Best Beach on the Keweenaw - Big Traverse Bay on Lake Superior
About the property
- Cottage
- Bedrooms3
- Sleeps7
- Bathrooms1
- Half Baths0
- Minimum Stay3 - 7 nights
Cottage, 3 Bedrooms, 1 Bath, (Sleeps 7)
Located on the east side of the Keweenaw Peninsula, near Houghton and Calumet, this cabin offers panoramic views of Lake Superior and Big Traverse Bay. Often referred to as 'The Waikiki Beach of the Keweenaw Peninsula,' the pure white sand beach is more than 100’ deep and more than three miles long. This cabin's beach is 200' wide; nearest neighbor to the north is 1/4 mi. away.
Year-round 26 x 28 Chalet-style lake house provides 180 degree view of Lake Superior, has central heating, full basement with laundry facilities, full bathroom with shower, and full kitchen. New in 2008: new carpeting throughout the cabin, new lakeside windows and new master bedroom bed. Available April through November--occasionally through Christmas, depending upon how early the heavy snow arrives (the county does not snowplow our road, thus access is limited once the snow season arrives).
The house's lake side has a 16’ deep x 28' wide deck. Main floor has one bedroom (with trundle/daybed), bathroom with 5’ shower, and a Great Room of kitchen, dining and family room. Family room has a woodburning stove. Interior is lined with Nordic White Spruce tongue and groove paneling imported from Scandinavia--providing a 'cozy ambiance'. Upstairs has two bedrooms; one bedroom has a queen bed and one twin bed, and the large master bedroom has windows overlooking the lake and includes a Queen-size bed and port-a-crib. Lie in bed while watching the moon rise over the lake,or--if you're an early riser, watch the sunrise each morning. Basement is well-lit and dry--and has full laundry facilities with washer and dryer; plenty of room to store bikes, skis, etc., and a private room with two futons.
This property is uniquely situated with a panoramic view of Lake Superior out the front side and a view out the cabin’s backside toward a large wetlands area with lagoon (suitable for canoeing and kayaking) and lots of wildlife: common sitings of bald eagles, sand hill cranes, beaver, geese, ducks, deer. Great blueberry picking in late summer/early fall on the property and nearby areas. Superb fall colors make autumn a nice time to visit.
Woodburning sauna with large changing room, great views of Lake Superior (from within the sauna), and a front patio. Firewood is provided for sauna and for the woodburning stove in the cabin.
Beach is 100+ feet deep and 200 feet wide--providing ample room for almost any kind of beach activity, including volleyball (volleyball net available). Outdoor burn pit on beach, with surrounding benches. Gather around the fire, cook up s'mores, listen to the waves and wildlife. You'll feel that stress fade away.
Please call or email for more photos or for questions about the property or surrounding area.
Keywords: Cottage
Owner
Todd
- Response rate:
- 100%
- Response time:
- within one hour
- Speaks:
- English
- Calendar last updated:
- May 25, 2018
About Todd
We moved to the area about ten years ago and both work as educators. We enjoy being outdoors, gardening, exploring the Keweenaw, and raising our young son in a place with four distinctive seasons. Kathleen is originally from Upper Michigan and has enjoyed returning 'home'. Todd is from the Chicago area and has enjoyed life at a slower, quieter pace.
Why Todd chose Torch Lake Township
We love the beach and lagoon access and the simple but efficient way the cabin is designed. We had been looking for a lakefront property for the past five years and this cabin was everything we had desired. We enjoy using it in the off season with our young son while also making updates and improvements for our guests.
What makes this Cottage unique
What we like most about our cabin are the panoramic views over 'The Big Lake' (as locals call it), with views of the small mountains to the north on the Keweenaw Peninsula, the wide open expanse of Lake Superior to the east, sunrises over the lake, moonrises over Grand Traverse Point to the south. These views can be enjoyed from inside the cabin, inside the sauna, from the deck, or--of course--from on the beach and sitting around the beach firepit.
Amenities
- Pets Welcome
- Accessible
- Kids Welcome
- Washer & Dryer
- Parking
- No Smoking
Bedrooms
- 3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 7
- Bedroom 11 twin/ single, 1 murphy bed, Located on first floor across from bathroom.
- Bedroom 21 queen, 1 baby crib, 2nd floor master bedroom
- Bedroom 31 queen, 1 twin/ single, 2nd floor guest room overlooking lagoon.
- Master bedroom on 2nd floor features a new log framed queen size bed with new pillow top mattress. Bedroom includes a closet, dresser, two night stands, table lamps, reading chair with ottoman. There is also room for a porta crib. Large windows overlook deck, beach, and Lake Superior. The other 2nd floor bedroom has a new queen and twin bed, night stands and window overlooking lagoon. The 1st floor bedroom has a twin bed with a trundle bed and views of the lagoon and beach area. Located across from the bathroom, this room is ideal for those not wishing to navigate stairs to the second floor. This bedroom includes a dresser, coat hooks, and night stand and reading light. Two futons are also included in a basement room along with a reading light and end table although we do not advertise this room as a bedroom due to a lack of egress and windows.
Bathrooms
- 1 Bathroom
- Full size stand up shower with two corner seats.
Location Type
- BeachfrontThe beach is this cabin's greatest feature. A pure white/beige sand beach is between the cabin and Lake Superior. Our property is 200' wide; the beach depth varies, but is typically 100' deep between the cabin and the water--plenty of room for volleyball, lounging, playing beach games, sitting around the firepit, etc. Benches surround the firepit (on the beach).
Meals
- Guests provide their own meals
General
- Towels ProvidedBath towels, wash cloths, hand towels, and beach towels.
- TelephoneCellular service is available.
- Washing MachineAvailable in basement
- Clothes DryerAvailable in basement.
- ParkingA u-shaped driveway provides ample parking for several vehicles at one time.
- Linens ProvidedExtra sets of bedding are provided for all the beds. There is also bedding for the pack and play crib. Plenty of extra blankets and pillows on each bed.
- Wood StoveWoodburning stove in the living room. Sauna is also heated with a woodburning stove.
- Hair Dryer
- Parking Off StreetPlenty of parking on the cabin's driveway.
- Living RoomLiving room is part of the open floor plan of the first floor. Great windows overlooking beach and Lake Superior. Couch, rocking chair, chair and foot stool, and coffee table furnish the living room.
- Parking for RV/Boat/TrailerDriveway has a side parking area with plenty of room to park boats and trailers.
Kitchen
- RefrigeratorFull size refrigerator with freezer above. Freezer has ice cube trays.
- StoveFour burner electric stove with full size oven.
- Microwave
- Cooking UtensilsPlenty of nice pots and pans with lids. Cutting boards, measuring cups and spoons, garlic press, potato peeler, spatulas, whisks, pie tins, cookie sheets, a few cook books, hot mitts, and dish towels.
- Coffee MakerCoffee maker with filters provided.
- Toaster
- Dishes & UtensilsPlates, cups, coffee mugs, cereal bowls, forks, knives, and spoons.
- KitchenKitchen appliances include refrigerator/freezer, electric oven and stovetop, microwave, coffee maker, toaster, double sink, under cabinet radio with CD player/MP3.
Dining
- Dining Area
- DiningDining area is part of the open floor plan of the first floor and is adjacent to kitchen and living room.
- comfy seating for 6 people
Entertainment
- StereoSmall under counter radio/CD/MP3 player in the kitchen is loud enough to be heard throughout the first floor.
- BooksA small bookcase on the first floor contains an assortment of reading books and magazine subscriptions.
- GamesLots of board games to choose from.
- ToysA toy bin contains a large assortment of indoor toys and beach toys are located in a large plastic bin in the basement.
Outside
- Kayak / CanoeTwo kayaks and one canoe along with paddles. Numerous life preservers in adult, children, and infant sizes. Also a couple of float cushions.
- BicyclesTwo adult bikes and one children's bike. There are also two strollers, a small one for the deck area and a second one that is ideal for gravel roads.
- Outdoor GrillTwo outdoor grills; one charcoal and one gas.
- Deck / PatioCabin has large wooden deck on the Lake Superior side--12'deep x 28' wide--plenty of room for entertaining large groups. Picnic table and chairs/loungers on deck.
Suitability
- wheelchair accessibleThere is a wheelchair-suitable wooden sidewalk from the driveway to the deck; wheelchair access to the cabin from the deck through main entry door (only a door sill between deck and cabin).
Pool / Spa
- Sauna8'x8' woodburning outdoor sauna with great view of Lake Superior from sauna room. Sauna structure includes 8'x8' sauna room,an 8'x8' changing room and an 8'x16' patio for lounging after sauna. Also doubles as a changing room for swimming.
Attractions
- cinemas
- marina
- museums
- live theater
- restaurants
- health/beauty spa
Leisure Activities
- horseback riding
- antiquing
- sight seeing
- sledding
- boating
- shopping
- wildlife viewing
Local Services & Businesses
- fitness center
Sports & Adventure Activities
- hunting
- swimming
- sailing
- cycling
- fishing
- skiing
- golf
- wind-surfing
- water skiing
- mountain biking
- surfing
- tennis
- hiking
- jet skiing
- basketball court
- cross country skiing
- kayaking
- racquetball
- rock climbing
- snowboarding
- snowmobiling
- snorkeling/diving
House Rules
Check-in: 4:00 PM
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Cancellation Policy
100% refund if canceled at least 30 days before arrival date. 50% refund if canceled at least 14 days before arrival date. You must contact the owner directly to request cancellation.
30 Reviews
Latest reviews
Wow!
What a wonderful place to stay and disconnect from everything! The sunrises alone make this place special and when you add in the peace and solitude it's just perfect.
We have a dog who's become quite an old lady, but up here she acted like a puppy again.
Our only regret was that our weekend ended too soon! We would definitely recommend and stay here again!
Great place on the beach, very secluded
Great place, clean, secluded, amazing views. We had to do epic battle with beach flies, but other than that, it was perfect! Enjoyed the fireplace and the views.
Peaceful
We loved it! Perfect place to get a away from your daily grind. No TV, internet so it may not be best for those who need everything.
Amazing
An absolutely gorgeous spot with such a nice little house. Todd was amazing to work with and I would stay here again in a heartbeat.
Fantastic location
My husband and I spent four fantastic days in this beach house on Big Bay. The location is incredible. The beach is perfect, the view is extraordinary and the peace and tranquility unmatched. The house is well kept and the amenities are good. Home-made bread and blueberry jam made for a fantastic welcome. Our weather was perfect and the fall color...right outside the door...was unmatched. We had everything we could need for our time there. The location is perfect for day trips throughout the Keweenaw, but just spending time at the cabin would also be a great vacation.
WOW !!!
I realize I am just echoing other reviewers, but this property is outstanding! The location is simply glorious, fairly privately located (hundreds of feet of beach to walk) and certainly the most beautiful spot on the Big Traverse Bay; perhaps the finest location on the Keweenaw, as I don't know what one could add to make it better. The sand is unbelievable to me, as my wife and I are more familiar with vacationing along the more austere, rocky North Shore of Minnesota, and the Bayfield area (which we also love), and was more reminiscent of a Santa Barbara beach than anything one would think of finding in this rugged country. It has a beautiful, rich hue, reminding me of brown sugar in color, but very fine; no gravel at all mixed in; it is astonishing, and almost perplexing to one unfamiliar with the area. The house has a very functional, practical layout, with no shortage of comfy chairs on both levels, including a very fine rocking chair and a full size dining table. Everything is well built and well maintained: from large, clean vinyl windows, self-closing cabinets in the kitchen, and fine quality cordless blinds in the main bedroom upstairs. Little things, I suppose, but it speaks volumes about the care the owners are giving the place, and that they regard it as a family cabin, not merely a mercenary property. The wood stove was just what we needed to take the evening and morning chill out of the air, though the thermostat was right there if we needed it (we didn't; we had upper 60s during the day, so nice!) The sauna was a lot of fun, and we spent way more time than we anticipated swimming in Lake Superior knowing that we had a nice hot place to warm up in after coming out of the water, so we did several intervals, got ourselves all sweated clean, and had a great time chasing into the waves. Well, what more can I say? You will definitely not be disappointed for choosing to stay here. Like us, you will probably be a bit melancholy to leave it behind. By the way, we found the people of Lake Linden, Houghton/Hancock, and the surrounding area to be genuinely friendly, considerate and helpful during our stay as well, a really nice community and a beautiful area to visit. It was peaceful and relaxing for both of us.
Location
Blueberry picking in August, scenic drives up both sides of the Keweenaw (through Lac Labelle up to Copper Harbor and back the other side through Eagle Harbor and Eagle River, explore Keweenaw National Historic Park--historic Calumet and surrounding area.
Rates & Availability
Additional information about rental rates
This is a 'Leave it like you found it' or self-clean unit. We simply cannot get a cleaning crew there between the short window of departing and arriving renters. We do not charge a cleaning fee and find most groups prefer to clean it themselves instead of paying a fee. All cleaning supplies are provided. If there isn't a group after you, a cleaning arrangement costing $180 may be available. Please let me know if that is your preference.