Welcome to Adorable Living Spaces. Today we are featuring a private piece of Northern Michigan at 11712 Henschell Rd SW in Fife Lake, where 20 wooded acres combine mature hardwoods, rolling terrain, natural clearings, a small creek, and an old log cabin.
Listed for $125,000, this property is classified as unimproved land and is best viewed as a recreational, hunting, or future building opportunity rather than a move-in-ready residential property. No bedrooms, bathrooms, or finished living area are listed.
The existing old log cabin is currently in poor condition, although electricity has already been run to the cabin and is reportedly functioning. There is also an existing private well that requires repair, along with an old outhouse on the property.
For someone searching for Michigan hunting land, an Up North recreational retreat, wooded acreage with a creek, or land for a future cabin, this property provides an interesting starting point with 20 acres to explore and additional outdoor recreation nearby.
| Property Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Price | $125,000 |
| Address | 11712 Henschell Rd SW, Fife Lake, MI 49633 |
| Lot size | 20 acres |
| Property type | Unimproved Land |
| Water | Private Well – Requires Repair |
| Sewer | Unknown / None Listed |
| Utilities | Electricity Available; Electric to Cabin Functioning |
| Views | Wooded / Natural Setting |
20 Acres of Wooded Northern Michigan Land
The property encompasses approximately 20 acres, offering a substantial amount of private land for a relatively modest asking price.
The landscape includes mature hardwoods, wooded areas, rolling topography, and natural clearings, creating more variety than a completely flat or uniformly forested parcel.
Its listed dimensions are approximately 652 x 1,333 x 659 x 1,332 feet, providing buyers with a useful initial picture of the property’s overall shape.
For anyone considering future construction or recreational improvements, the combination of natural openings and wooded ground could provide several areas worth exploring while still retaining plenty of surrounding privacy.
Small Creek, Hardwoods and Rolling Terrain
A small creek winds through the woods, giving the property its own natural water feature and adding character to the 20-acre setting.
The mature hardwoods may provide attractive seasonal scenery while also creating habitat for wildlife throughout the acreage.
Rolling terrain can make a recreational property particularly interesting for hiking and exploring, although it also means buyers should carefully evaluate slopes and drainage before choosing a building location.
The creek itself should be investigated for seasonal flow, floodplain conditions, erosion, setbacks, wetlands, and any regulations that could affect construction or land disturbance nearby.
Old Log Cabin With Electricity
An old log cabin remains on the property, but the listing clearly states that the structure is currently in poor condition.
One notable advantage is that electricity has already been run to the cabin and is currently functioning, giving the property some existing infrastructure despite its unimproved-land classification.
The seller also states that the cabin’s existing foundation is substantially thicker than a typical slab and suggests that it may have potential for rebuilding.
That possibility should not be assumed without professional evaluation. A structural engineer, qualified contractor, or other appropriate professional should inspect the foundation and determine whether any portion can safely and legally be reused.
Existing Well and Future Cabin Potential
A private well already exists on the property, although the listing states that it requires repairs before it can return to working condition.
There is currently no functioning sewer system identified in the supplied information, and an old outhouse remains on the land.
For a buyer hoping to build a future cabin or year-round home, the existing electric service and well infrastructure may provide a useful starting point if they can be safely reused.
Before developing the property, buyers should determine the cost of repairing or replacing the well and investigate soil conditions, septic approval, permits, driveway requirements, and the feasibility of providing modern wastewater service.
Hunting, Trails and Recreational Possibilities
The mixture of 20 wooded acres, mature hardwoods, natural clearings, creek habitat, and rolling terrain could make this property particularly attractive for recreational ownership.
The acreage provides room to explore and potentially create private walking or hunting trails without needing to develop the entire parcel.
Natural clearings may also provide useful locations for gathering areas, wildlife observation, or other outdoor activities while leaving the surrounding forest largely intact.
Buyers interested specifically in hunting should verify boundaries, neighboring residences, applicable hunting regulations, safe shooting areas, and access before determining how the property fits their intended recreational use.
Pine River Access and Up North Location
Outdoor recreation extends beyond the property itself. According to the listing, a public access trail leading to the Pine River is located just down the road.
The described route leads to a maintained trail and staircase descending toward a large bend in the river, providing an additional place for fishing, relaxing, and enjoying the outdoors.
The property is also located within driving distance of Fife Lake and Lake City, giving owners access to dining, shopping, and everyday essentials while maintaining a wooded rural setting.
Taffeltown Lodge is also described as being only minutes away on M-66, adding another nearby reference point for buyers unfamiliar with this part of Northern Michigan.
Future Up North Getaway or Private Retreat
At $125,000, this property may appeal most strongly to someone who values land, woods, water, and privacy more than having a finished residence from day one.
A buyer could potentially establish a simple recreational base while determining whether the existing cabin foundation and infrastructure can be incorporated into a future project.
Alternatively, the property could remain primarily wooded and be used for hunting, hiking, recreation, and seasonal escapes, with improvements made gradually over time.
Anyone considering a new residence, short-term rental, additional cabins, subdivision, or other development should first verify residential zoning requirements, permits, access, utilities, septic suitability, and any deed or land-use restrictions.
Due Diligence Before Buying
Because the existing log cabin is in poor condition, buyers should obtain a professional assessment of its foundation, remaining structure, electrical installation, roof or remnants, framing, rot, moisture damage, and overall safety. The seller’s description of a thicker-than-normal foundation should not be treated as confirmation that it is structurally suitable for rebuilding.
The private well should also be professionally inspected to determine why it is not currently functioning and whether repair is practical. Buyers should test water quality after restoration and investigate the requirements and cost for installing an approved septic system or other permitted wastewater solution.
For the land itself, buyers should verify the 20-acre survey and boundaries, legal access, easements, zoning, setbacks, wetlands, floodplain status, creek location, drainage, soil, topography, timber rights, mineral rights, and buildable areas. The listed dimensions should also be confirmed against current survey and deed information.
Finally, buyers planning construction should verify whether the existing electric service can support a future residence and whether the old cabin foundation can legally be reused. The old outhouse should also be evaluated for proper closure or removal requirements, and all future uses should be confirmed with the appropriate local authorities before substantial money is committed.
Final Thoughts
At $125,000, 11712 Henschell Rd SW offers a different kind of opportunity from a traditional Northern Michigan home purchase.
The property provides 20 wooded acres with mature hardwoods, rolling terrain, natural clearings, and a small creek, creating an appealing environment for hunting, recreation, or a private retreat.
The old log cabin needs significant attention, but functioning electric service and an existing repairable well provide infrastructure that completely raw land may not have. Nearby public access to the Pine River adds another recreational benefit without implying that the property itself has Pine River frontage.
For someone searching for Michigan hunting land, 20 acres with a creek, an Up North cabin project, recreational acreage, or wooded land for a future getaway, this Fife Lake property offers plenty of potential for a buyer prepared to carefully evaluate the existing structures and infrastructure.
If you need more info, contact the listing agent from the Zillow link below the photos.
Listed on Zillow