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Affordable Family Vacation Rental with Lake Access

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Your two story cabin in the woods.
Kitchen with electric range and full size refrigerator plus misc small appliance
Dining area easily seats 6.
Living room with 2 recliners, couch and the wood burning stove.
Sleeping room, King bed, Queen Bed and set of trundle beds as well as full bath

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom2 bathroomsSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

Map
Big Bay, MI
  • Sugarloaf Mountain
    ‪33 min drive‬
  • Northern Michigan University
    ‪40 min drive‬
  • Presque Isle Park
    ‪44 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 8)

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Bathtub · Toilet

Spaces

Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Affordable Family Vacation Rental with Lake Access

Looking for a nice quiet vacation in Michigan's Upper Peninsula? Well, come on up, we got just the place for you. This is an older two story house that sits about 300 feet back from Lake Independence (you can not see the lake) with a good driveway for you to walk down to get to the lake. The house is completely furnished and contains everything you'll need for your stay, you'll just need to bring your own food & toothbrush. As you walk into the house you are in a large screened in porch with a sofa, a couple of chairs and a table. Most folks like to sit here and read or do jigsaw puzzles, yup, folks still do those on quiet evening up here. Step into the living room and you'll see a sofa bed (queen sized) two recliner chairs and a TV and VCR/DVD, TV is limited to 2 or 3 channels (depends on the weather). From the living room you go back into the kitchen - dining area. Kitchen has a full sized electric stove and refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, toaster and other misc. electric
kitchen appliances. All the pots and pans and dishes are there that you'll need for a comfortable stay. Dining area sits 6 comfortably. Toward the back of the house is a large room that is mainly empty except for a washer and dryer and a few storage shelves, off this room is the downstairs bathroom which contains a shower. Adding to the rustic experience, you'll notice that the hardwood floors have a slight slope to them. This is due to the outside foundations having settled a few inches over the years.

The sleeping arrangements are what we like to call 'friendly'. Upstairs is one big room with a king size bed, queen size bed, and a set of trundle beds. Upstairs there is also a complete bathroom with a big old deep tub in it

On the grounds, you have a gas bar-b-q grill, a fire pit with a supply of wood, and about a half dozen bikes of various sizes for your use. As mentioned it is only a short walk to the lake where we have a dock available if you want to tie your boat up there (we do not supply a boat). The lake out front is great for swimming with a hard sand bottom and nice warm shallow water going out about 50 yards, perfect for small children. The lake is a good fishing spot. It contains walleyes, northern pike, smallmouth bass, jumbo perch and a few crappie. Smallmouth bass in the 20' size are common, northern pike up to about 35 pounds have been take from our lake and we even caught a Michigan Master Angler pike a few years ago (25 pounds).

Nearby there are nice hikes to wilderness waterfalls, stream fishing for native Brook Trout, a good boat ramp to Lake Superior and it's fishing, tours of the Big Bay Point Lighthouse, some great wild blueberry picking at the right times of the year, and viewing of Michigan's great wildlife. Within a mile of the the cabin our guests have seen deer, bear, moose, fox, wolves, eagles and osprey as well as lots of little woods creatures. You can often watch the deer in the yard from your screened in porch in the evening.

The cabin rents for $125.00 per day (minimum two days rental required) or $600.00 per week for up to 6 people. June, July & August, our rental weeks run from Saturday to Saturday. There is an extra charge of $15.00 per night or $50.00 per week for each additional guest. No more than eight guests are allowed. A $100.00 deposit is required to hold your reservation. If you have friends or family who wish to put a tent, pickup camper or travel trailer on the property while you are renting, you must get advance approval. There will be an additional charge of $25/night for campers.

Cabin is available for rental from May to November.

Deposit is fully refundable up to 30 days before date of reservation, non-refundable after that.

For more information and pictures we suggest you see our web site of or you may call show contact info

Property manager

Russell and Theresa Gust

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Outdoor space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 2:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Children welcome
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
Never leave your pet unattended in the cabin.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Non smoking only

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

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Big Bay

Located in Big Bay, this holiday home is on a lake. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Superior and Little Presque Isle Recreation Area. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Big Bay, MI

What's nearby

  • Sugarloaf Mountain - 33 min drive - 37.2 km
  • Northern Michigan University - 40 min drive - 44.6 km
  • Presque Isle Park - 44 min drive - 46.2 km
  • UP Health System - Marquette - 44 min drive - 46.6 km
  • Marquette Harbor Light - 46 min drive - 47.2 km

Getting around

  • Marquette, MI (MQT-Sawyer Intl.) - 68 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Hungry Hollow Cafe - ‬5 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Affordable Family Vacation Rental with Lake Access pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Affordable Family Vacation Rental with Lake Access?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Affordable Family Vacation Rental with Lake Access?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Affordable Family Vacation Rental with Lake Access located?

Situated on a lake, this holiday home is 2.8 mi (4.5 km) from Lake Superior and within 25 miles (40 km) of Little Presque Isle Recreation Area and Hidden Beach. Northern Michigan University and Sugarloaf Mountain are also within 32 miles (52 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. 36 out of 45 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 7 out of 45 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 45 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 45 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 45 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Tom P.

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

3 night stay

Very good location for places we wanted to see. Hosts were very friendly
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lia M.

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

Wonderful visit!

The Tiltin' Hilton was perfect! We lucked out with four days of gorgeous warm fall weather, and enjoyed area hiking and relaxing by the fire. Russ & Theresa were wonderful hosts and we will remember our visit fondly.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Marion B.

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

Short stay in Big Bag

We had a great time at this hidden gem in the UP!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

John R.

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

The Tilten Hilton

Russ and Theresa are amazing! We had a great time fishing and exploring the area. Our pups loved it as well. We can’t wait to book with them again!
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer H.

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

Amazing

Russell and Theresa are amazing. Very kind, know the area and things to do. There's so much wildlife to view from the porch or a walk along the road. Lake Superior is just around the corner. You'll not be disappointed.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

lance c.

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

Big bay ,Michigan

Lots of things to do hiking, fishing, spend the day in Marquette. Abundance of wildlife if you like that or just relax.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer J.

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

Relaxing and peaceful getaway

Great location! Short bike ride to Lake Superior shore. Short drive to several beautiful hikes including Thomas Rock, Yellow Dog River Falls, and Alder Falls. We also enjoyed campfires in the yard. Hosts are very friendly and helpful. We had a relaxing and peaceful getaway.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Matt H., Cincinnati, USA

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

Great stay

We had a great time here. Fishing was good and hosts were very friendly. The cabin was better than advertised. Grill was top notch and everything we needed was there. Thanks for a great stay!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Carrie M.

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

4th time coming

We stayed 3 times about 9 years ago. Had to come back again for nostalgia sake. Love this house and the owners!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer M.

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

Perfect little get away

It was a great stay with fabulous host!! Great location in the Marquette area with a great camp feel. I also love that if you have leftover food that they have a family in the area to give the food too so it's not just thrown away!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021

8/10 Good

Christopher A.

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

Beautiful getaway

The location couldn’t be better for our vacation plans. Was able to get anywhere in the UP in a maximum of 3 and a half hours. Was beautiful and tranquil. Great price. Great hosts had everything we could (and couldn’t) think of.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jim L.

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

Nice Rustic feel

The cabin has an unique character. It is well stocked with everything. We appreciated the travel info in the cabin. Russ was very friendly and concerned that our needs were met. We had a great time.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2020
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

jamie S.

Awesome!

Place made me feel like I was at home. Had everything we needed, didn't have to bring half the things I did bring. They're goal is for you to be comfortable and enjoy your week there! We definitely will be back!
Stayed 8 nights in Sep 2017

10/10 Excellent

Alex L.

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

Peaceful sanctuary

We enjoyed our stay! Rustic, yes. Accommodating host, big yes! If you know you're in the UP, then you'll be prepared for outdoor bugs and inclement weather. We used the fire pit the first night, but our agenda in town was rather busy. We really only spent time there to sleep, but everything you'd need to hang out for days is provided if you bring your food supplies. If you forget anything, Cram's store isn't far! Hungry Hollow Cafe with put you straight with an excellent breakfast, and there are two bar/ restaurants in Big Bay as well. Did I mention access to Lake Independence, and a short drive to Lake Superior? Russell was a wonderful host!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Sherry S.

Grandma's old place

The place is very charming and comfortable. My daughters & granddaughters enjoyed staying there. The fire pit was awesome and to have the wood there for us to use was great too. Russ & Theresa were very nice people. The only negative thing was an odor in the back bathroom that smelled like urine.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2017

10/10 Excellent

Eric V.

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

Tilton hilton

Russ was a great host. Helping with anything we need. Even had some superglue for me to fix one of my rods. Great communication via text and in person talk. Already booked for the same wknd next year! Cant wait to be back up!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Shelby

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

Peaceful!

We choose this spot because it was centrally located to everything we wanted to do and see on the vacation in the U.P. Loved seeing the deer every morning and the peace and quiet of the area! Enjoyed day trips to the Keewanaw Peninsula, Munising/ Pictures Rock National Lakeshore also did the shipwreck tour and sunset cruise! Spent lots of time hiking and discovering all the local waterfalls and beauty the area has to offer! It was nice to have the bikes available to ride down to the lighthouse and/or check out Squaw Beach!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

John and Lauri S., Saint Charles, Illinois

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

Peace and Quiet

For the value, this cabin has everything! Our hosts, Russ and Teresa were exceptionally friendly and helpful. They really should call this “Three Bears Cottage” because of the quirky bedroom upstairs! The claw foot tub is inviting, the milk glass lamps are charming- if you want a true get away- this is it! Big Bay offers a unique get away experience where you can wind down with outdoor activities! Everyone in Big Bay is friendly, as you walk down the paved road, you hardly see a car but when you do, everyone waves at you, how nice is that? I suggest venturing out to the Lumberjack for a burger with Jack, hiking the many paths down county road 510 to the waterfalls on the Yellow Dog river, the beach, of course and dinner at Thunder Bay Lodge. Perfection!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kelly P.

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

Spacious and serene

We booked this camp because we wanted an affordable getaway in a remote area. Our hosts, Russell and Theresa were very prompt in communicating with us shortly after booking and later provided directions as Google maps can be a bit off. Soon after arrival, they greeted us and provided additional information about the area as we were interested in hiking with our dogs. We learned that the camp had once been a Company house for the loggers and was built sometime in the 1930s. It is very rustic yet spacious and had everything we needed for our stay including linens, cookware, and paper products. There was also a lot of literature on hand which detailed the history of the area, points of interest, local events and plenty of maps. The bedroom is huge with three large beds so you can accommodate a large family or group of friends. There is a full bath upstairs along with a half-bath and shower downstairs which was convenient. The main living room has a TV and while stations are limited, there were a ton of DVDs if you wanted to catch a movie in the evening. The closed in front porch was a great space to kick back and read a book or just relax. Outside there is a large picnic table with a fire pit and while it was too dry to have a fire, we enjoyed the space for our morning coffee. There are a few places to eat close by but if you're looking for more choices and shopping, you'll need to go into Marquette. Our hosts recommended that if you needed groceries, to stop there on your way i
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Prashant S., Brighton, MI

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

Location, Location, Location

We enjoyed our five-night stay at the cabin. It was accurately described in the listing, and its unique features certainly added to the cabin’s charm. Despite the warm temperatures, the ceiling and floor fans provided perfect relief. The beds were comfy and the grill worked great, and a good deal of time in the early morning or evening was spent reading and relaxing both in the sunroom and outside by the fire pit. It was especially nice to observe the two bird nests in operation—one a robin and the other a wren. Being able to keep our boat docked at the front of the owners’ property was a huge perk. The water was clean and the ground sandy—easy to wade in. The cabin is a short jaunt into “town,”—we spent a bit of time enjoying cold beer and live music at the Lumberjack Tavern, enjoyed a late lunch at Duke’s Grill at the Thunderbay Inn, and a breakfast at Hungry Hollow Cafe. The cabin is also centrally located to visit Thomas Rock Overlook and hike to Yellow Dog Falls. We also spent a day in Marquette—do the cliff dive!!—and this is where we grocery shopped, as well. Fishing was fun on the lake, but it took a few days to figure out where to fish. The owner didn’t seem to want to give up any fishing secrets, which seemed counterintuitive to wanting people to return. My only issue with the cabin is that it is in need of a deep clean. While I appreciate not having to pay a cleaning fee, I didn’t expect dead bugs lining the inside window sills or moths fighting me for the bedside table lamp as I read before bed. Overall, we had a really good experience at the cabin. It is affordable and family-friendly, and the location is great. You just need to go into the experience with an open mind and a rustic attitude.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Randy F., Frankenmuth, Michigan USA

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

Quiet lication

Loved the old house, even enjoyed the warped floors and the narrow stairs of the old house. Clean well maintained old house. Quiet evenings on the north side of the lake.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Cynthia D.

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

Beautiful, family friendly camp!

We had a peaceful, lovely week at the camp with our 1-year-old and dog! Perkins park was perfect for swimming and we loved the bikes! Beautiful sleeping in the trees with birdsong in the morning Thanks!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lynnette G.

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

Beautiful Big Bay!

Charming cabin yes floors slop a little more than I expected but very clean and has everything you could possibly need. We went mainly to fish but pretty windy, did lots of sight seeing gorgeous country. Russ and Theresa are super nice and very informative on things to do. We would definitely go back.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2020

10/10 Excellent

Teresa J.

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

Cool funky camp in a stellar location

The hosts of this property are super nice! Everything we needed was at the cabin. The floors are wavy but given the age of the home is understandable. There are so many cool places to see and things to do in the area. Theresa and Russell had fantastic suggestions on things to see. I would recommend this place to anyone looking to go to this area!!

10/10 Excellent

Beth H.

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

Great Family Cabin

We enjoyed our stay very much! Something for everyone in the cabin and nearby! The lake by the property is perfect for smaller kids as it's not very deep for some distance. My teenager also enjoyed the water even though it was shallower. The floors add to the charm for sure but no one minded them at all. The kids liked ramping their cars on the hills! The hosts were very kind and respectful of our space, my kids kept talking about how nice they are. The stairs are creaky and as humans on the bigger side we had to step just so near the top but it wasn't terrible. Love the giant bath tub! We only wish there was a picnic table or something like it outdoors. Overall great experience and location for the price! Well worth it! Looking forward to coming back sometime! Also if you're lucky to be there during harvest the owners sell delicious blueberries that made for a nice road trip snack going home!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2020

About the host

Hosted by Russell and Theresa Gust

Host profile image
I am a retired x-ray tech. and my wife is a retired school teacher of 30+ years. I was raised in lower Michigan (yes I am a Troll) and my wife has spent her entire life in the Upper Peninsula, she is a true Yooper. Now that we have the time we enjoy traveling during the spring and fall. We stay home to take care of the cabin and our gardens in the summer, also so I can try to catch all of the walleyes out of Lake Independence, that's the lake right out front. We really do enjoy meeting new folks as you come to stay for a week or two at our cabin.

Why they chose this property

We bought this property on Lake Independence many years ago when we were first thinking about retirement. We wanted a lake house for the summers and someplace warm for the winters. Lake Independence is a very desirable lake and we were just lucky to get a lot on the nice sandy north shore of the lake.

What makes this property unique

Our rental philosophy is to offer a vacation to young family who may not otherwise be able to afford one. We love to have young couples with their children in the cabin. A word or two about the cabin it has all the amenities but it is not fancy. It is a two story house that was moved to the property many years ago and set on 3 rows of wood pilings that had been driven into the ground. Well over the years the outside two rows have gotten wet and sunk a little, thus the floors on the ground floor slope a little. The sleeping arrangement is what we like to call 'friendly'. The upstairs is one big room with a king size bed, a queen size bed, and a set of trundle beds, there is also a full bathroom upstairs. To make your stay more comfortable, we keep a good supply of wood for the fire pit out in the yard, there is always a spare tank for the gas grill, we keep bikes of all sizes for everyone to ride. Down at the lake there is a nice dock for your watercraft. The lake itself is nice and shallow out in front, making it perfect for small children to play in.
As you may have noticed, we don't charge any cleaning fees. So most of our guests try to leave the cabin fairly clean. I guess they figure that for as low as the rent is, they can invest a little time cleaning before they leave. Oh sure, there is always some laundry and a little touchup for us to do, but we sure do appreciate the way most of our renters leave the cabin.
We sure hope you will give us a try. But if you want something fancy, try looking at some of the other places around the lake, Lake Independence is a lovely place to stay.

Languages:

English