Entire home

Secluded dunes home w/private Lake Mich beach + 150 acres of forest -- dogs OK

Beachfront cottage with kitchen and balcony

Photo gallery for Secluded dunes home w/private Lake Mich beach + 150 acres of forest -- dogs OK

Hard to get a photo of the whole house -- it's bigger than it looks from here.
From the back deck you can see forever through the forest in all directions.
one of the four bedrooms; two are at ground level, two partially below.
Sandy beach is wide this year with lower lake level - and it's mostly empty.
Living room has stone fireplace

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 9185.8 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Pet-friendly
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

View map
Covert, MI
  • Place, Van Buren State Park
  • Place, Covert Park
    ‪10 min drive‬
  • Place, Contessa Wine Cellars
    ‪17 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 9)

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Dining area

About this property

Secluded dunes home w/private Lake Mich beach + 150 acres of forest -- dogs OK

'Windy Ridge' is a modern 4-BR cottage in the middle of a forest big enough to get lost in, amid hundreds of acres of Lake Michigan dune land. You can't see another house in any direction, even from the roof deck. Down a footpath about 175 yards through the woods (about a 3 minute walk) is a very wide sandy beach, on which you can walk for miles and rarely see other people (just fabulous sunsets). That's where we spend much of our time (also on the big screened porch with panoramic forest views, and on the roof deck for great stargazing).

Windy Ridge is on a "low" dune, with less bluff elevation than most of the properties in the area. The walk to the beach and steps down is not too strenuous and we have no problem with it in our mid-70s. But we do not recommend Windy Ridge for people with mobility challenges. It's a family paradise (dogs too) but children must always be supervised.

It's a great place to get far away, but it's only 2 hours drive from Chicago and 2 1/2 hours from Detroit, midway between South Haven and St. Joseph. The house has all modern amenities but with the cooling breezes usually off the lake, you rarely need to turn on the air-conditioning.

While we use it most of the time, a few prime periods remain available in fall 2025. Due to the likelihood of getting snowed in (or out) we don't rent Windy Ridge from mid-December through mid-March. We cannot accept summer/fall reservations for 2026 until our family calendars are set, so next year's calendar is blocked at this time. Let us know if you want to be notified of available periods when next year's schedule is set on May 1.

Everybody who spends time here falls in love with Windy Ridge as we did 39 years ago. Thanks for looking at our listing and please feel free to ask questions. We've never seen another place like Windy Ridge.

Marty

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Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
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

Pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
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

Covert

Located in Covert, this cottage is near theme parks and on the beach. Contessa Wine Cellars and Karma Vista Vineyards and Winery are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Lake Michigan and Van Buren State Park. Surfari Joe's Indoor Wilderness Water Park and Liberty Hyde Bailey Museum & Gardens are also worth visiting. Windsurfing and power boating offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cycling and horse riding nearby.
Map
Covert, MI

What's nearby

  • Covert Park - 10 min drive - 7.6 km
  • Contessa Wine Cellars - 17 min drive - 27.9 km
  • South Beach - 18 min drive - 23.3 km
  • Surfari Joe's Indoor Wilderness Water Park - 20 min drive - 32.5 km
  • Silver Beach - 22 min drive - 31.5 km

Getting around

  • St. Joseph-Benton Harbor Station - 23 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪Biggby Coffee - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Riverside Tavern - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Subway - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Easy Street Inn - ‬17 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Secluded dunes home w/private Lake Mich beach + 150 acres of forest -- dogs OK pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Secluded dunes home w/private Lake Mich beach + 150 acres of forest -- dogs OK?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Secluded dunes home w/private Lake Mich beach + 150 acres of forest -- dogs OK?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Secluded dunes home w/private Lake Mich beach + 150 acres of forest -- dogs OK located?

This Covert cottage is on the beach, 1.8 mi (2.9 km) from Lake Michigan, and within 6 mi (10 km) of Covert Park and Van Buren State Park. Porter Legacy Dunes and North Point Conservation Area are also within 9 miles (15 km).

About the host

Hosted by Marty Cohen

Host profile image

Languages:

English