You’re driving up M-32, the trees are getting thicker, and suddenly, you realize you haven’t seen a Starbucks in forty miles. That’s usually the moment you know you're getting close. Honestly, most people blow right past Hillman on their way to Alpena or the Mackinac Bridge, completely unaware that one of the weirdest—and I mean that in the best way possible—resorts in the Midwest is tucked away right here. Thunder Bay Resort Hillman MI isn't your typical cookie-cutter Marriott experience. It’s a 160-acre slice of Northeast Michigan that feels like a time capsule, a wildlife sanctuary, and a golf course all smashed into one.
It’s quirky.
If you're looking for white-glove valet service and a 24-hour oxygen bar, you’re in the wrong place. But if you want to sit on a horse-drawn carriage while a massive bull elk stares you down from ten feet away, you've found the spot. This place has survived decades in an industry that eats small resorts for breakfast, mostly because it leaned into a very specific niche: the Elk Viewing Carriage Ride, Gourmet Dinner & Wine Tasting. It sounds like a mouthful, and it is, but it's basically the engine that keeps this whole operation humming.
The Elk Experience Most People Get Wrong
People hear "elk viewing" and they think they're going to be squinting through binoculars at a brown dot three miles away on a ridge. That's not how it works at Thunder Bay Resort. Jack Matthias, the owner who’s been the face of this place forever, basically built a preserve where the elk are the stars. You hop on a carriage pulled by massive draft horses—Percherons or Belgians, usually—and you head into the woods.
It’s quiet.
The only sound is the creak of the carriage and the horses breathing. Then, you see them. These aren't just wild animals that happen to be there; they are majestic, slightly intimidating creatures that have lived in this 160-acre enclosure for generations. In the fall, during the rut, the bugling is loud enough to vibrate in your chest. It’s haunting. It’s also one of the few places in the Eastern US where you’re guaranteed to see a trophy-class bull elk without having to hike fifteen miles into the Pigeon River Country State Forest.
The real kicker is the "gourmet dinner" part. You end up at a rustic log cabin in the middle of the woods. No electricity. Everything is cooked on antique wood-burning stoves. We’re talking five courses, including stuff like pear crepes and shrimp cocktail, served in a room that smells like woodsmoke and old Michigan. They pour local wines from the Sunrise Side, and honestly, by the third glass, you forget that you’re essentially in a cabin in the middle of a swampy forest in Hillman. It works because it doesn't try to be modern. It embraces the "Up North" aesthetic without being cheesy.
Golfing the Hidden Gem of Montmorency County
Let’s talk about the golf. If you’re a scratch golfer, you’ve probably heard of Arcadia Bluffs or Forest Dunes. Those are the Ferraris of Michigan golf. Thunder Bay Resort is more like a reliable old Jeep. It’s fun, it’s rugged, and it won't cost you a second mortgage to play eighteen holes.
The course is a par-73, which is a bit unusual.
It’s relatively flat, which makes it walkable if you’re feeling ambitious, but the challenge comes from the water and the narrow fairways. You are playing through the woods. If you slice your ball on the back nine, you aren't just in the rough; you’re in a cedar swamp. Good luck finding that Titleist. The course is part of the "Elk Ridge" and "Black Lake" circuit, often packaged together for guys on weekend trips who want to play three or four different styles of North Michigan terrain without driving three hours between rounds.
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What’s interesting is the price point. While the high-end courses in Traverse City are charging $200+ for a round, you can often find stay-and-play packages here that are shockingly affordable. It’s the kind of place where the groundskeeper might recognize you if you come back two years in a row. That's the Hillman charm. It’s a town of about 700 people. Everyone knows everyone, and that vibe carries over into the resort’s clubhouse.
Accommodations: Suites, Villas, and Chalets
Staying at Thunder Bay Resort Hillman MI is a bit of a "choose your own adventure" situation. They have the typical resort suites, which are fine, but the real move is the luxury villas or the chalets.
If you have a big group, the chalets are the way to go. They’ve got kitchens, lofts, and enough space to sprawl out after a day of being outside. They aren't ultra-modern—don't expect minimalist Scandinavian design. Expect oak cabinets, comfortable couches, and maybe some wallpaper that reminds you of your aunt’s house in 1998. But it’s clean, it’s cozy, and it’s quiet.
The silence at night in Hillman is heavy.
There is zero light pollution. If you step out on the balcony of a villa, you can see the Milky Way with startling clarity. It’s a reminder that while you’re only an hour and a half from the suburban sprawl of the tri-cities, you are deep in the "Tip of the Mitt."
The Logistics: Getting There and Getting Around
Hillman is located in Montmorency County. If you're looking at a map of Michigan, it's the "forehead" of the mitten.
- From Detroit: It's about a three-and-a-half-hour drive straight up I-75 to M-33 or M-32.
- From Alpena: You’re only about 25 minutes west of the Lake Huron coast.
- The Airport Situation: Unless you have a private bush plane (there is a small landing strip nearby, the Hillman Airport), you’re flying into Alpena County Regional (APN) or driving.
Most people arrive by car, loaded down with golf clubs or hunting gear. The resort is open year-round, which is a bit of a rarity for smaller spots in Northern Michigan. In the winter, the elk viewing carriages swap their wheels for sleigh runners. If you haven’t seen the Michigan woods covered in two feet of fresh powder while sitting under a wool blanket, you’re missing out. It’s basically a real-life Hallmark movie, minus the predictable plot and plus a lot more venison.
What Most People Miss About Hillman
The resort is the anchor, but Hillman itself is worth a look if you want the "real" Michigan. The Brush Creek Mill is a cool historical spot nearby. It’s a reconstructed water-powered mill that serves as a community hub. They do apple pressing in the fall and have a little museum.
Then there’s the Fletcher Pond (also called the Fletcher Floodwaters).
It’s just south of the resort. If you like fishing, this place is legendary for northern pike and largemouth bass. It’s a shallow, stump-filled body of water that looks like a graveyard for trees. It’s eerie and beautiful. You can’t go fast in a boat there—you’ll rip your motor right off on a submerged cedar stump—but the fishing is world-class. Many people stay at Thunder Bay Resort and spend their mornings on Fletcher Pond and their afternoons on the golf course.
The Reality of Small-Town Resorts
Look, I’ll be honest. Running a resort in Hillman, Michigan, is a grind. The season is short, the weather is unpredictable, and the labor market is tight. There are times when the service might be a little slower because the person helping you at the front desk is also the person who helped set up the dinner in the woods.
That’s part of the trade-off.
You aren't a confirmation number here; you’re a guest. If you go in expecting the polished, sterile perfection of a Disney resort, you’ll be disappointed. But if you go in expecting a family-run operation where the owner is likely to walk through the dining room and ask how your steak was, you’ll love it.
The resort has had to pivot over the years. They’ve added RV sites because the "glamping" and high-end motorhome crowd exploded. These aren't just gravel pads; they’re full-hookup sites that allow people with $500,000 rigs to enjoy the resort amenities. It was a smart move. It brought in a whole new demographic that keeps the place busy even when the hotel rooms aren't full.
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
If you’re actually planning to head up to Thunder Bay Resort Hillman MI, don't just wing it. This place fills up, especially during the fall color season.
- Book the Elk Ride Early: This is the flagship attraction. During October, these rides sell out weeks in advance. If you show up on a Saturday expecting to hop on a carriage, you’re going to be staring at the elk from behind a fence.
- Pack for "Michigan Layers": The temperature in Hillman can drop 30 degrees the second the sun goes down. Even in July, a night in the woods can be chilly. Bring a real jacket, not just a hoodie.
- Check the Wine List: They feature a lot of Michigan wines. If you’re a wine snob who only drinks Napa cabs, keep an open mind. The fruit wines and Rieslings from the Traverse City and Leelanau regions are actually world-class.
- Explore the "Sunrise Side": Since you’re so close, take a morning to drive into Alpena. Check out the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center. It’s free, and the shipwreck exhibits are incredible.
- Golf Strategy: If you're playing the course, bring extra balls. The woods are unforgiving, and the water hazards are strategically placed to ruin a good scorecard.
Thunder Bay Resort represents a specific kind of Michigan dream. It’s the idea that you can carve out a little kingdom in the woods, invite people over for a fancy dinner, and show them something they can’t see anywhere else. It’s not about being the biggest or the most expensive. It’s about being the most memorable. Whether you're there for the bugling elk or the par-5s, you'll leave with a better understanding of why people in Michigan are so obsessed with "Up North." It's not just a direction; it's a completely different pace of life.
Head north. Turn left at the big trees. Look for the elk. You can't miss it.