Entire home

Waterfront Nature/Outdoor Lovers Secluded Estate

Photo gallery for Waterfront Nature/Outdoor Lovers Secluded Estate

Thunderstick Lodge - 153 acre waterfront 
estate on Taylor's Island.
Exterior
Exterior
View from the brand new dock just installed April 2022.
Sunset from the "Sipping Room"

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms4+ bathroomsSleeps 14362.3 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Fireplace
  • Kitchen
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Parking available

Explore the area

Map
Taylors Island, MD
  • Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park
    ‪30 min drive‬
  • Cove Point Lighthouse
    ‪177 min drive‬
  • Calvert Cliffs State Park
    ‪177 min drive‬
  • Cambridge, MD (CGE-Cambridge - Dorchester)
    ‪38 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 14)

Bunk Room

2 Single Bunk Beds

Downstairs Murphy Bed

1 Queen Bed

Master #1

1 King Bed

Master #2

1 King Bed

Queen Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

4 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

1/2 bathroom

Toilet

Master #1

Toilet · Shower only

Master #2

Toilet · Shower only

Murphy Bed attached bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Shared Upstairs Bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Waterfront Nature/Outdoor Lovers Secluded Estate

Thunderstick Lodge is 158-acre outdoor lovers paradise. This late 1800s built estate was totally remodeled in 2020. Eight hundred yards of waterfront seclusion less than two hours from DC, Baltimore and Philadelphia. Horizon views without a building, nature abounds everywhere. The rare Sika deer, waterfowl and bald eagles are likely to be seen daily. The property adjoins 1000 acres of Nature Conservancy for your wildlife hiking and viewing pleasure. Fishing, crabbing, kayaking and paddle boarding are all within 30 yards of the home. Local attractions include the quaint city of Cambridge with local boutiques and dining, nationally acclaimed Blackwater Wildlife Refuge, the country's finest waterfowl refuge. For the golfers, the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Course is less than 20 minutes.
Taylor’s Island is a quaint waterman’s island with 2 marinas and 2 restaurants where the people are friendly and welcoming. The home is a five-bedroom, 3800 square foot, newly remodeled modern colonial shaded by 150-year-old oaks. The home's front porch has two story columns and rocking chairs for that afternoon iced tea. The house’s waterfront side has floor to ceiling glass for your outdoor viewing pleasure of salt marshes, pines and the Saint John’s Creek typically filled with Canadian geese, mallards and swans.
The home has a fully stocked kitchen with double oven, microwave, gas stove, dishwasher, refrigerator, and fireplace. There is a huge island topped with a cherry slab that seats 7. The kitchen is stocked with pots, pans, serving dishes, basic spices, coffee pot (Keurig and Drip), plates, silver wear and everything you need from a basic breakfast to a gourmet dinner. The dining area has a table that seats up to 12. The bar room has a handcrafted bar built from 2 slabs taken from the home during the remodel and crafted into a beautiful bar top with sink, beverage fridge and ice machine. Main room with L-shaped couch, big papa chairs, large screen TV and gas fireplace, a great place to enjoy the provided indoor games. The bonus room/5th bedroom has a full bath, murphy bed, heated floors and cubbies for all your outdoor stuff. This room does not have a door on it but is still very private (see pictures). It is off the main living/tv room. The laundry room has full size washer and dryer. The home’s second floor has 2 master suites with king size beds, ensuite bathrooms with heated floors, an outstanding amenity you will want in your home once you've had it on your feet. The masters also have Keurig coffee machines in the room for the early risers. The bunk room has two bunks. Each bunk bed has a queen on the bottom and a single on the top with a maximum of 160 pounds in the top bunk. The fourth bedroom has a queen size bed and sitting area. The queen room and the bunk room share a large bathroom.
Connecting all the second-floor bedrooms is the room we call the Sipping Room. It is one of the best places to view wildlife and the river while enjoying happy hour and a sunset. Due to the home’s height off the ground, when you're on the second story it’s a third story view.
Outside has 2 picnic tables, a gas grill and fire pit. The waterfront lawn is huge with plenty of room for games. Corn hole, badminton/volleyball net and other games provided. There is a brand new dock that was installed in April 2022 with incredible views up and down the creek. Single-person kayak, double-person kayak and 2 canoes are available for your use, or you can bring your own. You can put the kayaks and canoes into St John’s Creek right from the yard and enjoy a paddle. If you are adventurous, the Chesapeake Bay is only a three-quarter mile paddle away where rock and other sport fishing is plentiful. Four bicycles available to ride around the island. If you are a “real biker” bring your own…just off the island is where the Eagle Man biking leg is run.
The property’s acreage is available for hiking and consists of 60 acres of waterfowl impoundments/ponds, 5 acres of grass and trees around the house, 100 acres of salt marsh and pine forests. The nature conservancy’s Taylor’s Island property, a public property available for birding and hiking is adjoins to this property. You can walk right to it.
This house is great for relaxing and getting away from it all. If you are looking for city life, lots of restaurants and other people, this is NOT the place for you. This property is great for family or friend getaways, outdoor enthusiasts, nature lovers, birders, hikers and bicyclists. New for 2023 we have upgraded our Wi-Fi to Starlink which has download speeds of over 100 mbps so if you have to work from here, you would be able to. Cell service in and right around the house is now fine with the new Wi-Fi however, away from the house making and receiving calls is limited but texts go through 99% of the time.

Property manager

Renee Esham
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
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

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 indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
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

Taylors Island

Located in Taylors Island, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. P. L. Jones Marina and Chesapeake Hills Golf Course are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge and Pot Island. Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center and Calvert Marine Museum are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Taylors Island, MD

What's nearby

  • Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge - 13 min drive - 7.6 km
  • Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park - 30 min drive - 25.7 km
  • Harriet Tubman State Park Visitors Center - 30 min drive - 25.9 km
  • Harriet Tubman Museum and Educational Center - 34 min drive - 30.0 km
  • Choptank River Lighthouse - 35 min drive - 30.7 km

Getting around

  • Cambridge Station - 34 min drive
  • Easton, MD (ESN-Easton - Newnam) - 59 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Madison Bay Rnr - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Palm Beach Willies - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Millie's at Madison Bay - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Mc Cray's Castaways - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Madison Bay Restaurant Bar and Grill - ‬16 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Waterfront Nature/Outdoor Lovers Secluded Estate pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Waterfront Nature/Outdoor Lovers Secluded Estate?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Waterfront Nature/Outdoor Lovers Secluded Estate?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Waterfront Nature/Outdoor Lovers Secluded Estate located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is 4.7 mi (7.6 km) from Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge and within 20 miles (32 km) of Pot Island and Gunners Island. Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park and Harriet Tubman State Park Visitors Center are also within 20 miles (32 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 20 out of 20 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 20 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 20 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 20 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 20 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Peter D.

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

Vacation

The house sits away from everything and that is just how we like it. Beautiful view from throughout the house. We explored the eastern store and had lots of good seafood. This place does not disappoint.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Campbell M.

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

Amazing

Great place to stay away from all the noise. This is the place to come when you wanna get away and be with those close to you.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Paul and Nancy O.

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

Tranquility

We wanted a peaceful, quiet, secluded property for a last minute getaway and Thunderstick Farm was all that and more. This lovely home has a large bank of windows in the family room overlooking the water. Great for relaxation and bird watchinge. We spent most of our time on the water in the provided canoe and kayaks. The hosts are extremely easy to reach and very helpful. Hope to go again with our entire family
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Bobby W.

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

Outstanding retreat so close to Baltimore

Delightfully surprised with the house's furnishings, extra inclusions, amenities, space to spread out and the waterway views.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

janice t.

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

Great getaway

wonderful stay with family. 9 adults enjoyed the property, catching crabs for dinner, kayaking, and other amenties. The property is as advertised, in a beautiful remote location. The kitchen is great for preparing and sharing meals for a large group. we had an excellent time
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

REUBEN K.

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

From Pa for a vacation with employees

I can't say enough how We really enjoyed our time at this location!!, the listing and pictures don't do justice how nice everything was, from the communicative host to the clean house, the peaceful location, the games, furnishings, the activities on the water and plenty of acres to explore. Definitely recommend this listing to anyone and we hope to be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Melissa F.

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

Family Time

Amazing property! Kitchen is so well appointed and well stocked with cleaning supplies, paper towels, cleaning products. Inside and out a wonderful place for a large or small gathering. Our family was on the go all day and night inside and out. Everything you would need for the outdoor enthusiast or anyone who just wants to unwind and rest, this property will suit. Bike's, canoes and all the other games inside and out will provide hours and hours of fun and family connection.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ilana Z.

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

Beautiful house and great kayak access!

We loved our time here! The hosts had everything available to enjoy the space. The home is beautiful and spacious. The yard, dock, and boats allowed us to easily enjoy the outdoor space. 3 families shared the space easily. Great find!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Paul S.

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

Friends and Family Get-Together

The house was amazing! It was clean and Renee supplied everything we needed. Plenty of space in the house, AC was cold, bathrooms aplenty! The many large windows gave us beautiful views all the day long. The area around the house was super awesome! We enjoyed the dock, the canoes and kayaks, and the fire pit.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

John J.

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

A Perfect Vacation

Every aspect of this property shows the extensive thought and care the owners put into this "home" as voiced in its description. From the completely stocked "gourmet" kitchen, fully appointed living spaces and tiled baths, everything was in one word, "perfect". Our family enjoyed both the indoors and outdoors. Truly a class act. Owners were immediately responsive to our inquiries and we look forward to future stays at the Thunderstick Farm.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Carron M.

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

Peaceful and beautiful

Home is beautiful, location is quiet and peaceful. It is really a beautiful and comfortable home. Lots of room to be private or for a group to be together. Only complaint, there are NO blinds/curtains on one side of the house, making sleep difficult and the light at the dining room table made it impossible to sit and eat with the sun in our eyes. The beds were comfortable, the grounds are well cared for, but there is no outside space to really lounge and enjoy. The dock is beautiful, sunsets were amazing to watch from there. Had fun with the canoe and the kayaks. No crab pots, but we brought fishing rods and enjoyed fishing. Saw a ground hog, wild turkeys, lots of eagles and white cranes. We never did see a dear.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth J., Howard County, MD

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

A True Eastern Shore Experience!

Our time at Thunderstick was a week of bliss! We are two couples and thoroughly enjoyed the set up of the house, as it includes two master bedrooms which gave us plenty of space and privacy. In addition to kayaking almost every day from Saint Johns Creek, we greatly enjoyed the sipping room, where we watched Eagles, ospreys, and herons hunting and traveling along the creek. The house is incredibly clean, well stocked, and inviting. While there were only four of us, the house could easily accommodate many more. Be ready for solitude, which is exactly what we were seeking. We appreciate the opportunity to spend time on this lovely property!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kara A.

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

Beautiful home

The house is beautiful and well-maintained. Hosts have thought of everything - outdoor games and spaces, canoes and kayaks, bikes, fire pit, indoor bar and beautiful kitchen with lots of space to spread out. The view from the back of the house is fantastic. Lots of windows and natural light. You are isolated and in the middle of nature with all the creature comforts you need. You will drive 20-30 minutes back to town but it suited our family well. We had a minor issue with an A/C unit and it was handled quickly. Hosts were very responsive to all questions. We enjoyed this home and would return!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Clay T.

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

Wonderful Retreat

Beautiful home with all the amenities! Our family gathered together at this home from three states to enjoy quality time together! When we arrived, we immediately realized that this home was perfect. It had 5 large bedrooms, multiple bathrooms, a BEAUTIFUL view, large windows that provided viewing access for everyone, bikes, kayaks, and many games for all ages. The home was VERY clean and we were happy to find towels in each room and other stocked items - like paper towels and toilet paper, etc. The large kitchen and main level allowed us to eat together and do puzzles on the large table. This home truly met all of our needs across our multiple families and we are already hoping to gather there again in the future!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Mary Z., Cleveland OH

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

Luxurious and Secluded Refuge

This is a truly special place. The house is spacious, bright, and extremely comfortable. The views from just about every spot bring nature to you. We were in want of nothing, but for another week to enjoy. The property itself is a real treat as well. What a luxury to paddle out, or walk, or bike ride, almost endlessly, and still be in seclusion. No sirens or car sound systems for one full week! Just birds, and frogs, and cicadas, and the laughter that came from enjoying such a place. I could ramble on, and add a lot of funny stories too, but I highly recommend that you visit, and create your own. It was a privilege to stay, and many thanks to the wonderful hosts.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Fred W.

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

Beautiful secluded and relaxing

This newly-built home has a lot going for it. Lots of land with water front views and activities. The host provided canoes and kayaks, bikes, and outdoor games. We used the fire pit and lounged “over the water” at the end of a long dock. Renee is a great communicator and answered any questions we had. The area is far afield but interesting with a National Park, a museum honoring Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railway and one very good restaurant. Stop at Walmart on the way and stock up. Once you are there you won’t want to head back into Cambridge! The only downsides - manageable insects and a nearby neighbor with a rifle shooting range (and the desire to use up endless ammo until 1 a.m.). Overall, we loved it and recommend it for families that want to get away from the crowds (total population [we think] on Taylor’s Island probably <100). Enjoy!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kathleen R.

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

East Coast Paradise

This property exceeded our expectations. The house itself has recently been renovated and everything inside was pristine. The layout of the home, decor, and cleanliness were all top notch. The kitchen was fully outfitted with everything we needed to prepare all our meals at home including a big grill outside. We utilized just about all of the activities -- ax throwing, kayaking, hiking, bike riding, cornhole, fishing and crabbing. The property is absolutely beautiful and large and there is plenty of room for the kids to run around and play. The kids especially loved seeing all the wildlife -- tiny frogs, sika deer, turtles, turkeys, ducks, crabs, and fish. Our favorite part of the home was the upstairs sitting room -- we sat there and had coffee in the morning and cocktails in the evening -- it provides the perfect view of the sunset over the water. Lastly, Renee, the host was wonderful. She was so communicative via email and the VRBO app and left a little welcome basket for us upon arrival. While we used this property as a family vacation home, I can see how all types of visitors would love this space including outdoorsman, friends' trips, or family trips with folks of all ages.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Julie C.

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

The Great Family Escape

We brought our adult children and grandchildren (6 children all five and under) to the Thunderstick lodge for a week. Everything was immaculate and we had everything we needed. Plenty of room for everyone. Renee was a great host, responsive to questions and checked in during our stay. We were concerned about extra/5th bedroom and we’re happy to find a room divider which added a layer of privacy and a gate that kept the children out of the room. The river is far enough away from the house that it was not a concern with the children. They had plenty of room to run in the yard and rode bikes in the drive at the front of the house. We enjoyed biking around the island with views of the Bay. The stars were brilliant at night with sounds of nature in the background. There was plenty to do at the house, and on a rainy day we found “Cabin Fever” in Cambridge to be fun for everyone. We also enjoyed the community pool in Cambridge with its zero degree entry. The internet is not the best for streaming, as stated, so we had a tablet with downloaded movies for the little kids. The small access to the river could be larger - the grandkids loved wading in the river. We rarely return to the same place but this would be the exception, it was perfect.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Mary M.

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

Beautiful Retreat

From booking to check out Renee and Dave could not have made our experience and stay any better! The house is beautiful. They have paid attention to every single detail. It is well stocked and labeled and the provide so many amenities to make it feel just like a home away from home. We stayed as 4 adults and 6 kids and had minimal need to leave the property. We spent our week canoeing, biking, fishing, craving, hiking, throwing axes and so much more. They take such beautiful care of the property and we absolutely plan to return again!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Alina L.

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

Beautiful inside and out

The property is a true mansion. It is much more beautiful and scenic than pictures. Property is all green and vibrant now. The house has everything you can think of from dozen of indoor and outdoor games to a crab catching trap on private pier. Kitchen itself is a work of art. Lux sheets and comfortable beds ( good mattresses not cheap soft ones) stole my heart. A few days wasn’t enough to do everything the property has to offer. I wish could stay for longer.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

About the host

Hosted by Renee Esham

Host profile image

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests