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The Family Vacation You're Looking for on Birch Lake

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A cozy living room with wooden floors, a fireplace, a sofa, a chair, and a coffee table.
A lakeside setting with a dock, chairs, and a boat.
A compact kitchen with white cabinets, a wooden dining table, and a refrigerator.
A laundry room with a washing machine, a wooden door, and a sign pointing to the left.
A living room with a large armchair, a map on the wall, and a door leading to another room.

Reviews

9.6 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% of guest reviews in this area

Highlights

  • Family fun awaits
    Top-rated for families.
  • Beach equipment
    A rare find — beach equipment ready to go for your days by the sea.
  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Close to Grand Traverse Bay

Popular amenities

  • Patio
  • Dog-friendly
  • Barbecue
  • Refrigerator
  • Internet
  • Washing machine

Explore the area

View map
Kewadin, MI
  • Place, Elk Lake
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Place, Grand Traverse Bay
    ‪18 min walk‬
  • Place, Torch Lake
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Airport, Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
    ‪30 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Dining area

Add dates for prices

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Property grounds
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  • Air-conditioning
  • Living/dining area
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About the area

Elk Rapids

Located in Elk Rapids, this cottage is on the waterfront. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Michigan and Torch Lake. Guntzviller's Spirit of the Woods Museum and Music House Museum are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking, waterskiing and water tubing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with cycling.
View more Cottages in Elk RapidsOpens in a new window
Map
Kewadin, MI

What's nearby

  • Elk Lake - 6 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Grand Traverse Bay - 18 min walk - 1.5 km
  • Torch Lake - 7 min drive - 6.6 km
  • Front Street - 28 min drive - 37.7 km
  • Boyne Mountain - 58 min drive - 79.4 km

Getting around

  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital) - 25 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Oasis Tavern - ‬15 min walk
  • ‪Johnny's Torch Riviera - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Pearl's New Orleans Kitchen - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪The Dam Shop - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Riverwalk Grill and Taproom - ‬5 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The Family Vacation You're Looking for on Birch Lake pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total).

How much does it cost to stay at The Family Vacation You're Looking for on Birch Lake?

As of 4 November 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Family Vacation You're Looking for on Birch Lake on 16 May 2027 start from NZ$3,304, 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 The Family Vacation You're Looking for on Birch Lake?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at The Family Vacation You're Looking for on Birch Lake?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Family Vacation You're Looking for on Birch Lake?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is The Family Vacation You're Looking for on Birch Lake located?

Situated on the waterfront, this cottage is within 1 mi (2 km) of Elk Lake and Lake Michigan. Grand Traverse Bay and Elk Rapids Golf Club are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

9.6

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 42 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 42 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 42 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 42 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 42 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Perfect Family Retreat

We love the Red Cottage! Spent an amazing week with perfect accommodations and gorgeous weather. Enjoyed the water with our young child and loved exploring the area. Great stay!!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We LOVE the Red Cottage! I have been renting for 3 weeks at the end of summer for a number of years. Our group ranges from 4 to 70. Laurie and the Maddex Family provide an incredible property that is perfect in all kinds of weather. Birch Lake is crystal clear and sandy from the shore at this end of the lake, making it easy for the youngest and oldest humans and pets to enjoy. The neighbors are really nice people, too. The location offers access to so many adventures! We bike trails out of Sutton’s Bay, Boyne City Airport, Beulah, Charlevoix, and Sleeping Bear NP. After rides we have explored Cedar for Polish food, Northport, Leland (Cheese Shanty sandwiches!), Skybridge, St Ambrose Meadery to name a few. We never miss a lunch or dinner at Pearl’s in Elk Rapids or The Filling Station (can take dogs!) in TC. The nearby market in Elk Rapids and the well-stocked kitchen are priceless for breakfast in jammies and picnic lunch prep. Walk of Art Sculpture Park is a nearby dog-friendly favorite of all ages. When staying at the cottage the kayaks, chairs, toys and firepit are heavily used. There is a lot of room to spread out both inside and out. The cottage is always spotless and there are supplies that let us keep it that way during our extended stay.We are already booked for next year and counting down the days!
Stayed 23 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great time on birch lake

We had a great time on sandy bottom birch lake. Thanks
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great location

Nice sandy beach area. Wonderful amenities (kayaks, grill, cable TV, Wifi, stocked kitchen), central location to area. Bathrooms kind of small, uneven floor could be trip hazard for elderly or small children.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 22 September 2022
Hi Pamela, we're so happy you enjoyed the location and amenities. The floor has been completely replaced after our labor shortages over the pandemic. We're looking forward to a fresh start next season!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Week in june

A very clean and comfortable stay for a family of 4 with two teenagers. Enjoyed the kayaks and sitting by the water. Neighboring houses are very close but everyone in the area was very nice. Would stay here again.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Red Cottage

Peaceful and relaxing week. Nice waterfront with lots to do in the area. House was clean and comfortable and 2 bathrooms was a bonus for 5 adults. Lovely sunsets.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 21 September 2022
We're so happy that you enjoyed your stay at our humble cottage.
Verified review

8/10 Good

Great property and very comfortable! We really enjoyed our stay.

Property was very comfortable and we had a nice family vacation! The only issue was the water smell and taste of iron so hoping that’s fixed before next year! Birch Lake is so peaceful and not full of mosquitoes like across the way at Elk Lake which was another plus! We enjoyed the week so much! Thank you!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 3 April 2020
Patricia, we're so glad you enjoyed your stay at the Red Cottage! So sorry about the water issue- we have a huge water filtration system that might have not been working properly and we weren't made aware of it. My apologies! Hope to host you again!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

The Red Cottage

We had a wonderful time at the Red Cottage. Birch Lake is beautiful and relaxing. All was provided for a fun time at the beach and it's location is perfect (Traverse City, Petoskey, Mackinaw). The hosts were awesome and very quick to respond to a couple questions we had upon our arrival. We look forward to our return!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Location location location

Being so close to the water was absolutely amazing. My kids lived at the beach! We did not have to leave because our entertainment was purely being at the lake. Will be back for years to come! Thank you for making our vacation wonderful!
Stayed 14 nights in May 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 24 June 2021
Thanks for being such awesome guests and loving the cottage as your own! See you next year!
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Check-in, communication, location

Plus and Minus

Great location and lakefront property. Cabin needs some TLC.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 22 September 2022
We're happy you enjoyed our cottage and our beautiful beach front. Repairs to the floors have commenced after labor shortages through the pandemic and we are happy to have a fresh start next season.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Another wonderful vacation at the Red Cottage. We were there for 3 weeks - late August and early September. The weather was unusually cold and wet but we made the most of the usable lake time. The cabin location allowed for impromptu trips to local small towns and new discoveries. We had warm and cozy game nights when campfires were not possible. There was plenty of room for everyone whether playing, watching movies or eating. I can’t wait until next year!
Stayed 23 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great rental

We really enjoyed our stay here and found the cabin to have everything we needed, including several kayaks, beach chairs, and a nice dock. The lake is sandy and shallow and, at least at the time we visited, quiet. Excellent location, with Elk Lake, Torch Lake, the East Bay, and several nature preserves (including my favorite, Maple Bay) within a 10-minute drive. Great communication from the host as well.Note that some of the less-stellar reviews on this property are from before they did renovations. When we stayed, everything was updated, in good repair, and very clean!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

The BEST cottage with the BEST hosts on the BEST lake!

From the moment you arrive you can see how much this cottage means to the family that owns it. Every detail has been considered and you are welcomed like a member of the family. Bring your clothes and food and just be ready to completely relax on this beautiful, peaceful lake. Our group ranged in age from 2 to 68 and all had a fantastic time. The Red Cottage is also a perfect base for exploring wineries, breweries, bike and hiking trails, sand dunes, small towns, museums, galleries and so much more. But at the end of the day it is a special place to gather around a fire and enjoy beautiful Birch Lake.
Stayed 9 nights in Sep 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

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

Beautiful shallow beach

The beach is beautiful and shallow the length of the dock. The beds are comfortable. The cabin needs some tlc. The floors are uneven, they had plywood and mats on kitchen floor during our stay. The kitchen chairs, couch, and arm chairs need help. The neighbor next store came midweek, and frequently let his large dog roam wherever, and it came over and was going to fight my dog. The kayaks are a plus. The cable tv/internet was also a plus
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 22 September 2022
Thanks for your feedback, Kathleen. As posted at the cabin, the floors are getting a complete renovation at the end of the season and will be fresh and ready for many summers after that. Other furniture needs are being tended to, as well. I'm sorry to hear that your doggo didn't get along with the neighbor's dog. Being a pet friendly place means that others' pets could likely be here, too.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Another Wonderful Family Getaway!

We had another fantastic family vacation at this lovely lake house! I brought the grandparents along with my kids (ages 3 to 9), and everyone had a great time. The week started off with some hot weather, but the house was well-equipped with fans, and of course, the lake was the perfect way to cool off.The kitchen was fully stocked, which made it easy to prepare all our meals right at home. We made a fun trip to the ice cream shop in Elk Rapids—just a heads-up, it’s cash only! We also spent a day exploring Charlevoix, where the kids were fascinated by the marina, the drawbridge, and we enjoyed the dine in Pizza Hut.Back at the house, we made full use of the hammocks, sand toys, paddleboards, and the dock—especially since we brought our boat along. It was the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure.We’re already looking forward to our next visit!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Perfect Up North MI Vacation

As life-long Michiganders, we felt it was time to give our kiddos the essential Up North experience. We’ve stayed in VRBOS throughout the states, and have had pretty decent experiences throughout. This cabin and its hosts were great! The lake is perfect for kids to swim and enjoy water sports-it’s warm, shallow, and the kayaks/paddleboard/sand toys provided offered plenty of family fun. We were able to drop and anchor our Waverunners and play, having the lake mostly to ourselves. The cabin’s proximity to so many wonderful MI adventures kept us busy-Traverse, Torch Lake, and Mackinac to name a few. We were pleasantly surprised by the spaciousness of the home. There was plenty of room for everyone. When we had a minor setback with the electronic lockbox not working upon our arrival, the host answered our call immediately and found a solution in no time. We highly recommend this rental and would love to stay here again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

2/10 Terrible

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

Horrible conditon

The condition of this property is not suited for rental due to the hazardous conditions and uncleanliness. This is a liability hazard. The floor are sagging and there is plywood and rugs on the floors. we kept tripping over and almost fell. This WAS NOT disclosed ,in fact the photos of the listing are not accurate, As they do not show the condition of the floors and the dirt on everything in the cottage from dog hair to mold growing in showers and a hazard on the bed with the frame bent over. Window were filthy along with the patio chairs and washing machine The fans had so much dirt on them it blew out when you turned them on. There was no screen on the bedroom window. The microwave has on three legs and when you put food it it it spill. I can go on and on. Please clean this property and fix it. Had I know these conditions existed I would not have rented. These conditions were not revealed on this site or in photos.
Stayed 8 nights in Sep 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 11 October 2022
Lynn, I'm so sorry to hear that you were unsatisfied with the your stay. I wish that I had heard from you at check in and I would have sent our cleaning team to address the problems. Unfortunately, I wasn't made aware of any of this, nor had I received negative feedback from our previous guests before you, as this certainly isn't the way that we hope to represent our favorite family cottage. I believe that the "mold issue" that you are referring to is actually iron build up (it can stain the tub red) from the Northern Michigan water table, and our whole home water filtration system was having trouble keeping up earlier this year. The floor issue was disclosed at the property, as something that had come up during this season. You'll be happy to know we've gone through extensive renovations to tear up the floor and replace, at the end of the season and everything is back in line with what we have always enjoyed at the Red Cottage. As with all old homes, they have a lot of charm, but sometimes issues arise that we can't address immediately!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a great time! Cottage was clean and well stocked. The shops nearby were fun to explore.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had so much fun!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This cottage is exactly as described and has everything you need for a northern Michigan trip. The sandy beach and shallow sandy water would be great for a family with smaller children. The cottage was clean and had a good amount of space. The property manager even stopped shortly after we checked in to make sure everything was good and to let us know his number was in the cottage if we should need anything while we were there. We had a great trip.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great house - great location

Cute cottage in Elk Rapids located very close to the beach and town. Owner was very accommodating and reachable. House was clean and had everything you need - back yard nice with chairs, table and barbecue . Thanks for a wonderful vacation.
Response from VrboOwner on 28 September 2021
I'm so glad you enjoyed your time at the Red Cottage. I'd be happy to host you any time.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Michigan Summer

Loved staying at this cottage. Pure northern MI feels. Great sandy shallow lake. Golf and activities close by.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Perfect Family Vacation

This was our second year renting the Red Cottage. We love it! The cottage itself is comfortable for a family of of 5. Plenty of kitchen essentials to cook at home and enough room to play card games inside. Super location near plenty of things to do. Even though we spent the majority of our days in the water. With a young child, the shallow water and sandy bottom are perfect. Plan on returning next summer. Thank you!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Perfect Family Cottage

This is the perfect cottage for families to enjoy. The beach area is a great way to relax and spend your days-both for the adults and the kids. The location is central to our day trips to Charleroix, Traverse City, and Old Mission Peninsula. Having multiple fans available in the cottage was much appreciated for the humid days/nights. Plenty of room for our family of 4 adults and 2 children. We look forward to staying here again.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Red Cottage

The beach and bottom of the lake are awesome! Cottage has everything you could ask for. Having a fan in every room was great! Close to Elk Rapids where there’s lots of great things going on. We plan to rent again.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021
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