Skip to main content
Entire home

Private Beach on 10 acres. Custom built. Secluded yet close to Harbor Country.

Photo gallery for Private Beach on 10 acres. Custom built. Secluded yet close to Harbor Country.

Exterior
Built in fire-pit with bench seating and double swing overlook the lake.
Living room with gas fireplace. Open to dining room and kitchen.
Kitchen island looks at lake and out to woods and pond in front!
Dining Room/Kitchen Combo great for large gatherings and being together!

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
6 bedrooms4 bathroomsSleeps 12

Popular amenities

  • Spa pool
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Air-conditioning

Rooms & beds

6 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Built in Basement Bunks

2 Single Beds

Bunk Bed Room-Basement

1 Single Bed and 1 Double Bed

Castle Play Loft

2 Single Beds

Main Floor Guestroom

2 Single Beds and 1 Double Futon

North Master-suite

1 King Bed

Pine Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

South Mastersuite

1 King Bed

Sunporch

2 Single Beds

Theater Room

1 Double Futon

Theater Room Bonus Bedroom

1 Single Bed and 1 Double Bed

4 bathrooms

Basement Bath

Toilet · Shower only

Main Floor Bath

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

North Masterbath

Toilet · Shower only

Outdoor Shower

Shower only · Outdoor shower

South Masterbath

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

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

About this property

Private Beach on 10 acres. Custom built. Secluded yet close to Harbor Country.

Bridgman Dunes is a beautiful, massive, custom-built lakefront home nestled in a secluded woodsy dune setting just north of Bridgman. Summer bookings by the week only. Negotiable for bookings less than a full week.

Home features include...

First floor: a large bedroom suite with 2 twin beds, gourmet eat-in kitchen, screened porch for all-season gas grilling, spacious sun-room, dining room, and living room with a shared gas fireplace and doors leading out onto a wrap-around deck. Floor to ceiling windows with beautiful views.

Second floor: two full master bedroom suites, a third bonus bedroom with 2 beds, a theater room, and a castle-style loft sure to be loved by all the children in your group.

Lower level: built in bunk beds in the kitchenette, two more bedrooms, and a 4th bathroom.

The home is surrounded by a large deck with stairs down to a built in fire-pit surrounded by benches and a double swing. Easy stairs down to the beach. Walk for miles on often secluded shores, or settle onto your own private 150 foot beach. Take the lighted path to the beach at night to stare up at the stars. The sunsets are amazing!

We provide unlimited telephone, WIFI, Xbox live with Netflix & Hulu along with a large store of games and movies. Antenna brings you many local TV stations. Pay per view options available as well.
Located near many local attractions such as wineries, farm markets/U-picks, St. Joseph and Silver Beach, New Buffalo, casino, world class fishing on the St. Joseph river, boating from area marinas, parks, gardens, and hiking abound. Small towns dot the Red Arrow Highway bringing you dining, shops, galleries and antiques to suit all tastes.

Specialty restaurants, local festivals, and events provide all kinds of diversions. From here you can easily drive to Chicago, Ann Arbor, Detroit and so many other exciting cities. My favorites are the small towns you never heard of that each have something unique to offer. If you live a drivable distance to Southwest Michigan you will be amazed at how 'on vacation' you will feel without traveling far from home.

If you have never been to the Great Lakes you really must come here. The Great Lakes are a national treasure accounting for over 1/5 of the WORLD's fresh water supply. If you have ever been to a small lake or an ocean and wished you could combine the best things about both...welcome to the answer to your dreams! When you look out over our beach you will think you are on an ocean. But feel the sand and the clean fresh water on your skin and you will know the joy of the Great Lakes. It is staggering to imagine that you could sit on a length of clean, private, fresh water beach, the envy of hundreds of beach-goes who fight for a space for their towel, and see only your children splashing in the water.

With the size and comfort this home provides - you, your family, and friends can share quality time together without feeling cramped or rushed to get out and go. You may never want to leave the property during your visit, we've got it all right here at Bridgman Dunes!

Add dates for prices

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Similar properties

Cannonballs, cocktails, and poolside lounging await.
Hot Tub Nights, Poolside Days at Hearth & Timber
Bridgman
  • Pool
  • Spa pool
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
Hot Tub Nights, Poolside Days at Hearth & Timber

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Check out before 11:00 AM

default

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

default

Events

No events allowed

default

Pets

Pets allowed: less than 23 kg per pet (limit one pet total)

During off-season only special restrictions apply.

default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Property # 3893690
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 indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property

About the area

Bridgman

Located in Bridgman, this holiday home is on the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Michigan and Silver Beach. Weko Park and Waikiki Jacks are also worth visiting. Jet skiing and kayaking offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cycling and hiking nearby.
View more Holiday homes in BridgmanOpens in a new window
Map
Stevensville, MI

What's nearby

  • beach near Oak Lane - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Warren Dunes State Park - 9 min drive - 9.1 km
  • Silver Beach - 18 min drive - 23.0 km
  • Four Winds Casino New Buffalo - 21 min drive - 36.7 km
  • University of Notre Dame - 42 min drive - 67.8 km

Getting around

  • St. Joseph-Benton Harbor Station - 21 min drive
  • South Bend, IN (SBN-South Bend Intl.) - 46 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Cracker Barrel - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Watermark Brewing Company - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪SUBWAY - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪TJ's Baroda Tap - ‬11 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Private Beach on 10 acres. Custom built. Secluded yet close to Harbor Country. pet-friendly?

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

How much does it cost to stay at Private Beach on 10 acres. Custom built. Secluded yet close to Harbor Country.?

As of 15 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Private Beach on 10 acres. Custom built. Secluded yet close to Harbor Country. on 29 August 2026 start from NZ$1,988, 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 Private Beach on 10 acres. Custom built. Secluded yet close to Harbor Country.?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Private Beach on 10 acres. Custom built. Secluded yet close to Harbor Country.?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Private Beach on 10 acres. Custom built. Secluded yet close to Harbor Country.?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Private Beach on 10 acres. Custom built. Secluded yet close to Harbor Country. located?

Nestled on the beach, this Bridgman holiday home is 0.2 mi (0.4 km) from Lake Michigan and 2.3 mi (3.8 km) from Grand Mere State Park. Weko Park and Warren Dunes State Park 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 37 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 37 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 37 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 37 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 37 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rebekah F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful home and beach! Wonderful vacation!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mark C.

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

Wonderful house on the beach

This house is beautiful with so much space, a fabulous deck and a huge kitchen. It's difficult to list all the amenities. Gorgeous private beach and easy path to get there. We particularly enjoyed the swing looking out over the lake.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jeff C.

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

Great beach vacation house

Overall only wonderful things to say. Property is as described and easy to work with owner/manager. House right on beach, very secluded and great for a family getaway. 5 min from town and plenty of local points of interest. Would highly recommend for a family trip to the beach or just to get away.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 25 March 2020
Thank you for taking the time to review the Bridgman Dunes. We also love the privacy and location of our home. Close to everything yet secluded quite time with family and friend. We hope you will return again someday.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Deb E.

Amazing home on Lake Michigan

Beautiful home with modern amenities. Right on Lake Michigan with your own private beach. We felt like we were on the ocean with the sound of the waves. Definitely will book again in the future. The sunsets were breathtaking on the beautiful deck overlooking the lake. Plenty of space for family and/or friends.
Response from VrboOwner on 25 March 2020
Thanks so much for taking time to review your stay with us. The biggest compliment is your request to book again for next year! So glad you enjoyed your vacation.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Nancy C.

Fabulous home on a private beach!

Our family loved your gorgeous, spacious home! The open floor plan made it easy for our whole family to congregate. The kitchen was huge, well equipped and a great space for several of us to work in it. We loved socializing on the huge deck and watching the gorgeous sunsets. Many wonderful family memories were made. Look forward to booking again (our children and grandchildren were requesting that before we left to go home!)
Response from VrboOwner on 25 March 2020
Thank you so much for the 5 star review. We are so glad you enjoyed your stay at The Bridgman Dunes. It is a perfect space to gather with family and friends yet still allowing privacy when you want it. I hope you will be back for another vacation with us. Thanks again for staying at our home and treating it like your own, your care and appreciation make sharing our property a joy.! Marge Johnson
Verified

10/10 Excellent

JIm M.

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

Amazing Lake Home!!

My family had a wonderful weekend filled with fun and memories - exactly what I had hoped for. Your home is incredible and as beautiful as the pics are, they do not come close to doing it justice. Wow is all I can say . . . everything was clean, right where it should be and easy to use/find . . . It was just perfect!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 25 March 2020
Thank you Jim for sharing your experience at the Bridgman Dunes. I am so happy you enjoyed your stay. We love to share this beautiful place with other families to create memories as we have.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Greg T.

Great Family Vacation getaway!

Fabulous home with modern conveniences throughout. Right on Lake Michigan with your own private beach. The check-in process and walk through by the building manager was quick and very efficient. The rooms were large, the house was clean and the open main floor was great for hanging out and playing games. There was more than enough space for family and friends. The whole house sound system was extraordinary – piping our favorite music throughout the house. The sunsets were beautiful from the beach, fire pit or deck overlooking the lake. We are looking forward booking again in the future.
Response from VrboOwner on 25 March 2020
Thank you so much! You know how much a personal review means these days, so I am really grateful for you taking the time. But, not just for future guests, it is also satisfying for us to know our work and prep is appreciated. There is a lot involved in maintaining the property so it's very important to know what is working and what might need improvement. I hope you return on a future vacation, that of course would be a great complement! You were wonderful guests (as I mentioned after your check out) we could tell you treated our home as you would your own by the way you left it so clean and tidy. Thank you again for that. Marge Johnson
Archival

8/10 Good

Irv C.

Great space, quiet beach

We really enjoyed the open kitchen and dining area, made visiting and socializing very enjoyable. The bath rooms are large and bright. The LL space works well for a privacy or kids. Grant access to the beach about 30 steps, sweet swing and fire pit. Lots of windows, many trees give shade and limit lake view. Positives well stocked kitchen, plenty of towels, nice deck, beautiful beach Negatives windows need cleaning, TLC, light switches, only 4 chairs on deck, no table on deck( we brought one)
Response from VrboOwner on 25 March 2020
Thank you for the thoughtful review of our property. Your four star ranking is appreciated! There are a lot of windows! Many that are an extreme cleaning challenge, even so it was on my "to do" list this year and I did not get it done in time for the summer season. I'm sorry as that clearly detracted from your stay. But, I am so glad you appreciated the open floor plan, private tranquil beach and fun of the fire pit area. Thank you again for your comments, it really helps us improve our accommodations and better meet expectations. I hope your stay was enjoyable.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Where Little Footprints in the Sand Can Last Forever

I will often reflect on Bridgman Dunes, and of my not yet 2yr old grandsons with unadulterated joy in their smiles as we skipped smooth stones across the rolling waves and tossed small crumbs into the air to the cackling delight of both seagulls and child. The tiny footprints that the boys left in the wet sand are already long gone, but the memories that we made during a magical autumn weekend will last forever. Everything about this home and its setting are simply incredible. The interior of the house is stunning, from the warmth of the open main floor, with jaw-dropping views from every angle, to the attention to detail that makes the house feel like your home. Every sq ft of the house has been put to perfect use, resulting in a spacious spread of accomodations offering privacy on three levels coupled with intimate gathering places for conversations, a movie, or a board game...the stuff of family memories and reminiscences of a time in our lives we would all like to get back to. The privacy of 10 wooded acres with the waves breaking just below the shaded back deck, make this an idyllic spot. An easy drive from New Buffalo or Saugatuck, I parked my car on Friday and forgot it was there for the weekend. Where would we go that is as beautiful as this spot? Whether reading a story to a toddler in the glow of the fireplace, or coming down to the kitchen to the sound of laughter in the morning, every day spent in this wonderful setting was a handful of memories waiting to be made. Leave the doors open at night and fall asleep to the sound of crashing waves, take the steps down to the wooden swing for a spectacular sunset, and leave your shoes at the bottom of the stairs for a walk through powdery sand, but take a camera. The views evoke the Pacific coast, and the quiet is so loud that you can hear it. Having fallen in love with this property, it is very hard to leave, but we are choosing not to be sad. Instead, we have promised ourselves that we will return often, making Bridgman Dunes our family's gathering spot. Where little footprints in the sand, even as they become larger with the passing of each year, never really wash away with the next wave. They last forever.
Response from VrboOwner on 25 March 2020
Thank you for sharing your heartfelt review of The Bridgman Dunes. It brought tears to my eyes remembering my own children growing up at the beach and the joy we experienced with family and friends. I'm impressed at how you were able to put into words how my family and I have felt so often over the years about our time at the lake. Feedback like yours reaffirms our decision to offer our home for rent, it was not easy to give up our privacy this way. The location and the setting is so special and unique, I love to hear stories like yours where I feel I am sharing the joy! Please come again, it is the greatest compliment to have families return for a future vacation. Marge Johnson Owner, Bridgman Dunes
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Erik F.

Comfort and Class with a View

Immediately upon pulling up to Bridgman Dunes, we knew we were in for a special trip. After traversing a path deep into the woods, suddenly we found a unique, spacious home perched on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan. A fenced-in porch overlooked the view through the trees, and the porch itself was decorated with small lamps, an outdoor shower, homemade signs, and various chairs to enjoy the scenery. Once inside, we found a vaulted living room and dining room, complete with bay windows and bisected by a four-sided fireplace. This vaulted area became the hub of the indoor portions of our vacation, and backed by the kitchen and a screened-in porch holding the grill, we had everything we needed within arms reach. The basement is a fully furnished apartment complete with a kitchen, multiple bedrooms, and laundry. The upstairs has a theater room and two master suites with king size beds, private bathrooms, and balconies. Outside, a walking path leads halfway down to the beach and dovetails into the the fire pit area (complete with porch swing), which provides an unobstructed view of the lake from an ideal vantage point. Use this for sure - just make sure to watch your step in the dark (turn on the floodlights to help this). The beach itself is absolutely gorgeous, providing a good deal of sand and a curving coastline covered in greenery and dunes. This is why you come out to Bridgman instead of New Buffalo - no apartment buildings, high rises, or harbors - just unobstructed coastline leading into the Warren Dunes State Park, which is a completely deserted beach even devoid of homes. What's more - you'll be close to Harbor Country's many wineries, as well as a good deal of fun restaurants, stores, and bars. The house itself was clean and impeccably prepared, and we were met promptly by the manager, who was available for any issues. Overall, we'll certainly be back - this trip couldn't have been better! Recommended Spots Nearby: Luisa's Cafe/Swedish Bakery Red Arrow Roadhouse Bridgman Premier Meat Market (awesome) Tabor Hills Winery (get champagne and go to the balcony area) Round Barn Winery/Distillery/Brewery Tapistry Brewing Company & Transient Artisan Ales (A recommendation, located in Bridgman, haven't been) Green Bush Brewing Getaway Cubbie Bar Eric's Bridgman Cafe (inexpensive local diner) Journeyman Distillery Stray Dog (New Buffalo) Redamak's (New Buffalo)
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2016
Response from VrboOwner on 25 March 2020
What a beautiful review! Thank you for sharing your experiences at the Bridgman Dunes. You captured so much of what makes the Bridgman Dunes so special to us. It makes me so glad to know that our guests see and feel the same joy and beauty that we do when they visit our home. You certainly have a way with words and I appreciate the time and thoughtfulness of your review. I hope you will be able to return for another vacation someday! Every season has something magical to offer! Marge Johnson owner/Bridgman Dunes
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Celeste M.

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

Be Lulled to Sleep by the Sound of Waves

We were a blended family of Grandparents, 2 sons, a daughter-in-law and twin 9 year old grandsons. There was plenty of room for everyone to have privacy and for gathering together. Inside and outside it is a wonderful home and in a beautiful setting. It's very woodsy, making it a little difficult to see the lake, but boy could you hear it! So soothing. The owner and property manager were extremely responsive throughout our stay. Other guests mentioned mosquitoes being bad, but we never had a problem with them. As stated in the house info, the internet and cell service does come and go, but it usually worked just fine for us and was not a problem. We loved our stay at Bridgman Dunes and would return in the future!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sarah S.

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

Beach blast

The house was great and the beach was perfect. We spent hours in the water which was in the 70's, sometimes calm and sometime with waves. We were just together all the time which is what we wanted---highly recommend
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

KD K.

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

Quiet, private and lovely!

Beautiful home - great location - tons of windows and light filled the home - sits just above the beach where you can hear the waves. Short walk down the stairs to perfect private beach. Couldn’t sit outside due to tons of mosquitoes - home sits in middle of trees in the woods which was nice for shade facing west but way too many mosquitoes. Otherwise a wonderful home and great response by owner and property manager.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kathleen J.

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

What a glorious week!

The property manager and owner were wonderful to work with. Very accessible and easily contacted. Home is beautiful on a lovely and very private setting. Our weather was perfect the whole week and the lake was actually warm! We had very young children - there was a play closet with ample toys, a play loft and lots of sand/beach toys in the garage for them. Very nice house for kids. Large well appointed kitchen, meals were a breeze. We loved every minute of our stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jacob K.

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

Beach house

I love the house and location. Super private with private Lake MI beach. So nice. Will be back. Thanks
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

John L.

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

Great Vacation Place

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Gorgeous home - well equipt and outfitted! The highlights are a magnificent beach and Lake Michigan (clear water, sandy bottom, etc.)!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tom D.

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

Amazing Property

The property and experience exceeded expectations. The house was fully equipped to comfortably sleep our group. The kitchen and grill were perfect for home cooked meals. Even with the Lake being at an all time high water mark, there was adequate beach to enjoy. I am sure we will rebook in the future.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jared G.

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

Great Escape

Incredible property. Water was sublime, clean and warm. Property was clean and had something for everybody. Plenty of space. Perfect escape for these crazy times. Secluded, but still close enough to grocery stores. Only downside was the internet. It was serviceable, but very slow 😕.
Response from VrboOwner on 30 September 2020
Thank you for your review. We are so glad you enjoyed your stay. Although, we cannot take credit for the beauty of Lake Michigan, we do think our location is unique. Because of our wonderful secluded location our internet options are limited and data needs keep getting higher and higher. I call every month or so hoping they have a solution for me. I ordered a WiFi extender as they recommended on my last call, so we'll see if that helps. But, I am sorry about that it is very annoying. Thanks again for staying with us, Marge Johnson Owner/Bridgman Dunes
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Edgar S.

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

Bridgman Summer Vacation

Well designed, roomy house with all amenities located in beautiful lakeside property. Our extended family greatly enjoyed our stay. Highly recommended!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 22 August 2020
Thank you and your lovely family for staying, we very much appreciate the feedback. Hope to see you again!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Timothy C.

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

Dunes

Gorgeous house , great for kids.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

karen h.

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

A memorable vacation!

Our week spent at Bridgman Dunes was a wonderful experience for my family! My husband and I, our son and wife and five year old grandson, our daughter and her husband and five and three year old grandsons settled in to this beautiful home and property and loved every moment. We were sad to leave and our grandsons now refer to it as "our beachhouse". They have repeatedly asked when we are going back! I wish I could share the videos of the boys running and playing on the beach and frolicking in the water. Having this private beach, not having to pack up beach gear and kids and drive to a public beach, was a tremendous benefit. And the secluded and private setting with no neighbors in sight was wonderful. The house is beautiful with so many custom features. The ample size and placement of bedrooms and baths were so accommodating for our group. We made good use of the huge kitchen and the abundance of tableware, utensils, etc. Our little boys loved the loft area and were so imaginative in finding uses for it. We did not have to contact the property manager one time as we encountered no problems whatsoever. I have used many superlatives in my review because this property definitely falls into an elite category! And I must share this occurrence..... about 45 minutes after we departed on our last day I received a text message that some articles of clothing had been found in one of the bedroom dresser drawers. And pictures of these items were included. My daughter has missed these in her packing. The sender asked if we could swing back to pick them up, but we were too far on our drive to return. So I told them I would send a check to reimburse them if they could mail them to my daughter. To my surprise they simply asked for an address and said they would be happy to cover the mailing cost. How sweet is that!? I did not begin my search for a place for our family vacation until late spring and I am just delighted that this property had one week available the entire summer and that week fit our schedule! If you chose to spend time here you will not be disappointed!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 25 March 2020
Dear Karen, Thank you so much for sharing your experience at our home The Bridgman Dunes. Your descriptions make me happy to know you really did feel at home during your stay. I can picture the boys running on the beach as my kids have and creating adventures up in the loft! We have spent a lifetime gathering the little things it takes to sit back and enjoy the beauty of nature that surrounds this home and property. I appreciate it so much when you take notice of all these things, big and small. We hope you'll return someday, more memories are waiting to be made. Marge Johnson Owner/Bridgman Dunes
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Richard B.

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

50th Anniversary Celebration

It was a wonderful get away for all our family, celebrating 5th and 50th Anniversaries and Father’s Day. There were 9 members of our family who hadn’t been together for six months. The Lake House was a great place to cook together, play games, do puzzles and just laugh and have a fun time reconnecting.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 25 March 2020
Thank you for taking the time to review your stay. I'm so glad your family had this special time together at our home, it makes such a difference to be all together in one place! I wish we had had better weather for you, I hope you'll make a tradition of it and return again in the future.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kristen M.

Amazing Family Vacation Experience!

This house was absolutely perfect for our multi-family vacation this past summer! Great location and close to many attractions! Some wanted to spend time everyday at beach and some wanted to sight see along the coast! This house is also family friendly- kids loved the fun loft area! We will definitely be back for our week in June/July next summer! Thanks, Marjorie!!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nicholas V.

Spectacular home, beautiful location, wonderful experience and the best sunsets!

We thoroughly enjoyed our August week at Bridgman dunes. The house is custom and state of the art with amenities and easily accommodated 4 adult couples with rooms and beds to spare. There are lofts and bunks that would easily accommodate lots of kids. The kitchen was fully stocked with supplies, cookware and anything else you might need. The location is both convenient in terms of ease of getting there and at the same time truly remote. You can't see another house and have a truly private beach which was magnificent. (The beach access down steps could prove difficult for anybody that was not able bodied) Everyday the beach was a little different in terms of waves, wind and water which made each day different, some for swimming others for long walks at sunset and a good camp fire in the fire pit. No detail was left unattended including fresh wood near the fire pit, ample beach equipment, a great barbecue detergent for the washers and easily understood instructions for appliances, wifi, sound system etc. Nearby we enjoyed several good meals, wine tasting, antiquing, and peach picking. The owner was immediately available to answer questions by phone or text. We mostly enjoyed being together, cooking great food, sleeping in, cocktails at sunset and the beach. We would definitely go back!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Betsy C.

Ideal setting for our family's Great Lake experience!

This was the best birthday present ever: hosting three generations of our blended family from Oregon and Illinois at Bridgman Dunes! The house and secluded setting were exactly right for our ‘everyone together’ vacation; plenty of bedrooms and bathrooms and outdoor spaces. We ranged from age 8 to 70; 3 couples, 3 adult singles and one very active kid. The many gathering places inside and all around the property fostered conversations and connections while also allowing individual space and time. We brought our books and took up comfy Adirondack chairs on the deck enjoying the shade, gentle breeze and sound of lapping waves from the shore. My husband and I did morning Tai Chi on the deck before the others were up. My daughter practiced yoga on the landing overlooking the beach. The double swing nearby was another favorite spot - slightly shaded, comfortable, and enjoyable to just swing along to the rhythm of the waves. After dark we had a great time making S’mores and Taffy-Cracks over the campfire reviewing the day’s adventures. This is a wonderfully private property where we rarely saw or heard other people; it was just us. The open floor plan made it easy to cook together and share meals – all 10 of us around the dining table. While we came with a list of local restaurants to try, this home invited us to relax and stay, so we instead cooked all our meals there. The barbeque on the screen porch got plenty of use and several of us easily did prep work in the kitchen. We made several trips to the Sawyer Home and Garden Center for corn, beefsteak tomatoes, basil, green beans, blueberries, raspberries, apricots and more - a real cornucopia of summertime bounty! The weather couldn’t have been better – everyday was a beach day; swimming, rock hunting and skipping, paddling kayaks, walking the beach and watching sunsets. The water was a comfortable temperature and we had the sandy beach almost all to ourselves. As a kid, I spent summers camping on Lake Ontario and will forever be a ‘Great Lakes Girl’; those times shaped who I became. I wanted my family to have an inkling of what makes the Great Lakes so great and why we must do all that we can to keep them healthy! For me, it was a link to childhood memories and a deep feeling of joy in making new memories ‘at the lake’ with my husband, our children and grandchildren. This was the family vacation of a lifetime and we are most grateful that you shared this very special place with us.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2018

About the host

Hosted by Sydney Johnson

Host profile image

We are from the Chicago area, southside and suburbs. Moving to South Bend IN to start a medical practice, my husband and I looked for years for a Lake Michigan property that was private and close to home. We spent nearly every weekend and summer at Bridgman Dunes while our children were growing up. In 2006, we moved to Illinois 2 hours west of Chicago, making the drive to Bridgman Dunes just over 3 hours. It was this move and the fact that we now had two busy teenagers that lead us to the option of renting out our home. It was not an easy choice because so much personal connection exists towards a property you have lived and built memories upon. But after the first few years of rentals, I have come to feel it is an honor and privilege to share what we have with others. The beauty and the splendor of this lake front vacation home is really one of a kind. It is so rare to find a setting where you can easily walk down to your own private beach, yet barely see the neighbors house through the forest of trees! The wrap-around deck offers plenty of seating for friends and family to step out and enjoy the view. Paths lead off in all directions to explore the wooded road or look down from the adjacent hilltops.

Why they chose this property

We searched for years for the right property on lake Michigan before we found Bridgman Dunes. I knew I was going to love the place soon as I turned onto the access road! The wooded lane leading to the house was so beautiful and inspiring, the sense of privacy and adventure while driving up to the house sold me before I even entered the driveway. And its a good thing too, because the original house was not something to get excited about. A 50-year-old ranch in rough shape, nothing about it was 'beachouse.' But we had a clear vision of what it could be and with the 10 acres and 150 feet of beach, the house really did not matter. So we set about hiring an architect and doubling the size of the house. Adding decks and expanding every way we could get a permit to do so! It was a huge challenge but the well thought out design has proven itself again and again at large family gatherings. The location in Bridgman keeps you right in the middle of everything. Only 1 1/2 hours to Chicago. 20 minutes to New Buffalo area. 50 minutes to Saugatuk, there is so much to do and explore. That is if you can leave the beach. We take it so for granted now that we have this private beach. Once in a while we will go to Weko Beach, just 2 miles south, for a concert or wine festival and we are reminded how crowded and inconvenient it is to haul yourself to the public beach! At Bridgman Dunes, everything you need to feel at home is inside the house. Everything you need to feel like you're a million miles away on vacation is one step out the door. That's what people say who visit Bridgman Dunes, it's so relaxing and fun for all ages that you don't feel the need to go anywhere else but enjoy the property and each other's company.
That is the beauty of Bridgman Dunes, giving you time to enjoy time together.

What makes this property unique

The design of Bridgman Dunes was specific to accommodate two families sharing the house but wanting room for privacy. We have 2 master-suites each with a master-bath. A full finished lower level with kitchenette, built in bunks and two more bedrooms and a bath. The huge theater room makes movies, xbox, or game time fun and away from the main living areas so that people in our group get to decide if they want a peaceful coffee on the sun-porch or a wild dance party on Xbox live! Down at the beach, lights mark your way to the built in fire-pit. Bench seating and a lake view double seated swing make this a great hang out and gathering spot. Upstairs there is a loft type play space that is a huge hit with the kids. Games and puzzles and toys fill the drawers and shelves from years gone by family fun. The out door deck wraps around to a pond filled with summer frogs making a relaxing waterfall effect! This and the constant sound of the waves lapping or thundering on the shore are unforgettable and can be heard from every room of the house.

Languages:

English

Tell us how we can improve our siteShare feedback