Blind River Ranch is a private whitetail deer hunting preserve, rustic wedding venue, and vacation retreat in Fairview, Michigan. With nearly a square mile of forest, we offer guided hunts, lodging, and immersive outdoor experiences. We are located in Fairview, MI — about 45 minutes northeast of West Branch and 2.5 hours north of Detroit.
How the Eddys Made This All Happen
Our story of Blind River Ranch
A whole lot of Michigan history has also been made here!
The story behind Blind River Ranch
The ranch’s founder, Edwin Carrington Eddy, could trace his lineage back to medieval British royalty, yet he preferred to make a name for himself here in the Midwest. In fact, during his time studying mechanical engineering at the University of Michigan, Carrington was one of the first to film an Indy 500 race (in 1921)!
Years later, while working at General Motors in Flint, Carrington’s doctor diagnosed him with a stress-related illness and recommended taking action to reduce the stress in his life. In the mid-1930s, he and his spouse, Helen Jenner Eddy, searched all around for new property until the Oscoda County Treasurer presented them with an offer they couldn’t refuse. Helen would later describe their big move as “building a life out of the wilderness,” as she and Carrington began to build their family home on their new plot of land near Fairview.
Over the years, the Eddys added additional land to their family ranch. They also built cabins along the Au Sable River and by Perry Lake and even constructed their own barn and sawmill. But in 1939 tragedy struck again when a fire destroyed their barn and sawmill. The Eddys had to restart from scratch, yet they still managed to build a new sawmill. Following World War II, they launched new business endeavors in raising chickens and harvesting ice (for ice boxes).
By the 1950s, the Eddys had a thriving business empire, one that extended from new construction across Northern Michigan to expanding their local farm. In 1957, Carrington fulfilled another longtime dream of his when he opened his own Pinconning and Blind River Train, where visitors could ride a custom two-and-a-half mile route that included three trestles and a 105-foot tunnel. For the next roughly dozen years, over 180,000 people came to Blind River Ranch to ride the train and experience this unique stretch of Oscoda County for themselves!
The Legend Continues Here and Now
Today, Blind River Ranch offers premier guided whitetail hunts, small destination weddings, and private retreats on a wildlife-rich property. Our accommodations include the main Carrington House, Jenner House, Helen’s HIdeaway, and a welcoming lodge. We value conservation, hospitality, and crafting unique experiences for families, teams, and couples alike.
The best private ranch experience
Even outside the hunting season, we aim to provide the best private ranch experience for guests seeking something truly special. No matter what you’re hoping to do here, we hope you can come and do it all at Blind River Ranch!
Here, we open our arms wide to families seeking the perfect backdrop for family reunions, to companies looking to build teams in an environment that strips away the confines of cubicles, and to couples desiring a destination wedding that abounds in peaceful, wooded enchantment. Blind River Ranch is a versatile place that can easily fit your vision for your next event. Here, the togetherness is the focus in a setting of natural splendor.
Blind River Ranch is not just a “Different Kind of Up North”; it’s a transformative destination. It’s the laughter around a late-night fire pit, the hushed “I do” in the forest clearing. It’s where memories are etched not just in photo albums but in our guests’ hearts. Visit us, and let the magic of the ranch draw you into its story.