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Lakefront Family Friendly Cottage on Clam Lake- easy access to Torch lake!

Photo gallery for Lakefront Family Friendly Cottage on Clam Lake- easy access to Torch lake!

Property grounds
Room
Campfire at the water's edge with lots of split wood to burn
Living area
Dining

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Beach equipment
    A rare find — beach equipment ready to go for your days by the sea.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Close to Clam Lake
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Spa pool on site
  • Patio
  • Dog-friendly
  • Barbecue
  • Air-conditioning
  • Refrigerator

Explore the area

View map
Bellaire, MI
  • Place, Clam Lake
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Lake Bellaire
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, Torch Lake
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Airport, Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
    ‪50 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Downstairs Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Downstairs Bedroom 2

1 Single Bed and 1 Single Bunk Bed

Master Bedroom

1 King Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

+1
Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only · Jetted bathtub

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden

About this property

Lakefront Family Friendly Cottage on Clam Lake- easy access to Torch lake!


This is our family cottage first and a rental second, and we keep it that way.
Questions, date requests, special asks, please reach out. We're happy to accommodate.

For 2027, we're renting the cottage for the month of July only.

The house sits on Clam Lake, a short boat ride from Torch Lake. Clam is warmer and calmer than Torch, which makes it the better lake for waterskiing, tubing, and paddling, and when you want the Torch scene, you're minutes away by boat. Park your boat at our dock, rent one from the marina nearby, or ask us about renting our 24-foot tritoon.

The shed by the water holds two paddleboards, two kayaks, waterskis, tubes, life jackets, and fishing poles. Grill on the back patio, roast s'mores at the fire pit by the water's edge, and look out across the lake at the nature preserve on the far shore — completely unobstructed.

The local winery, brewery, and shops are less than 10 minutes away.

Sleeping arrangements

Three bedrooms plus a loft. Sleeps a full family group.

Bedroom 1: King, with a desk for remote work
Bedroom 2: Queen
Bedroom 3: Bunkbed with trundle (twin, double, and full)
Loft: Queen
Additional: Pack 'n Play, fold-out queen beanbag mattress, and a futon on the covered patio
Amenities

On the water: Two paddleboards, two kayaks, 4-person paddle boat, waterskis, tubes, fishing poles, life jackets, and a private dock.

Outdoors: Large, flat, private yard. fire pit at the water's edge, gas grill, kids' playset with slide, swings, and bars. Bikes and helmets. 4-person golf cart available with a signed waiver - cruise in the golf cart to the winery

Indoors: 75-inch TV, board games, electric fireplace, beer fridge, covered patio, central heat and A/C, fast Wi-Fi.

Kitchen: Fully equipped — dishes, silverware, pots and pans, cast iron, Instant Pot, microwave, oven, toaster, coffee pot, electric kettle, serving trays, and a kitchen table.

Essentials: Linens, towels, toiletries, washer/dryer with soaps.

Accessibility

The king bedroom and loft are up a flight of stairs. Everything else is on the main level.

Parking

Driveway fits 3 vehicles, or 2 vehicles and a boat trailer. Roadside parking available.

Guest access

The neighborhood is very quiet, a few streets off the main road, great for morning walks and bike rides with the group.

Other things to note

Clam Lake gives you the calm; Torch gives you the action. Boat over to the famous Torch Lake sandbar, dock for lunch at Dockside, or head up the Clam River to fish or cold-plunge at Cold Creek.

Add dates for prices

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
Events over 25 need to be approved by owner
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs less than 23 kg per pet (limit one pet total)
Please reach out to us if you have pets to confirm
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Property # 2692108vb
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
Note from host: events over 25 need to be approved by owner
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

About the area

Bellaire

Located in Bellaire, this cottage is on the waterfront. Elk Rapids District Library and Historic Elk Rapids Town Hall are local landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Short's Brewing Company and The Chief Golf Course. Take in the nearby slopes with snowboarding, or try out other outdoor activities such as snowmobiling.
View more Cottages in BellaireOpens in a new window
Map
Bellaire, MI

What's nearby

  • Clam Lake - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Lake Bellaire - 3 min drive - 2.9 km
  • Torch Lake - 7 min drive - 7.6 km
  • Traverse City Beach - 43 min drive - 58.4 km
  • Boyne Mountain - 52 min drive - 80.1 km

Getting around

  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital) - 59 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪M88 Morning Grind - ‬21 min drive
  • ‪Shanty Creek Resorts - ‬19 min drive
  • ‪Short's Brewing Company - ‬20 min drive
  • ‪Coffee Bar - ‬20 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Lakefront Family Friendly Cottage on Clam Lake- easy access to Torch lake! pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.

How much does it cost to stay at Lakefront Family Friendly Cottage on Clam Lake- easy access to Torch lake!?

As of 4 October 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Lakefront Family Friendly Cottage on Clam Lake- easy access to Torch lake! on 7 September 2027 start from NZ$18,248, 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 Lakefront Family Friendly Cottage on Clam Lake- easy access to Torch lake!?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Lakefront Family Friendly Cottage on Clam Lake- easy access to Torch lake!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Lakefront Family Friendly Cottage on Clam Lake- easy access to Torch lake!?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Lakefront Family Friendly Cottage on Clam Lake- easy access to Torch lake! located?

Situated on the waterfront, this cottage is steps from Clam Lake and 1.6 mi (2.5 km) from Lake Bellaire. Clam River and Thayer lake are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 7 out of 8 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 8 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 8 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 8 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 8 reviews

9.0/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Perfection!

Our Family thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the cottage! Peaceful with great lakefront views… huge yard with plenty of room for the little ones without the worry of being too close to the water. The grill was great and the kitchen very accommodating! The beds were comfortable making for some sweet dreams! We rented a pontoon to enjoy Clam Lake and Crystal clear Torch Lake. Docked at the cabin for easy use. Beautiful sunsets and Mother Nature was cooperative With being weather!. We would highly recommend this property to others!!!
Stayed 5 nights in May 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Memories for a lifetime

We had such a great time at this beautiful lakefront cottage. Tim & Janessa were extremely helpful, very responsive and so amazing to work with. They thought of everything that could make our stay fantastic - from the many lake toys to use to the ready built firepit and skewers. We even had access to pretty much every streaming service there is when we weren't outside enjoying the outdoors! The beds were extremely comfortable and the towels were plush. There wasn't one thing missing in this home. And you cannot beat the location! We explored Grass River, Lake Bellaire, Torch lake and Elk Lake and their towns - all within a few minutes drive or beautiful boat ride away. We had such a great time in their beautiful backyard and lakeside retreat, building family memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you Janessa & Tim!!
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 21 June 2023
Thank you for such a kind review! Come back and stay with us next summer! :)
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Literally the perfect Michigan lake house!

This spot was a slice of heaven!!!! We brought two families up to his cottage in need of a relaxing vacation without the noise of city life and this cottage provided just that. It was in a serene location on the lake with a lot of space between the neighbors houses and an expansive lakefront where we enjoyed campfires every night, taking the kayaks and SUPS out every morning (they also had a paddle boat which was great for the kids), fishing and playing at the little protected beach. The view from across the lake was the state park— talk about picture perfect—we saw the bald eagle, loons and the swans every day! We rented a pontoon boat nearby and enjoyed the sandbar one day and exploring up the grass river the next. Make sure to book your pontoon boat ahead of time, we got lucky with a cancellation. We even took the golf cart to the winery nearby which had a playground to keep the kids entertained! Tim and Janessa were super responsive to my questions. I'll be back next summer!
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 21 June 2023
Thanks for the great review Justin!
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Check-in, communication, location

Relaxation on Clam Lake

Clam Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in MI and feeds into the magnificent Torch Lake. This home has many amenities that we enjoyed. The kayaks were some of the best we have used. The lake was calm in the early mornings, making waking up with the loons on the lake something quite special. The fire pit was prepped and ready to keep us warm in the cool evenings. Giant jenga gave us endless laughs. The kitchen was comfortable to work in and was well appointed. The outdoor deck was enjoyable for evening cocktails and dining Al fresco. The mature trees, well manicured lawn, beautiful flowers and even a herb planter were enjoyed by our party. Some disappointments: the downstairs bedroom does not have a closet, does not have a shelf or even a dresser to unpack personal items. A simple dresser with drawers would have made a big difference; the sunroom has a side door that cannot be secured for safety; the upstairs bathroom toilet leaks; the downstairs bathroom sink does not drain without rigging the stopper and the kitchen disposal did not work consistently. The premium price of this home will be justified, if these few items are addressed.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 26 September 2023
Hey Steven and Sharon, Thank you for your kind review. We have heard the space issue in the guest bedroom before and moved the owners closet to under the stairs to accommodate guests. Thanks for your feedback. Leak and disposal are fixed. As for the bathroom sink, we close the drains to avoid any bugs in between guests (as we are up north!), so you just have to pop the drain plug and it drains great. Again, thank you for your review and we hope you visit northern Michigan again! Have a fabulous day!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

A little slice of Heaven

We had the best family vacation with our 5 kids and 2 grandparents. House fit us well and was perfect for our needs. Large property so kids can play but still not have to worry about them running off to the water alone. My youngest enjoyed the toys at the house and older children enjoyed all of the board games. The lake was beautiful and calm. We rented a tritoon from Dockside, which I would highly recommend. We were able to dock at the house which was so convenient. We enjoyed boating on Clam Lake and Torch Lake and visiting the Sandbar on Torch. The shed had all the toys you would need to enjoy Clam Lake, my boys all went kayaking, stand up paddle boarding and Paddle boating. Clam lake is calm and not too busy especially early in the morning and in the evening so I wasn't worried about my boys while they were kayaking across the lake to enjoy the wildlife. While vacationing we also visited Sleeping Bear Dunes, Pierce Stocking scenic drive, Moomers Ice cream and went Cherry Picking at Kings Orchard. Traverse City is also a great place to visit but we just didn't have enough time to do it all. We love vacationing in Northern Michigan and can't recommend this property enough. Janessa and Tim were wonderful hosts, the house had everything you could want and they were very responsive to questions about the property and surrounding area.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Aug 22

Met our expectations, amenities are very nice.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great cottage on Clam Lake

Great house, great location. Private and beautiful setting. The cottage is just as described. Host was very responsive. Great set up for your boat/pontoon at the shore of the property. A very nice spot for a family get together.
Stayed 10 nights in Jul 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Wonderful Stay

We loved our stay in your wonderful home . It’s so charming and welcoming ! The rooms accommodated our group from baby to adults . Beds are very comfortable too ! The older kids really enjoyed the big lawn to play yard ball . We had great meals on your patio/ deck looking out on the water every night! S’mores at the beautifully prepared fire pit was also enjoyed . We love the chain of lakes . It’s our first on clam lake and really enjoyed your location. Thank you for sharing your home Janessa and Tim and for the great hosts that you are !
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

About the host

Hosted by Janessa Boulay

Host profile image

Languages:

English
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