Entire home

Private Beach - Seclusion w/waterfront cottage & spacious outdoor space

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Exterior
Beach
Beach
cottage from boathouse
boathouse

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 10

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Fireplace
  • Laundry
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

Map
Port Austin, MI
  • Port Crescent State Park
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Sandy Dunes Adventure Golf
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Huron County Nature Center and Wilderness Arboretum
    ‪11 min drive‬
  • East Tawas, MI (ECA-Iosco County)
    ‪153 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 1

1 Double Bed and 1 Single Bunk Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Single Bunk Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Single Bunk Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Private Beach - Seclusion w/waterfront cottage & spacious outdoor space

Step back in time to relaxation in a knotty pine great-room facing due west over the lake. Enjoy peaceful sunsets from the great-room, the covered porch, your lawn, or the water's edge. Open rafters and floor plan with 2 small bunk rooms, a compact master bedroom, and a guestroom with both a full bed and a bunk bed provide a perfect setting for quality gatherings.

Rich in history with generations of family gatherings, this is an old-time cottage, gently updated with modern amenities of a fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator, stove & microwave, as well as smart TV and Wi-Fi. Ample kitchen utensils are provided.

Not geared for large parties or loud music, the cottage is perfect for quality time with loved ones and making family memories. A swing for a small child hangs from an old oak at water's edge.

An open book-swap shelf is available in the great room, along with cards, puzzles and games.

No air-conditioning, but a newly installed attic fan pulls hot air out of the house at the end of the day. With fans in every room, the lake steps away, steady breezes and ample room to spread out in the shade, it's the perfect place for relaxing with a cool drink. An electric wall heater is available in the great-room only for short term use of cool nights. Towels and linens are provided, along with a cozy blanket provided on each bed. Sweatshirts are recommended for cooler days.

A short wooded lane provides privacy from the road. Swimming is steps away as the property shares a boathouse deck and 140 ' of private lakefront with the neighboring property, also available by the same owner. The entrance drive serves both properties, with 4 dedicated parking spaces reserved for the Cottage. The top of the small hill is reserved for loading and unloading.

The property has extensive beach with the water easily accessible via a short stairway at the boathouse. Swimming is excellent. The beach size varies with changing lake levels. While the water is shallow and sandy near shore, caution is advised with higher waves, especially with small children.

The property lies within 5 miles of Port Austin, a quaint town offering a harbor of refuge, kayak rentals with waterway maps to beautiful turnip rock, 2 miniature golf courses, a delightful and adequately challenging 18 hole golf course, horseback riding, a destination farmer's market, historic Port Austin Reef Lighthouse, a laundromat, summer and fall family events, as well as unique shops and local eateries.

Within 2 miles lies Port Crescent State Park with its sweeping expanse of protected shoreline. The park encompasses the mouth of the Pinnebog River, a popular canoe and kayak destination, miles of sandy beach, hiking trails, a fishing pier on the river, bird viewing platforms, and in 2016 became one of Michigan's few registered Dark Park Preserves. A Dark Park Preserve is an area preserved to minimize night lights, allowing unusually clear viewing of the night sky.

Guests at the cottage are encouraged to keep lights low as the property is secluded and star-gazing from the lawn, boathouse and beach is truly exceptional. Small solar lights show location of the step to the boathouse deck and stairs to the beach.

The following partial listing of nearby attractions is expanded on in a welcome folder of additional information on local attractions and area services.

Port Austin hosts a robust farmer's market every Saturday from 9:30-1:00. Very fun with produce, crafts, shops and music.

Port Austin Kayak is kayak and paddle board central with information on the kayak trail to turnip rock

Port Crescent State Park offers a shoreline campground and Day Use area with hiking trails, bird-watching, excellent swimming and beach strolling through undeveloped shoreline.

Tip of Thumb Canoe Rental offers canoeing on the Pinnebog River with the river's Lake Huron mouth as the destination of choice

Huron County Nature Center on Loosemore Rd. offers 120 acres of wilderness arboretum and hiking trails

Knoblock's Riding Stable offers horseback trail rides off M-53 just south of Port Austin. Pony rides are available for the little ones.

Grindstone City, located about 6 miles east of Port Austin offers a beautiful natural fishing harbor, and just inland, the original town site is renowned for its ice cream parlors.

Huron Museum City is 9 miles east of Port Austin on M-25. Self-guided tours are available for a minor fee.

Lighthouse Park is a little over 12 miles east of Port Austin on M-25. Picnicking and tours of the old Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse are open to the public.

Port Austin Reef Lighthouse is visible from the harbor in town; you can take a stroll on the break wall for harbor viewing.

Bird Creek Golf Course is located just south of Port Austin off M-53; an excellent 18 hole course.


Property manager

Sunset Serenity LLC

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Free WiFi
Laundry
Outdoor space
Parking available
Barbecue grill

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No RVs or camping on the driveway, lawn or beach; occupancy not to exceed sleeping capacity
Maximum of 4 vehicles in designated area ; a boat trailer reduces parking by 1
Fires only in designated area

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Port Austin

Located in Port Austin, this cottage is on the beach. Port Austin Light Station and Caseville Hisrtorical Society Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Bird Creek Park and Sandy Dunes Adventure Golf. Huron County Nature Center and Wilderness Arboretum and Longshot Lanes are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Port Austin, MI

What's nearby

  • Port Crescent State Park - 5 min drive - 3.2 km
  • Port Austin State Harbor - 5 min drive - 5.1 km
  • Sandy Dunes Adventure Golf - 6 min drive - 6.3 km
  • Bird Creek Golf Club - 8 min drive - 8.1 km
  • Huron County Nature Center and Wilderness Arboretum - 11 min drive - 10.3 km

Getting around

  • Saginaw, MI (MBS-MBS Intl.) - 98 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Blue Moon Ice Cream - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Pak's Backyard - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪The Tap Room - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪The Bank 1884 - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Fireside Inn - ‬9 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Private Beach - Seclusion w/waterfront cottage & spacious outdoor space pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Private Beach - Seclusion w/waterfront cottage & spacious outdoor space?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Private Beach - Seclusion w/waterfront cottage & spacious outdoor space?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Private Beach - Seclusion w/waterfront cottage & spacious outdoor space located?

Situated on the beach, this cottage is steps from Lake Huron and within 3 mi (5 km) of Port Crescent State Park and Veteran's Memorial Park. Port Austin State Harbor and Bird Creek Park are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 17 out of 21 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 21 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 21 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 21 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 21 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.4/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Beth M.

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

Great Getaway

We loved our time at the cabin. Easy beach access, great sunsets and much time to read.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Teresa D.

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

Great getaway

Wonderful, beautiful view
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kathleen P.

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

Best Summer Cottage

Great lakeside cottage. Plenty of room for the family. Woods behind for seclusion from road. Beautiful view of the lake from cottage on the hill. Sandy beach & swimming area. Always a pleasure, looking forward to next year.. Thanks so much for the memories
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Chris D.

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

Perfect Getaway!

We were in love with this place. It has everything you can possibly need. The view is spectacular and it offers amazing sunsets. The cottage itself was very cozy with plenty of room for my family of 5 and my wives parents. My kids spent hours on the beach and we never had to worry about them. I would highly recommend this place. It was a huge change of pace from our normal fast pace life.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

6/10 Okay

Tonya G.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

My getaway

Cabin is nice. My family and I wish it had air conditioning or even beach towels since it is beachfront cabin. We had to make our own beds when we got there. That was a first and had ants in the treats they left us in the basket. So we made sure not leave food out on the countertop. But it is a cute cabin and we enjoyed our time there. That’s all that really matter was making memories with the grandkids and family. I would recommend this cabin.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kathleen P.

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

Cottage on the beach

Great beach ‘cottage’ older style, well kept. Property is beautiful, wooded, lots of oaks & acorns, secluded from the road. Large yard overlooking the beach and lake. Roomy inside, plenty of room for a rainy day. Knotty pine gives a great cottage/cabin feel. Bedrooms are great for a family with kids, dressers & closets in each, easy to keep neat. Close to Port Austin. Spent a week and only went to town a couple times to the store and once to Grindstone for giant ice cream and to tour Port Austin. Enjoyed the property & beach so much didn’t need to leave. Definitely recommend to families with kids.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Justin R.

Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Lanette W.

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

Beautiful property and location

The cabin was beautifully located beautiful sunsets beautiful scenery very spacious the only recommendation I would have is to get brighter lighting. my family thoroughly enjoyed our time together there thank you.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lee B.

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

Beach. Water. Food.

Amazing sunsets! Great beach! Big water but shallow for 100’s of yards from beach! Comfy cottage! Local Foodie scene is under-rated. Thanks for another great stay!!!!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

8/10 Good

Ann B.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lots of beds, some good equipment in the kitchen and that beautiful lake!

This wasn’t the fanciest cottage I ever stayed at but that just made it feel more relaxing. The beach and the lake were what we were there for and they were exquisite!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Dan M.

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

Enjoyed my stay!

Quiet location with a great beach
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Amy G.

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

Summer vacation

We loved our stay at the cottage. It was quiet, peaceful and had an amazing view. We walked, fished on the nearby river, swam, read, played games and relaxed. It was the perfect escape from busy schedules that we needed. I will miss my morning coffee on the deck & listening to the waves the most!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Lee B.

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

Simple life. Amazing sunsets right on the beach!

Cozy, clean, perfect location. Great communications from owner. Bring your paddleboards and kayaks. Be ready for spectacular sunsets that run past 10pm. If you kayak, Turnip Rock is must do. Not scary… Bird Creek and Farm restaurant wonderful. Green Clean Bean coffee if you like coffee. Check out some of the local art and history. Beach sitting all day!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Michael M.

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

Great Cabin in a Beautiful, Peaceful location.

Our family was looking for a nice secluded spot for a quiet getaway and this property was great for that purpose! The all wood interior design is beautiful and gives it a rustic but cozy feel. The top draws for us were the waterfront location, starry nights, and quiet evenings and the cabin exceeded our expectations. We had a lot of good times in the water and on the beach. At night we were able to make a fire in the fire pit while watching the sunset over the water, and then watch the stars come out. We were drawn by the promise of dark surroundings and starry skies and we were not disappointed. We were a bit apprehensive about the lack of a/c, and one day hit around 90 degrees. The cabin did get hot that day, but with its good window placement, it cooled down well at night with the lake breezes/winds and we beat the heat of the day by jumping in the lake and then sitting in the shade. With the trees on and around the property, there was always shade available somewhere in the yard the entire day. The only issues we had were minor- 1. Under amenities the listing said "coin laundry" . We thought this meant that there was one on site, but there was not. This was a non issue since we did not end up having any major need for laundry, and we were able to make do with the minor need that came up. 2. We wanted to cook all of our meals and we found that some of the pots and utensils we wanted to use had not been fully washed by prior users. Again this was a minor inconvenience since we just washed them. Aside from that the kitchen, appliances, and dishes were all clean and ready for use. There were several sized pans for cooking breakfast foods, and pots for cooking dinner. The fridge and stove were both on the newer side and worked well. There were guests in the other home on the property, but there was enough outdoor space that we were both able to enjoy ourselves without getting in each other's way. Overall we loved our stay and were sad to leave. We would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Traci M.

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

Beautiful Stay

Our family rented both homes in July and had a wonderful time. Houses were clean and had everything we needed. The water and scenery were magical. Great place to get away and spend time with family!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Amy K.

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

Our Perfect Getaway!

The cottage had everything we needed. The space in the cottage was larger than we expected especially the living room and were able to easily social distance from our neighbors given the space between us. The beach, view and sunsets were absolutely amazing which were our #1 criteria when searching for our home away from home for the week. We appreciated the new grill that worked very well each evening before we capped off our day at the fire pit. The owner, Lynn, was quick to respond to questions. Was so clear to us that she wanted our family to have the same experience that her family has enjoyed for decades... and we did.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2020

10/10 Excellent

Marci M.

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

FANTASTIC BEACHFRONT PROPERTY

We absolutely loved the place! We had hoped to kayak to turnip rock but the lake was too wavy all weekend however this cottage was the perfect retreat. We sat at the beach all day, played yard games, and enjoyed bonfires. And the sunsets, they are priceless❤️. We also spent a day visiting a couple local breweries. I was concerned about sharing one bath between 6 adults but it was no problem. HIGHLY RECOMMEND and hope to go back!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Nancy L.

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

Lovely view of Lake Huron

The location of the cottage is wonderful. The lake is just a few steps away and offered a beautiful sunset few of the lake. We stayed for a long weekend with seven adult family members and three children , three years and under. The cottage had had everything that we needed and was neat and cozy. We were able to eat inside and there was a table outside as well. The yard was a nice size for outside games and an evening fire. The beach was nice sand and worked great for our small kids. The location at the tip of the thumb was an area we had never been to so it was nice to get aquatinted with the area.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2019

8/10 Good

John s.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Had a great time there

Like the beach most
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie H.

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

Gorgeous spot for family fun!

We had such an amazing experience staying at this great cottage! The owners were so accommodating and easy to communicate with and the cottage was well equipped with everything you might need! The kids LOVED the swing and the adults loved sitting lakeside with a drink. Perfect distance to restaurants and other fun things to do. Can’t say enough good things about it! Thank you for sharing such a special place with us, we will definitely be back!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Cristy K.

Cute cottage with beautiful views

We had an amazing time staying at this cottage in Port Austin, it was one of our most relaxing vacations ever. Starting with the outside, the view was absolutely amazing. The yard is large and has only a few houses right around it so we felt like we had quite a bit of privacy. The cottage has a nice little beach area and the water has a mostly sandy bottom and is shallow for a long time which is great for kids and also for night swimming! The cottage has everything that you would need inside; pots, pans, dishes, bedding, bath towels, etc. There is a grill to use for preparing food which also has a burner on it, so we were able to avoid cooking inside. There is no AC but fans for each room and when we got warm, we'd just step out back and take a swim. I'd call the cabin cozy in size, but with bunk beds in 3 of the 4 bedrooms you can easily sleep 10. The living room area is nice sized with lots of seating. I had to work for a few hours one of the days and the wifi was fast enough for me to remote into my work computer with no problem. There is cable as well, though we never turned it on. I would absolutely stay here again and recommend this cottage!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2018

About the host

Hosted by Sunset Serenity LLC

Host profile image
My father designed and built the cottage. I have been coming here every summer of my life. My husband, now passed, and I purchased it to continue the tradition of gentle respite. I'm delighted to be able to carry on the legacy and tradition of family gatherings, and offer the gift of solace to others who seek it.

What makes this property unique

The cottage was built in 1951 as a peaceful retreat from the city. It has remained in the same family its entire history. Lovingly preserved with its original charm, the cottage has a legacy of rich memories for multiple generations of children, cousins and friends. It offers true respite from the hurried pace of life. No matter the busyness of nearby towns or events, the cottage remains peaceful. Its expansive lawn and immediate presence of the lake brings serenity to the soul. Its unique position facing due west offers amazing sunsets, seemingly provided just for you.

Languages:

English