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Lakefront cottage close to Traverse City, Sleeping Bear Dunes & Crystal Mountain

Beachfront holiday home for sun and fun

Photo gallery for Lakefront cottage close to Traverse City, Sleeping Bear Dunes & Crystal Mountain

Welcome to Whitetail Cottage on Bass Lake in Traverse City, Michigan!
Two kayaks are provided for your use during your stay at Whitetail Cottage.
Whitetail Cottage includes parking out front.
View of front entryway into Whitetail Cottage.
The kitchen is the first room upon entry to Whitetail Cottage.

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 41000 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Beach view
  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Washer
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

View in a map
Traverse City, MI
  • Place, Bass Lake
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Front Street
    ‪13 min drive‬
  • Place, Traverse City Beach
    ‪20 min drive‬
  • Airport, Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
    ‪17 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen

About this property

Lakefront cottage close to Traverse City, Sleeping Bear Dunes & Crystal Mountain

Just 10 minutes from Traverse City, 30 minutes from Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and 35 minutes from Crystal Mountain, Whitetail Cottage is nestled on the shores of Bass Lake. Although it's an all-sports lake, it is best suited for fishing and kayaking. With 500 feet of shared sandy beach frontage, Whitetail Cottage has a gas grill on the deck overlooking the water as well as a beachfront fire pit. Two kayaks are available for renters to use for free and two child-size kayaks are available upon request. We also have paddle boards and bikes that can be rented for a separate fee by the day based on availability.

The cottage has two bedrooms with queen beds. There is a strict 4 person limit due to township rules. The upstairs bathroom has a tub and the downstairs bathroom has a newly renovated, walk-in shower.

A few quirks to note:
- The upstairs, where the bedrooms are located, has lower than standard ceilings, so if you are more than 6 feet tall, please take that into consideration.
- Whitetail Cottage has window air conditioner units in place during the summer - one downstairs and one upstairs (as pictured). Traverse City summers tend to be temperate and while these should do the trick, additional fans are also provided.
- The dock at Whitetail Cottage is not big enough to tie up motorized boats. Please contact us first if you plan to bring a boat and we will see if we can help!

Unfortunately, we don't allow guests to have pets; however, the property owners have doodles that love people and will want to say hi at some point, guaranteed!

While Traverse City is well known for its festivals, shopping, and restaurants, easy access to a quiet lake and extensive trail system are what sets our property apart. Plus, our proximity to Sleeping Bear Dunes and Crystal Mountain makes it a perfect location for those seeking natural beauty, freshwater beaches, and more.

Here are some of our favorite leisure activities by season:
- Summer: Beach days, fishing, kayaking, rock hounding, paddle boarding, and berry picking
- Fall: Mountain biking, leaf peeping, hiking, beer/cider tasting, and apple picking
- Winter: Cross-country/downhill skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing, sledding, and snowmobiling
-Spring: Cherry blossoms, trail biking, bird watching, winery hopping, and morel mushroom hunting

We are more than happy to offer local insight on our favorite spots to do all the above - except for morel mushroom hunting - you're on your own :)

Lastly, we are a family-run property with multiple listings, so if you're interested in coordinating several cottages for a larger group, please don't hesitate to contact us. Thanks for considering Whitetail Cottage and please reach out with any questions!

Long Lake Township Certificate Number: STR22-00071

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Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
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

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

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 and a first aid kit
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

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts

About the area

Traverse City

Located in Traverse City, this holiday home is on the beach. The Crown Golf Club and Hickory Hills Ski Area are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Lake Michigan and Fisher's Run. Great Wolf Lodge Water Park and Great Lakes Children's Museum are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and power boating nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking/biking trails.
Map
Traverse City, MI

What's nearby

  • Bass Lake - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Great Wolf Lodge Water Park - 9 min drive - 10.1 km
  • Village at Grand Traverse Commons - 12 min drive - 13.3 km
  • Front Street - 13 min drive - 14.4 km
  • Traverse City Beach - 20 min drive - 20.6 km

Getting around

  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital) - 17 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Chick-fil-A - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Culver's - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Burger King - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Lakefront cottage close to Traverse City, Sleeping Bear Dunes & Crystal Mountain pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Lakefront cottage close to Traverse City, Sleeping Bear Dunes & Crystal Mountain?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Lakefront cottage close to Traverse City, Sleeping Bear Dunes & Crystal Mountain?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Lakefront cottage close to Traverse City, Sleeping Bear Dunes & Crystal Mountain?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Lakefront cottage close to Traverse City, Sleeping Bear Dunes & Crystal Mountain located?

This Traverse City holiday home is on the beach, steps from Bass Lake and within 6 mi (10 km) of The Crown Golf Club and Fisher's Run. Lake Michigan and West End Beach are also within 9 miles (15 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. 82 out of 97 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 10 out of 97 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 5 out of 97 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 97 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 97 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

L H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The location was convenient to many attractions, and the property and amenities were perfect.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kyle A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent little spot!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Mandy H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in
Disliked: Communication, location, listing accuracy
The view was good.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Bill S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The view of the lake from the back porch AND from the couch in the living room are amazing. This is a fantastic property. The owners are wonderful and the trip couldn’t have gone better. This place is worth a visit!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Shannon S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a great weekend at the cottage! Clean, comfortable, and cute. Enjoyed campfires on the beach and the relaxing cottage vibe! Close to lots of great Michigan destinations: Sleeping Bear Dunes, Leland, Sutton's Bay, Skybridge, etc. Hosts were very responsive for questions before our stay and once we arrived. Would definitely stay again!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Krista W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Peaceful lake view! Really appreciated the little guide put together by the hosts, very thoughtful and helpful.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Shari V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful weekend!!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Katie S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We loved this little slice of heaven. Cottage is cute and has beautiful beach access. We enjoyed a bonfire with friends, kayaking around the entire lake and reading lakeside for sunrise.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

James G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great location!!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Gary B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very clean cottage. Beautiful view.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mark G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beach was great! Proximity to both Traverse City and Sleeping Bear made for a great vacation. Would definitely rent again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Diane S.

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

Great cottage

We enjoyed our stay. We had everything we needed to just rest and relax. Nice sandy beach.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Donna P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Absolutely loved this property. It was above what we expected. It was lovely to be right on the lake for fishing in our small boat and walking around the woods. The house was very clean and comfortable and met all our needs. We will definitely love to come back again and stay there.
The view from the deck
The lake
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Courtney O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Loved it! Thank you to awesome hosts, great location- peaceful and short drive to TC!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Derek B.

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

Nice awesome Lakeview front house for vacation.

Overall it was what our family was looking for for our vacation mini trip! Has exactly what everything we needed and more! Was a fun trip to get out of the city life and fish from the dock and do alot of exploring!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sara L.

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

Cute cottage perfect for family getaway!

Stayed with my two kids (4 & 1.5 yo) & my mom and it was the perfect space for us. Great location to explore Traverse city. After a busy day trip downtown it was nice to come back and relax by the water.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jessica W.

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

So relaxing

The property has everything needed to relax, kayak, fish, enjoy the incredible view. Very clean lake, quiet lake.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lorna N.

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

Comfortable, and perfect location for us

Cute and cozy. Great view. Great communication with host.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jessica Q.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect for a short girls trip! My daughter and I used the kayaks for a trip around the lake, relaxed on the beach with my mom, took a day trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes and played games inside at night. Jody and Katlyn were great hosts! They found a tube pump so my daughter could float around on the lake during the day.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Carolyn W.

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

Beautiful peaceful setting

Perfect location for a family reunion
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

6/10 Okay

Kimberly J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Interesting

Had some issues. Manager did everything they could but had to leave a day early due to extreme heat and air conditioner not working and hot water kept going out.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brian C.

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

A great stay!

We enjoyed our accommodations and our vacation was very nice. Clean & quiet. Had a great time at Sleeping Bear dunes.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michael E.

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

Nice Quiet Cottage

We enjoyed our nice quiet mornings on the beach drinking our coffee.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Susan C.

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

Great Getaway

Great place to stay. Kayaked, biked & just relaxed. Lake is beautiful. Hosts are awesome, so very friendly & helpful. Highly recommended anyone considering, you won’t regret the stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Bill W.

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

Beautiful place to stay they let us use their kayaks and we really enjoyed our stay

The owners are very helpful and very nice
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2019

About the host

Hosted by Katlyn Martin

Host profile image

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests