Secluded dunes home w/private Lake Mich beach + 150 acres of forest + dogs OK

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Entire home

Hard to get a photo of the whole house -- it's bigger than it looks from here.

From the back deck you can see forever through the forest in all directions.

view from below (house is on a ridgetop - this is the start of path to beach)

footpath to the beach - it meanders through the woods then down about 25 steps.

one of the four bedrooms; two are at ground level, two partially below.

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

Exceptional

4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 92000 sq ft

Popular amenities

Washer

Barbecue grill

Pet-friendly

Outdoor space

Kitchen

Air conditioning

Explore the area

Covert, MI

Van Buren State Park14 min drive
Benton Harbor, MI (BEH-Southwest Michigan Regional)18 min drive
Surfari Joe's Indoor Wilderness Water Park21 min drive
Silver Beach25 min drive

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 9)

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Spaces

Deck or patio

Porch or lanai

Kitchen

Balcony

Dining Area

About this property

'Windy Ridge' is a modern 4-BR cottage in the middle of a forest big enough to get lost in, amid hundreds of acres of Lake Michigan dune land. You can't see another house in any direction, even from the roof deck. Down a footpath about 175 yards through the woods (about a 3 minute walk) is a big and beautiful sandy beach, on which you can walk for miles and rarely see other people and experience fabulous sunsets. That's where we spend most of our time (also on the big screen porch with panoramic forest views and a glimpse of the lake through the trees, and on the roof deck for great views and stars).

Windy Ridge is on a "low" dune, with less bluff elevation than most of the properties in the area. The walk to the beach and steps down is not too strenuous and we have no problem with it in our mid-70s. But we do not recommend Windy Ridge for people with mobility challenges. It's a family paradise (dogs too) but children must always be supervised.

It's a great place to get far far away, but it's only 2 hours drive from Chicago and 2 1/2 hours from Detroit, midway between South Haven and St. Joseph. The house has all modern amenities but with the cooling breezes usually off the lake, you rarely need to turn on the air-conditioning.

While we use it most of the time, a few prime periods remain available this summer and fall. Due to the likelihood of getting snowed in (or out) we don't rent Windy Ridge from December through March. We cannot accept summer/fall reservations for 2025 until our family calendars are set in early May, so next year's calendar is blocked at this time. Let us know if you want to be notified of available weeks when next year's schedule is set.

Everybody who spends time here falls in love with Windy Ridge as we did 38 years ago. Thanks for looking at our listing and please feel free to ask questions.

Marty

Property manager

Marty Cohen

Languages

English

Amenities

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Pet-friendly

Free WiFi

Air conditioning

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Pet-friendly

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM

Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

Pets allowed

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 not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip

Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property

About the area

Covert

Located in Covert, this cottage is near theme parks and on the beach. Michigan Maritime Museum and Michigan Flywheelers Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Contessa Wine Cellars and Karma Vista Vineyards and Winery. Surfari Joe's Indoor Wilderness Water Park and The Fun Park are also worth visiting. Windsurfing and power boating offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cycling and hiking nearby.

Covert, MI

What's nearby

Van Buren State Park - 14 min drive
South Beach - 19 min drive
Contessa Wine Cellars - 19 min drive
Surfari Joe's Indoor Wilderness Water Park - 21 min drive
Silver Beach - 25 min drive

Getting around

St. Joseph-Benton Harbor Station - 21 min drive

Restaurants

‪McDonald's - ‬19 min drive
‪Bend - ‬17 min drive
‪Riverside Tavern - ‬11 min drive
‪Friendly Tavern - ‬17 min drive
‪Subway - ‬17 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Secluded dunes home w/private Lake Mich beach + 150 acres of forest + dogs OK pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Secluded dunes home w/private Lake Mich beach + 150 acres of forest + dogs OK?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Secluded dunes home w/private Lake Mich beach + 150 acres of forest + dogs OK?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Secluded dunes home w/private Lake Mich beach + 150 acres of forest + dogs OK located?

This Covert cottage is on the beach, 1.8 mi (2.9 km) from Lake Michigan, and within 12 mi (20 km) of Van Buren State Park and Contessa Wine Cellars. Karma Vista Vineyards and Winery and Sarett Nature Center are also within 12 miles (20 km).

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

9.0/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Ryan S.

15 July 2024

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

A Gem

We had a fantastic stay. The house, location, lake access, and lane front were exactly as described and perfect for our group. I hope we can make it back in the future.

Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cathlynn C.

7 July 2024

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

Cabin in the woods with an amazing beach!

Our family really enjoyed our stay at Windy Ridge. The house has tons of room but we spent most of our time either at the beach or on the screen porch. We loved that we could be outside to eat or play games or just read a book and not have to worry about pesky bugs. Our hosts were easy to contact when we had a question about the grill and were very helpful in providing us directions to a hiking spot nearby I was particularly interested in finding. The owners do a great job describing the property so pay attention to the advice about making your way to the beach. There are steps involved that we could manage ourselves but could be tricky for older folks or small kiddos. But once you’re at the beach, you won’t want to leave. And the sunsets…breathtaking.

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Christine P.

28 May 2024

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

Beautiful!

The property is amazing! Beautiful setting! A short peaceful walk through the woods to the beach. We enjoyed the tranquility of it all!

Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

David S.

11 June 2023

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

Seclusion and relaxation

We were looking for a beach getaway without the craziness of crowds, reserving chairs, worrying about taking up too much space, etc. We wanted to be able to focus on just our family. That’s exactly what we got at Windy Ridge. If our kids were being loud in the back porch? whatever. They want to build a driftwood fort in the middle of the beach? go for it! The screened in porch is absolutely a highlight of the property, as is Marty’s open sharing of all that is available. We like to cook and having all of the spices and oils there as well as any cookware we needed was such a blessing. It really had all of the elements of privacy that you have to pay a premium for at a ‘resort’ location. The house, the woods, the beach. Loved it. My kids left asking how soon we could be back.

Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

16 October 2021

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

Relaxing, secluded, and pet friendly with private beach.

We really enjoyed staying at Windy Ridge. It was perfect, very relaxing, secluded, great screened in porch. We were able to bring our dogs who loved running on the private beach. We would definitely stay again.

Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Joan F.

28 September 2021

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

Amazing Cottage in the woods

The location cannot be beat for woodsy surroundings. It has a fabulous large screened in porch on which you feel like you are in a forest. We could hear but not see the lake just as the listing described. The bedrooms on the main floor are a bit musty but airing and air fresheners helped. Well equipped kitchen and any game you would want. Quiet, secluded spot, which we would love to see when the colors change.

Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Alison S.

20 September 2021

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

BEAUTIFUL BEACH & SCENERY

Marty & his wife were AMAZING hosts. The property is like a tree house and we spent 80% of our time in the house in the screened in porch. Few mosquitoes & spiders, but nothing that a little citronella candles couldn’t handle. Suuuuper peaceful & quiet. Relaxing. Beach was AMAZING. Private-I could’ve been topless the whole time!! (Literally saw 2 people in 5 days.) the house is stocked with literally EVERYTHING you could possibly need-the only thing we bought was bottled water & charcoal & we brought our own toiletries. Marty was super kind and never intrusive with his communication!! Had a relaxing, amazing time !!

Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Julia M.

16 October 2020

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

Rindy Wdg

A glorious mid-October stay in a beautiful house in the woods with a path to a stunning Lake Michigan beach. The host was gracious, the house had everything, and the seclusion was lovely.

Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2020

10/10 Excellent

aaron m.

18 September 2019

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

Windy Ridge

Great place on lake Michigan! Marty was very helpful, we would repeat for sure.

Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2019

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Terry W., Indiana

28 September 2013

Windy Ridge

We had family from Chicago they spent the day with us on saturday at the cottage. The weather was great it was a fun time on the beach with the kids.Warm days and cool nights we had the best time ever!!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Collette S., Indianapolis, IN

9 July 2013

Privacy and peace!

My family of 8 enjoyed spending the week at Windy Ridge --when the description says it is secluded, they certainly aren't exaggerating! We enjoyed having the surrounding forest, house, and beach front to ourselves the entire week. This house comes with everything you would need, and I would go as far as to say it is the best stocked beach house we have ever stayed in. There is a gas and charcoal grill, wifi, satellite television (though, I didn't turn on the t.v. the entire week), and drawers full of utensils and small items you might need, but would have never thought to bring. We found flashlights in the pantry for our nightly trips down to see the sunset as well. (Thanks for those!) The beach was as secluded as you can get --we maybe saw six people the entire trip. My favorite part of the house was the screened-in porch. Sitting out there every morning and night, we really enjoyed being surrounded by the trees without the bugs! There is plenty of space for everyone to spread out and do there own thing. South Haven is a short drive to the North, though I have to admit, we really didn't leave the house/beach much. My husband and I went for several long runs down the fire lane and out onto M63 --scenic and challenging on the way back up! I would recommend this place for anyone looking to truly get away. Must be a little adventurous --the path can be tricky when wet, and there are ticks to look out for. A little bug spray and some moxy keeps that away! Dog owners looking to bring their dogs will find this place to be perfect! My two dogs were so exhausted at the end of each day, they put themselves to bed! Marty --thank you so much for the opportunity to visit Windy Ridge! We would love to come back next summer!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

1 September 2011

Great spot for family get-together

We had a great week at Windy Ridge in late August 2011. The house sits up high in the forest with amazing views off the two decks, We especially liked the path down to the beach and a few trails through the nearby woods that we found. The beach was beautiful and we had it almost all to ourselves most days. We walked for several miles along the beach in both directions too. The house had everything we needed including a great stereo with speakers out on the back deck and a fantastic grill for cooking out. We really enjoyed our week and hope to come again next summer--it's a beautiful place and we all recommend it.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

12 August 2010

Great for a large family get-together

Windy Ridge is a wonderful house with a two great decks - one off the great room toward the lake and another on the roof of the bedroom wing. When not at the beach, we lived on these decks. The place is in total seclusion and has the feeling of being in the treetops due to its ridge-top location. We were a family of six adults and two one year-olds who were joined daily by another couple and their twin three-year-olds who stayed in a nearby house. Everyone cooked and the kids could play inside or on the rooftop deck with minimal supervision. The walk to the beach is attractive, running out along the ridge top until it ends above the beach, then descending some rustic stairs to a very private beach (the nearest neighbor, beach-wise, was probably 300 yards away. One can get a good cardio-vascular workout carrying gear and/or kids back up the stairs, but it was worth it for the seclusion and the ambience. As the owner says in the description, it's hard to get a good overall photograph of the house because of its arrangement and the drop-offs on each side. We were able to park one car and three mini-vans at the house. The house is about a half mile down from the Blue Star Highway which gives easy access to I-196 or to South Haven to the north. We would all recommend it.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.