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Street view of the cottage. My husband & I made the pine cut-out shutters.

View of Burt Lake from street side of cottage.

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

Exceptional

2 bedrooms0+ bathroomsSleeps 667 sq m

Popular amenities

Air conditioning

Kitchen

Barbecue grill

Free WiFi

Outdoor space

Washer

Explore the area

Indian River, MI

Burt Lake State Park1 min walk
Big Bear Adventures13 min walk
Cross In The Woods National Shrine3 min drive
Pellston, MI (PLN-Pellston Regional)24 min drive

Most relevant reviews

8/10 Good

We love the decor and location. Many things to explore from dive bars to natural beauty. We shall return.

David P.

Aug 28, 2023

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

2 Double Sofa Beds

1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio

Kitchen

Separate dining area

Garden

About this property

Riverfront Cottage w/ Boat Docking and easy access to Burt Lake

Perfect get-away cottage for 4 adults & 2 kids, 12yrs or younger! This Cottage on the Sturgeon Rvr provides a private, waterfront setting, located on a navigable section of the Sturgeon River across from a wooded area of Burt Lake State Park. This location allows easy access to Burt Lake, the Indian River, and the Inland Waterway! You can tie your boat/jet ski right up to the bulkhead and not have to hassle with trailering to the launch site each day (note a bridge limits boat height to 55 inches, and an outboard or I/O is recommended). Two kayaks are available for your use on the Sturgeon during your stay.

The property is nestled within Indian River’s village limits making easy access to I-75, US27, and M68. It is a short distance to Mackinaw City/Mackinaw Island, Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Charlevoix and Cheboygan and all they have to offer.

This newly renovated cottage is walking distance to the Devoe Beach, Burt Lake, Veterans' Pier, Indian River Cruises, walking/bike trails, ice cream, restaurants, coffee shop and shopping. You are only 5 minutes by bike to the North Michigan State Trail, a 79-mile hiking, biking and snowmobile trail. The tree lined trail runs along the shoreline of picturesque Mullet Lake. Bring your bikes and walking shoes to enjoy bike rides and hiking on the trails or. just sit back and relax on the deck or around the firepit with a cold beverage and enjoy the river. Something to do for the entire family!

The Cottage is decorated in a vintage, Up North theme with antique fishing gear, vintage maps and copper accents. The new casemate windows are easy to operate and provide a soothing cross breeze for those opting to enjoy Northern Michigan’s fresh air and cool nights. A new heating and air conditioning system has been installed for those hotter days/nights in August. There are ceiling fans in the bedrooms and living areas.

The Master Bedroom, Moose Room, has a beautiful view of the Sturgeon River, comfy queen bed and a new half bath. The second bedroom, Sturgeon Room, has large windows along two walls to provide plenty of light and a great view of the river and wooded riverbank. All windows have blinds to block out the sun and provide privacy.

The living room has a large picture window facing the Sturgeon River and has been arranged with a comfy L-Shaped Sofa bed with queen mattress, a new Flexsteel motorized recliner with USB, and a wall mounted Smart TV. The dining area boasts a beautiful view of Burt Lake, a table to seat 4 to 6, and a coffee station.

The newly remodeled kitchen has full-size Stainless-Steel Appliances, a hammered copper farm sink with industrial style faucet, and a cook's Pot Filler above the stove. The eye level microwave above the stove makes it easy to warm up left-overs and pizza slices. The dishes and glassware have a colorful trout theme. The silverware has hammered copper handles, reminiscent of the areas' copper mines.

The cottage lawn provides plenty of space for backyard BBQ's, Bonfire, Croquet, Corn Hole and fishing!

*The cottage owners reside next door and are able to provide any assistance or information that you may need.

Property manager

Debra Kosloski

Premier Host

Languages

English

Amenities

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Free WiFi

Air conditioning

Lake view

Kitchen

Dryer

Free WiFi

Outdoor space

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 24

Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Kids 13 and up are considered adults for booking.

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

No more than 2 vehicles and 1 Boat Trailer.

No Camping on the property.

No overnight guests. $100 fee per person over 4 ad

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 indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property

Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

About the area

Indian River

Located in Indian River, this cottage is on the waterfront. Indian River Golf Club and Mullett Lake Country Club are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Lake Michigan and Burt Lake State Park. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

Indian River, MI

What's nearby

Burt Lake State Park - 1 min walk
Burt Lake - 1 min walk
Big Bear Adventures - 13 min walk
Cross In The Woods National Shrine - 3 min drive
Indian River Golf Club - 4 min drive

Getting around

Pellston, MI (PLN-Pellston Regional) - 25 min drive

Restaurants

‪McDonald's - ‬13 min walk
‪Wigwam - ‬8 min drive
‪Burger King - ‬16 min walk
‪Michael's Tavern & Steakhouse - ‬3 min drive
‪Pinehurst Inn - ‬17 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Riverfront Cottage w/ Boat Docking and easy access to Burt Lake pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Riverfront Cottage w/ Boat Docking and easy access to Burt Lake?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Riverfront Cottage w/ Boat Docking and easy access to Burt Lake?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Riverfront Cottage w/ Boat Docking and easy access to Burt Lake located?

Situated on the waterfront, this cottage is steps away from Burt Lake State Park and Burt Lake. Devoe Beach and Big Bear Adventures are also within 15 minutes.

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Jef F.

21 June 2024

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

Great location for fishing

Had a great time. Primo spot for fishing and getting out on inland waterway. River location is nice for docking since you are far enough down river to be out of wind.

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

8/10 Good

Gina T.

15 June 2024

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

Peaceful retreat. Great location.

Biked to dinner several nights, to ice cream and shopping. Kayak in river right off the back yard. Close to many wineries. Quiet, peaceful.

Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024

8/10 Good

David P.

28 Aug 2023

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

Rich experiences

We love the decor and location. Many things to explore from dive bars to natural beauty. We shall return.

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Pat G., Defiance,Ohio

14 Aug 2023

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

Cozy Cottage

Such an adorable cozy cottage! Located on the peaceful Sturgeon River. We Enjoyed our week as it is close to everything you could need. The owners are wonderful people offering so many extra’s. You could not be disappointed in choosing this vacation rental.

Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Elissa W.

7 Aug 2023

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

Fantastic Indian River stay!

This is an immaculate rental with every amenity you can think of in place and the owners were next-door, ready and willing to help out with whatever you might need. We really enjoyed the location which is extremely convenient right off of I 75 and on the sturgeon river just less than ~10 houses in from Burt Lake. We use the kayaks and the paddleboards, which was a lot of fun on the river. We brought a very large boat that is 22 feet long and quite deep and had a little bit of difficulty getting out into the lake, but nothing insurmountable. There were some spots that were very shallow, so just listen closely to directions and you should be fine if you are bringing a deep v boat. Both the owners are incredibly kind and helpful, which our kids who are between the ages of three and 10 commented on multiple times. And we would agree. Their dog is super sweet and great with kids too. The house itself is very updated with a well-stocked kitchen, bathroom, and bedrooms. Beds were very comfortable and the pull out couch fit two small kids no problem. Everything felt very high quality and thoughtful. Definitely not a rustic upper Michigan cottage. This is a very comfortable, upscale place to stay. We didn’t make it there but there’s also a nice beach just a block or so away. Easy to walk and accessible. Overall this was a great stay. I would highly recommend!!

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Beth M.

25 July 2023

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

Great place and location

We loved the location and the house was well stocked and clean. We plan to return in the fall.

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dan H.

22 July 2023

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

Northern Michigan Getaway

The cottage is quintessential in its appeal as a northern Michigan getaway. Perfectly situated near the mouth of the Sturgeon River as it empties into Burt Lake. The river is feet from the back deck of the cottage. We kayaked up the Sturgeon and rented a boat from a nearby marina; the Inland Waterway is remarkable, with tens of thousands of acres of lakes and rivers on which to traverse. Joe and Deb were remarkable hosts; super responsive to various inquiries we had about the area. The cottage is very well appointed and definitely harkens back to vintage summertime vacations with family.

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Richard

17 July 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication

Nice cozy cottage on the Sturgeon River. Landlords are very nice and close by.

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Amy C.

11 July 2023

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

Friends getaway

This property is so incredibly nice! Clean, Wonderful decor, awesome location and amenities! So much to do in the area. Owners were extremely nice and communicative. They even let us change our guest situation at the last minute. We would definitely stay here again and hope they would welcome us back!

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ken H., Bay City Michigan

4 July 2023

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

Unbelievable

Our little vacation at the Riverfront Cottage was unbelievable. Exceptional location on the Sturgeon River. Very nice two bedroom cottage. Extraordinary decorations ~ with outdoorsy appeal. Love the maps on the walls of the lake location and surrounding area. The accommodations very outstanding ~ we had everything we needed and more. Nice surroundings on the tranquil riverfront. We always looks for cottages with firepits so we can have the one thing we always enjoy - time around the campfire. The location was perfect ~ close enough to town we could walk, but secluded enough that we enjoyed the quiet outdoors. Lots of wildlife ~ deer, ducks, right across the river, and nice state and city beaches with vacations close by to have fun. The cottage is amazing and we were grateful to her the story of their family cabin from Deb. We did not need the air conditioning even with weather is the 80's. We most definitely will try to secure some time next year. This is exactly what you are looking for if you have a small number looking for a great place to stay. I could go on and on about all the details. You'll have to book your stay to see what I mean. Thanks again to Deb and Joe, and of course Murphy (we might be getting a dog too!)

Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mike R.

30 June 2023

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

Quaint cottage.

Cottage is lovely, very well equipped with quality products. Hosts are very helpful, suggested local activities and restaurants. I plan to stay again.

Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer L.

26 June 2023

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

Great Time

Enjoyed the cottage and had a great time. Very cozy and was perfect.

Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ed P., Lansing area, Michigan

18 June 2023

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

Great Location and Hosts

Great location. Clean and fully stocked. Owners, Deb and Joe, were friendly and great hosts.

Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Emily S.

30 May 2023

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

Amazing!

Quaint, clean, and the perfect location! Can not say enough about our experience at the cottage. Deb and Joe were great hosts and made sure we had everything we needed and were very accommodating. Will be staying again :)

Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tina E.

10 Oct 2022

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

great stay up north

Neat, clean and centrally located to all sorts of northern Michigan sites.

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sue J.

28 Aug 2022

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

HIDDEN GEM!

There are not many out there like this special well loved property. The setting is peaceful and quiet with a beautifully landscaped yard to enjoy, as well as a campfire pit. The owners have taken every care to make your vacation a one of a kind memory. You will be sure to want to return! Comfortable furnishings with decor reminiscent of early Michigan vacation land-with many special pieces. Easy access from the beautiful Sturgeon riverfront onto Burt Lake and beyond via provided kayaks or your boat you may moor in front of property. We have rented many vacation properties around the State of Michigan. This one is one of our very favorites! We have booked already for next summer! Thank you Deb and Joe for sharing your "Happy Place."

Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer J.

24 Aug 2022

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

The cottage was beautiful and had everything we needed. The location was great.

Deb and Joe we're great to work with. Very responsive and excellent hosts. The location was perfect - quiet and relaxing which is just what we needed. We will definitely be back again!

Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Joshua P., Berkley

22 Aug 2022

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

Cozy cabin near Burt Lake

This was a great stay all week. The property is located in a great spot. Very close to the lake, beaches and town. Everything is within reasonable walking/biking distance. It was great that we were able to dock our boat right at the cabin on the river. My son enjoyed the fishing available right outside the back door. We had great nights of camp fires and a little BBQ. The owners are close by and very helpful to any of our needs and/or requests. It was a pleasure to stay. The cabin is just large enough for our family of 4 to be inside if needed, but to be honest, who goes to Gods country to stay in doors. We loved being out enjoying our boats and beaches. Great stay.

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Joseph V.

12 Aug 2022

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

Very relaxing and beautiful

Had a really good time had very beautiful sunsets every night right next to the lake.. everyone was very friendly around. We definitely will be back

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Shawn A.

28 July 2022

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

Great Location

Great little house on the river in a quiet part of the neighborhood close to the marina!

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jason W.

25 July 2022

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

Annual family vacation up north!!!

My wife, kids and I had a wonderful stay. The cabin was everything and more that was listed. Deb and Joe are wonderful host and to talk with also. The kids loved the kayaks, swimming and fishing from the river's edge!! They also loved Murphy when he came over to visit. A++ cabin to rent, would highly recommend a place to stay. Hope to see you next year, thanks.

Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Charles W.

18 July 2022

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

Best of Indian River

This quaint little cottage is beautiful clean and relaxing. one of the nicest rentals I have ever used. The host is great and everything goes smoothly. A wonderful quiet setting in a beautiful place. I would give this an A+++ Thank you.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Cheryl C.

16 July 2022

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

Delightful getaway

Joe and Deb have created a home away from home for their guests. The cottage is very comfortable and well stocked with linens, towels, kitchen items. Guests can choose to enjoy the days at the cottage or explore the many activities and destinations in the area. An ideal location for everyone! Even though the owners live next door, the cottage is private. Communication with them is efficient; concerns were addressed quickly. Boating, fishing, kayaking, biking, swimming at neighborhood beach, walking to Indian River for ice cream, local pizza, warm days, cool nights, bonfires, relaxing while making memories - all these are well worth a week at this beautiful cottage!

Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Hazel K.

5 July 2022

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

A Perfect Place for a Perfect Week

The cottage hosts are wonderful and the cottage was perfectly delightful. It had every amenity we needed and more!

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Courtney G.

2 July 2022

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

Quiet Adult Get away

Deb and Joe’s cabin is fantastic. It was clean! We could tell they put a lot of care into the amenities and decor so their tenants are comfortable. The owners live next door. Joe was very nice but not intrusive at all. We had a water heater issue and he was there to fix it in minutes. The location was great for us. We wanted to do some site seeing in the UP and it was only 2 hours from Pictured Rocks, we also took advantage of the area, and took a trip to Petoskey.

Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2022

About the host

Hosted by Debra Kosloski

Welcome to our multigenerational cottage! The cottage was originally purchased by my maternal grandparents in the late 1940's as an Up North fishing cabin. Grandpa Davis worked nights as an Engineer on Ford's railway and Grandma was a Detroit school teacher. They would travel north on Old 27, before interstate highways, for a week of fishing and relaxation. When Mom, my grandparents' only child, married my dad, Jack Fay, she was a student at MSU and he was in the Army Air Core's pilot's training school, preparing to join the forces during World War II. They made the Air Force a career and our family traveled all over the US. Whenever we were stationed within driving distance to Indian River, we would continue to vacation at the cottage.
In 1967 Grandma and Gramps retired, left Detroit, and moved to Indian River. They decided to sell the cottage to purchase a larger, year-round home. My parents bought the cottage to allow Grandpa continued access to the Sturgeon River's amenities and for us to continue to vacation while spending time with my grandparents. We loved to walk or ride our bikes to Grandma's house, the beach, or into town. The river was our playground. We swam, tubed and canoed each day! It was a kid's paradise!
When my parents retired in 1975, they too, made Indian River their permanent residence. My sister attended MSU and I finished my last two years of high school at Inland Lakes. My older siblings and I would take turns staying at the cottage during the summers and bring our children to enjoy the river.
My husband and I purchased the cottage from my parents' estate in 2018 and had it remodeled and modernized. The cottage has always been the one constant in my life since we had traveled so much as a military family. It is my hope that we can offer others the same experiences that my family has enjoyed by making our little cottage on the Sturgeon available as a vacation rental. We have also retired to Indian River and reside in the log home next door!

Why they chose this property

Location, location, location!

What makes this property unique

The Cottage on the Sturgeon offers a serene, waterfront setting within a quaint little town. Easy access to fishing, pleasure boating, and multiple water sports. We are close to the interstate and surrounding towns and places to explore. The access to the Inland waterway allows us to explore many rivers and lakes in northern Michigan.