Bronson Lake Cottage-The Most Beautiful Place in America-Sleeping Bear Nat. Park
Winter has arrived - Crystal Mtn Ski Resort -downhill skiing (20 minutes - 16 miles away) is opening for skiing Friday December 6th, 2025. snow mobiling, ice fishing, cross-country skiing. Bronson Lake Cottage is a Year-Round Rental with Gas Central Heating/plowed/winterized. We are here for all of your Winter enjoyment. come visit us - now is the time to head North for that last vacation spree- Restaurants, breweries, wineries, it's all waiting for you. Winter is a beautiful time to vacation in Northern Michigan - leave your frustrations at home - Our goal, through Bronson Lake Cottage, is to provide you and your family privacy, solitude, a chance for your family to 're-connect' and comfortable lodging when you're up north having family fun in our beautiful, friendly, and fun-filled area for the whole family. Little towns with stores, restaurants, wineries, breweries, and a meadery abound in our corner of Northwest, Michigan. The fun never ends in Benzie and Leelanau County. Bronson Lake Cottage is just 20 minutes away from the 'Most Beautiful Place in America' - Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore bounded by M-22, Michigan's Scenic Highway. That 20-minute drive (2.5 miles) will put you on the shore of Platte Bay within the 35 miles of Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore – with miles of hiking/biking trails, pristine sand beaches, crystal clear waters for swimming. Fishing – Bronson Lake – smallmouth and largemouth bass, pike – for the fishermen in your group, Steelhead fishing fall through spring in our Betsie and Platte Rivers, Summer trout fishing on our many streams and lakes, Late summer and fall Salmon and Lake Trout in Lake Michigan. Golf -Crystal Mountain Resort, Crystal Lake -Beulah, Pinecroft-Beulah, Champion Hills, Mistwood, Bear Lake, Dunes, Chestnut Hills, Arcadia Bluffs, Interlochen – these and more within 30 minutes of the cottage. - this is a time to rejuvenate and enjoy the wide open beaches of Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore - enjoy the cool evenings by the firepit, the warm days walking beaches, woodland trails, stellar golf courses - come join us in the evenings at your new favorite restaurant. Little towns with stores, restaurants, wineries, breweries, and a meadery abound in our corner of Northwest, Michigan. The fun never ends in Benzie County. Bronson Lake Cottage is just 20 minutes away from the 'Most Beautiful Place in America' - Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore bounded by M-22, Michigan's Scenic Highway. That 20-minute drive (2.5 miles) will put you on the shore of Platte Bay within the 35 miles of Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore. Our goal, through Bronson Lake Cottage, is to provide you and your family privacy, solitude, a chance for your family to 're-connect' and comfortable lodging when you're up north having family fun in our beautiful, friendly, and fun-filled area for the whole family. . BRONSON LAKE COTTAGE - located about five miles from the intersection of US-31 and Benzie 669, is a Lakeshore Property nestled on Bronson Lake in Northeastern Benzie County. Quiet and serene, the cottage property overlooks Bronson Lake which also provides beautiful views from the cottage from the large kitchen windows, and entry area, Living Room Door-wall, and the new upper-Deck, that extends across the Lakeside of the Cottage, overlooking the beautiful, mirrored reflections on the Lake 40 ft. below the cottage. Bronson Lake Cottage is centrally located in this Northwest Recreation paradise of Benzie and Leelanau Counties , approximately 12 miles to Lake Michigan's Sandy Shore within the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore, 8 miles to Interlochen National Music Camp with its student performances and Headliner summer concerts, 15 miles to Crystal Mountain ski resort, 20 miles to Traverse City and within scant minutes of thousands of acres of State of Michigan Public lands, lakes, and rivers allowing unlimited hiking, snowmobiling, four-wheeling, equestrian pursuits, biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, mushrooming, hunting, fishing, golfing, amongst other outdoor activities. Just a short drive from the cottage places you on the wine-country tour, area breweries, meadery, and distillers. Our cozy cottage has two bedrooms with queen-sized beds, dressers, and closets, two bathrooms - one with tub and shower, the other with shower, living room with TV, a large couch, love seat, for laid-back evenings after a busy day exploring Benzie and Leelanau Counties, a fully equipped kitchen with adjacent dining area. The cottage also has a washer and dryer for your convenience. This morning, August 2nd,2021, Ray Antel III was out on Bronson Lake in his Kayak and had the pleasure of seeing Belted Kingfisher, Green Heron, Great Blue Heron, Tree Swallows, Pileated Woodpeckers, and an otter stretched out on the limb of a tree lying in the shallows of the lakeshore. Bronson Lake Cottage is at the hub of our North-western Michigan vacation paradise and the "Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore." "Benzie 669" is our main path to the miles of Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore and the "wineries" of Leelanau County - Come join-us and you will soon feel at home navigating our roads leading to your vacation wonderland. Please bring your own washcloths, and bath-towels, we provide clean mattress covers and pillow protectors and blankets. fully supplied kitchen. We are pet and smoke free. Minimum nights 5 for June, July, August; 3 night minimum for May, September, October, - and 2 nights minimum the other months of the year.
Add dates for prices
Have a question?
AI iconBetaBeta
Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.
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
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
About the area
Interlochen
Located in Interlochen, this cottage is on a lake. Kresge Auditorium and Hippie Tree are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Lake Michigan. Burnett Park and Interlochen Center for the Arts are also worth visiting. Take in the nearby slopes with cross-country skiing and snowboarding, or try out other outdoor activities such as snowmobiling and ice skating.
Lower Woodcock Lake Nature Preserve - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
Interlochen Center for the Arts - 19 min drive - 23.4 km
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - 20 min drive - 26.7 km
Traverse City Beach - 43 min drive - 56.2 km
Getting around
Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital) - 37 min drive
Restaurants
Dilbert's Cafe - 16 min drive
Lake Ann Brewing Company - 14 min drive
Wendy's - 18 min drive
Bradley’s Pub & Grille - 19 min drive
Red Canoe - 12 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Bronson Lake Cottage-The Most Beautiful Place in America-Sleeping Bear Nat. Park pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Bronson Lake Cottage-The Most Beautiful Place in America-Sleeping Bear Nat. Park?
As of 13 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Bronson Lake Cottage-The Most Beautiful Place in America-Sleeping Bear Nat. Park on 14 May 2026 start from NZ$503, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Bronson Lake Cottage-The Most Beautiful Place in America-Sleeping Bear Nat. Park?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Bronson Lake Cottage-The Most Beautiful Place in America-Sleeping Bear Nat. Park?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Bronson Lake Cottage-The Most Beautiful Place in America-Sleeping Bear Nat. Park?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Bronson Lake Cottage-The Most Beautiful Place in America-Sleeping Bear Nat. Park located?
Situated on a lake, this cottage is steps away from Lower Woodcock Lake Nature Preserve and Bronson Lake. Upper Woodcock Lake is 1.7 mi (2.7 km) away.
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
The lake view was amazing, we saw the most beautiful sunrise right out back. Ray and Shirley were amazing hosts. Thank you for all the tips on sight seeing. We would highly recommend Bronson lake cottage!
This property is well stocked,clean,private,and easy access to main roads.The lake view is wonderful for breakfast on the balcony. Ray and Shirly are the best hosts, and we would definitely stay there again.
Shannon T.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 18 September 2023
Thank You Shannon! Love to have you come back! Shirley
The location is so private and pituresque that it feels like you are in a painting. It is an absolutely stunning location. Bring binoculars to watch the many different birds, including bald eagles, swans and many others. Loved this cottage! Would recommend to anyone looking to visit Northwest Michigan.
Gloria V.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 26 June 2025
Thank You for writing a wonderful response enjoyed having you there and glad you enjoyed your stay. Please come back anytime! Shirley
Great home! Nice and quiet location, with a great view of Bronson Lake. Location was very nice, we were able to get to both lake Michigan and Traverse City within 20 to 30 minutes. House had everything you would need and Shirley was super informative of the area and answered any questions we had.
Very clean, well equipped, nice home with all the things you would need, minus groceries. Ray's area travel info and places to see were much appreciated.
Thank you
Large home with comfortable spaces, well-stocked kitchen, and top-of-the-line washer and drier. Nice deck with new grill and wonderful view. Lots of birds.
I enjoyed my stay at this house, and I wish I had a longer visit to fully enjoy the property and the surrounding area. I was in town for Family Weekend at Interlochen Arts Academy, and my time was mostly dedicated to related activities. In particular, I would have liked to take the kayaks out on the water to enjoy the beautiful weekend and fall foliage.
The hosts are incredibly hospitable, friendly, and knowledgeable about the area. Drives to Interlochen Arts Academy, nearby restaurants, and Traverse City were easy from the house.
My only qualm about the location was driving on a few unpaved roads to access the property. They appear well-maintained, but it seemed like I drove at least a mile on gravel to get there.
Overall though, it was a pleasant stay and a beautiful setting.
This was the best house on the lake! Beautiful views and serenely quiet!
VRBO - you did it again. Another fantastic vacation because of your system of booking. With you it is very easy to find the right fit for our wants, you have great prices, and locations are true to how you advertised. Thank you for being top-notch! We don't vacation too much, but we always use and will continue to use, and share with others to use your services!
We were visiting friends in Traverse City for the first time so this location was perfectly in the middle between Sleeping Bear Dune NP and the Platte River, and the bay in traverse city where we had activities planned during our stay. The view of Lake Bronson was beautiful and there is publuc access just one driveway over...so you could bring your own kayaks. Nothing but good to say!
We enjoyed several nights on this lakefront property. Clean and spacious. Hosts were prompt and helpful. Lake was fantastic for kayaking and fishing. Will come back!
Everything about this place was wonderful. The hosts were very easy to work with, thoughtful, kind, and had great tips for any activity. The house is very clean and has everything that you need. A beautiful and peaceful lake view was private and remote yet close enough to anything we wanted to do. I really hope to return and unwind here again soon.
Our stay here was relaxing and a perfect place to re-fuel your tank from the hustle and bustle of life. This cottage is impeccably clean and Ray and Shirley make it so easy to check in and are available with any questions. We certainly will stay again in the future.
We were greeted by the owners upon arrival who helped us with local places to eat and explore. The cottage was so pretty on the private lake. Very quiet and relaxing during our stay. Thank you Ray and Shirley!!
The property had every thing we needed. If you need to relax this place will give you that. We were close to everything i have never seen Lake MICHIGAN look so clear and beautiful. It was so quiet and peaceful up there . Shirley was a great host.
Ann F.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2022
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Casandra S.
27 October 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location
Fall Getaway 2021
The house was beautiful and clean. The view of the lake was amazing! We pretty much stayed at the house the whole weekend. We enjoyed food from Jody's Tangled Antler on Saturday night but bought and prepared all of our other food. The kitchen was fully equipped for us to cook.
We were disappointed in the fact that we couldn't use the fireplace/fireplace that is pictured online. There were also no stairs leading to the lake and no dock to fish off of, even though they were in the online pictures.
Overall, we had a lovely time and enjoyed our weekend away!
Casandra S.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 18 September 2023
Bronson Lake Cottage is being developed - we are hoping to have stairs to the Lake constructed next spring - due to the shortage and expense of wood due to the pandemic this project had been put on hold - A Weber grill is on the deck for cooking - the stone fireplace is not suitable for use in preparing food and is not/will not be - it is ornamental.
We had a perfect stay at Shirley and Ray's cottage. The house was exceptionally clean and well stocked with essentials for our stay. The beds were comfortable. The views across the lake were amazing morning and evening. We loved using the deck overlooking the lake and made use of the Weber grill several times. Our hosts were attentive and provided valuable information of the surrounding area (map provided). The location was central to all the things we wanted to do-Sleeping Bear Dunes Lakeshore, Traverse City, winerys, hiking. Hope we can make it back here some day.
This property was clean, well stocked, and about 20-30 minutes from the shore and Traverse City. We liked the seclusion. Hosts were very gracious and provided a map and list of nearby recommended eateries, etc. I had to use urgent care while there, and Traverse City had a great clinic on US 31. I would definitely go back to this cottage and have recommended it to others.
Very clean, very well kept house on Bronson Lake. The owners Shirley and Ray went well out of their way to welcome us - and provide us with useful information and a map of the area. Highly recommend!
Robin and Greg M.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2021
About the host
Hosted by Shirley Villeneuve
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests