Entire home

Bayfront cottage with kayaks, fire pit, sunsets

Photo gallery for Bayfront cottage with kayaks, fire pit, sunsets

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
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Outdoor Space

Explore the area

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

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bunk House

1 Twin 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

Bayfront cottage with kayaks, fire pit, sunsets

Rocky Shores Retreat — A Classic Waterfront Door County Escape

Perched on 180 feet of private shoreline on Little Sturgeon Bay, Rocky Shores Retreat is the kind of Door County cottage guests come back to year after year. Paddle out in kayaks, gather around the bayfront fire pit, cook a full family meal in one of the best-stocked kitchens you’ll find in any rental — and do it all without leaving the property.
Whether you’re here for sunny summer lake days or the spectacular colors of a Door County fall, the setting delivers. Tucked down a quiet private road yet just 15–20 minutes from Sturgeon Bay, you get true waterfront seclusion without giving up convenience.

🌊 Your Own Private Waterfront
Step outside and you’re on the bay. Summer means swimming, shoreline exploring, and kayaking right from the property (4 kayaks included). Fall brings golden light over the water, migrating birds, and some of the most peaceful mornings you’ll find anywhere. Morning coffee on the waterfront deck — with sunrise over the bay — is a year-round highlight.

🚣 Kayaks, Fire Pit & Outdoor Living (Late spring–early fall)
This property is built for time outside:
• 4 kayaks included for paddling the bay
• Bayfront fire pit with firewood provided — perfect for s’mores, stargazing, or crisp fall evenings
• Large grassy yard for cornhole, frisbee, and kid-friendly games
• Hammock tucked among the cedars
• Plenty of seating for gathering, relaxing, and reconnecting

Wildlife sightings are common — deer, wild turkeys, eagles, and cormorants make regular appearances.

🍽 A Kitchen Guests Actually Rave About
This isn’t your typical rental kitchen. Nearly every review calls it out:
• High-quality cookware (guests love the pans)
• Spices, condiments, and cooking essentials already stocked
• Full-size appliances with plenty of prep space
• Coffee station ready to go
• Weber grill steps from the kitchen door

Ideal for big family dinners, grilling fresh catch, or putting together a spread with local favorites from Marchant’s Grocery or Sunflower Bakery.

🛌 Bedroom Layout + Bonus Bunk House (Sleeps up to 10)

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 conveniently located in-room
• Ceiling fan

Detached Bunk House (Kid’s Cottage)
A huge guest favorite — especially for kids and teens:
• Sleeps up to 5
• Smart TV
• Mini fridge + freezer
• Heating & AC
• Ceiling fan
• Bay views
(Note: No bathroom in the bunk house)

👶 Family-Friendly Extras

Traveling with little ones? We’ve got you covered:
• Crib / Pack ’n Play available
• Plenty of space for kids to play indoors and out
• A bunk house that kids absolutely love

✪ Comfortable, Lived-In, Thoughtfully Set Up

Classic Door County charm with the comforts that matter:
• Bright living space with big bay windows
• Indoor wood-burning stone fireplace (open late Oct–Apr — a fall bonus!)
• Smart TV + game console for movie and game nights
• Books and board games for unplugged evenings
• Open layout great for meals, games, and conversation
• High-speed Starlink Wi-Fi for streaming or remote work
• Self check-in for easy, stress-free arrivals

🚿 Bathroom & Essentials

Thoughtfully stocked with:
• Shampoo, conditioner & body wash
• Extra towels
• Space heater near shower
• Safety features including smoke alarms and first aid kit

🌳 Outdoor Spaces That Make the Stay

Waterfront Deck
Overlooks the entire bay with partial cedar shade, outdoor lighting, and seating for coffee, cocktails, and sunset watching.

Fire Pit Area
Adirondack chairs, firewood included — unbeatable for fall nights and summer stargazing.

Front Patio + Grill
Wind-sheltered brick patio with 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 Easy to Get To
• ~15–20 minutes to downtown Sturgeon Bay
• Easy access to beaches, wineries, parks, and golf
• Quiet private road with minimal traffic
• Fall bonus: close to orchard tours, harvest festivals, and fall color drives

🌟 What Guests Say
• “They thought of everything”
• Stunning waterfront views and sunsets
• Spotless, extremely clean home
• One of the best-stocked kitchens they’ve used in a rental
• Comfortable beds, quality linens
• Kids LOVE the bunk house
• Peaceful and private, but easy to reach everything

🌊🍂 Book Your Door County Getaway
Summer here means lake days, kayaking, and sunset campfires. Fall means fireplace evenings, golden light on the bay, and Door County at its most beautiful. Either way, Rocky Shores Retreat is the kind of place guests don’t want to leave — and keep coming back to.

Dates book quickly. Reserve your stay today.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

Add dates for prices

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock

We should mention

A car is required for transportation 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
  • ‪Sunset Bar & Grill - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪Castaways on the Bay - ‬7 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Waterfront Door County Retreat pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Bayfront cottage with kayaks, fire pit, sunsets?

As of Mar 20, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Bayfront cottage with kayaks, fire pit, sunsets on Apr 23, 2026 start from $423, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking?

Onsite parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Waterfront Door County Retreat?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Waterfront Door County Retreat?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Waterfront Door County Retreat located?

Situated on the waterfront, this vacation home is 0.1 mi (0.1 km) from Lake Michigan and within 12 mi (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 labeled.
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

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Phillip F.

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

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
Verified

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
Verified

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
Verified

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
Verified

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
Verified

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
Verified

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
Verified

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
From a partner site

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
Verified

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
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tom Z.

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

Perfect weekend getaway

Amazing views.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024
Verified

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
Verified

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
Verified

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
From a partner site

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!!
Verified

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
Verified

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
Verified

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
Verified

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
Verified

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
Verified

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
Verified

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
Verified

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
Verified

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

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