husband & wife team are very friendly, helpful with dinner recommendations, sights in the area, other friendly dogs & guests made the visit very enjoyable . Plenty of common space to socialize. Thank you for a great stay & we will be back! read more

Enticed by one of the 10 best scenic byways in the US, Hubby and I decided to spend a long 4th of July weekend in Ironwood, Michigan, way up in the western UP. After deciding that tent camping was possibly too adventurous, since we were bringing our puppy Sadie on vacation for the first time, we ran across Black River Lodge on the internet. Our stay was great, and we are fans! Black River Lodge is an excellent mixture of hospitality, affordability, amenities, and location. With a full bar and an indoor pool & hot tub, guests can enjoy themselves right on the premises. When we inquired about a campfire, one was immediately set up for us - nice! We stayed in a ground-floor condo, where our puppy was welcomed, for under $100/day (call ahead for pet permission). The lodge also offers in-lodge rooms, townhouses, and campsites. The condo was on the small side, with a Murphy bed instead of a bedroom, but the full kitchen was well-stocked and the bed was very comfortable. The condo was perfectly comfortable for two humans and one medium sized dog. As for the location, we couldn't have asked for more! Apparently, this area is the epicenter of beautiful waterfalls in the Midwest. With minimal hiking, we were able to visit a variety of scenic areas on the Black and Montreal rivers. As if that weren't enough, three nearby towns hosted fireworks on three different nights - yea! And we were a 15 minute drive from Black River Harbor, a nice, sandy beach on Lake Superior. I would highly recommend a stay at the Black River Lodge! I have a feeling we'll be back next summer. read more

So disappointed in this place. Husband and wife team run the lodge, which sounds great but they are definitely not on the same page and have conflicting policies. Husband is super accommodating but the wife seems irritated that anyone is there. Our first night there was a full house and at least four people were waiting for them to open the lobby area to check out in the morning, they ended up leaving out the back door. Breakfast- While we were willing to pay the $5 for the continental breakfast, the lobby (and that area) never opened until after 11:30 am. No coffee, no food, and no service- remember this place is in the middle of nowhere. Rooms- the bed pillows were stained and the staples that hold the mattress pads down came off which my friend stepped on. The showers are falling apart also. Since they live on site, I was disappointed that the rooms were not in good condition. I gave two stars because the lodge outdoor area is beautiful and the husband was so nice. I think with a little work on the inside and a bit more communication between the husband and wife team, this could be a great place. read more

Simple clean and comfortable. Good price. They have a pool too. The host was very friendly and helpful. I would stay there again.

Stayed here years ago under different ownership and while we had a good enough time then, the new owners have made some really great improvements and we're super happy here! The common area is cute, comfortable and totally inviting. The amenities are great. Good value! read more

My stay at The Black River Lodge was totally enjoyable. Brittany was the consummate host; she was so nice and helpful pointing out places of interest that I might enjoy going to, like Lake of the Clouds, and Black River Harbor. The land where the lodge stands on is gorgeous! I will definitely be a guest again the next time I'm up that way. My dog Ruggles had a wonderful time as well. We'll be back! read more

Cozy little lodge on the outskirts of Ironwood.. secluded but not far from anything really. Very unique building with a nice hot tub/pool and bar. Justin and Brittany (owners) are very friendly and personable. We couldnt believe they do everything themselves, which was very admirable. They gave us some excellent recommendations for dinner and things to do... 2 couples who snowmobiled AND skied. Brittany was a great help when selecting our room, which was clean and bigger then expected! We were worried with other reviewers mentioning the bar noise since we like to turn in early, but we didn't have a single problem. And our room was close to the bar. Speaking of the bar, it was nice after our busy days. Super relaxed and we enjoyed getting to know the the owners and other guests. Justin makes a really good bloody mary! All in all, great place if you want something simple and different! It's not perfect, but they work so hard to make it comfortable and homey. We will be back this summer to check out the mountain biking up the road! read more

Really great lodge. Super cozy! Real 'lodge-style' atmsphere which is awesome. Rooms a little cold but the owner was more than helpful and he gave as an extra room heater straight away to get it nice and toasty. Great breakfast in the mornings with big variety of bagles and different cereal choices. Host is a very friendly guy so when you need help I would advise you deal with him as his wife is very unpleasant aand very irritated/annoyed when she needs to provude any help. "Ughed" when we wanted to pay food with a card, was grumpy when had to help at the bar an hour after the stated opening time. Forgot to ask the day before for late check out, when we asked the morning she said that they don't do late ceck-out and we should've asked the day before. She didn't even consider it even though we just wanted an extra hour, even wanted to go as far as having to charge us for the extra hour....WOULD HAVE GIVEN a 5/5 if it weren't for how grumpy and unpleasant she was. Husband is really friendly though and I'm sure he would've been willing to help, so deal with him for any enquiries... read more