Entire home

Waterfront Cottage, Kayaks, Firepit

Lakefront holiday home with kitchen and patio

Photo gallery for Waterfront Cottage, Kayaks, Firepit

Rocky Shores offers a truly enchanting experience with 180 feet of beautiful limestone shoreline. Dive into the fun with kayaking, swimming, or just relaxing on the waterfront.
Gather around the firepit, just a few steps from the shore! It’s the perfect spot to relax and enjoy a cozy evening with your loved ones. Together, you can create some truly cherished memories!
An inviting stone fireplace greets you in the living room, complemented by a cozy sofa and two drink tables—ideal for relaxing with friends and family during your stay in Door County.
The master bedroom includes a cozy king-sized bed, nightstands for each guest, and device chargers, ensuring you and your devices are ready for another day of exploring Door County!
Every day, wake up to the stunning blue waters of Door County, with 180 feet of peaceful shoreline right outside your door.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 101320 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

View in a map
Sturgeon Bay, WI
  • Place, Potawatomi State Park
    ‪20 min drive‬
  • Place, Door County Maritime Museum
    ‪23 min drive‬
  • Place, Sturgeon Bay Bridge
    ‪24 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bunk House

1 Single Bunk Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

Guest Bedroom

2 Queen Beds

Master Bedroom

1 King Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden

About this property

Waterfront Cottage, Kayaks, Firepit

☀️ Summer at Rocky Shores Retreat — A Classic Waterfront Door County Escape
Rocky Shores Retreat truly comes alive in summer. Set on 180 feet of private shoreline on Little Sturgeon Bay, this classic Door County cottage is a guest favorite for kayaking, swimming, fireside sunsets, and laid-back lake days. Guests consistently rave about the peaceful setting, immaculate cleanliness, exceptionally stocked kitchen, and unforgettable water views.
Tucked away on a quiet private road—yet just 15–20 minutes from Sturgeon Bay—Rocky Shores offers the perfect balance of true waterfront seclusion and Door County convenience.

🌊 Waterfront Living at Its Best
With expansive shoreline and calm bay waters, summer days are effortless:
• Kayaking directly from the property
• Swimming and shoreline exploring
• Yard games, hammock naps, and sun lounging
• Morning coffee with sunrise over the bay
• Golden-hour sunsets and star-filled nights
Guests often mention that the outdoor space alone makes the stay unforgettable.

🚣 Kayaks, Yard Games & Outdoor Fun
(Available late spring–early fall)
Rocky Shores is designed for outdoor living:
• 4 kayaks included
• Large grassy yard for cornhole, frisbee, and games
• Hammock tucked among cedar trees
• Bayfront fire pit with firewood provided
• Plenty of seating for relaxing, gathering, and reconnecting
Wildlife sightings—deer, turkeys, eagles, and cormorants—are common and often mentioned in reviews.

☀️ Wake Up to Sunrises, Wind Down with Sunsets
Start your day on the expansive waterfront deck with coffee as the bay wakes up. Spend afternoons on the water or exploring Door County, then gather around the fire pit at night for s’mores, stories, and glowing sunset skies.
This is the kind of place guests describe as “peaceful, calming, and impossible to rush.”

✪ Designed for Comfortable Summer Stays
Inside, the cottage blends classic Door County charm with modern comfort:
• Bright living space with big bay windows
• Comfortable seating for groups and families
• Smart TV for movie nights after long days outside
• Open layout perfect for games, meals, and conversation
Guests frequently say the home feels cozy yet spacious, spotless, and thoughtfully arranged.

🍽 One of the Best-Stocked Kitchens Guests Have Ever Used
A standout feature in nearly every review:
• High-quality cookware (guests love the pans!)
• Spices, condiments, and cooking essentials
• Coffee station
• Full-size appliances and ample prep space
• Easy access to the outdoor Weber grill
Perfect for cooking family meals, grilling fresh fish, or enjoying local favorites from Marchant’s Grocery or Sunflower Bakery.

🛌 Bedroom Layout + Bonus Bunk House
Primary Bedroom – King Bed
• Plush king bed with hotel-quality linens
• Ceiling fan
• Quiet location for restful sleep
Guest Bedroom – Two Queen Beds
• Ideal for families or groups
• Washer & dryer located in-room for convenience
Detached Bunk House (Kid’s Cottage)
A guest favorite—especially for kids and teens:
• Sleeps up to 5
• Smart TV
• Mini fridge + freezer
• Heating & AC
• Bay views
(Note: No bathroom in the bunk house)

🚿 Bathroom & Essentials
• Shampoo, conditioner & body wash provided
• Extra towels
• Space heater near shower
• Thoughtfully stocked for easy family mornings

🌳 Outdoor Space Guests Rave About
Waterfront Deck
• Overlooks the entire bay
• Partial cedar shade
• Seating for coffee, cocktails, and sunset watching
• Outdoor lighting for evenings
Fire Pit Area
• Adirondack chairs
• Firewood included
• Perfect for s’mores and stargazing
Front Patio + Grill
• Wind-sheltered brick patio
• Weber grill steps from the kitchen

✪ 2026 Water Levels
Water levels in Little Sturgeon Bay are lower than in recent years. Kayaks are still usable, though guests may need to walk a bit farther across shoreline rocks to reach adequate depth.

📍 Peaceful Yet Convenient Location
• ~15–20 minutes to downtown Sturgeon Bay
• Easy access to beaches, wineries, parks, and golf
• Quiet, private road with minimal traffic
Guests love having a true retreat that’s still an easy drive to Door County highlights.

🌞 Why Guests Love Rocky Shores Retreat
(Curated from Rocky Shores reviews)
• Stunning waterfront views and sunsets
• Spotless, extremely clean home
• Exceptionally stocked, organized kitchen
• Comfortable beds with quality linens
• Thoughtful amenities — “they thought of everything”
• Amazing outdoor space with kayaks, fire pit, and yard
• Kids LOVE the bunk house
• Peaceful, private setting with easy access to town
• Stress-free stay with excellent communication and guidebook

🌊 Your Door County Summer Starts Here
If you’re looking for a classic waterfront cottage, space to spread out, and the kind of peaceful summer setting guests return to year after year—Rocky Shores Retreat is it.
Summer dates book quickly. Reserve your stay today.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Similar properties

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 10:00 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
default

Events

No events allowed
default

Pets

No pets allowed
default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Guests are required to sign a Rental Agreement.
A security deposit of $300 is required.
Food is not allowed in any bedrooms. Quiet time is from 11 p.m to 8 a.m.

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

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property
Map
Sturgeon Bay, WI

What's nearby

  • Potawatomi State Park - 20 min drive - 21.2 km
  • Door County Maritime Museum - 23 min drive - 23.4 km
  • Sturgeon Bay Bridge - 24 min drive - 23.8 km
  • Door County Historical Museum - 24 min drive - 24.5 km
  • Third Avenue Playhouse - 24 min drive - 24.5 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Renard's Cheese - ‬24 min drive
  • ‪Morning Glory Restaurant - ‬23 min drive
  • ‪Rite's Cove - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Castaways on the Bay - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Sunset Bar & Grill - ‬18 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Waterfront Cottage, Kayaks, Firepit pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Waterfront Cottage, Kayaks, Firepit?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Waterfront Cottage, Kayaks, Firepit?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Waterfront Cottage, Kayaks, Firepit?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Waterfront Cottage, Kayaks, Firepit located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is 0.1 mi (0.1 km) from Lake Michigan and within 12 miles (20 km) of Potawatomi State Park and IdleWild Golf Club. Hi-Cliff Park is 12 mi (19.3 km) away.

Reviews

10

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. 79 out of 81 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 81 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 81 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 81 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 81 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Phillip F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very responsive host, great location.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Julie P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
So many details were taken care of, like the Keurig coffee cups, kitchen supplies, and paper towels. Very clean home with an extremely attentive host who was easy to reach both before and during our stay. Our family would highly recommend this spectacular property, situated right on the water. The ultimate in serenity!
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

JOHN S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Incredible views. Very clean. Very much enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Luke S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The property was amazing, clean, and functional during our stay! The host was very responsive to any issues we experienced while staying and provided all the promised amenities!
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mark S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful view and extremely clean home
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kenneth S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The cabin was very clean, well-maintained, and full of almost any supply (from spare towels to coffee creamer) that one could wish for! Dana (host) was very helpful and prompt in responding to any query, and was even able to support early entry on this occasion. The location was peaceful and right on the lake/bay shore, with great equipment options (kayaks etc.) as well as some nice visits by cormorants and deer. We were privileged to see a beautiful sunset. All in all, a terrific stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Adam B.

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

Door County Cottage

A great place to stay! A very pretty property, was very clean and had every thing we needed.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Thomas S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Kitchen and house extremely well organized. They have just about everything you need. Easy to find but in a very nice, quiet location right on the bay.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Clayton H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful house and setting. We had a great time!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Margarita M.

A great stay for a memorable family reunion

Excellent property, relaxing and secluded with fitted with everything you could possibly need. Wish it had an extra bathroom and extra tea spoons. Excellent host and amazig property

10/10 Excellent

Andrew P.

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

Great place!

We really enjoyed our stay here. The kitchen was well stocked, it was clean, easy to check in and out, and the location was nice. Thanks for the awesome place!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth L.

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

Beauty on the lake

Beautiful, perfectly located hideaway with kayaks, fire pit, hammock and other activities for outdoors along with board games and card games and plenty to keep everyone happy inside. Highly recommend this well-kept beauty.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Sheila W.

All the comforts of home, beautiful location, and attention to detail make this a favorite vacation getaway for our family!

We made our second annual visit to Rocky Shores Resort, which is a favorite of ours! The home and location are beautiful and Dana’s attention to detail makes it feel like our second home, but pampered a little! We love the kayaks and being able to have our morning coffee while watching the waves and boaters! So peaceful! We will return!!

10/10 Excellent

Tom Z.

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

Perfect weekend getaway

Amazing views.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Aurimas B.

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

Nice

I have good time, very nice place
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Kate V.

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

Great family getaway

We had an excellent time staying at this property for a long weekend. It was great access to door county delights, but a quiet, peaceful spot for relaxing. The Lakeview is incredible!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Keith R.

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

Rocky Shores

Great cabin right on the water and very comfortable. Surprisingly quiet. What a great place to unwind
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Julie S.

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

Peace and Quiet

Beautiful home off the beaten path in Little Sturgeon Bay. Super organized spot with all the basics provided. Owners were readily available with any questions we had. Ate at Waterfront Mary's twice. Get the chowder!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sheila W.

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

Charming Family Cottage

We truly enjoyed our stay at Dana’s Rocky Shores Cottage! The cabin offers amazing views of the lake, ample room for our family, great amenities, and was within a short drive to town! We would definitely stay again!!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ruth T.

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

Beautiful property! Extremely clean.

We enjoyed our stay at this cozy cottage with a beautiful view.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer W.

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

Absolutely amazing experience here!

Gorgeous property, beautiful views, lovely home! The kayaking was awesome
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sandy L.

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

Calm and Relaxing

This property is laid out well and has a beautiful setting. My family enjoyed the view. I highly recommend staying here.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dianne B.

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

Very Nice Cabin

Lovely location on Lake Michigan in Door County, Wisconsin. Cabin and bunkhouse are well furnished and well organized.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Carolynn D.

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

Wonderful Stay

The home is beautiful and the location is stunning. Everything in the house was so organized it and it was decorated so nice! The hosts were very helpful. Great stay and highly recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Blake W.

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

Great place!

Wife and I took a few days away. Very quiet, relaxing, very impressed by the little things that were provided (kitchen, bathroom, chargers, etc). Would definitely go back if we get the chance!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

About the host

Hosted by Dana Vanden Heuvel

Host profile image
We are Dana & Timothea and we live and work in Green Bay, but have been coming to Door County for our whole lives. We wanted to share our love for the area with our guests by opening Rocky Shores Retreat!

Why they chose this property

We purchased the cottage as both a family getaway and as a vacation rental so that we could share our love of Door County and the Southern Door area with our family and also with our guests.

What makes this property unique

The Door County stone fireplace is available from Fall-Spring.
We have four kayaks available for use from Spring-Fall.

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
Tell us how we can improve our siteShare feedback