River Life Awaits: 1.3 Acres in Sterling Michigan
1.32 wooded acres on the Rifle River in Arenac County, with the property running all the way to the water’s edge. Flexible private financing options available!
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1.32 wooded acres on the Rifle River in Arenac County, with the property running all the way to the water’s edge.
Payment Details
See Survey Here! Parcel 2.
Parcel ID # – 005-0-003-200-035-02
- Cash Discounted Price
- Flexible Financing Options available
PENDING
This property is pending.
1.32 Acres on the Rifle River | Wooded Riverfront in Sterling, MI | Arenac County
0 Franklin Trl Lot 2 · Sterling, MI 48659 · Arenac County · Deep River Township · Rifle River Valley Estates · R-2 Zoning
There is a stretch of the Rifle River in Arenac County where the water runs clean over sand and gravel, canoes and tubers drift past all summer, and the trees crowd right down to the bank. This 1.32-acre wooded lot on Franklin Trail sits directly on that stretch, with the property extending all the way to the water’s edge. Picture a cabin among the cedars with a path down to your own stretch of river, mornings spent watching the current go by, or simply owning a quiet piece of Northern Michigan where the fishing and the floating are both right outside your door. Zoned R-2 for recreational residential use, this lot is built for exactly that kind of life. Owner financing is available on flexible terms.
🌊 1.32 acres with frontage on the Rifle River | wooded and quiet | zoned R-2 for recreational residential use
The Rifle River runs along the southern edge of this property, with cedar, pine, and hardwood covering the rest of the lot. The Rifle River is known throughout Michigan for its clear, spring-fed water, making it a favorite for canoeing, tubing, and trout fishing, and kayakers and tubers can regularly be seen floating past this stretch on a summer afternoon. Zoned R-2, the property is set up for a single-family home along with recreational uses, giving a buyer real flexibility in how the land gets used.
đź’ł Owner Financing Available
Owner financing is available on flexible terms, making this an accessible opportunity without relying solely on traditional bank lending. Contact us for details on down payment options and monthly terms.
Property at a Glance
The Land
The lot is wooded and level with some slight sloping, running back from Franklin Trail to the banks of the Rifle River. Cedar and pine line the water’s edge, with mixed hardwood covering the rest of the property, and the river itself curves gently along the southern boundary. Sitting near the intersection of Franklin Trail, Fritz Rd, and Miller Rd, the property offers a private, tucked-away feel while remaining an easy drive from Sterling and the rest of Arenac County.
Utilities
⚡ Electric available in the area | well and septic needed | propane typical
Electric service is available in the area through Consumers Energy, and buyers should confirm availability and connection cost directly with the provider. A well is needed for water, with area well depths ranging from 35 to 333 feet, and nitrate testing is recommended prior to drinking from a proposed well. Septic is needed for wastewater, with an alternative system likely required due to site conditions, and buyer to perform all testing as wanted prior to closing. Propane is the typical gas source in this area, and there is no curbside trash pickup.
This Property Works Well For
Sterling and the Rifle River Valley
The Rifle River is one of Michigan’s best known paddling and trout streams, running from its headwaters near Rose City down through Arenac County to Saginaw Bay, and this stretch near Sterling is a favorite for canoeing, tubing, and fishing throughout the summer. The Rifle River Recreation Area, one of Michigan’s largest state recreation areas, lies upstream and offers additional hiking, camping, and lake access for those wanting to explore further. Omer, just down the road, is known as the Sturgeon Capital of Michigan and hosts an annual sturgeon festival celebrating the river’s fish population. To the east, Au Gres sits on Saginaw Bay with marina access, charter fishing, and Lake Huron views, while Tawas City and nearby Tawas Point State Park offer lighthouse views and sandy Lake Huron beaches.
Sterling is about 10 minutes from the property for everyday needs, with Standish about 17 minutes and Omer about 20 minutes for additional dining and services. Au Gres is about 26 minutes for Saginaw Bay access, and Bay City and Tawas City are both about 45 minutes away, putting a genuine Northern Michigan river retreat within easy reach of two well-known Lake Huron destinations.
1.32 acres directly on the Rifle River. Wooded and quiet. Zoned R-2 for recreational residential use. Camping, mobile homes, tiny homes, and short-term room rentals all permitted. No HOA. 10 minutes to Sterling. Owner financing available.
True river frontage on the Rifle River does not come up often in Arenac County. Contact us today for details and owner financing options.
Payment Notes
You can buy with confidence! Make this property yours – just click reserve above!
$29,997 Discounted Cash Price
Owner Financing Available to Deserving Buyer, Starting at 20-25% Down at $37,496 Financed Price. Bank financing always welcome!
**boundary approximate, from County GIS. See Survey Here! Parcel 2.**
🌲 A Closer Look
1.32 wooded acres running to the water’s edge, zoned R-2 for recreational residential use, with kayakers and tubers regularly floating past on a summer afternoon. A single-family home, camping, mobile and manufactured homes, tiny homes, and short-term room rentals are all on the table here, though building near the river means a DNR Natural River Zoning Permit and some extra steps for septic and well due to floodplain, wetlands, and a high water table on site. Taxes run about $380.29 a year, no back taxes, no liens, no HOA. Sterling is 10 minutes out, with Standish, Omer, Au Gres, Bay City, and Tawas City all within about 45 minutes for everything from small-town errands to Saginaw Bay and Lake Huron beaches. Buyer to perform all relevant due diligence.
🤝 About Us
This property is offered for sale by owner – folks who value clarity, transparency, and respectful communication. We’ve been in the space for several decades, and we know how important it is for you to be informed and confident. Property details have been gathered from the borough itself, borough records and utility providers to help you understand what is available and what steps may be required. The goal is a smooth, straightforward process where YOU feel confident and informed from start to finish.
1.32 acres directly on the Rifle River. Wooded and quiet. Zoned R-2 for recreational residential use. Camping, mobile homes, tiny homes, and short-term room rentals all permitted. No HOA. 10 minutes to Sterling. Owner financing available.
True river frontage on the Rifle River does not come up often in Arenac County.
Contact us today to learn more, ask about financing options, and make this property yours!
By proceeding with a purchase, buyers acknowledge full responsibility for verifying all information and assume all risks associated with the property. The seller shall not be liable for any inaccuracies or the buyer’s failure to conduct proper due diligence.
Driving Directions
Starting in Sterling, Michigan 48659 at the intersection of M-76/Saginaw St and E/W State St, head northwest on M-76/Saginaw St toward N School St for 0.3 miles. Turn right onto N School Rd for 0.2 miles, then continue onto Melita Rd for 1.7 miles. Bear slight right to stay on Melita Rd for 1.7 miles, then turn right onto Town Line Rd for 1.5 miles. Turn right onto Fritz Rd for 0.3 miles, then continue onto Franklin Trail for 0.2 miles. Bear slight right to stay on Franklin Trail, and your destination at the 1.32-acre property at 0 Franklin Trail Lot 2, Sterling, MI 48659 will be on the left in 0.3 miles.
Total distance: 6.4 miles, approximately 10 minutes.
GPS Coordinates (approx. center of road frontage on Franklin Trl)
Paste this into your map app:
44.0774, -83.98512
Property Information
Parcel Size
1.32 acres
State
Michigan
County
Arenac County, MI
Nearest Cities
Omer, MI – Au Gres, MI – Bay City, MI – Tawas City, MI
Parcel #
005-0-003-200-035-02
Address
0 Franklin Trl Lot 2, Sterling, MI 48659
Legal Description
SEE DEED.
Features
Acres
1.32
Dimension
368.22′ x 174.11′ x 332.61′ x 165.26′
County
Arenac County, MI
Access
Maintained gravel road
Power
Electric available in area – not connected
Water
Will need to install a well
Coordinates
44.0774, -83.98512
Zoning
R-2
Elevation
~660-645′
All Property Details
| County | Arenac County, MI |
| Street | 0 Franklin Trl Lot 2 Sterling, MI 48659 |
| Parcel / Tax ID Numbers | 005-0-003-200-035-02 |
| Size | 1.32 acres – See Survey Here! Parcel 2. |
| Terrain | Variable terrain, but plenty of flat area to build on. Direct river frontage, and native tree cover/vegetation covers the property |
| Access | Maintained gravel road |
| Property Zoning | R-2 – see more info in Zoning Ordinance here. |
| RV’s | Allowed – not allowed for residency, can camp for up to 14 days at a time with permit |
| Mobile / Manufactured Homes | Allowed – must meet HUD guidelines and other standards and inspection. See more info in Zoning Ordinance here. |
| Camping | Allowed – can camp for up to 14 days at a time with permit |
| Minimum Build Size | 420 square feet |
| Tiny Homes / ADUs | Allowed – are treated as regular homes, cannot be on wheels, have to have a foundation and minimum of 420 sq ft |
| Covenants / POA / HOA | None |
| Taxes | ~$380.29 annually (2025) |
| Electric | In area – will need to connect, Buyer to perform all due diligence |
| Water | Will need to install a well, Buyer to perform all due diligence |
| Sewer | Alternative system likely required. Application, permitting from township and EGLE. Buyer to perform all due diligence |
| Flood Zone | Flood zone on southern side of property due to river |
| Legal description | SEE DEED. |
| Utilities disclaimer | We do not make recommendations on any vendors. The utilities installer contacts listed are purely for your information. There may be other options available in the area. Please use this information at your own discretion. |
GPS Coordinates (boundary and points approximate – from County GIS .See Survey Here! Parcel 2.)
| Corner 1 Coordinates | 44.07729, -83.98579 |
| Corner 2 Coordinates | 44.07752, -83.9844 |
| Corner 3 Coordinates | 44.07695, -83.98448 |
| Corner 4 Coordinates | 44.07658, -83.98568 |
Schools
| Sterling Elementary School |
| Standish-Sterling Middle and High Schools |
Nearby Attractions
Points of Interest and Their Proximity
| Name | Distance |
|---|---|
| Rifle River | Direct frontage to Rifle River |
| Sterling (center) | ~10 min drive |
| Standish (center) | ~15 min drive |
| Omer (center) | ~20 min drive |
| Au Gres (center) / Lake Huron (nearest point) | ~25 min drive |
| Ogemaw Nature Park Deer Reserve | ~45 min drive |
| Houghton Lake | ~45 min drive |
| Bay City (center) | ~45 min drive |
| Tawas City (center) | ~45 min drive |
| Mt Pleasant (center) | ~1 hr, 20 min drive |
“Refer someone who buys land from us and we will pay a referral fee!!”
As a nationwide real estate investment firm specializing in land acquisition and sales, we empower our clients to make informed decisions. Although we don’t conduct on-site meetings, we strongly recommend you visit the property to experience its potential firsthand. Ready to explore? Contact us today to arrange your site visit!
Disclaimer: We make every effort to provide accurate and up-to-date information about this property based on available public sources and our own research. However, it is the buyer’s responsibility to verify all information, including but not limited to: zoning, access, utilities, buildability, and permitted uses. All buyers are encouraged to conduct their own due diligence before purchasing. This property is sold “as-is” with no warranties or guarantees, expressed or implied.