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Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

Exceptional

4 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 8242 sq m

Popular amenities

Kitchen

Outdoor space

Washer

Dryer

Explore the area

empire, MI

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore11 min drive
Glen Lake13 min drive
Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum23 min drive
Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)41 min drive

Most relevant reviews

10/10 Excellent

The house was beautiful, clean, and just as listed. The secluded location was perfect for us, near Crystal River kayakin...

Cherisse S.

Jul 26, 2023

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

First Floor Master

1 King Bed

Upstairs Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Upstairs Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Upstairs Bedroom 3

2 Single Beds

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

First Floor

Toilet

Master Bath

Toilet · Shower only

Upstairs Bath

Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Jetted bathtub

Spaces

Deck or patio

Porch or lanai

Kitchen

Garden

Dining Area

About this property

August Dates Available

Four bedroom, 2.5 bath on 15 acres. Three bedrooms upstairs (2 with queen beds and one with two twins) and large master bedroom on main floor with meadow views. Bunk beds in hallway upstairs add extra sleeping/hanging out space for kids. Open floor plan and fully equipped kitchen. Memory foam mattresses. Game room with ping pong table and shuffle board in the basement. Outdoor shower.
240 volt 50 amp NEMA 14-50 outlet in garage for overnight charging of your EV.

Perfect for the nature enthusiast as well as the beach goers and small town explorers!
Easy access to towns and national lakeshore: 5.8 miles to Empire and 7.8 miles to Glen Arbor. 17 miles to Traverse City, 40 minutes to Leland, 30 miles to Crystal Mountain Ski Resort. Five minutes to Dunes Golf Club.
So much to do and explore: beaches, national lakeshore, dune climb, bike path, canoe and bike rentals, vineyards, scenic drives, and hiking trails!

Property manager

Jennifer and David

Languages

English

Amenities

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Outdoor space

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Air conditioning

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

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

No ATV, dirt bike, snow mobile. (Basically, no off road vehicles of any kind. Plenty of DNR trails in area to use)

No hunting of any kind please

10 pm noise reduction (while a county feel, there are still neighbors)

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

This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products

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

Empire

Located in Empire, this holiday home is on a river. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Lake Michigan. Travelling with kids? Consider Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum, or check out an event or a game at Turtle Creek Stadium. Kayaking and parasailing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking/biking trails and cycling nearby.

empire, MI

What's nearby

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - 11 min drive
Glen Lake - 13 min drive
Little Glen Lake - 13 min drive
Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive - 16 min drive
Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum - 23 min drive

Getting around

Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital) - 41 min drive

Restaurants

‪Cherry Public House | Glen Arbor - ‬17 min drive
‪Boone Dock's - ‬17 min drive
‪Arts Tavern - ‬17 min drive
‪Friendly Tavern - ‬11 min drive
‪Cherry Republic - ‬17 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is August Dates Available pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at August Dates Available?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at August Dates Available?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is August Dates Available located?

Located on the riverfront, this family-friendly holiday home is within 6 mi (10 km) of Philip A. Hart Visitor Center, Little Glen Lake, and Glen Lake. Lake Michigan and Bright Lake are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Exceptional

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

Learn more

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Cherisse S.

26 July 2023

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

Beautiful Empire home

The house was beautiful, clean, and just as listed. The secluded location was perfect for us, near Crystal River kayaking, Glen Lake, Torch Lake, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Traverse City and Old Mission Peninsula. The cool breeze at night through the open windows was wonderful. We loved the fire pit and there were plenty of places nearby selling bundles of firewood. The outdoor shower was loved by all. We will definitely be returning.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth M., Cambridge

19 July 2023

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

Peaceful Up North Retreat

My family had a lovely week!

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

John E.

16 July 2023

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

Wonderful

Our stay can be summarized by the fact that as we all gather for an annual vacation, we have a list of movies etc we intend to watch. This year the tv did not go on as we found sitting and watching the light change through the landscape too peaceful to put a movie on. The house and property are isolated but very close and easily accessible to dunes, restaurants, trails etc. I think the only ‘negative’ was the internet can be spotty at times, but unless you need to work from the house, might be a good thing! Not enough of an issue to take away any ratings points. With certainty, we have added this house and area to our rotating vacation locale. Wonderful.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ryan K.

6 July 2023

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

Wonderful base for enjoying the Leelanau

Our group of 8 had a wonderful stay here. The house is even nicer than the pictures can convey. It's in a private country setting, yet an easy drive to Empire and Glen Arbor. The whole house was very clean and the kitchen was well supplied. We cooked dinner there every night. We also enjoyed the outdoor fireplace and seating area. By the end of the week most of us had switched to using the lovely outdoor shower with its idyllic countryside view. If fast wi-fi is a high priority, this might not be the place for you. We were fine with our own mobile data, and the slow connection meant less time spent on our phones, which I liked. The only thing I really missed was a grill, which would be a nice addition to the beautiful outdoor space. The owners and property manager were responsive and easy to work with.

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Emily F.

24 June 2023

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

Wonderful!

Wonderful stay. The house was beautiful, and had everything we needed. Such a quiet, peaceful location. Owners gave us all the info we needed, and we felt welcome in their home.

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie T.

2 Jan 2023

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

Winter break trip

This was such a relaxing get away in such a beautiful house! We loved all the wood in the house and the cute little details like the stars cut out of the wood and the stain glass on the bunk bed windows!

Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jessica D.

17 Oct 2022

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

Beautiful, secluded house!

This house was so perfect for our stay. We stayed with another family and had 4 kids ages 5 and under. They had plenty of room to be kids and the house was very kid friendly! We loved the layout and the bunks were so well done! House was very clean and perfectly equipped. Thanks for an awesome stay!

Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Steve Meagher a.

31 Aug 2022

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

Great place to stay

We stayed for a week and loved it. The house is perfect - we had two families staying together. The kitchen was well stocked with everything we needed to cook. The outside dining area was lovely. The location is great if you want to get away from the crowds but have access to many great places in the area.

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Laura P.

13 Aug 2022

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

Farm house in the forest!

I can’t stop thinking about our stay at this sweet farm house with beautiful natural surroundings. The 4 bedroom plus hall bunk beds fit our grown daughters and grandkids just right. The kitchen is well appointed with more than enough dishes and pots and pans. The sink overlooks a prairie like area where I watched a fawn munch on grasses… the ping pong table in the basement kept our 7 year old happy and the TV room off the dining room kept our preschoolers busy while I made dinner! It’s close to Empire (8-10 minutes drive) and 15 minutes from the Sleeping Bear Dune climb. The only thing missing was hangers for the closets.

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

8/10 Good

Agnieszka W.

21 July 2022

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

Great secluded yet close to everything location!

Overall the location was great. Super clean home and property with plenty of privacy. Still, the location was close to everything, ~30 min and you are in Traverse City or Sleeping Bear Dunes. The only downfall is that there is no AC. So, if you go in summer when it is nice and hot, be prepared for a warm home. The cool nights helped to make the nights somewhat bearable.. Either way we had an awesome time and hope to come here again but maybe in the early summer or fall, unless an AC gets installed, then definitely in the summer again.

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Robert K.

20 July 2022

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

Beautiful house

Beautiful house, great location, enjoyed every aspect of our stay. We would definitely stay here again. Sleeping Bear Dunes is a beautiful park to visit.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kirk B., Norton Shores, Mi

25 June 2022

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

Great Place for Sleeping Bear Adventure!

We stayed here with our 3 young children and had a blast! The house was located perfectly to do visit all the surrounding sites. The property offered lots of options for my wife and I to relax after the kids went to bed. Cherry wine on the deck is a must! We will definitely book here again when we visit Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Karen D.

17 June 2022

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

Spacious and lovely

This property was perfect for our family to get together and vacation in the area. This gem is tucked away but still close to all the activities the area has to offer. We were met with a clean and spacious house that had almost everything we needed for a great and relaxing stay each evening. I would definitely stay there again!

Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Stephen L.

31 Aug 2021

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

Relaxing getaway in ideal location

The rental house exceeded our expectations! Great home with ample space and large windows throughout providing wonderful airflow. Quiet, secluded location was ideal for relaxation while still just being a short drive to all the surrounding towns and the lakeshore. The outdoor area with lounge area/dining table/firepit was perfect for the ideal weather we had. And the Ping-Pong table in the basement was a wonderful surprise for our young kids. We had a great time and will certainly look to return again!

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Diane D.

24 Aug 2021

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

Vacation stay.

Had a great time.

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Patricia G.

25 July 2021

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

Golden Valley

One of the best we’ve done! Very well equipped. Beautiful meadow for sunsets and moonlight. Great for kids!

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

8/10 Good

Patti H.

26 June 2021

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

Eco friendly home

Absolutely beautiful home with stunning woodworking and plenty of space. Kids and adults loved the downstairs ping pong table.. Weather wasn’t the best making the spotty WiFi connection a bit challenging for all. However, if you want a peaceful, quiet, woodsy oasis, this is for you!

Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Holli L.

18 Oct 2020

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

Perfect Sleeping Bear Dunes Weekend

Our family of 4 (two kids age 9) loved our weekend get-away at this gorgeous home in the woods. The property is stunning and has beautiful views. The outdoor campfire and dining area are such a nice touch. (Don't miss the amazing night sky view here.) The inside was just as lovely. It was spotless and had everything we needed and more. Our kids loved the hallway bunk beds, the ping pong table, and the great board game selection. My husband and I also loved the beautiful wood beams, the views, and the well-stocked kitchen. The location was perfect for a weekend exploring the dunes. There were plenty of great dining options (with carry-out and/or outdoor options) within driving distance in Empire, Glen Arbor, and Traverse City. We would definitely come back. This was one of our all-time favorite stays!

Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2020

10/10 Excellent

Christie D.

29 Sept 2020

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

Wonderful Sleeping Bear Dunes Getaway

Great home and beautiful surroundings. Quiet and secluded, yet still close to town/restaurants, stores, and many recreational options. The property is very well maintained and very clean. Stocked with all that you need and more. Only thing that could have been better stocked was toilet paper! The half rolls provided ran out quickly with 6 adults staying, but that was the only minor blemish to an otherwise perfect getaway. Would definitely love to return to this home and location again next summer!

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Angie R.

29 Sept 2020

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

Weekend Get Away

The property was a hidden gem. Close to all the action of Northern Michigan, but far enough away to enjoy some R&R. The house was clean and well appointed. The beds were very comfortable. We had a great time.

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Katie H.

8 Sept 2020

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

Relaxing Northern Michigan Escape

The rental more than met our expectations. The house was very clean and well stocked with all the needed pots and pans for cooking. The location is great, though mapping is a bit tricky as Google maps doesn't not work for the exact location. We got around this by mapping to a different street in the neighborhood. The house was very close to both Sleeping Bear Dunes and Traverse City. We especially enjoyed with lovely firepit and outdoor covered seating area.

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Melissa S.

26 Aug 2020

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

Gorgeous property!

We have stayed at a number of VRBO’s and are picky about our selections. We value other reviews and hope this helps. We are a family of five and like vrbo so that we are not cramped. This property has so much space to spread out, yet cozy too! Spacious outdoor space. Inside, kids were all upstairs, master main level. Kids could go to the basement and play ping pong or shuffle board or go to tv room for some time there. My first impression when we walked in was how clean it was, I value this. Very well taken care of. Comfortable. Everything you need in the kitchen. The outdoor fire pit was our favorite place to hangout. Bring a lighter (this is always on our list now when we travel) easy access to town and surrounding sites. Laundry on site makes convenient when needed. This property is on our top places we have stayed. Property mgmt was available if needed and owners response to questions were quick. We would for sure stay here again!

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Tina P.

31 July 2020

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

Summer Fun

The house was a great fit for our group. Location was secluded with amazing views of nature. It also was close to everything we wanted to do. Beautiful home with great accommodation. Would recommend for groups of all ages, or just a peaceful family trip.

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

John S.

28 July 2020

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

Northern Michigan Tranquility

Extremely well appointed, clean, comfortable northern styled wooden beam structured home amidst several acres of mixed "sand prairie/wooded" surround. Pictures are good, but don't really do the home and setting justice. Awesome location - close to all the "right stuff" in the Sleeping Bear Dune/Traverse City area. Two couples and two young adults all accommodated comfortably. We hope to return....

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Katie S.

12 July 2020

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

Weekend getaway!

We had a great experience! We were looking to get away for a weekend and had the best time ever! The house was clean and kid friendly. The Empier beach was beautiful! The owners were helpful and easy to get into contact with.

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2020

About the host

Hosted by Jennifer and David

After many years of camping and staying in vacation rentals, we made the decision to purchase in Leelanau County. Having had so many wonderful trips in vacation rentals, we wanted to also share our place with travelers.

We're nature fans and love the meadow and woods on and around the property. When not roaming nearby, we spend our time biking from town to town and playing in Lake Michigan.

We still love to travel. We run, bike, and swim. Let us know if you have any questions about the property or area and we will do our best to help out.