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Tranquil home located on Europe Lake – perfect for families, couples or groups.

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Property grounds
Property grounds
Entrance to house from driveway.
House from road/driveway.
Front Door

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 10297.3 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Hot tub
  • Dryer
  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
Gills Rock, WI
  • Northport Pier
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Newport State Park
    ‪15 min drive‬
  • Sister Bay Beach
    ‪21 min drive‬
  • Escanaba, MI (ESC-Delta County)
    ‪210 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 1, main floor, en suite

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2, main floor

1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

Bedroom 3, upstairs

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4, upstairs

1 Queen Bed

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 1, main floor ensuite

Towels provided · Bathtub · Toilet

Bathroom 2, main floor

Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3, upstairs

Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Separate dining area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Tranquil home located on Europe Lake – perfect for families, couples or groups.

Welcome to Dark Sky Lakehouse, nestled on a 1.7 acre wooded lot on the shores of Europe Lake, one of Door County’s most secluded and pristine bodies of water. This vacation paradise has over 160’ of lake frontage and a private dock that can accommodate a watercraft up to 20’. Enjoy unobstructed views and direct access to Newport State Park, an internationally designated dark sky location offering some of the best star gazing in the world. Quiet sports such as swimming, paddling, fishing and hiking are literally out your front door in the milder months. Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ice skating and more will have you enjoying the outdoors once the snow starts to fly!

The open concept main floor combines the living, dining, and kitchen area perfect for gathering together. The kitchen is fully stocked and equipped with every gadget imaginable, including a gas stove and a Weber grill off the front deck. All that’s needed is your culinary creativity and a trip to the Pig for supplies.

Convenient sleeping arrangements include two bedrooms and two full baths on the main floor, while the second floor includes two bedrooms and share a full bath. All bedrooms have tranquil views of either the pristine lake or the beautiful woods. Three of the bedrooms include private outdoor space.

Along with a very comfortable interior, Dark Sky Lakehouse has an abundance of outdoor space. A large deck off the living room provides stunning views of the wooded property down to the waterfront and a fire pit with ample seating including a picnic table is located right by the lake. Perfect for telling ghost stories or roasting marshmallows!

Dark Sky Lakehouse is truly a magical place to unplug, relax and recharge. Book your time today!

Please note:
This area is known for its peace and tranquility. Being on the water greatly amplifies sound and it is expected that all guests will respect the town noise ordinances. Whoop it up but please keep it down after 10pm! No parties or events allowed on the property.

Property manager

Jeffrey MacDonald

Languages

English, Spanish

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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Exterior

A Amazing Cliffside Home Rental

  • Hot tub
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
10.0 out of 10, (10 reviews)
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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 29
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
The house is no smoking and no pets. Any indication of either will result in an additional fee of $500.

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
Long-term renters welcome
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
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, a first aid kit and a deadlock

About the area

Ellison Bay

Located in Ellison Bay, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Michigan and Newport State Park, while Ellison Bay Pottery Studios and Linden Gallery are cultural highlights. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Gills Rock, WI

What's nearby

  • Northport Pier - 9 min drive - 6.0 km
  • Newport State Park - 15 min drive - 11.5 km
  • Sister Bay Marina - 20 min drive - 18.2 km
  • Sister Bay Beach - 21 min drive - 18.6 km
  • Schoolhouse Beach Park - 58 min drive - 20.0 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Mink River Basin Supper Club - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Albatross Drive Inn - ‬53 min drive
  • ‪Charlie's Smokehouse - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Island Orchard Cider - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪The Point Grille - ‬50 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Tranquil home located on Europe Lake – perfect for families, couples or groups. pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Tranquil home located on Europe Lake – perfect for families, couples or groups.?

As of 4 May 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Tranquil home located on Europe Lake – perfect for families, couples or groups. on 6 May 2025 start from NZ$1,465.27, 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.

What time is check-in at Tranquil home located on Europe Lake – perfect for families, couples or groups.?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Tranquil home located on Europe Lake – perfect for families, couples or groups.?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Tranquil home located on Europe Lake – perfect for families, couples or groups. located?

Located on a lake, this Ellison Bay holiday home offers ski-in/ski-out access within 9 mi (15 km) of Lake Michigan, Newport State Park and Grand Traverse Island State Park. Northport Pier and The Clearing Folk School 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.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 15 out of 15 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 15 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 15 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 15 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 15 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Jessica B.

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

Perfect Vacation

Our stay here was just as promised! Very tranquil, very clean, had everything you’d want and more for a lake house weekend getaway! Truly was a dark sky retreat - looking up at the stars each night from the dock was our favorite part. We’d love to come back again, thank you so much Jeff!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Roland W.

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

An Amazing Week at Dark Sky

We had an amazing, absolutely lovely week at Jeff’s VRBO celebrating our father’s 93 birthday with family. From quiet mornings drinking coffee on the back deck overlooking the beautiful Europe Lake, to daily hikes/bike rides at Newport State Park accessing the northern most trailhead just minutes away. There is good fishing surprisingly off the property’s dock for small mouth bass with guarantees for a daily catch, maybe even for a PB. Campfires, star/moon gazing and sharing stories come easy around the backyard fire pit. The owner’s canoe and recommendation for local kayak rental helped us enjoy and explore this beautiful and clean lake. The interior of the home is just as beautiful, welcoming and well equipped …with the owner having practically thought of everything! Finally communication with the owner was clear, timely and concise, leaving no doubts or need for interpretation of what is and isn’t allowed while being visitors at his home. It was evident throughout our week that Jeff wanted his guests to enjoy themselves to the fullest and indeed we did! Thank you 🙏
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Calvin W.

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

Perfect stay on the lake!

This was by far our favorite rental experience in Door County. The house was nicely furnished and well taken care of, very clean, and in a location that was perfect for our family with small children. Beautiful view from the deck and the lake itself was serene and inviting. Very quiet at night, and true to the listing, the night sky was fantastic. The host was friendly and responsive. We highly recommend this rental and hope to return next year!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Adrienne W.

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

Door County retreat

Exactly as shown in the listing. Beautiful, spacious, big open windows and doors to the outside, stunning lovingly tended gardens of bright zinnias and hydrangeas and sun loving coneflowers. Fresh, giant kitchen. We planned on cooking all of our meals and it was perfect for that. Loved the lake and all the running trails nearby. Took the ferry to Washington Island and that is close and easy.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jill H.

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

Relaxing Door Co Property

We spent a week here with 4 friends, all over 70. This was a perfect, beautiful, spacious property on Europe Lake. This is adjacent to Newport State Park so hiking is readily available. While loved on a less busy part of DC, great restaurants are only a short drive. Host was responsive and helpful.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sheryl F.

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

Excellent lake house vacation

The house has a spacious common area with living room, dining room and kitchen. And enough bedrooms and bathrooms for many people. We especially loved the screen porch and deck right off the main common area. But the real star of the property is the access to the lake. So many activities with the lake, we were down there every day. Swimming, canoeing and we rented kayaks that were delivered and picked up from the property. The kids were sad to leave and wanted to know when we could come back. Property was a bit remote. But that’s what makes it so quiet and relaxing. Perfect for a family looking to get away and reconnect. We cooked quite a few meals there. But also a few restaurants with takeout only a few minutes away. Overall it was a fantastic stay.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Beverly G.

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

Dark Sky Cottage Family Vacation

We had an amazingly and tranquil week vacation at the Dark Sky. The cottage was spacious and comfortable for our party of 8, having everything you need. Conveniently located 15 to 20 minutes from grocery stores, shopping and some great restaurants. Europe Lake is pristine. We had a great time fishing, swimming, floating and boating. Property owner very attentive to making your stay welcoming and enjoyable. We highly recommend the Dark Sky!!! ❤️
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Andi H.

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

Wish I could give more than 5 stars

We absolutely loved this place! Perfect location at the end of the lane. Very quiet, which is exactly what we wanted. Beautiful property-- woodsy, not fussy, gorgeous view of the lake, really nice firepit area, lots of outdoor living space. And the stars! The stars. The inside of the home is roomy and still cozy. Comfortable living room furniture, plenty of room to spread out, tastefully decorated, plenty of seating, and a wall of windows for great views of the lake! We were there early in the season so it was too chilly for us to swim, but there are steps in the back yard right down to the clear water. The bedrooms are spacious, beds were super comfortable, great pillows and linens. We slept like rocks every night! Communication with Jeff was great. He was very responsive and wanted to be sure we had a great vacation. Northern Door County has become my favorite vacation spot. It is not touristy; there are no restaurants, hotels, or fun parks. The hiking, the fresh air, the peace and quiet- it is rejuvenating. Just down the road: lots of hiking trails, Bea's Ho-Made Pies, Uncle Tom's Candy, Mink River Estuary, and Newport State Park's Dark Sky Area (a must see!!!) Dining, shopping, hotels, and groceries are only 15 minutes away, but up here feels like another world.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Claudio N.

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

Dark skies

It was great stay! Beautiful home and location. We were unlucky with the weather because we did not have clear skies but that cannot be helped. We were able to do some start gazing on the first night and, despite of the wild fires, it was amazing. Set up a telescope on the dock and had a nice view of Saturn and the Andromeda galaxy. We were also able to take some pictures of the milky way center. There was some wind that made it a bit shaky but it still worked. It was a very comfortable home. Quiet. Very close to Newport state park. We felt like welcomed guests and not just renting an STR. We plan to return without a doubt.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mark S.

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

Dark Sky Retreat

The home was more than we ever expected. Everything was great. Communication with the host was almost immediate. We would highly recommend this place to anyone considering it.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Patricia M., Brookfield, Wisconsin

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

Secluded Serenity

We really enjoyed this lake house. Europe lake was very warm and great to swim in. We also enjoyed using the paddle board and canoe on the lake. Since part of the lake is a state park, the scenery was very lush. The woods around the property made the area feel very private and relaxing. The towels were very plush and the bedding was also very comfortable. Jeff was very friendly and helpful during our stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Todd W.

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

Perfect Door County lake house

Having been to Door County every summer for the last 40 years I have to say we've found the perfect spot going forward. The home was pristine with more than enough space for our entire family. Every amenity was thought of with care. The proximity to the lake was as perfect as I've experienced. If I were to create my own vacation home on a lake this would be the blueprint. The communication with the owner was the door county cherry on top of the cake. Jeffrey was so helpful and added a personal touch I have not gotten at any rental in my travels. My only negative from this trip is once the word gets out this property will be impossible to book going forward.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kathy W.

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

Darksky

We had a great week on Europe Lake. Finding this beautiful home on this lake was a dream! We ❤ this lake, even tho it was too low to get our boat in the water, JEFF our host had a canoe and we also rented two other kyaks. Being on the lake was not a problem. The fishing was great! A 6 pound small mouth was our biggest trophy. The firepit was enjoyed by all, great laughs were had by all around the fire! The bedrooms were very comfortable and everyone had their own little place to enjoy. THANK YOU Jeff, your home was beautiful and our week was the best ever!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dawn L., Raleigh, NC

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

Exceeded all expectations

Perfect place to get together as an extended family. At the end of a private road: isolated, quiet, beautiful. Steps from Europe lake, which is great for swimming. It is shallow, and the sun heats it up nicely. We saw some big fish in there, but did not fish ourselves. Location: Pretty much anything worth doing in Door County is within a 40 min drive, and many are much closer - such as the Washington Island ferry. Gills Rock became our favorite town. Very quick swim/paddle/drive to Lake Michigan, in a part of Newport State park where hardly anyone goes. Property was clean and very well-taken care of. Owner Jeff was full of info and very responsive. The house is not JUST a VRBO, and it shows. Tons of personal touches, excellent decor, awesome smart nightlights and very gorgeous "firefly lights" lead you to the lake at night. And, we saw the Milky Way clear as anything! We also saw wildlife every day (deer, foxes, snapping turtles, fish and birds galore.) The only drawback: We had trouble picking bedrooms because all four were so great. Upstairs with a private deck and great views? Downstairs with screened porch and jacuzzi? Or the one with full couch and window seat? Take your pick! Overall just a very special place. As soon as we walked in, I realized how pictures could never do justice to this property. Highly recommended. We stayed 10 days and did a lot, but there was still more to do and I miss it already. Thanks, Jeff. We will be back.
Stayed 10 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Hirosuke W.

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

Excellent place

Amazing nice place!!! Direct access to the Europe lake that is best place to have a fun with my kids.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

About the host

Hosted by Jeffrey MacDonald

Host profile image
This home has been in our family for three generations, built for a big family that loves the water and the woods. It was important to my Pop that this amazing place be kept in the family, so I purchased it when he passed. This is a new chapter for this home and I am excited to share a very special part of Door County with you.

Why they chose this property

Spend 10 minutes here and you will know why this spot is so magical. Every inch of this place is stuffed with memories, and the surrounding tranquility makes this the perfect spot to unplug.

What makes this property unique

Quiet, serene, surrounded by woods, and directly on the water. Dark Sky Lakehouse embodies the natural beauty of Door County. Sit on the dock on a clear night, toes in the water and take in the most amazing light show Mother Nature has to offer.

Languages:

English, Spanish