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Barn-Style Lakefront Near Crystal Mountain with Pontoon and Game Room

Lakefront holiday home with kitchen and balcony

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The Barn Cottage
View of Great Room taken from Dining
Full Kitchen
Great Room
Loft Bedroom

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 122600 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • 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 3

1 Single Bed and 2 Single Bunk Beds

Bedroom 4

1 Single Bed and 2 Single Bunk Beds

Family Room

1 Double Futon

Great Room

2 Double Futons

Hay Loft

2 Double Futons

Main Floor Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

Upstairs Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

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

About this property

Barn-Style Lakefront Near Crystal Mountain with Pontoon and Game Room

BARN-STYLE LAKEFRONT HOME NEAR CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN WITH FREE PONTOON
This unique 5-bedroom, 2-bath home was thoughtfully designed to resemble a classic Northern Michigan barn, offering a warm, comfortable stay with rustic character and modern convenience. With 2,600 square feet of living space, the layout is ideal for families and multi-generation groups, with separate areas for adults and children to relax and unwind.

The home sits on 2.5 private acres along peaceful Upper Herring Lake, featuring 140 feet of private frontage and a quiet country setting surrounded by rolling hills, orchards, vineyards, and farmland.

Located just minutes from Crystal Mountain, the property is perfectly positioned for winter ski trips, summer lake vacations, and fall color getaways.
We never charge host fees, cleaning fees, pet fees (up to two dogs), or extra guest fees.

THE HOME
Designed and decorated to reflect an authentic barn-style aesthetic, the home blends rustic charm with comfort. Spacious common areas make it easy for groups to gather, while separate living spaces allow everyone to spread out and enjoy their stay.

WiFi is provided for guest convenience.

INDOOR ENTERTAINMENT AND LIVING SPACES
The main great room features an HD TV with Roku, a DVD player, and a DVD library, providing a comfortable space for relaxing after a day on the lake or the slopes.

The walkout basement includes a pool table, board games, an HD TV with Roku, and a PlayStation 2 with games. This lower-level area is ideal for kids, teens, and casual evening entertainment while allowing adults to enjoy quieter time upstairs.

LAKE ACCESS AND LOCATION
A short walk of approximately 200 feet along a boardwalk through a protected natural area leads to the lakefront. The path is gently graded and typically takes two to three minutes for healthy adults and children. Guests with mobility concerns should note the slight incline on the return walk.

Upper Herring Lake is an all-sports lake that remains peaceful and uncrowded, offering an enjoyable balance of boating, fishing, and quiet lake time.

INCLUDED LAKEFRONT AMENITIES (SEASONAL)
Row boat (April 1 through November 15)
Two kayaks (May 1 through November 1)
Floating aqua-play mat (Memorial Day through Labor Day)
Full dock with mooring (mid-May through November 1)
Fire pit with chairs
Rope hammock and chaise lounges
Pontoon boat (Memorial Day through early October) with 10 gallons of free pre-mixed fuel

The pontoon boats are clean, well maintained, and functional. They range from 18 to 24 feet in length and are older models with 25 to 35 hp two-stroke motors. They are well suited for relaxed cruising and fishing, not high-speed boating. Guests with basic boating experience will enjoy them most. Instructions and technical assistance are available if needed.

The lake bottom near the shoreline is typical Northern Michigan soft sediment (mucky) and is not sandy.

WHAT WE PROVIDE
A starter supply of paper goods and soap products is provided and is typically sufficient for a two-night stay for smaller groups.

For a complete list of what is provided and what to bring, please see “Using the Property” on your My Trip page.

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

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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Schoolhouse-Style Lakefront Near Crystal Mountain with Pontoon and Game Room
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  • Dryer
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10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (49 reviews)
Schoolhouse-Style Lakefront Near Crystal Mountain with Pontoon and Game Room

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. Crystal Mountain and Chestnut Hills Golf Course 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 Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
View more Holiday homes in ArcadiaOpens in a new window
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 - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Upriver Pizza - ‬16 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Barn-Style Lakefront Near Crystal Mountain with Pontoon and 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 Barn-Style Lakefront Near Crystal Mountain with Pontoon and Game Room?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Barn-Style Lakefront Near Crystal Mountain with Pontoon and Game Room?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Barn-Style Lakefront Near Crystal Mountain with Pontoon and Game Room?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Barn-Style Lakefront Near Crystal Mountain with Pontoon and Game Room located?

This family-friendly Arcadia holiday home is located on the waterfront, 2.3 mi (3.7 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. 43 out of 46 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 46 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 46 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 46 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 46 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Courtnie W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Well stocked kitchen, clean, and pet friendly.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Molly P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This house was perfect for our weekend golf trip at Arcadia. The boardwalk to the lake was a great addition - we even saw a muddy bear print! This house is in a great location and worked perfectly for two couples.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

paula k.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Barn cottage on peaceful lake with everything you need. Walk on boardwalk thru meadow to fire pit on lake. Very relaxing. Close to several quaint town also on several lakes. Short distance to Lake Michigan
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sarah S.

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

Great escape

We stayed there a few weeks back. It was a beautiful place to watch the snow fall. Easy drive to skiing as well.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Martha B.

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

Beautiful spacious home

Great place to stay for our family.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gary A.

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

We would stay there again.

We enjoyed our stay. Plenty of room for everyone,
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sandy A.

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

Beautiful location and house.

Great for groups. Convenient to the M-22 locations and Traverse City. Would absolutely stay again.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Ryan W.

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

Awesome weekend getaway

A great spot to relax, play cards, and enjoy time with friends after a long day of adventures.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2020

10/10 Excellent

Cecelia L.

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

Great area, beautiful home.

We had a great time, house is beautiful and comfortable with plenty to give you stuff to do but also can be as relaxing as ever. The surrounding area was also wonderful, we'll definitely be back to the area and maybe even another one of these rental properties.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Patty A.

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

Great rental & location

We loved the communication, barnhouse, and amenities! Thank you for an amazing experience for our Ladies Retreat!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2021

10/10 Excellent

Katherine L.

Spacious and very clean

It was fun staying in barn house
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2019

10/10 Excellent

Mike K.

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

Fall visit

Clean and comfortable property! Close to Sleeping Bear Dunes and lovely costal communities.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kathryn K.

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

Barn Cottage on the lake

House is comfortably and artistically appointed - everything we needed and more provided. The boardwalk to the lake, bordered by woodlands and beautiful wildflowers, was a pleasant surprise. We enjoyed the pontoon boat and lakeside fire pit. Convenient to Arcadia beach on Laje Michigan and Frankfort.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

JOni G.

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

Great property in a great location

This was a charming cabin in a great location. Everything you needed was provided. Kitchen etc. was well equipped. There is quite a walk to get to the lake and the lake is unfortunately difficult to see from the cabin but once you got to the lake it beautiful and peaceful. Highly recommend!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Claire J.

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

Fall weekend

The Barn house was such a unique and cool property! It was spotless and the decor was unique and cozy. My son loved the pool/ping pong table downstairs and bonfire pit for s’mores. Thank you for everything!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Colin M.

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

Lovely lovely spot

We had a wonderful time staying at the house this week! It was peaceful and quiet and the nearby lake was a blast. We could hear the ice solidifying and melting throughout the week which was really cool. Saw the Milky Way a few nights at the lake which was gorgeous. Frozen enough to stand on and take in the view. Hopefully can come back some time soon!
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2021

10/10 Excellent

David T., BEVERLY HILLS

Last Minute Ski Weekend at Crystal Mountain

The owner was great about accomodating last minute plans less than 48 hours before our trip. Their property management team did a great job getting us set up and into this home. The furnishings were updated and newer, the home was super clean, and our sons loved the pool table and playstation. We brought our dog and had a great ski weekend. The loft was really cool too.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2019

10/10 Excellent

KC S.

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

Golf trip with friends and family

We picked this house for its location about 10 minutes from Arcadia Bluffs and it was extremely nice. It was large space with plenty of room for 5 adults to spread out when needed. The house was clean and decorated beautifully. The kitchen was well stocked and there were numerous games that kept us entertained for hours. Couldn’t be happier with the house and look forward to returning with my children as I know they will enjoy the house and surrounding area greatly!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kate H.

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

Perfect retreat for big families!

So much fun to stay in a barn-style getaway with scenic views and plenty of room for kids and adults to have their own space. Our children immediately "took over" the lower level with the ping pong/pool table; the two bunk-bed rooms and foldout futon were perfect sleeping arrangements for them, too. Something to note, the second floor primary bedroom is also access to the top floor sleeping area so it's not totally private. The house was well-stocked and there are really helpful instructions for where everything is located in the closets. Loved the big deck and boardwalk down to the lake as well. Great place!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Danielle M.

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

Everything We Needed

We enjoyed our little snowy winter getaway to the barn house. The house decor was cute with some unique details. It comfortably accommodated our whole family, 10 of us including an infant. The kitchen lacked nothing we needed to prepare all our meals. Walks down to the lake were peaceful and the scenery beautiful, with plenty to do inside the house with games and movies, and close to Crystal Mountian for some skiing.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

James C.

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

Perfect family getaway

We loved this. We had three families that each had a floor to themselves. The property was clean and well-stocked. There were binders of information that told us how to do and where to find everything we needed. We enjoyed the beauty and seclusion of the property to include the lake and pontoon boat as well as the centrality of location to everything that we wanted to do. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay here. The best VRBO stay we've ever had. I could not recommend it higher.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Cynthia B.

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

Amazing!!!

We were searching for areas in Michigan for our family trip and saw this property. When I tell you this place has everything you need believe me. We had 4 adults, a 2, 5, 7, 9, 11, 15 and 17 and each and everyone one of us loved it. There is plenty of space for everyone to move about. A sandbox and swing set for the younger kids and ping pong for older kids. All of us enjoyed the use of the boat, kayaks and canoe. Absolutely everything you could need is provided and house was very clean. They also accepted pets which is absolutely amazing. I would recommend this property 100%!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jose A.

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

The Perfect Getaway in Michigans Backyard.

The property was the perfect destination for a relaxing weekend with the family. Everything you could want in the perfect sized home. The home was so well equipped we felt very over prepared for our 2 night stay. My family is already asking how soon we can go back and we have every intention of booking the same property for our next weekend getaway. The cleaning and service fee charged at the property is completely reasonable. You feel like you are walking into a home that was set aside just for you. EVERYTHING felt clean and welcoming. We hope to visit again in the near future hopefully during warmer weather and with more time to actually enjoy the beautiful lake and site seeing this slice of paradise had to offer.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

James W.

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

Perfect

I booked this last minute for our anniversary. Home is even better than the pictures. Really creative. It was very clean and Lizzie was great to work with. We cooked most of our meals and the home had all we needed. We had a bonfire every night of our stay down by the water. For late nights, we turned on the lights in the living room and went up to the top floor so the lights shined up to us (hard to explain.) Perfect way to see all the stars. One morning my wife slept in and I took the pontoon boat out with coffee and a donut we got the day before from Crescent bakery in Frankfort - the best start to my day. That was the same day we had lunch at Arcadia Bluffs. We will absolutely return, but maybe bring more people next time because the house is huge.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kristeen J.

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

Love, Love, Love

We had three generations all coming together for the weekend: my parents, 2 siblings, their spouses and kid(s) and husband and I with our little one. The weekend was perfect. The home was big enough for all 12 of us and it was beautiful, very clean and fun. There are a lot of little things to see if you walk around - definitely decorated by an artist. We went on walks along the road where you could see the lake over beautiful orchards, we had camp fires down at the lake and even stopped by the ice cream parlor in Frankfort and walked down to the Frankfort beach and enjoyed each others' company. The home had everything we needed so there wasn't anything to stress about. We forgot a few things and called Lizzie only to discover they had what we needed in a drawer. The guys took the pontoon boat out once and had a nice time. I heard coffee on the top floor is a must, but I slept in every day; the beds were very, very comfortable. Thanks Lizzie! We will be coming again.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

About the host

Hosted by Lizzie B

Host profile image
I am Lizzie. My Dad built this home and he and my husband take care of maintenance. My mom does all the computer work. We are a very small, family business. <3

Why they chose this property

The Barn Cottage is located on a quiet country road in Benzie County Michigan. The home, though new, was designed to resemble the old barns and farmhouses on this quiet, orchard-laden road.

What makes this property unique

Home was built in 2005 to resemble an old barn from the 1930's. 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. Plus the home is huge. Kids and adults have their own spaces.

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