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Near Crystal Mountain - Lakefront w/ Pontoon & Game Room

Lakefront holiday home with kitchen and patio

Photo gallery for Near Crystal Mountain - Lakefront w/ Pontoon & Game Room

The Farm House Cottage
Summer of Fun! *(Towable water Trampoline has been replaced by an Aqua-Play-Mat)
The Great Room
Full Kitchen
Dining room opens to back deck for additional seating.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 122200 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning

Explore the area

View in a map
Arcadia, MI
  • Place, Green Point Dunes Nature Preserve
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Place, Inspiration Point
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Place, Betsie Lake
    ‪10 min drive‬
  • Airport, Manistee, MI (MBL-Manistee County-Blacker)
    ‪33 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Double Futon and 1 Single Bunk Bed

Great Room

2 Double Futons

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

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

About this property

Near Crystal Mountain - Lakefront w/ Pontoon & Game Room

PEACEFUL LAKEFRONT FARMHOUSE NEAR CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN WITH FREE PONTOON
We never charge host, cleaning, pet (up to two dogs), or extra guest fees.

This 4-bedroom, 2-bath farmhouse-style home is a thoughtfully designed recreation of a classic Northern Michigan farmhouse, built in 2006 and set on 2.5 private acres along Upper Herring Lake. With 140 feet of private water frontage and a quiet country setting, this home offers privacy, space, and a true up-north atmosphere.

Surrounded by rolling hills, woodlands, orchards, and vineyards, the Farm House Cottage sits on a peaceful country road and provides plenty of elbow room for families and multi-generation groups.

THE HOME
This cozy yet spacious 2,200 square foot home features custom ceramic tile, wide plank flooring, detailed woodwork, an antique claw-foot tub, and Pottery Barn-style décor blended with antique and custom furnishings.

The main great room includes an HD TV with Roku, a DVD player, and a DVD library, making it a comfortable gathering space after a day on the lake or the slopes.

A game room with bunk beds features a foosball table, board games, an HD TV with Roku, and a PlayStation 2 with games. This space is ideal for kids, teens, and casual evening entertainment while allowing adults to enjoy quieter time in the great room.

The layout is designed with family fun in mind, offering separate areas for adults and children so everyone has space to relax.

THE LAKE AND LOCATION
Upper Herring Lake is an all-sports lake that remains peaceful and uncrowded, making it ideal for boating, fishing, and relaxed lake days without heavy traffic.

The home is just minutes from Lake Michigan beaches and the town of Frankfort, and is conveniently located near Crystal Mountain, Sleeping Bear Dunes, and Traverse City. It is an excellent home base for summer lake vacations, fall color tours, and winter ski trips.

WATERFRONT ACCESS AND AMENITIES
A short walk along a boardwalk through a protected natural area leads to the lakefront amenities. This path typically takes about two to three minutes for healthy adults and children. The home sits on a slight grade, so the walk back may take a bit longer for guests with mobility or health concerns.

Lakefront amenities include a full dock with moorings for additional boats, a fire pit with chairs, a rope hammock, chaise lounges, and ample space to enjoy the shoreline.

INCLUDED WATERCRAFT AND SEASONAL AMENITIES
Included at no extra charge, seasonally available:
Pontoon boat with 10 gallons of pre-mixed fuel
Available Memorial Week through early October
Floating foam aqua-play mat
Available Memorial Week through Labor Day Week
Kayaks
Available May 1 through November 1
Row boat
Available April 1 through November 15
Dock
Available mid-May through November 1
The lake bottom is typical Northern Michigan soft sediment (mucky) near the shoreline. It is not sandy.

ABOUT THE PONTOON BOAT
As a free bonus for our summer guests, we offer the use of one of our pontoon boats. These boats are clean, well maintained, and functional. They range in size from 18 to 24 feet and are older models equipped with 25 to 35 hp two-stroke motors.

They are well suited for relaxed sunset cruises and family fishing outings. Guests with basic boating knowledge and familiarity with two-stroke motors will enjoy them most. Full instructions and technical assistance are available if needed. Please see photos for a typical example of the pontoon boat.

WHAT WE PROVIDE
A starter supply of paper and soap products is provided and is typically sufficient for a two-night stay for smaller groups of two to four guests.
For a complete list of what is provided and what to bring, please see “Using the Property” on your My Trip page.

SEASONAL NOTES
For winter stays, an all-wheel-drive vehicle or front-wheel drive vehicle with good snow tires is strongly recommended.

IMPORTANT HOUSE NOTES
This is a quiet, peaceful setting suited for families and responsible guests.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 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

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 2 total)
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights, lock the doors and return the keys
1. Start first load of laundry (can be either linens or towels). 2. Wipe excessive spills on surfaces.
3. Return furniture to original places. Please leave inside furniture inside and outside furniture outside. 4. Clean and empty the BBQ grill into provided ash can only.
5. Clean up after pets (including HAIR IN HOME (and "doo-doo" in yard).
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Check out list: -Start a load of laundry -Wash dishes & put away -Put back furniture that was moved -Trash out to receptacle -Clean all dog hair & poo
Smoking damages the the home. If smoking has occurred inside the home, there will be a $200-$500 Cleaning Repair Fee depending on the level of damage.
Quiet time: 10PM - 8AM. No parking on rd. By booking guest agrees to VRBO and host's (sent by VRBO after booking is complete) Terms and Conditions

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
Long-term renters welcome
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
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 deadlock
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
A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Arcadia

Located in Arcadia, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Elizabeth Lane Oliver Center for the Arts and Frankfort Light are local landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Crystal Mountain and Chestnut Hills Golf Course. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
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Map
Arcadia, MI

What's nearby

  • Green Point Dunes Nature Preserve - 6 min drive - 7.6 km
  • Inspiration Point - 7 min drive - 8.6 km
  • Arcadia Area Historical Museum - 9 min drive - 12.2 km
  • Betsie Lake - 10 min drive - 13.7 km
  • Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course - 14 min drive - 17.5 km

Getting around

  • Manistee, MI (MBL-Manistee County-Blacker) - 34 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪A&W Restaurant - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Chestnut Hills Golf Course - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪MT Plate Diner - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Upriver Pizza - ‬16 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Near Crystal Mountain - Lakefront w/ Pontoon & Game Room pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total). Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

How much is parking at Near Crystal Mountain - Lakefront w/ Pontoon & Game Room?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Near Crystal Mountain - Lakefront w/ Pontoon & Game Room?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Near Crystal Mountain - Lakefront w/ Pontoon & Game Room?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Near Crystal Mountain - Lakefront w/ Pontoon & Game Room located?

This family-friendly Arcadia holiday home is located on the waterfront, 2.2 mi (3.6 km) from Lake Michigan, and within 6 mi (10 km) of Green Point Dunes Nature Preserve and Inspiration Point. Elberta Beach and Frankfort Beach are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

10

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. 35 out of 38 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 38 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 38 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 38 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 38 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Amenities

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Chester B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
House was extremely comfortable! All three Queen beds were super comfy! More than enough dishes and kitchens supplies!!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Valerie S.

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

Friends Vacation

Perfect place for a group vacation
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kevin V., Zeeland

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

Great place, great owner!

What a wonderful place to vacation at! Our family enjoyed our stay and plan to return again! A 5 star home with 5 star owners.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Gina H.

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

Ski trip

The house was clean and had everything we needed while we skied at Crystal for a couple of days.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kyle C.

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

7th annual family ski trip

This place was even better than the pics! It worked out perfect for our trip and our family of 12 had more than enough room! I would definitely recommend thia place to anyone looking to stay in the area! We had to make a cpl last minute changes on our trip and the host was very accommodating. Thank you very much! We has a great time staying at the FHC!!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Laura B.

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

Great trip!

Wonderful home & location was great. Loved having the use of the pontoon boat!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Lisa B.

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

Ski trip

Would love to see this house in the summer. Great space for multiple families. Wish there was more comfortable seating in the living area but it worked. About 20 min from Crystal. Love that is is dog friendly. Would definitely book again.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Staci B.

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

Ski Getaway

Great property! Plentiful amenities, and close to Crystal Mountain. We also loved the boardwalk down to the lake!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Adam H.

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

Highly recommend

Exactly as advertised. Make sure to read the “items you need to bring” list. Will stay again.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Great space for the kids to play games while the adults enjoyed their own time and space. Such a cool floor plan.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Colleen G.

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

Quiet and peaceful

The property was exactly as described. My husband, dog and I had a very nice stay. There are many orchards and trails near by. The Arcadia bluffs were beautiful. The pontoon was so fun and a nice experience. The property is beautiful and relaxing. I only wish there had been some restaurants near by.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brenda M.

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

Perfection!!!

The property was beautiful! 14 family members stayed here very comfortably! Great fishing with the pontoon! Something for everyone!!! Plan to return next summer 😊
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Chris V., Wixom

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

May visit

The house was very clean and comfortable, with lots of amenities. The location was also peaceful. This allowed for an enjoyable stay. Nice boardwalk to the water, play structure/sandbox for younger children, charcoal grill, kayaks, pontoon, fire pit. Also not far from downtown Frankfort. Would recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Andrea B.

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

Ski weekend!

We just returned from an awesome girls ski weekend getaway. The house was perfect for our group of 8. Only 15 mins to Crystal Mountain. It was clean, and well maintained. The property owner provided lots of great info in the binders that were on the table. Perfect location and property for a winter weekend getaway!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2021

10/10 Excellent

Karla L.

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

Awesomeness

Everything was absolutely perfect. Clean, organized, well stocked. Just like the pictures. The boat was such an added bonus. Our weather was iffy but we made the most of it. Just perfect. Many beautiful memories made.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Melisa O.

Very nice house, ideal for large families!

This a very nice decorated and furnished house. Space full environments, with indoor and outdoor games for kids and good movies available for grownups. Large kitchen and well equipped. There is a lake connected to the backyard, during winter ideal for ice fishing. Quite neighbourhood, ideal for escaping the routine and noisy cities. 100% recommended!

10/10 Excellent

Sandra A.

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

Great ski weekend

Our group had 4 adults and 6 children and we had plenty of room. Kitchen is big, beds are comfortable and there was lots of space to stretch out. Game room/bedroom was perfect for my 3 teen boys. Upstairs shower isn’t the best, and I wish they had more comfortable couches and a mop available to clean up melted snow that was tracked in. Other than that, place was great.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kim O.

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

Fall

This home is beautiful! It had plenty of room for our group 9(+2 dogs). I loved how clean the home was. The owners had 3 binders with information about the area, the property and the boat. Yes, there was a pontoon available. Unfortunately the weather was rather crappy so we didn't get a chance to try it out. I would 100% recommend this property.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

8/10 Good

sue F.

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

Weekend

Four adults. We each had our bedroom. Very quiet and secluded. No shower soap or dish soap. No Wifi and the TV is dish. Couldn't get any football games.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dalia M.

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

Cozy cottage for a group of adults near skiing

We wanted to rent a house close to Crystal Mountain that was dog friendly. This place is about 20 minutes to the mountain. If you are okay with being in the middle of nowhere, this is a nice place to hunker down in. We loved the Christmas tree upon walking in. Really cozy! We were six adults and the space was great for us; we spent 1/2 a day watching DVDs as the weather was not great. Just to note a few things: No internet/WiFi - bummer as you can’t use any streaming service on the tv. Wish the tv was larger, or at least outside the cupboard as it’s hard to see fully from all seats. You aren’t near much and the roads are dark and in bad weather it’s a bit sketch to drive. Just be careful. Come armed with everything you want to do, eat and drink as it’s a trek to go out to get something. Some nice add-ons would be a hot tub and fireplace - would be even cozier! Host was nice, communicative and friendly. We enjoyed spending three nights here for NYE.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Wendy S.

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

Love, love, LOVE

Everything here was perfect. We stayed with a group of 11 from ages 1 to 82. The property was so private and well maintained. We loved being visited by the hummingbirds and deer. The yard worked great for the little ones with a slight hill to run down, sandbox and swingset, and lots of room to run. We brought a blow up pool for them to play in while we were not down at the lake. The boardwalk to the lake is so beautiful and the wheelbarrow made it easy to haul all of our fishing gear down to the pontoon. (Two of the families in our party have boats, and the having use of the pontoon was so nice so we did NOT have to tow and put in and out of the water). The lake is great lake to teach kids to fish. We did not have one time where we ventured out and did not catch fish. We caught perch, LOTS The inside of the house was so clean. The beds were comfy with lots of extra pillows and blankets if you were chilly. The kitchen had everything we needed and then some! Lots of room in the main area and we never felt like we were on top of each other. The area is beautiful. If you turn right out of the driveway, you will come to Scenic Highway. Turn left for a short drive to the lovely town of Frankfort (shops, restaurants and a Family Fare). Turn right to head to Arcadia. Both less than 15 minute drives. We hiked the Baldy Dune area as well as Green Pointe Dune Nature Preserve. Thank you for a wonderful family getaway!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

melissa s.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very family friendly and pet friendly accommodations. We truly enjoyed our stay at this beautiful property. Thank you!!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Abby R.

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

Great ski weekend

Staying in Arcadia was close to Crystal Mountain and nature preserve skiing. The wind didn’t cooperate for kite skiing on the lake. However it was a lovely weekend and the property provided everything we needed.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Ben L.

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

Perfect get away spot

We stayed at this property for a combined Thanksgiving/50th anniversary party for my parents and it couldn't have worked out more perfectly. Plenty of space for everyone and the large kitchen worked great for cooking the big dinner. Some of the kids were a little apprehensive about not having wifi but with the all the games in the kids room, I don't think it was missed at all. It was November so not beach weather but we still enjoyed adventuring down to check out the lake during an early season snow storm. Even with the cold weather, the house stayed very warm and cozy. Would love to come back!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jane G.

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

Lake house

Property was exactly as pictured if not better. Perfect for our family group of 6 adults and 2 children. We used pontoon boat and fished on the lake, hiked at Arcadia dunes, and visited St Ambrose cellars distillery.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2021

About the host

Hosted by Lizzie B

Host profile image
We are a small, family run business. Be sure to let us know if you have any issues during your stay so we can make things right. :)

Why they chose this property

My dad built this home in 2005 because we fell in love with the quiet, country road and Upper Herring Lake.

What makes this property unique

Home was built to resemble an old farm house from 1920. All the antiques in the home are from that period. Also, this is a dedicated vacation rental which means we don't have drawers, closets and cupboards full of our personal items.

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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