Frequently Asked Questions
Where are you located?
Our address is 1884 Port Austin Road, Port Austin MI. If you are familiar with the area, we are located on M25 between the Port Crescent State Park Day Use & Campground, adjasent to the Port Crescent Dark Sky Preserve.
What is a Dark Sky Preserve?
The Lodge is connected to Port Crescent State Park which is designated as a Dark Sky Preserve. There are only 6 such preserves in Michigan. Dark Sky preserves offer enhanced nighttime sky viewing due to the limited light pollution (artificial light). Learn more here.
What is your cancellation policy?
Up to 14 days before your reservation you can cancel with no fee. A 10% fee will be assessed for cancellations within 13 days of check in. No refunds will be issued for cancellations within 48 hours of check in.
What are check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is anytime after 3 pm and check-out is 11 am.
How do I check in and out?
On the morning of your check-in you will receive an email and a text with a code to a lockbox that contains the key for your room. When you check out just put the key back in the lock box.
Do you allow dogs?
Yes! We have 3 dog friendly rooms at the lodge. Limit 1 dog per room. See our full pet policy here.
What are the restaurant hours?
Hours vary by season and day of the week and seasonally. See the current hours here.
How much is a room?
This varies depending on the time of the year, weekend or weekdays, holidays, etc. Visit our Rates & Reservation page here.
What amenities do you offer?
To learn more about the rooms & what’s included with your stay, please visit our Lodge Overview page here.
What are the special perks?
Access to onsite heated pool (seasonal)
Onsite bar & restaurant (seasonal)
Direct access to Port Crescent State Park trails
Large outdoor area with fire pits (coming soon)
Use of coworking space in downtown Port Austin (coming soon)
Guarenteed kayak and bike rentals…even if you don’t have a reservation (weather permitting)
Winter access to snowshoes & fat tire bikes; arrangement for rentals of cross country skis and ice skates (ice rink is in Port Austin)
Use of our “adventure kits” which include a hammock & straps, beach blanket, monocular, guide to the night sky, and Autobahn Society Field Guide
Where is the best place to view or photograph the stars?
We have approximately one acre of open grassy yard behind the Lodge which is an excellent place to view the stars. If you want to view the stars on a beach it is an approximately half-mile walk from the Lodge down a wooded trail. If walking down a nature trail is not your thing, you can access the official Port Crescent Dark Sky Preserve via the Day Use Park entrance (about 1 mile) where there is parking, viewing platform, and beach access. Alternatively, any of the public beaches within a couple miles of the Lodge have parking and easy access to the beach. Find a list of nearby beaches here.
Where is the best place to view the Northern Lights?
The wide open vistas of the beach are the best place to see the Northern Lights. There is a beach approximately a half mile down a path from the lodge. If walking is not your thing, any of the public parks along the water will have acces to the beach. One of the best places to see the Northern Lights is in town at Waterfront Park next to or on the breakwall. Find a list of nearby beaches here.
What nature can I experience?
Hiking, bird watching (including bald eagles), wildlife viewing, stargazing, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, beach access, and more.
Dark Sky Lodge is connected to Port Crescent State Park which has 900 acres of forest, beach and rivers. There is a trail connected to the Lodge that leads to miles of trails, the Pinnebog River and 3 miles of undeveloped beach. The Lodge also has a marsh behind it where the birds in the morning and evening are a sight to see. The marsh also has turtles, frogs, muskrats and even a beaver. You can find more opportunities to get into nature at Port Austin Outdoor Adventure.
What are some things to do in the area?
There are many activities and things to do in the area. Visit Port Austin Outdoor Adventure or the Port Austin Area Chamber of Commerce to learn more.