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Exclusive Island Getaway for Boat Owners ~ An Outstanding Secluded Experience ~

Lakefront cottage with kitchen and patio

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Exterior
Interior
Room
Dining
Room

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 61200 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor space
  • Lake view

Explore the area

View in a map
AuGres, MI
  • Place, Charity Island Light
    ‪11 min walk‬
  • Place, Albert E. Sleeper State Park
  • Place, Depner Farms

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bunkhouse

+2
6 Queen Beds

Upstairs Loft

4 Single Beds

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Exclusive Island Getaway for Boat Owners ~ An Outstanding Secluded Experience ~

A 400 acre wildlife preserve with 4 miles of pristine, undeveloped shoreline with an inland harbor. Charity Island is a nature lovers paradise complete with a mature hardwood forest canopy covering most of the Island and a night sky unblemished by artificial lights. Charity Island lodge has a master bedroom with a queen bed and a loft with 4 twin beds. The new Bunkhouse contains 6 queen bunks and a bathroom with shower. The Lodge kitchen has an electric refrigerator, gas range and a coffee percolator. The cupboards are stocked with dishes and cooking utensils as well as most common cooking spices. Please do not bring electric cooking equipment as our power is limited but propane is plentiful. There is also a gas grill and a grate over the fire pit for outside cooking. Our water system is an NSF approved system that draws water from Lake Huron and is filtered and treated with Ultraviolet light and stored in an elevated storage tank for continual water service to the Kitchen and bathroom.

Charity Island Lodge added an off-grid power system in 2019. The cottage has 24-7 power via a battery bank that is charged by wind and solar and is backed up by a generator. The cottage is completely wired as any cottage on the mainland. New in 2022, we have screened in the front porch of the lodge!
Charity Island Lodge is the only cottage on Charity Island with the exception of the historic Charity Island lighthouse. Seven miles from the closest land, you will feel the isolation as recreational boaters depart the surrounding waters of Charity Island and the spectacular sunset sky begins to unfold. It's now bonfire time and the spacious fire pit is the place where stories unfold and lasting memories are made. Folding chairs are provided.

Whether you like hiking, fishing, kayaking, recreational boating, bird watching, night sky watching or just chilling out on a secluded island beach, Charity Island Lodge will be your new favorite destination in Northeast Michigan. There are no stores or restaurants on the Island so come prepared.
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Beginning in 2023, we are requiring 2 night minimum stays due to the extensive logistics of housekeeping in between guest stays. Once you arrive on the Island you can tie up to our 24' dock. The fishing around the Island is legendary and having your own boat is nice to have! Lastly, as with any back country experience, mosquitos and black flies can be bothersome on the hottest days and when the breezes do not cooperate. We have two kayaks for exploring the 4.5 miles of shoreline on these days and usually you can find some wind on the other side.

Dear Fall Guest to Charity Island, September and October are absolutely our favorite times of the year to enjoy the island. Autumn sun, cool nights, minimal bugs and total tranquility make for an amazing experience! With all of this grandeur however comes the reality of unstable fall weather patterns that can disrupt travel to and from the island. Lake Huron can turn vicious in a matter of a few hours so we must always be monitoring the weather. When we see potentially dangerous weather in the making, we will contact you and advise you of options. In short, travel can be delayed or postponed to and from the island We never want anyone to make an unsafe crossing for ANY reason and it is conceivable that your departure could be delayed or you could get stuck on the island for an extra day or two. We do provide full refunds when weather prevents safe travel.

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Amenities

Kitchen
Pet-friendly
Outdoor space
Parking available
Lake view
Barbecue grill

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House Rules

Check in after 9:00 AM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 3:00 PM
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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
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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

A car is not required for transport to and from this property
Map
AuGres, MI

What's nearby

  • Charity Island Light - 11 min walk - 0.9 km

Frequently asked questions

Is Exclusive Island Getaway for Boat Owners ~ An Outstanding Secluded Experience ~ pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Exclusive Island Getaway for Boat Owners ~ An Outstanding Secluded Experience ~?

Check-in begins at 9:00 AM.

What time is check-out at Exclusive Island Getaway for Boat Owners ~ An Outstanding Secluded Experience ~?

Checkout is at 3:00 PM.

Where is Exclusive Island Getaway for Boat Owners ~ An Outstanding Secluded Experience ~ located?

Situated on the waterfront, this cottage is steps away from Lake Huron and Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge.

About the host

Hosted by Dean P. Wiltse

Host profile image
As owner and operator of a very busy restaurant and brewpub in Oscoda Michigan since 1979, we began looking for a quiet escape where one could regroup and recharge far from the madding crowd. Born in Northeast Michigan, I grew up with a deep love of all things outdoors. Birdwatching, hunting, fishing, canoeing, boating and a love of the natural environment are all part of my life's endeavors. Oh, did I mention the love of great beer and wine also? lol

Why they chose this property

As fate would have it, my brother and his wife, Bob and Karen Wiltse, purchased the 400 acre Charity Island in the middle of Saginaw Bay in 1992. Bob and Karen built an inland marina and planned to sell a few exclusive lots and preserve the rest of the Island including the lighthouse tower and lighthouse keepers home. Soon thereafter, the Nature Conservancy got involved and the Island was purchased and placed into public ownership managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Bob and Karen kept the lighthouse property and a total of four parcels were left in private ownership. In 2007 Charity Island Lodge was constructed and the lighthouse keepers home was rebuilt. In the end, we got the dream getaway we worked a lifetime for and Charity Island got a couple of stewards to make sure she preserved in her natural and glorious condition.

What makes this property unique

Located in the middle of Saginaw Bay, at the mouth of Lake Huron, Charity Island is over eight miles from the closest points of land. Charity Island was named for it's safe harbor in the middle of what can on occasion be an angry sea. When spending the evening on Charity Island, there is nowhere else in the State of Michigan where you may be further than seven miles from the next human being. Passing freighters, a brilliant night sky, lapping waves and the comfort of knowing you are truly getting away from it all makes this property a one of a kind in Michigan.

Languages:

English