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Secluded Waterfrnt Beach - Stunning Sunsets ~ All Sport Lake ~ Summer Bking Fast

Photo gallery for Secluded Waterfrnt Beach - Stunning Sunsets ~ All Sport Lake ~ Summer Bking Fast

Enjoy the beach. Enjoy the water. Enjoy the peace. (Drew Smith Photography)
Property grounds
Campfires, paddle boards and sunsets; all you need! (Drew Smith Photography)
Serenity now!
Enjoy amazing views from the comfort of the family room.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms1+ bathroomSleeps 8111.5 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Beach view
  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Frankfort, MI
  • Green Point Dunes Nature Preserve
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course
    ‪20 min drive‬
  • Point Betsie Lighthouse
    ‪23 min drive‬
  • Manistee, MI (MBL-Manistee County-Blacker)
    ‪31 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

2 Single Bunk Beds

Loft

1 Double Futon

1 bathroom, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Secluded Waterfrnt Beach - Stunning Sunsets ~ All Sport Lake ~ Summer Bking Fast

Our 1200 sq ft. home is located on Upper Lake Herring in Frankfort, MI. Upper Herring is a beautiful all sports lake located just 5 miles from Lake Michigan and minutes from several quintessential "Up North" towns. The home can accommodate up to 8 people. There are 2 bedrooms with queen beds. The third bedroom has 2 sets of bunks. The couch in the loft pulls out to a full bed. The sandy beach yard sits on 80 feet of lake frontage.

Remodeled and painted in 2021, Sandy Shores has all the modern amenities (except air conditioning). It's Northern Michigan...who needs A/C?? The television in the family room is a smart tv, allowing access to Netflix, Prime, Disney, Peacock, Apple, etc. with your personal access codes. The home has WIFI, but the signal isn't strong enough to support working from the lake. It is generally good for personal devices and the smart TV.

The home offers a large deck on the beach facing the lake, 3 kayaks, 2 paddle boards, a large family sized canoe, a very large float mat, fire pit, charcoal grill, toy box with beach toys, lounge chairs, hammock, large dock, board games, DVDs, books and life jackets. Upper Lake Herring is located on a bird sanctuary, and is home to bald eagles, hawks, herons, kingfishers, swans and many more varieties of birds and wildlife such as large turtles, otters and deer.

In the Summer, enjoy great fishing, water sports and breathtaking sunsets at Sandy Shores. The lake is never crowded. Fishing is excellent for Black Crappie, Bluegill, Brown Trout, Lake Trout, Northern Pike, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Yellow Perch and Sunfish. Take in the incredible colors and vistas in the Fall. In the Winter, ski Crystal Mountain, just 20 minutes away. Our home is perfect for every season.

Property manager

Chris Donohue

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
Beach view

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EXTERIOR: A beautiful sunset on Lake Michigan looking from the cottage.

Sunset Serenity - INCREDIBLE HOME ON BLUFF OVERLOOKING LAKE MICHIGAN!

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
10.0 out of 10, (8 reviews)
Sunset Serenity - INCREDIBLE HOME ON BLUFF OVERLOOKING LAKE MICHIGAN!

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
The home is very child friendly.
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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 smoking allowed!

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

About the area

Frankfort

Located in Frankfort, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the beach. Elizabeth Lane Oliver Center for the Arts and Frankfort Light are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Michigan and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Frankfort, MI

What's nearby

  • Green Point Dunes Nature Preserve - 7 min drive - 6.1 km
  • Frankfort Beach - 16 min drive - 13.7 km
  • Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course - 20 min drive - 16.0 km
  • Point Betsie Lighthouse - 23 min drive - 20.6 km
  • Crystal Mountain - 23 min drive - 17.3 km

Getting around

  • Manistee, MI (MBL-Manistee County-Blacker) - 31 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪A&W Restaurant - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Roadhouse Mexican Bar & Grill - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Lighthouse Cafe - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Hill Top Soda Shoppe - ‬13 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Secluded Waterfrnt Beach - Stunning Sunsets ~ All Sport Lake ~ Summer Bking Fast pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Secluded Waterfrnt Beach - Stunning Sunsets ~ All Sport Lake ~ Summer Bking Fast?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Secluded Waterfrnt Beach - Stunning Sunsets ~ All Sport Lake ~ Summer Bking Fast?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Secluded Waterfrnt Beach - Stunning Sunsets ~ All Sport Lake ~ Summer Bking Fast located?

Nestled on the beach, this Frankfort holiday home is within 6 mi (10 km) of Green Point Dunes Nature Preserve, Lake Michigan and Chestnut Hills Golf Course. Elberta Beach and Frankfort Beach are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

9.8

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. 45 out of 53 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 8 out of 53 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 53 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 53 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 53 reviews

9.0/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

8/10 Good

Dan B.

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

Great location and fantastic host!

Perfect location that's a close drive to so many cool little towns, activities and M22! Great sized house for a family of four and kids loved the bunk beds. The host was super responsive and helpful! oh, and the sunsets….
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Paul J.

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

Amazing escape

We had an amazing vacation at this property. The owner was incredibly helpful, courteous and kind. He made sure we had everything we needed. The house was sufficient for our group. The outside space was amazing. We spent a lot of time just enjoying the lake andand outdoor space. Ant wait to come back!!outsispace
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

William B.

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

Upper Herring Lake

Our family had a really nice stay on Upper Herring Lake. Our host Chris was great to work with.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Delmar B.

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

Delightful spot!

A lovely restful place. Sunsets to die for. The lake and overall venue is quiet. Seven of us ages 7, 12, 14 and parents and grandparents -- delightful week of sandy beach, fishing, boating, kayaks, paddle boards and especially the "Towboggan!" We were new to the Frankfort/Benzonia area and fell in love with it.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lauren T., Ridgewood, NJ

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

Lovely place!

We had a wonderful week! The house had everything we needed in terms of amenities even down to board games for the kids. Being right on the lake was great and having access to the boats, life vests, fire pit, hammock, and sand toys meant that there was so much to do right right in our backyard. There really was something for everyone. The location is enchanting with spectacular sunsets, beautiful wildlife, the possibility of swimming and fishing right outside your door, a lovely town nearby for pizza and ice cream, or the quick run to the store for essentials. We loved every minute of our stay and can’t wait to come back in the future.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Andrea L.

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

Loved our stay!

This property is amazing! Perfect spot for a family. My kids loved playing in the sand. Also the owners were really nice and promptly answered any questions we had.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Bethany W.

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

Peaceful Lake Stay!

We loved our time on Upper Herring Lake! So peaceful and beautiful with great fishing, amazing sunsets, and a cozy, clean cottage. *NOTE THE NO A/C* I missed this on the listing but we were lucky to have cool nights and warm days so sleeping was still comfortable. Our kids loved playing in the large sandy area out front and we made good use of the paddleboards, canoe and kayaks. Also the pontoon was great for extra space to fish and hang out near the end of the dock. Chris was an excellent host/communicator and take his advice on Upriver Pizza...it's fantastic!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Maggie G.

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

Perfect Family Vacation

Our kids range from 5-16 and everyone had fun during our stay! We loved that Frankfort was a short drive for dinners or shopping- we found that even in mid July, the crowds were not too bad and the beach was not overly saturated with people. The house is lovely- great views, comfortable accommodations, and clean. We made a couple of breakfasts and dinners and found everything we needed in the kitchen. The yard was great for reading, playing, or fires. We fished from the dock most evenings (after 7 when the water calmed down). The kayaks and paddleboards were fun too! We watched a family of bald eagles over the lake one night and a black bear crossed the road one morning on our way to town. This is a very special place and would be a wonderful #puremichigan experience for anyone looking to enjoy "up north". Chris was very helpful during check in and during our stay. We're already talking about another trip in the fall for salmon fishing on Lake Michigan.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

RYAN W.

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

Beautiful

Great Location
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Joseph K., Hart,

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

Excellent, quiet, location

Chris, wanted to say, everything was as listed for this property. The home was very well equipped, and the beach sand was a hit with the kids, as well as the kayaks and paddle boards. Seeing the Eagles fly over every morning was a hi light as well. The lake and neighborhood was as quiet as imaginable. Location is far enough away, yet close enough to everything you need. The evenings were beautiful overlooking the lake and the views facing westward were spectacular. Thanks for sharing your home with us!
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Erik P., Champaign, IL

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

Simply excellent

My wife, two young children, two grandparents, and myself had a fantastic time here. The house can comfortably accommodate two families and, due to the open layout in the main living area and kitchen, still feel spacious. The lake is right there for water play, and the water toys (paddle boards, kayaks, and especially the floating mat) were a huge hit. The lake is about waist to chest deep for some distance out, and while not as clear as other nearby lakes, it has the advantage that it is less developed with little boat traffic. The view from the house is of natural beauty on the opposing side of the lake. We had family friends, also with young children, staying nearby in Empire, and they joined us for a couple afternoons/evenings for grilling on the deck, digging in the sand, shucking corn, playing on the lake, and stories round the campfire. It really was an ideal place for spending time with friends and the children and just feeling relaxed. My family's favorite u-pick blueberry farm is close by, and all the attractions/amenities in Beulah, Benzonia, Frankfort, and Sleeping Bear Dunes are easily accessible.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

brenda b.

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

A slice of heaven

Our week at the beach house was perfect! It was everything the owner promised and more. The location was ideal, peaceful and situated right on the water. We enjoyed long, lazy days fishing, kayaking, canoeing and enjoying the fresh, cool Michigan weather. The sunsets were breathtaking and after the sun went down, the star-filled sky was something I had only seen in movies. We loved our outings to nearby towns, with beautiful beaches, fun family style restaurants and pubs, "America's Best Cherry Pie" and ice cream and a wide variety of shops. If you are feeling really adventurous, there's the Scenic Highway, that gives you breathtaking views of Lake Michigan and The Dunes. This might have been the best vacation ever! Michigan has stolen this Ohio girl's heart!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Rob H.

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

Very Fun

Our kids used paddle boards, canoe and fished everyday!!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tom H.

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

Up North With Family

We had an excellent time at Sandy Shores! Location was a great stepping off point to many activities in the area. The home was very comfortable and the view of the lake from the family room/kitchen was spectacular. Chris was very responsive to inquires and provided additional information of the area. Due to the weather (cool & windy) we only got out on the lake with SUPs and Kayaks. Only call-out… we were aware of no internet but even my hotspot connectivity was spotty. It’s vacation so we were able to find some alternate solutions for family that needed to check in on work or school. I would highly recommend a trip to Sandy Shores, you will not be disappointed.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Ashley S.

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

First time Up North

We loved our stay at Sandy Shores! The view is amazing. We loved watching the sunset every night. We had fun paddle boarding and kayaking around the lake and having a fire on cool nights. The town of Frankfort is adorable and full of amazing restaurants and a beautiful beach.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

cheryl m.

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

A million dollar view!

Beautiful nightly sunsets, clean clear lake, quiet and close to many small cute towns. We made a good choice spending our honeymoon in Northern Michigan and we will definitely be back!
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Trevor P.

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

Great cottage

We had a blast. The sandy beach was perfect for the kids. The lake was very peaceful and quiet all week. Fishing was good. Location is excellent, downtown Frankort is very nice. We had a great time.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Debby S.

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

Fun week at Sandy shores

Great location and access to nearby towns and lake Michigan beaches....cottage was very clean on arrival and sandy beach area, swimming and dock great for kids. Lake was not busy and location quiet...beautiful setting. Owner Chris extremely helpful and answered texts immediately. Loved access to kayaks and canoe with plenty of size choices for life preservers so kids could join in. WIFI would have been a bonus due to family checking in at work. Fabulous week of family fun following a long period of inability to spend time together....thank you for sharing your special place Chris and family!!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Katie P.

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

Perfect LAKEFRONT home for our family of 5!

We absolutely loved this beautifully maintained, private, serene, LAKEFRONT property and home. Our 3 boys spent countless hours floating in the lake, fishing from the dock, and playing Spikeball, tag, and running bases on the sandy beach. We also enjoyed the kayaks, fires in the bonfire pit (wood was provided!!), and the gorgeous sunsets over the lake. The inside of the house is bright, open, uncluttered, and so well decorated! We appreciated the quality and coziness of the beds, bed linens and towels, and couches. The kitchen and laundry closet were well stocked with everything we needed. We loved the location of this property. We were easily able to access and enjoy nearby towns like Frankfort, Elberta and Beulah, and local experiences/adventures like Blueberry picking, Crystal Mountain Alpine Slides, Arcadia Golf Course, Arcadia Scenic Overlook, and Putt Putt. We even did a one-day excursion driving along the coast to Empire, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Glen Arbor, Leland and Suttons Bay. We will always look back on this week with fondness! THANK YOU to Chris and his family for letting us enjoy their incredible lake home.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Great Escape

Chris and his family were gracious hosts. We have a rambunctious crew of four boys under nine years old. This space accommodated us all and the access to the beach right off the house was perfect. We spent a week there and hope to go back again. Thanks Chris!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Sherry D., O'Fallon MO

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

Beautiful Michigan Vacation

Sandy Shores is a magical place. I spent hours every day sitting on the deck looking at the water and watching the boats. We had a campfire every evening and made s'mores. We played board and card games with our daughter and grandchildren at the kitchen table and had big family breakfasts several mornings using the well stocked kitchen. It was a time for reconnecting and bonding and Sandy Shores was the perfect place to do this. We will definitely be back.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

David R.

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

Return to Sandy Shores

This was our second stay at Sandy Shores and we enjoyed the visit as much as the first. While the weather did not always cooperate, we still had a blast fishing, reading in the cottage, having fires, and of course, ice cream. The cottage has been renovated and looks great. We were very happy with our stay and would rent this property again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Chris B.

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

Great trip!

Very easy to check in. House and lake were fantastic and it was close to so many things to do.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2020

8/10 Good

Jared G.

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

Fun week on Herring Lake

We had a fun, relaxing time during our stay. Chris is very responsive and had lots of great suggestions for things to do. The view of the lake in the morning and the sunset are perfect.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

David R.

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

Family Water Retreat

We had a great time at the cottage! The lake was a perfect temperature for swimming, fishing and watching gorgeous sunsets (when we weren’t in town getting ice cream). This was the perfect place to spend a week in our swimsuits and forget about deadlines and other trappings of life. Our kids loved the beach and making s’mores in the fire pit. We all enjoyed the kayaks and family canoe rides before sunset. And the lake is teeming with fish. My daughters learned to fish on this trip and the activity didn’t disappoint. Overall, the cottage provided us the mental break and recharge we all needed. Chris (owner) was incredibly helpful and accessible throughout the process. The pictures accurately display the property. We are looking forward to returning next year!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020

About the host

Hosted by Chris Donohue

Host profile image
We are Chris and Michele Donohue. We live in Louisville, KY. We have 4 amazing "kids": Katie (23), Will (22), Caroline (19) and Sophie (18). Follow our Lakehouse page on Instagram @sandyshoresfrankfort

Why they chose this property

We first vacationed in Northern Michigan in 2006. We had heard from friends how amazing it was "Up North". So, instead of heading south to Destin for a week vacation, we rented a house on Upper Lake Herring, in Frankfort, Michigan. We had the time of our lives. We loved it so much, we bought a house several doors down from the home we rented.

Unfortunately, as the kids get older and our lives get busier, we aren't able to go Up North as much as we'd like.

What makes this property unique

Sandy Shores, as our daughter, Caroline, named our Up North home, has amazing sunsets and a beach right on the water. Upper Lake Herring is located on a bird sanctuary. So, in addition to the plethora of wildlife in the area, much of the land on, and surrounding, Upper Herring is owned and protected by the state of Michigan. We are one of only 60 or so homes on the lake. Over two thirds of the shoreline is uninhabited. It is a smaller lake (about 600 acres), but boasts warmer waters, excellent fishing and is an all sports lake, so bring your jet ski or boat!

Languages:

English
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