40-Acre Creekfront Cabin with Flowing Artesian Well in Rapid River, Michigan — $125,900

Property Overview

Set on approximately 40 wooded acres in Rapid River, Michigan, this one-bedroom cottage offers a straightforward off-grid setup with a distinctive natural feature: Chippeny Creek runs diagonally across the property from the northeast corner to the southwest. The 576-square-foot cabin was built in 1975 and has been occupied year-round by its current owner since 2022. It can also serve as a hunting camp, fishing retreat, or base for spending time outdoors in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

The property is reached by a year-round county gravel road. Water comes from a six-inch drilled well with artesian flow, and an older septic system is present. There is no conventional electrical service at the property; a generator is included to provide electricity. A propane wall furnace supplies heat, keeping the setup relatively simple for buyers interested in an off-grid property.

The Cabin

The single-story cottage has a compact 576-square-foot layout, with one bedroom and one full bathroom on the main level. Wood siding gives the structure a simple cabin character, while a deck provides outdoor space beside the home.

Heating is provided by a propane wall furnace, with radiant propane heat also noted in the property details. There is no central cooling system. The cabin has a crawl space rather than a full basement, and the listed appliances include a range/oven and water heater.

The modest interior is suited to buyers who value the surrounding land and outdoor access more than a large finished living area. Buyers should inspect the cabin and its systems to determine any updates or repairs needed for their intended use.

Forty Acres of Wooded Land

The acreage is classified as wooded and rural, providing a substantial stretch of land for outdoor recreation and time away from more developed surroundings. Chippeny Creek is the central landscape feature, running diagonally through the parcel rather than following just one boundary.

The listing identifies smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, northern pike, and walleye among the fish found in the creek. Whitetail deer and bear hunting are also noted as recreational attractions. Buyers should confirm applicable fishing and hunting regulations, seasons, licenses, and any access requirements before planning activities.

Two 12-by-12-foot sheds provide additional covered space for equipment and outdoor gear. Their present condition and suitability for particular uses should be confirmed during an inspection.

Water, Utilities and Off-Grid Living

Water is supplied by a private six-inch drilled well described as having artesian flow, along with a flowing artesian well. These are notable features of the property, but buyers should independently confirm water quality, flow rate, well construction, and the condition of the associated equipment.

An older septic system is present. Its age, capacity, approval status, and current operating condition should be checked with the appropriate local authorities and a qualified septic professional.

Conventional electricity is not available at the property, and the listing notes that extending service would be too costly to establish economically. A generator is included, and buyers should verify its condition, capacity, fuel arrangements, and maintenance history. The property also has propane heating.

Anyone considering year-round occupancy should evaluate the practical requirements of off-grid living, including reliable power generation, winter access, water-system protection, heating, fuel storage, wastewater management, and communications. Broadband and cellular service should be checked at the exact address rather than assumed from general area coverage.

Location and Everyday Services

The property is in the Rapid River area of Delta County in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, within Masonville Township. The setting is rural, with access along a county gravel road described as maintained for year-round travel. Road conditions and winter maintenance are worth confirming directly, particularly for buyers planning frequent winter visits.

Schools

The local public district is Rapid River Public Schools, which serves kindergarten through grade 12. The district’s listed school location is on U.S. Highway 2 in Rapid River. Buyers with school-age children should confirm current enrollment procedures, transportation arrangements, and school assignment for this particular address.

Healthcare

Healthcare services in Delta County include OSF HealthCare St. Francis Hospital and Medical Group in Escanaba, along with outpatient and primary-care providers in the wider Escanaba and Gladstone area. Because the property is rural, buyers should plan for travel to routine appointments and emergency services. Exact distances and journey times have not been established here.

Shopping and Everyday Needs

Rapid River has local convenience and grocery options, including Rapid River Mini Mart and Garth Bluff Grocery. Additional supermarkets, retail stores, pharmacies, banks, and other services are available in the wider Delta County area, particularly around Gladstone and Escanaba. The exact selection and operating hours should be checked before traveling.

Outdoor Recreation

The creek running through the acreage gives the property a direct connection to fishing and waterside recreation. The wooded land also lends itself to spending time outdoors, with hunting opportunities noted in the listing. Prospective owners should establish the creek’s seasonal characteristics, bank conditions, access points, and any applicable shoreline or water-use restrictions.

The broader Upper Peninsula provides additional outdoor recreation, including public forest land, lakes, trails, and camping areas. Hiawatha National Forest includes recreation sites and trail networks in the wider region. These are regional options, not amenities located on the property itself; travel distances should be checked for the specific destination.

Transportation and Access

Access to the property is via a county gravel road described as year-round. U.S. Highway 2 is a principal route through the Rapid River area and connects communities across the Upper Peninsula. Most everyday errands and regional services are likely to require a vehicle given the rural location. Public transit options and property-specific travel times have not been verified.

Local Housing Market Context

Countywide home-price data provides some background on the wider area, although it does not directly value a small off-grid cabin on creekfront acreage. The Federal Housing Finance Agency’s annual all-transactions house price index for Delta County uses 2000 as its base year and combines appraisal values and sales prices associated with mortgages purchased or guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

The index increased over this five-year period, but it is a county-level measure rather than a median sale price or an appraisal of this property. Conventional home-price indicators may not reflect the value of off-grid systems, creek frontage, acreage, or the condition of a small cabin. Historical changes do not predict future property values.

Property Checks for Buyers

Before making a decision, buyers may wish to review the following items:

• Inspect the cabin’s structure, roof, siding, deck, plumbing, heating equipment, and crawl space.
• Test the drilled well and artesian water supply and review available well records.
• Arrange a septic inspection and confirm applicable permits and compliance requirements.
• Test the included generator and determine its capacity, operating condition, and maintenance needs.
• Confirm property boundaries, creek frontage, any easements, and legal access through a survey or appropriate land records.
• Review local zoning and confirm that the property’s existing and intended uses are permitted.
• Check insurance availability, internet and cellular reception, winter road maintenance, and the cost of ongoing off-grid operation.

Property Summary

Photography and original property information: credit to the respective photographers, property owner, and listing contributors. Individual photographer names were not provided. All property details should be independently verified by prospective buyers.