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Close to Glen Arbor, Empire, and National Lakeshore

Photo gallery for Close to Glen Arbor, Empire, and National Lakeshore

Living room and dinning area. Large window allow natural light, view of meadow
A wooden deck with a wicker chair, a flower box with pink flowers, and a view of a green landscape.
A two-story house with a gabled roof, a chimney, and a front porch with chairs.
Dining
A modern kitchen with wooden cabinets, a stainless steel refrigerator, a dishwasher, and a stove.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • The great outdoors
    Guests love the outdoor space here.
  • Arcade/game room
    A rare find - fun for all ages with on-site arcade and game room.
  • Unmatched views, unforgettable moments
    Guests like the location for the scenic views.
4 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Garage parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Firepit
  • Deck or patio
  • Internet access

Explore the area

View in a map
empire, MI
  • Place, Glen Lake
    ‪11 min drive‬
  • Place, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
    ‪11 min drive‬
  • Place, Little Glen Lake
    ‪11 min drive‬
  • Airport, Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
    ‪40 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

First Floor Master

1 King Bed

Upstairs Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Upstairs Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Upstairs Bedroom 3

2 Single Beds

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

First Floor

Toilet

Master Bath

Toilet · Shower only

Upstairs Bath

Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Jetted bathtub

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Close to Glen Arbor, Empire, and National Lakeshore

Four bedroom, 2.5 bath on 15 acres. Three bedrooms upstairs (2 with queen beds and one with two twins) and large primary bedroom on main floor with meadow views, attached bathroom. Bunk beds in hallway upstairs add extra sleeping/hanging out space for kids. Open floor plan and fully equipped kitchen. Memory foam mattresses. Game room with ping pong table and shuffle board in the basement. Outdoor shower.
Deck with space to relax.dinning table in covered shed for eating outside.

Perfect for the nature enthusiast as well as the beach goers and small town explorers!
Easy access to towns and national lakeshore: 5.8 miles to Empire and 7.8 miles to Glen Arbor. 17 miles to Traverse City, 40 minutes to Leland, 30 miles to Crystal Mountain Ski Resort. Five minutes to Dunes Golf Club.
So much to do and explore: beaches, national lakeshore, dune climb, bike path, canoe and bike rentals, vineyards, scenic drives, and hiking trails!

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 24
Check out before 11:00 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

Important information

You need to know

Property # 7848445
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 not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher

About the area

Empire

Located in Empire, this holiday home is on a river. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Lake Michigan. Travelling with kids? Consider Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum and Burnett Park. Kayaking and parasailing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking and mountain biking nearby.
View more Holiday homes in EmpireOpens in a new window
Map
empire, MI

What's nearby

  • Philip A. Hart Visitor Center - 10 min drive - 10.9 km
  • Glen Lake - 11 min drive - 10.5 km
  • Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - 11 min drive - 11.2 km
  • Little Glen Lake - 11 min drive - 11.5 km
  • Empire Bluff Trail - 13 min drive - 13.0 km

Getting around

  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital) - 41 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Cherry Republic - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Art's Tavern - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Trattoria Funistrada - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Boonedocks - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Leelanau Coffee Roasting Co. - ‬18 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Close to Glen Arbor, Empire, and National Lakeshore pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Close to Glen Arbor, Empire, and National Lakeshore ?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Close to Glen Arbor, Empire, and National Lakeshore ?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Close to Glen Arbor, Empire, and National Lakeshore ?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Close to Glen Arbor, Empire, and National Lakeshore located?

Located on a river, this family-friendly holiday home is within 6 mi (10 km) of Garey Lake, Courson Lake, and Little Glen Lake. Glen Lake and Philip A. Hart Visitor Center are also within 6 miles (10 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. 36 out of 39 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 39 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 39 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 39 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 39 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

8/10 Good

Jeffrey T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
It’s a great house in a great location.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Peg R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This is a wonderful home set in the woods, with beautiful views in every direction; a very quiet and peaceful setting. Kitchen was well stocked with anything we needed. Comfortable beds, plenty of indoor and outdoor space for our multiple generation group of 6. The fire pit was a fun bonus!Great location for exploring Sleeping Bear Dunes and surrounding areas. Short ride to Empire Beach, which also has a playground, for amazing sunsets over Lake Michigan.Owner responded very quickly to any questions and was very helpful.I highly recommend this property and would definitely stay again.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lauren A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a wonderful stay! This property is tucked way back in the woods with views of a beautiful meadow. We enjoyed lots of excursions and outdoor adventures. There are so many trails and beaches a short drive away. Very comfortable accommodations, beautiful artwork and the outdoor shower was a hit with the kids. We’d love to stay here again.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Diane D.

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

Very private

We love this property! It’s very private and close to all the places we came to visit!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth M.

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

Peaceful Up North Retreat

My family had a lovely week!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Cherisse S.

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

Beautiful

This was our second time staying here and it was absolutely wonderful. The kids loved the outdoor shower and we loved the bonfire and outside space. We look forward to returning.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Emily F.

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

Wonderful!

Wonderful stay. The house was beautiful, and had everything we needed. Such a quiet, peaceful location. Owners gave us all the info we needed, and we felt welcome in their home.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

JULIA G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We loved the tranquil setting, the beauty of the home, the great kitchen and, of course, the outdoor shower. Being an octogenarian, I've returned exhausted but most importantly my daughters, grandson and nieces and the entire family had a super time and break from their hectic lives.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie T.

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

Winter break trip

This was such a relaxing get away in such a beautiful house! We loved all the wood in the house and the cute little details like the stars cut out of the wood and the stain glass on the bunk bed windows!
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Cherisse S.

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

Perfect stay… again!!

We just love this house and how serene the property is. The fire pit was wonderful to sit around each evening. The outdoor shower is just amazing! The kiddos had so much fun playing games at the picnic tables in the outside buildings. They also had so much fun playing ping pong in the basement. We will definitely return.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Julia D.

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

Spotless Home, Fabulous Stay

I have stayed at a large number of vacation rentals, and this is definitely among my very favorite! The house was truly spotless - the single most important thing to me! The layout was perfect, everything you could want was available. I particularly loved that there was no TV in the main living area - it was in a separate room nearby with a door that closed! My daughter, two grandsons (4 and 7) and I really loved the remote location - but within 10 minutes or so of everywhere we wanted to go! Thank you so much for a wonderful stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Susie O.

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

Better than the pictures!

The house was adorable! Completely equipped, in a beautiful setting. Very private. It is a little out of town (down a dirt road) but that wasn’t a problem as Glen Arbor and Empire are both easy to get to. Also lots of recreational equipment is already there! We loved it.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Cherisse S.

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

Beautiful Empire home

The house was beautiful, clean, and just as listed. The secluded location was perfect for us, near Crystal River kayaking, Glen Lake, Torch Lake, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Traverse City and Old Mission Peninsula. The cool breeze at night through the open windows was wonderful. We loved the fire pit and there were plenty of places nearby selling bundles of firewood. The outdoor shower was loved by all. We will definitely be returning.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Katie H.

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

Relaxing Northern Michigan Escape

The rental more than met our expectations. The house was very clean and well stocked with all the needed pots and pans for cooking. The location is great, though mapping is a bit tricky as Google maps doesn't not work for the exact location. We got around this by mapping to a different street in the neighborhood. The house was very close to both Sleeping Bear Dunes and Traverse City. We especially enjoyed with lovely firepit and outdoor covered seating area.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ryan K.

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

Wonderful base for enjoying the Leelanau

Our group of 8 had a wonderful stay here. The house is even nicer than the pictures can convey. It's in a private country setting, yet an easy drive to Empire and Glen Arbor. The whole house was very clean and the kitchen was well supplied. We cooked dinner there every night. We also enjoyed the outdoor fireplace and seating area. By the end of the week most of us had switched to using the lovely outdoor shower with its idyllic countryside view. If fast wi-fi is a high priority, this might not be the place for you. We were fine with our own mobile data, and the slow connection meant less time spent on our phones, which I liked. The only thing I really missed was a grill, which would be a nice addition to the beautiful outdoor space. The owners and property manager were responsive and easy to work with.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

John E.

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

Wonderful

Our stay can be summarized by the fact that as we all gather for an annual vacation, we have a list of movies etc we intend to watch. This year the tv did not go on as we found sitting and watching the light change through the landscape too peaceful to put a movie on. The house and property are isolated but very close and easily accessible to dunes, restaurants, trails etc. I think the only ‘negative’ was the internet can be spotty at times, but unless you need to work from the house, might be a good thing! Not enough of an issue to take away any ratings points. With certainty, we have added this house and area to our rotating vacation locale. Wonderful.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Andrew P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great location and very peaceful and serene.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jessica D.

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

Beautiful, secluded house!

This house was so perfect for our stay. We stayed with another family and had 4 kids ages 5 and under. They had plenty of room to be kids and the house was very kid friendly! We loved the layout and the bunks were so well done! House was very clean and perfectly equipped. Thanks for an awesome stay!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Steve Meagher a.

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

Great place to stay

We stayed for a week and loved it. The house is perfect - we had two families staying together. The kitchen was well stocked with everything we needed to cook. The outside dining area was lovely. The location is great if you want to get away from the crowds but have access to many great places in the area.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Laura P.

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

Farm house in the forest!

I can’t stop thinking about our stay at this sweet farm house with beautiful natural surroundings. The 4 bedroom plus hall bunk beds fit our grown daughters and grandkids just right. The kitchen is well appointed with more than enough dishes and pots and pans. The sink overlooks a prairie like area where I watched a fawn munch on grasses… the ping pong table in the basement kept our 7 year old happy and the TV room off the dining room kept our preschoolers busy while I made dinner! It’s close to Empire (8-10 minutes drive) and 15 minutes from the Sleeping Bear Dune climb. The only thing missing was hangers for the closets.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022
Verified

8/10 Good

Agnieszka W.

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

Great secluded yet close to everything location!

Overall the location was great. Super clean home and property with plenty of privacy. Still, the location was close to everything, ~30 min and you are in Traverse City or Sleeping Bear Dunes. The only downfall is that there is no AC. So, if you go in summer when it is nice and hot, be prepared for a warm home. The cool nights helped to make the nights somewhat bearable.. Either way we had an awesome time and hope to come here again but maybe in the early summer or fall, unless an AC gets installed, then definitely in the summer again.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Robert K.

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

Beautiful house

Beautiful house, great location, enjoyed every aspect of our stay. We would definitely stay here again. Sleeping Bear Dunes is a beautiful park to visit.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kirk B.

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

Great Place for Sleeping Bear Adventure!

We stayed here with our 3 young children and had a blast! The house was located perfectly to do visit all the surrounding sites. The property offered lots of options for my wife and I to relax after the kids went to bed. Cherry wine on the deck is a must! We will definitely book here again when we visit Sleeping Bear Dunes.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Karen D.

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

Spacious and lovely

This property was perfect for our family to get together and vacation in the area. This gem is tucked away but still close to all the activities the area has to offer. We were met with a clean and spacious house that had almost everything we needed for a great and relaxing stay each evening. I would definitely stay there again!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Stephen L.

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

Relaxing getaway in ideal location

The rental house exceeded our expectations! Great home with ample space and large windows throughout providing wonderful airflow. Quiet, secluded location was ideal for relaxation while still just being a short drive to all the surrounding towns and the lakeshore. The outdoor area with lounge area/dining table/firepit was perfect for the ideal weather we had. And the Ping-Pong table in the basement was a wonderful surprise for our young kids. We had a great time and will certainly look to return again!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

About the host

Hosted by Jennifer and David

Host profile image
After many years of camping and staying in vacation rentals, we made the decision to purchase in Leelanau County. Having had so many wonderful trips in vacation rentals, we wanted to also share our place with travelers.

We're nature fans and love the meadow and woods on and around the property. When not roaming nearby, we spend our time biking from town to town and playing in Lake Michigan.

We still love to travel. We run, bike, and swim. Let us know if you have any questions about the property or area and we will do our best to help out.

Why they chose this property

While we love to travel and explore new places, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is, for us, one place we come back to again and again.

Languages:

English
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