Entire home

Waterfront Door County Escape

Lakefront holiday home with kitchen and patio

Photo gallery for Waterfront Door County Escape

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

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Kitchen
  • Barbecue grill
  • Fireplace
  • Washer

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 Door County Escape

Rocky Shores Retreat – Classic Door County Waterfront Cottage

Welcome to Rocky Shores Retreat, a timeless bay-front escape where classic cottage charm meets modern comfort. Located on scenic Little Sturgeon Bay and just 20 minutes from Sturgeon Bay, this cozy getaway offers 180 feet of shoreline, breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, a huge backyard, kayaks, and plenty of space for unforgettable family time.

Perfect for families, couples, or groups looking for peace, privacy, and Door County waterfront living.

✪ What Guests Consistently Love:
• Spotless, extremely clean homes
• Exceptionally well-stocked kitchens (labeled, organized, quality cookware, spices, condiments)
• Peaceful, private waterfront settings
• Beautiful lake views — especially sunrise & sunset
• Cozy, comfortable, and thoughtfully decorated interiors
• Super responsive, proactive hosting
• High-quality linens, towels, and bedding
• Firepit with provided firewood
• Kayaks, yard games, and outdoor seating
• Wildlife sightings — deer, wild turkeys, eagles, cormorants
• Clear instructions, excellent guidebook, stress-free check-in
• Great location — quiet but close enough to Sturgeon Bay and Door County attractions
• Perfect for families, friend groups, and peaceful retreats


✪ 2025 Water Levels
Water levels in Little Sturgeon Bay are lower than in recent years. You can still launch the kayaks, but you may need to walk a bit farther across the shoreline rocks to reach adequate depth.

✪ Wake Up to Sunrises, Wind Down with Sunsets ✪

Start mornings with coffee on the expansive deck, watching the bay come alive. Spend sunny days kayaking, swimming, playing yard games, or lounging in the hammock with a good book. Evenings are for gathering at the bayfront fire pit, roasting s’mores, and watching the sky turn gold.

✪ The Space
Cozy Living Area with Classic Door County Charm
Step into warm wood interiors, big bay windows, and a space designed for connection.
Features include:
• Original Door County stone fireplace (open late Oct–Apr)
• Large windows with sweeping water views
• Comfortable seating for the whole family
• Smart TV for movies and game nights
• Open-concept layout shared with dining area
Perfect for slow mornings, board games, or cozy nights by the fire.

Fully Equipped Kitchen + Dining (Seats 8)
Our kitchen is stocked far beyond the basics—everything you need for family meals, lakeside snacks, or Door County-inspired dishes.
Includes:
• Full cookware + bakeware
• Coffee station
• Full-size appliances
• Plenty of prep space
• Easy access to the outdoor Weber grill
• Dining table seating for up to 8
Cook breakfast, grill dinner, or bring home delicious finds from Marchant’s Grocery or Sunflower Bakery.

✪ Bedroom Layout
Primary Bedroom – King Bed
Your own private retreat, featuring:
• Plush king bed with fresh, hotel-quality linens
• Ceiling fan
• Dresser + full closet
• Quiet location for sleeping in or working remotely
Guest Bedroom – Two Queen Beds
Perfect for families or groups, with:
• Two comfortable queen beds
• New flooring (Fall 2022)
• Washer + dryer conveniently inside the room
Detached Bunk House (Kid’s Cottage)
A huge favorite among kids (and adults!), the bunk house offers:
• Sleeps up to 5
o Bunk bed (sleeps 3)
o Queen sleeper sofa (sleeps 2)
• Smart TV
• Mini refrigerator + freezer
• Heating + AC
• Bay views
Note: No bathroom in the bunk house.

✪ Bathroom
Thoughtfully stocked with:
• Shampoo, conditioner & body wash dispensers
• Extra towels
• Heater near the shower
• Plenty of space for families getting ready for the day

✪ Outdoor Space – Deck, Shoreline, Yard & Patio
The outdoor area is what guests rave about most.
Spacious Waterfront Deck
• Overlooks the entire bay
• Partially shaded by cedar trees
• Perfect for morning coffee or sunset cocktails
• Outdoor lighting for evenings
• Plenty of seating
Expansive Backyard
• Great for frisbee, cornhole, and yard games
• Hammock for relaxing
• 180’ of shoreline for exploring
Fire Pit Area
• Surrounded by Adirondack chairs
• Firewood included
• Perfect for s’mores, stargazing & family time
Kayaks + Waterfront Fun
(Available late spring–early fall)
• 4 kayaks
• Swimming access
• Shoreline exploring
• Bag toss + other yard games
Side Patio + Grill
• Brick patio sheltered from wind
• Weber grill next to kitchen
• Ideal for grilling brats, burgers, or fresh local fish

🏡 Why Guests Love Rocky Shores Retreat
(Curated specifically from the Rocky Shores reviews.)
🌅 Waterfront & Nature
• Stunning bayfront views — guests rave about sunrises and sunsets
• Peaceful, private shoreline with plenty of space to relax
• Regular visits from deer, wild turkeys, eagles, and other wildlife
• Cozy coffee spots for early risers overlooking the water
🍳 Kitchen & Amenities
• One of the best-stocked kitchens guests have ever used
• Quality cookware (great nonstick pans!), spices, condiments
• Well labeled and highly organized (a major guest favorite)
• Firewood provided + firepit accessories
• Thoughtful amenities everywhere — “They have thought of everything.”
🛏 Comfort & Cleanliness
• Spotless home, immaculate condition
• Extremely comfortable beds with high-quality linens
• Plenty of towels, cozy blankets, and great indoor seating
🎉 Perfect for Groups
• Ideal for family trips, girls’ weekends, bachelor/bachelorette trips
• Spacious indoor & outdoor areas
• Extra amenities like yard games, hammock, kayaks, gas grill
• Kids love the bunkhouse
🧭 Location
• Quiet and secluded, but only about 15–20 minutes from Sturgeon Bay
• Great jumping-off point for Door County activities
• Guests love the balance of true seclusion + convenience
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

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

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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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

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, a first aid kit and a deadlock
Property # 2408959vb

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
  • Hi-Cliff Park - 21 min drive - 22.3 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

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 Door County Escape pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Waterfront Door County Escape?

On-site parking is available at the property.

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

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

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

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Waterfront Door County Escape 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

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy
Rating 10 - Excellent. 77 out of 79 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 79 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 79 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 79 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 79 reviews

Reviews

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

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

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

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

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

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
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

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

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

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

10/10 Excellent

John R.

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

Beautiful property

It just happened that the Aurora borealis was going on while we were. What an amazing spot to see it! The owners were very responsive and gave clear instructions. We had such a great time.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 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