When a leisurely stroll along the shoreline calls, unwind in this idyllic setting with 215 feet of private beachfront. Sit around the firepit and feel pampered in quiet luxury. Savor the flavors of locally sourced seasonal breakfast and embrace the outdoors of Onekama.
Known as the inn on two lakes, Canfield House Bed and Breakfast overlooks beautiful Portage Lake, which connects to Lake Michigan in Onekama, 45 miles southwest of Traverse City.
Built in 1900 as the summer home of lumber baron Charles Canfield, Canfield House Bed and Breakfast’s six guest rooms have been completely renovated while retaining the original charm.
Let Canfield House B&B be your home base for day trips to explore the surrounding areas. Onekama is a four-season getaway destination. Guests will find downhill ski slopes, snowmobile trails, championship golf courses, wooded trails, beaches, and dunes within a short distance from the inn.
Onekama is full of history, as is the nearby town of Manistee, which has its historic riverwalk, shops, restaurants, and a turn-of-the-century theater. Little River Casino is seven miles from the Inn.
As you approach Canfield House Bed and Breakfast, you will sense the 2.5-acre peaceful atmosphere. Turn-of-the-century features of the house have been preserved, including the covered wrap-around porch, the Dutch doors of the dining room, which open onto the porch, and the original leaded glass windows and magnificent stone fireplace in the large gathering room. Relax in front of the fireplace, warm up to a book from our eclectic collection, enjoy one of the many board games with other guests, or enjoy the comfort of your bedroom or a stroll along Lake Michigan. The inn is perfect for small gatherings, rehearsal dinners, wedding receptions, showers, or business meetings.
At the Canfield House, we pride ourselves on our commitment to using locally sourced, fresh produce, fruits, and the finest ingredients available. This dedication ensures our menu evolves with the seasons, offering a dynamic and delightful culinary experience.
Indulge in selections like sweet and savory crepes, French baked eggs, peaches and yogurt topped with a local cherry whiskey flambé, and our signature West Michigan coast avocado toast.
Join us each morning in our dining room overlooking Portage Lake for a delightful two-course breakfast, where every meal reflects the vibrant flavors of the season.
Onekama is a charming village in Manistee County, Michigan that offers a delightful blend of natural beauty and lakeside relaxation. Onekama is nestled on Portage Lake’s northeast shore and surrounded by Onekama Township. The town’s name is derived from Ona-ga-maa, an Anishinaabe word meaning “singing water.”
Located just 20 minutes north of Manistee, Onekama is the gateway to the M-22 Scenic Heritage Route, making it the first community along this picturesque road. Frequently called the “Two Lake Town,” Onekama offers a rare blend of Lake Michigan shoreline and serene views of Portage.
The Canfield House, located on the shores of Portage Lake, is a paradise for water enthusiasts. With a plethora of summer water activities, including boating and paddle boarding, there’s no shortage of adventure here.
With its open steel-frame structure, Portage Lake Pierhead Light, five minutes away from Canfield House, is not the classic style of beacon that beckons so many lighthouse aficionados to Michigan. However, for lighthouse collectors, it counts, and a stay at Canfield House also offers a perfect midpoint for exploring two of the most popular Lake Michigan lighthouses:
Twenty minutes south of us in Manistee, walk out to the Manistee North Pierhead Light.
Near Frankfort, 25 minutes north, Point Betsie Lighthouse and the attached red-roofed keeper’s residence are among the most-photographed Michigan lighthouses.
If you’re arriving in Onekama from the south, allow time for stops at Little Sable Point Lighthouse (one hour 20 minutes from us) and Big Sable Point Lighthouse (one hour south). Both are beautiful and full of history.
Portage Lake channels into Lake Michigan, so Canfield House guests can enjoy two nearby lakes, plus popular Lake Michigan beaches and stunning sunsets.
Charter boat fishing on Portage Lake, Lake Michigan, and the Manistee River (about 14 miles south of us) offers anglers the opportunity to catch steelhead, chinook or coho salmon, or brown and lake trout, yellow perch, walleye, Northern pike, and more.
You can rent a pontoon boat on Portage Lake. Or use one of the kayaks or standup paddle boards available. Canoe and kayak rentals are also available nearby.
During your stay at Canfield House B&B, you can make a day trip to explore some of Michigan’s top wineries along the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail, starting with Cherry Republic Winery in Glen Arbor, about an hour’s drive north of us.
Closer to Onekama, seek out top-shelf producers of favorite beverages:
Northern Natural Cider House and Winery, twelve miles east of the inn, in the tiny town of Kaleva. Fresh apples, never apple concentrate, go into the flavorful hard ciders produced here. Favorite flavors include cinnamon, cherry chocolate, and blueberry waffles. Among their wines, all produced from Michigan-grown fruits, the Dry Riesling was the Gold Medal Winner at a Michigan Wine and Spirits Competition. Food trucks with innovative menus and occasional concerts make your visit even more memorable.
For a farm-to-cocktail-glass experience, head to Iron Fish Distillery on a farm near the Betsie River 20 miles northeast of us. From a small start, bottles of the distillery’s gin, vodka, rum, and bourbon whiskey finished in maple syrup barrels now show up on grocery shelves and in better bars all over Michigan. Stay with us, and go to the source.
For craft beer, guest favorites include Stormcloud Brewing Company or Five Shores Brewing, both thirty minutes north near Crystal Lake, or North Channel Brewing Company in Manistee. For a variety of Michigan pours in a friendly atmosphere, guests enjoy the Blue Slipper Tavern at the east end of Portage Lake in Onekama.
For one-stop tasting, St. Ambrose Cellars in Beulah, a 30-minute drive, produces mead, wine, beer, and cider from locally sourced ingredients.
For lunch or dinner, favorite dining spots within 20 minutes of Canfield House B&B include The Glenwood, The Blue Fish, The Mexican Roadhouse, Arcadia Bluffs, and Painted Lady Saloon.
Between April and the end of July, the evening sky in Western Michigan stays light until about 10 p.m., so guests sometimes book early reservations at fine dining restaurants in the Glen Arbor area or even Traverse City and enjoy wildlife spotting on the drive back to the inn.
Bring bicycles! The Benzie Valley Trail, whose surface is asphalt and crushed stone, winds for 22 miles between Thompsonville on the east and Frankfort at the Lake Michigan end. Depending on the season, you can cross-country ski, walk, or inline skate on this popular rail trail.
Hike or bike on the Heritage Trail, which goes through Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Park and continues east of Glen Arbor. Climb the dunes. Rent kayaks in Glen Arbor and explore the peaceful Crystal River.
Mountain biking, hiking, and birdwatching are among the options in the vast Manistee National Forest, a 25-minute drive from Canfield House.
Other great options for getting out in nature:
Portage Point Woods Nature Conservancy, offers a 1.8-mile hiking trail with wonderful wooded views.
Baldy Trails in Arcadia. Its 3.3-mile hiking loop gives you amazing views of Lake Michigan from an overlook.
Dry Hills Trail, is a 10.7-mile loop for hiking and biking located in Arcadia, 15 minutes north of Onekama.
M-22 is often hailed as one of Michigan’s most scenic drives, and that’s true any time of year, especially during the fall color season. October is prime time, but leaves change in September and can continue into November. Canfield House B&B is only one-eighth mile west of M-22. Make a full day of two-lane driving in a loop around the Leelanau Peninsula and stopping in quaint towns and wineries along the way.
Reservations can be made online or by phone at (231) 970-0335. Room rates are confirmed at booking, and a written confirmation is emailed.
Room Occupancy & Taxes
Our lodging rates are based on double occupancy, which means the quoted rate is for up to two guests per room. Please remember that the rates may change at any time before booking. Moreover, all room rates are subject to Michigan State sales tax of 6% and lodging tax of 5%, which will be added to the total cost of your stay. Additionally, there is a $2 fee per night for the Michigan Bed & Breakfast Association (MBBA).
Minimum Night Stay
A two-night minimum stay is required for all bookings, holidays, and special event weekends between May 1st and Nov 1st. Please check with the innkeeper for any special accommodations.
Deposit & Balance Payments
Reservations require a 50% deposit of the entire reservation. The deposit will be processed on the same day as the reservation. The remaining balance will be charged to the credit card on file 14 days before arrival.
Forms of Payment
We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express as payment methods for reservations. A valid credit card number must always be on file for security purposes. If you have a gift certificate, you can use it to make your reservation by calling the inn between 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. EST or by entering your gift card code during checkout. Please note that gift certificates are considered as a form of payment.
Pet Policy
While we are pet lovers, we do not allow pets to visit or stay overnight at the Canfield House. However, we fully recognize and comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Service dogs trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability are welcome at our inn.
If you require the assistance of a service dog, please inform us at the time of reservation so we can make the necessary accommodations to ensure a comfortable stay. We may request documentation verifying the service dog’s status as a trained service animal.
For guests who are traveling with pets, we are more than happy to assist you. We can provide recommendations for local boarding facilities where your furry friend can be well taken care of during your stay with us.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please let us know.
Children
At The Canfield House, children are welcome to stay. Please note that the maximum occupancy per room is two guests, excluding children under 3.
Check-In
Check-in time is between 4 PM to 8 PM. Please confirm your expected arrival time via email or text message. Alternatively, you can respond to the reminder email 48 hours before arrival. If you arrive before check-in, you can park your vehicle in our secure private parking lot. The innkeeper may accommodate early check-ins based on availability with a fee of $30.00 per room. Please get in touch with us in advance if you wish to arrange an early check-in.
Check-Out
Please note that the check-out time is 11 a.m. Late check-outs beyond this time will result in a fee of $50, which the system will charge to the credit card on file. However, if you wish to enjoy your last day in Onekama, you are welcome to use our parking lot until 3 p.m.
Cancellation Policy
We understand that plans can change, and we strive to accommodate our guests as best as possible. However, cancellations do impact our business operations. Please review our cancellation policy below:
Cancellations made more than 30 days before the scheduled arrival date will incur a $50 cancellation fee.
Cancellations made between 15 and 30 days before the scheduled arrival will result in a refund issued as a Canfield House gift card for the deposit.
The system will charge the total reservation amount for cancellations made within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date. If applicable, refunds will be issued in the form of a gift card. Please note that early checkouts are non-refundable.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. If you have any questions or need further clarification, please contact us.
Michigan Bed and Breakfast Association
6757 Cascade Road SE, Ste 241
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
