Entire home

Private Beach - Secluded waterfront cottage & spacious outdoor space

Photo gallery for Private Beach - Secluded waterfront cottage & spacious outdoor space

A deck with outdoor seating overlooking a body of water.
A cozy cabin interior with wooden walls, a ceiling fan, a television, and a patterned sofa.
A single-story house with a covered porch, surrounded by a grassy yard and trees.
A room with a wooden interior, a bench, a door leading outside, and a window with a view of a grassy area and a body of water.
A cozy cabin interior with wooden walls, a kitchen area with a refrigerator, sink, and wooden table, and a large window providing natural light.

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
Located along the shore, this cottage accommodates 10 guests with 4 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. It offers lake views and features outdoor areas including a patio, deck, and porch. Enjoy nearby activities such as swimming, hiking, and biking, while golf and marina access enhance your adventure. Visit Port Crescent State Park and Veteran's Memorial Park.

Highlights

  • Family fun awaits
    Top-rated for families.
4 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 10

Popular amenities

  • On beach
  • Barbecue grill
  • Air-conditioning
  • Onsite parking available
  • Patio
  • Refrigerator

Explore the area

View in a map
Port Austin, MI
  • Place, Port Crescent State Park
    ‪20 min walk‬
  • Place, Sandy Dunes Adventure Golf
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Place, Pointe aux Barques Lighthouse
    ‪24 min drive‬

Where you'll sleep

4 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 1

1 Double Bed and 1 Single Bunk Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Single Bunk Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Single Bunk Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Private Beach - Secluded waterfront cottage & spacious outdoor space

Step back in time to relaxation in a knotty pine great-room facing due west over the lake. Enjoy peaceful sunsets from the great-room, the covered porch, your lawn, or the water's edge. Open rafters and floor plan with 2 small bunk rooms, a compact master bedroom, and a guestroom with both a full bed and a bunk bed provide a perfect setting for quality gatherings.

Rich in history with generations of family gatherings, this is an old-time cottage, gently updated with modern amenities of a fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator, stove & microwave, as well as smart TV and Wi-Fi. Ample kitchen utensils are provided.

Not geared for large parties or loud music, the cottage is perfect for quality time with loved ones and making family memories. A swing for a small child hangs from an old oak at water's edge. Fires are allowed in the fire ring; please douse with water and do NOT have fires on breezy evenings.

An open book-swap shelf is available in the great room, along with cards, puzzles and games.

Air-conditioning is provided in the 2 fullsize bedrooms and a newly installed attic fan pulls hot air out of the house at the end of the day. With fans in every room, the lake steps away, steady breezes and ample room to spread out in the shade, it's the perfect place for relaxing with a cool drink. An electric wall heater is available in the great-room only for short term use on cool nights. Clean towels, linens and a cozy blanket are provided in a packet on each bed. Guests are able to choose the bed(s) of their choice on arrival. Sweatshirts are recommended for cooler days.

A short wooded lane provides privacy from the road. Swimming is steps away as the property shares a boathouse deck and 140 ' of private lakefront with the neighboring property, also available by the same owner. The entrance drive serves both properties, with 4 dedicated parking spaces reserved for the Cottage. The top of the small hill is reserved for loading and unloading.

The property has extensive beach with the water easily accessible via a short stairway at the boathouse. Swimming is excellent. The beach size varies with changing lake levels. While the water is shallow and sandy near shore, caution is advised with higher waves, especially with small children.

The property lies within 5 miles of Port Austin, a quaint town offering a harbor of refuge, kayak rentals with waterway maps to beautiful turnip rock, 2 miniature golf courses, a delightful and adequately challenging 18 hole golf course, horseback riding, a destination farmer's market, historic Port Austin Reef Lighthouse, a laundromat, summer and fall family events, as well as unique shops and local eateries.

Within 2 miles lies Port Crescent State Park with its sweeping expanse of protected shoreline. The park encompasses the mouth of the Pinnebog River, a popular canoe and kayak destination, miles of sandy beach, hiking trails, a fishing pier on the river, bird viewing platforms, and in 2016 became one of Michigan's few registered Dark Park Preserves. A Dark Park Preserve is an area preserved to minimize night lights, allowing unusually clear viewing of the night sky.

Guests at the cottage are encouraged to keep lights low as the property is secluded and star-gazing from the lawn, boathouse and beach is truly exceptional. Small solar lights show location of the step to the boathouse deck and stairs to the beach.

The following partial listing of nearby attractions is expanded on in a welcome folder of additional information on local attractions and area services.

Port Austin hosts a robust farmer's market every Saturday from 9:30-1:00. Very fun with produce, crafts, shops and music.

Port Austin Kayak is kayak and paddle board central with information on the kayak trail to turnip rock

Port Crescent State Park offers a shoreline campground and Day Use area with hiking trails, bird-watching, excellent swimming and beach strolling through undeveloped shoreline.

Tip of Thumb Canoe Rental offers canoeing on the Pinnebog River with the river's Lake Huron mouth as the destination of choice

Huron County Nature Center on Loosemore Rd. offers 120 acres of wilderness arboretum and hiking trails

Knoblock's Riding Stable offers horseback trail rides off M-53 just south of Port Austin. Pony rides are available for the little ones.

Grindstone City, located about 6 miles east of Port Austin offers a beautiful natural fishing harbor, and just inland, the original town site is renowned for its ice cream parlors.

Huron Museum City is 9 miles east of Port Austin on M-25. Self-guided tours are available for a minor fee.

Lighthouse Park is a little over 12 miles east of Port Austin on M-25. Picnicking and tours of the old Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse are open to the public.

Port Austin Reef Lighthouse is visible from the harbor in town; you can take a stroll on the break wall for harbor viewing.

Bird Creek Golf Course is located just south of Port Austin off M-53; an excellent 18 hole course.
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 11:00 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
default

Events

No events allowed
default

Pets

No pets allowed
default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No RVs or camping on the driveway, lawn or beach; occupancy not to exceed sleeping capacity
Maximum of 4 vehicles in designated area ; a boat trailer reduces parking by 1. Bag garbage and take to cage at road, unbagged items aren't picked up
Fires only in designated fire pit. Douse the fire/ashes with water from the Fire Pit Pail before going to bed. Do NOT have fires in breezy weather.

Important information

You need to know

Property # 1286458vb
This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
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
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the area

Port Austin

Located in Port Austin, this cottage is on the beach. Port Crescent State Park and Port Austin State Harbor are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Lake Huron and Albert E. Sleeper State Park. Travelling with kids? Consider Bird Creek Park and Sandy Dunes Adventure Golf. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing and kayaking nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with horse riding and hiking/biking trails.
Map
Port Austin, MI

What's nearby

  • Port Crescent State Park - 20 min walk - 1.7 km
  • Sandy Dunes Adventure Golf - 5 min drive - 8.0 km
  • Port Austin State Harbor - 6 min drive - 6.9 km
  • Albert E. Sleeper State Park - 13 min drive - 17.7 km
  • Pointe aux Barques Lighthouse - 24 min drive - 31.0 km

Getting around

  • Saginaw, MI (MBS-MBS Intl.) - 98 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Bird Creek Farms - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Pak's Backyard - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Fireside Inn - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪The Landing Tavern - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪The Bank 1884 Food & Spirits - ‬5 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Private Beach - Secluded waterfront cottage & spacious outdoor space pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Private Beach - Secluded waterfront cottage & spacious outdoor space?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Private Beach - Secluded waterfront cottage & spacious outdoor space?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Private Beach - Secluded waterfront cottage & spacious outdoor space?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Private Beach - Secluded waterfront cottage & spacious outdoor space located?

This family-friendly Port Austin cottage is located on the beach, within 3 mi (5 km) of Lake Huron, Port Crescent State Park and Veteran's Memorial Park. Bird Creek Park and Sandy Dunes Adventure Golf are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

9.6

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. 25 out of 30 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 30 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 30 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 30 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 30 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful lake view and sunsets alone worth the nightly rate! Great sandy beach, fire pit, kids love the rope swing, and comfortable old school family cottage. Perfect end of summer getaway for the 5 of us, plenty of relaxing time at the beach, out in the water, on the boathouse deck, and around the table, inside or out! If you’re looking for a quiet rustic retreat with comfortable amenities, this is the spot. Kids already asking about coming back next summer! Thanks for the support in some foundational family memories!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
It’s a lovely lake cottage. Great location and nice and private. Host was good to deal with as well. The flies were biting like crazy while we were there, which was a bummer-bring your bug spray. As other guests have noted you do have to make your own bed, so if this is an issue, be aware of it before you book. The hot water lasted through three showers, so that was good! Bring beach towels. There are a few dish towels provided, and each guest gets a set of towels.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 20 Jul 2026
Thank you for your comments, it's a special place. In a cabin that sleeps 10 with multiple bed choices, it's difficult to know which beds will be used, so clean linens are left on each bed. This is mentioned in the listing description. We're sorry you were surprised.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Absolutely beautiful sunset views. We played on the beach and in the water every day. The cabin instantly felt like home. The kids were talking about the next trip before we even left. We made s’mores and the kids laughed and laughed swinging on the tree swing. Beware of the sand spiders! There were so many very large spiders and one of the kids had a hard time at the beach because of it. The house was nice and cool when we arrived and everyone enjoyed their beds. We will absolutely come here again. We made some beautiful memories here.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great Getaway

We loved our time at the cabin. Easy beach access, great sunsets and much time to read.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great getaway

Wonderful, beautiful view
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Relax and Rejuvenate

Our stay was perfect. The location of the house to the beach, the shaded front lawn, the distance off of the main road, the softest sand, stunning sunsets and endless family time. The quiet sound of the waves at night was so calming. This is a perfect place to get away from it all and breathe. Life is short, take the vacation. Lynn was a great host and we highly recommend her place.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Host is 100% on it, everything was as stated and her communication is excellent.The view of Lake Huron at sunset from this cottage is just absolutely spectacular, unmatched. The beach are is perfect, private and sandy bottom out as far as I could walk into the lake. The cottage is what I’d call “mid-century camp” style, it’s exactly what is shown in pictures, very well maintained- but it’s even nicer than I expected. It makes you feel like you’re at the lake, not in some fancy place with marble countertops. The living room is very roomy and has plenty of seating, we were comfortable at all times. Rent this place if you’re looking for a place that brings back memories of times when life was simpler, slower, and more peaceful. There is almost nothing modern about the place, which is AWESOME- but they have adequate air conditioning and fans in every room- it was hot but the cottage stayed cool. The wifi worked nicely and a hi def tv in the living room that supports all the modern streaming apps - my early 20s kids loved it and never complained.We caught some good weather and it made for a perfect long weekend at the lake. I’d do it again this weekend if I could!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Best Summer Cottage

Great lakeside cottage. Plenty of room for the family. Woods behind for seclusion from road. Beautiful view of the lake from cottage on the hill. Sandy beach & swimming area. Always a pleasure, looking forward to next year.. Thanks so much for the memories
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Sept 2024
It's a pleasue to host you!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Perfect Getaway!

We were in love with this place. It has everything you can possibly need. The view is spectacular and it offers amazing sunsets. The cottage itself was very cozy with plenty of room for my family of 5 and my wives parents. My kids spent hours on the beach and we never had to worry about them. I would highly recommend this place. It was a huge change of pace from our normal fast pace life.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Cottage on the beach

Great beach ‘cottage’ older style, well kept. Property is beautiful, wooded, lots of oaks & acorns, secluded from the road. Large yard overlooking the beach and lake. Roomy inside, plenty of room for a rainy day. Knotty pine gives a great cottage/cabin feel. Bedrooms are great for a family with kids, dressers & closets in each, easy to keep neat. Close to Port Austin. Spent a week and only went to town a couple times to the store and once to Grindstone for giant ice cream and to tour Port Austin. Enjoyed the property & beach so much didn’t need to leave. Definitely recommend to families with kids.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

6/10 Okay

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

My getaway

Cabin is nice. My family and I wish it had air conditioning or even beach towels since it is beachfront cabin. We had to make our own beds when we got there. That was a first and had ants in the treats they left us in the basket. So we made sure not leave food out on the countertop. But it is a cute cabin and we enjoyed our time there. That’s all that really matter was making memories with the grandkids and family. I would recommend this cabin.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 14 Jul 2024
Sorry we didn't know about the ants, they've now been treated. As the cabin sleeps 10 but often doesnt have that many, fresh linens are stacked on each bed to allow choice, and clarity to the cleaning team as to which beds were used. Apologies if that wasn't clear to you.
Verified review

6/10 Okay

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

Rustic get away

The property was just what we were looking for. The beach was wonderful and the water was great! Our kids loved waking up and playing in the sand and being able to swim in the shallow water! The cabin was what’s to be expected of an old family cabin, it was roomier than the pictures made it look. Unfortunately, while it was “clean enough” there are things that could have been cleaner. Having the beds made when you arrive would also be nice. There was also zero cleaning products (minus dish soap) anywhere in the house which seemed odd. If you’re looking for rustic cabin experience with a great view and beach this is the place. I would just recommend bringing your own cleaning supplies and paper towel.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Almost perfect beach vacation

This was our first time visiting the thumb We had an amazing family vacation and loved this beach cottage! For the price and location you cannot beat it! And we would not complain about the little things that could be updated, having no air conditioning or the tiny bathroom. None of that matters when you're literally steps away from a prestine beach on lake Huron!! Port Austin is literally a couple miles down the road. There are so many cute shops and restaurants. The Bank was just so so. But, The Farm Restaurant is just a few miles away and I had one of the best meals I have ever eaten!! Its pricey but worth every penny!!Caseville is only 20 minutes away and it is the quintessential beach town. LOVED Caseville. Beachy's is a MUST! For shopping, for coffee, and for dinner! Overall we had an almost perfect vacation! It got a little hot at the end and unfortunately the attic fan didnt seem to help much. But it was doable.
Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Had a great family vacation, will return, nice, cozy little cabin. Just wish we found the games sooner.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cabin was clean and roomy! Lynn responded within a timely manner! Lake view was gorgeous and beautiful sunsets!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

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

Beautiful property and location

The cabin was beautifully located beautiful sunsets beautiful scenery very spacious the only recommendation I would have is to get brighter lighting. my family thoroughly enjoyed our time together there thank you.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Beach. Water. Food.

Amazing sunsets! Great beach! Big water but shallow for 100’s of yards from beach! Comfy cottage! Local Foodie scene is under-rated. Thanks for another great stay!!!!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Verified review

8/10 Good

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

Lots of beds, some good equipment in the kitchen and that beautiful lake!

This wasn’t the fanciest cottage I ever stayed at but that just made it feel more relaxing. The beach and the lake were what we were there for and they were exquisite!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Enjoyed my stay!

Quiet location with a great beach
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Summer vacation

We loved our stay at the cottage. It was quiet, peaceful and had an amazing view. We walked, fished on the nearby river, swam, read, played games and relaxed. It was the perfect escape from busy schedules that we needed. I will miss my morning coffee on the deck & listening to the waves the most!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Simple life. Amazing sunsets right on the beach!

Cozy, clean, perfect location. Great communications from owner. Bring your paddleboards and kayaks. Be ready for spectacular sunsets that run past 10pm. If you kayak, Turnip Rock is must do. Not scary… Bird Creek and Farm restaurant wonderful. Green Clean Bean coffee if you like coffee. Check out some of the local art and history. Beach sitting all day!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great Cabin in a Beautiful, Peaceful location.

Our family was looking for a nice secluded spot for a quiet getaway and this property was great for that purpose! The all wood interior design is beautiful and gives it a rustic but cozy feel. The top draws for us were the waterfront location, starry nights, and quiet evenings and the cabin exceeded our expectations. We had a lot of good times in the water and on the beach. At night we were able to make a fire in the fire pit while watching the sunset over the water, and then watch the stars come out. We were drawn by the promise of dark surroundings and starry skies and we were not disappointed. We were a bit apprehensive about the lack of a/c, and one day hit around 90 degrees. The cabin did get hot that day, but with its good window placement, it cooled down well at night with the lake breezes/winds and we beat the heat of the day by jumping in the lake and then sitting in the shade. With the trees on and around the property, there was always shade available somewhere in the yard the entire day. The only issues we had were minor- 1. Under amenities the listing said "coin laundry" . We thought this meant that there was one on site, but there was not. This was a non issue since we did not end up having any major need for laundry, and we were able to make do with the minor need that came up. 2. We wanted to cook all of our meals and we found that some of the pots and utensils we wanted to use had not been fully washed by prior users. Again this was a minor inconvenience since we just washed them. Aside from that the kitchen, appliances, and dishes were all clean and ready for use. There were several sized pans for cooking breakfast foods, and pots for cooking dinner. The fridge and stove were both on the newer side and worked well. There were guests in the other home on the property, but there was enough outdoor space that we were both able to enjoy ourselves without getting in each other's way. Overall we loved our stay and were sad to leave. We would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Beautiful Stay

Our family rented both homes in July and had a wonderful time. Houses were clean and had everything we needed. The water and scenery were magical. Great place to get away and spend time with family!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Our Perfect Getaway!

The cottage had everything we needed. The space in the cottage was larger than we expected especially the living room and were able to easily social distance from our neighbors given the space between us. The beach, view and sunsets were absolutely amazing which were our #1 criteria when searching for our home away from home for the week. We appreciated the new grill that worked very well each evening before we capped off our day at the fire pit. The owner, Lynn, was quick to respond to questions. Was so clear to us that she wanted our family to have the same experience that her family has enjoyed for decades... and we did.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

FANTASTIC BEACHFRONT PROPERTY

We absolutely loved the place! We had hoped to kayak to turnip rock but the lake was too wavy all weekend however this cottage was the perfect retreat. We sat at the beach all day, played yard games, and enjoyed bonfires. And the sunsets, they are priceless❤️. We also spent a day visiting a couple local breweries. I was concerned about sharing one bath between 6 adults but it was no problem. HIGHLY RECOMMEND and hope to go back!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2020

About the host

Hosted by Sunset Serenity LLC

Host profile image
My father designed and built the cottage. I have been coming here every summer of my life. My husband, now passed, and I purchased it to continue the tradition of gentle respite. I'm delighted to be able to carry on the legacy and tradition of family gatherings, and offer the gift of solace to others who seek it.

What makes this property unique

The cottage was built in 1951 as a peaceful retreat from the city. It has remained in the same family its entire history. Lovingly preserved with its original charm, the cottage has a legacy of rich memories for multiple generations of children, cousins and friends. It offers true respite from the hurried pace of life. No matter the busyness of nearby towns or events, the cottage remains peaceful. Its expansive lawn and immediate presence of the lake brings serenity to the soul. Its unique position facing due west offers amazing sunsets, seemingly provided just for you.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

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