Abandoned Northwoods Drive-in Theater, Houghton Lake

Who recalls this old drive-in theater? Any of you ever come here to see a movie?

It’s the former Northwoods Drive-In Theater, east of Houghton Lake in Prudenville, located at 4287 E, West Branch Road. It’s so far off the road, passersby may not realize this skinny little road was once the drive-in entrance. As many times as I have been in that area, I don't recall ever seeing this.

The Northwoods opened approximately in 1975-76 by Bill and Yvonne Amy, using old projectors and a viewing screen from Pinconning’s closed Bay Drive- In Theater. It was used into the 1980s, but from there an actual closing date is unknown.

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After the theater closed, the property was used as Maple Valley Truss for a good number of years before they closed permanently in the early 2020s.

As of 2026, if you squint you could still see the screen wayyy down at the end of that skinny former entrance.