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Crooked Lake Express

Photo gallery for Crooked Lake Express

A vintage red and white train car with the number 2579, parked on tracks with a grassy area beside it. - Crooked Lake Express (Alanson)
A red train on tracks with a road and greenery in the foreground. - Crooked Lake Express (Alanson)
A bedroom with a bed, a window with blinds, a wall-mounted light switch, and a framed quote on the wall. - Crooked Lake Express (Alanson)
A train dining car with red upholstered seats, a white table, and a hanging light fixture. - Crooked Lake Express (Alanson)
A bathroom with a white sink, a mirror, a towel rack, and a window. - Crooked Lake Express (Alanson)
You can look forward to a firepit, a garden and laundry facilities at Crooked Lake Express. Guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Air-conditioning
  • Outdoor space
  • Parking available

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About this property

Crooked Lake Express

  • Step aboard history with a stay in Crooked Lake Express 2579, a lovingly restored 1910 Grand Trunk Railroad passenger car now nestled in the heart of Northern Michigan. This authentic train car has been thoughtfully transformed into a charming and memorable lodging experience - perfect for travelers looking for something truly unique. Whether you're unwinding by the water or exploring nearby trails, this is your ticket to a refined Northern Michigan escape. Inside, you'll find a blend of vintage character and modern comfort. The space features: - 2 classic Pullman-style bedrooms (one with a queen bed, the other with twin bunk beds) - 1.5 bathrooms - A compact but well-equipped kitchen for light meals - Cozy, train-inspired décor with original touches from its Grand Trunk Western days Located directly along the North Western State Trail and just across from the Little Traverse Township Boat Launch on scenic Crooked Lake, this is an ideal base for outdoor enthusiasts, history buffs, or anyone looking to try something out of the ordinary. Please note: Due to the nature of the original train car design, some spaces—including the half bath and areas around the beds—are tight. This is part of the authentic experience, but we encourage guests to keep this in mind when booking. Whether you're biking the trail, paddling on the lake, or simply relaxing in a truly rare piece of rail history, Crooked Lake Express 2579 offers a stay unlike any other. *Access to water toys and boats are not included in the rental of this property. If you would like information on watercraft rentals, please reach out to us for recommendations! NEARBY DESTINATIONS Downtown Harbor Springs: 7 miles The Highlands/Nub's Nob: 6.6 miles Windjammer Marina (boat rentals): 0.9 miles Downtown Petoskey: 6.1 miles Mackinaw City (to catch a ferry to Mackinac Island): 29.2 miles Pellston Regional Airport: 13.7 miles Petoskey State Park (Lake Michigan): 3.1 miles ABOUT US Vacation Properties of Northern Michigan is a rental management company located in downtown Petoskey. We have been operating for 14 years and we understand the importance of vacation and the anticipation leading up to it. We care about our travelers and take pride in our portfolio of rental properties. We encourage you to look us up online and reach out if you have any questions or concerns about the property. Our goal is to provide you with the best vacation possible with clean/well-kept places, great communication, and fun environments so that you keep coming back. Northern Michigan has our hearts, and we want it to have yours too! OTHER THINGS TO NOTE After booking on this platform, you must enter into a rental agreement with Vacation Properties of Northern Michigan to confirm your booking fully. Access codes and other important rental details will be sent via text seven days before your arrival. This number is how you will reach us if you need assistance during your stay. We are a local rental management company, and our texting software provides the quickest way to answer questions on all our booking platforms.

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About the area

Located in Conway, Crooked Lake Express is near a water park. Oden State Fish Hatchery Visitor Center and Andrew J. Blackbird Museum are local landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Chestnut Valley Golf Club and Happy Days and Nights Winery. Cheboiganing Preserve and Great Lakes Center for the Arts are also worth visiting. Take some time off to enjoy the winery tours in the area, or get some fresh air with adventures like horse riding nearby. Visit our Conway travel guide
Map
Alanson, MI

What's nearby

  • Two swans swimming in a calm lake with a forested shoreline in the background.
    Crooked Lake
    1 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • beach near Petoskey Outboard Cruising Club
    3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • beach near Little Traverse Township Playground
    10 min walk - 0.6 miles
  • beach near Little Traverse Township Park
    13 min walk - 0.7 miles
  • beach near Windjammer Marina
    2 min drive - 1.2 miles

Getting around

  • Pellston, MI (PLN-Pellston Regional)
    18 min drive

Restaurants

  • Culver's
    6 min drive
  • Taco Bell/KFC
    6 min drive
  • McDonald's
    6 min drive
  • Petoskey Brewing
    6 min drive
  • Ron’s Bar & Backyard
    6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Crooked Lake Express pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Crooked Lake Express?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Crooked Lake Express?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Crooked Lake Express?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

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Reviews

Crooked Lake Express Reviews

10

Exceptional

10

Cleanliness

10

Location
Rating 10 - Excellent. 3 out of 3 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 3 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 3 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 3 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 3 reviews

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay

Awesome place to stay! Very clean and unique. I would highly recommend it. Great host too!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Great Stay

Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was spotless. I was very happy with the location. I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: Loved it.Property management was great!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The Crooked Lake Express was a fun place to stay with kids. Loved the inside train whistle that you could pull the cord on and the easy access to the bicycle trail. Would have been across the board 5 star rating except we arrived after dark and I could not locate the key lock or easily find in my phone who to call.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025