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WElcome to waterway inn
Nestled in the heart of Indian River, MI, Waterway Inn offers a comfortable and convenient stay for travelers looking to explore the natural beauty and charm of northern Michigan. As one of the last owner-operated lodgings in Indian River, we pride ourselves on offering personalized service and a cozy, welcoming environment. Our focus is on the details that larger places might overlook, ensuring your stay is comfortable and memorable.
Prime location
We are conveniently situated near exit 310 on I-75, making us easily accessible for travelers. Additionally, we are adjacent to the North Central State Trail, offering our guests direct access from our rooms and mobile homes to this scenic trail. This trail allows guests to walk and bike to local shops and restaurants, making it easy to explore Indian River.
Comfortable Accommodations
Settle into clean, comfortable rooms with all the essentials for a relaxing stay. We also provide firewood at the community firepit and stock our BBQ pits with charcoal and lighter fluid, so you can enjoy a quiet evening by the fire or cook up a great meal outdoors.
Affordable Rates
Get the best value for your money without compromising on quality. We offer discounted rates during the off-season and save more when you stay a week or longer! Our rates are lower compared to surrounding cities such as Gaylord, Petoskey, and Mackinaw City, offering you an affordable alternative.
contactless check-in
​We are excited to offer a contactless check-in option, designed to provide you with a seamless and hassle-free arrival experience.
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No need to wait in line at the front desk or worry about checking in during specific hours. Our contactless check-in allows you the freedom to arrive at your own convenience, anytime after 3:00 PM. Simply access your room with ease and begin your stay without any delays.
How does this work? Want to head straight to your room or mobile home without stopping at the front desk? Choose our contactless check-in option and we’ll handle the details. All our motel rooms and mobile homes feature digital keypads for easy, keyless entry. On your arrival day, we’ll email you your room or unit number along with your personal door code. The code becomes active at 3:00 PM—or earlier, if you're approved for early check-in—so you can arrive on your own schedule.​​
dog-friendly accommodations
We offer several pet-friendly options, including two of our mobile homes and four motel rooms—each allowing up to two dogs. A non-refundable pet fee of $20.00 per dog, per day, will be added to your reservation. If pet-friendly accommodations aren’t available during your stay, we recommend Indian River Pet Resort for overnight boarding.
Need the details? View our dog policy here.
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​Traveling with your dogs? We allow dogs in our newly remodeled 2-bedroom mobile home and our standard king room. Both allow up to two (2) dogs. If these accommodations are not available when you'd like to stay, we recommend contacting Indian River Pet Resort for overnight boarding. A daily $20.00 per pet non-refundable fee will be added to the reservation. For more information, view our dog policy here.
The Waterway Inn is just 20 miles from beautiful Nub's Nob and Boyne Highlands ski resorts and close to Odawa Casino in Petoskey and Kewadin Casino in St. Ignace. We are 28 miles north of Gaylord, 30 miles south of Mackinaw City, and 21 miles east of Petoskey, which boasts some of the most unique shopping in Northern Michigan.
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OUTDOOR Activities
Our shaded picnic area includes grills, picnic tables, kid's swings, a bonfire pit, a basketball court, and horseshoe pits. Ride your ORV or snowmobile on some of Northern Michigan's best-groomed trails right from your front door.
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We now offer bicycle and kayak rentals! Click here for more info!
