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Cottage On River - close to Torch Lake, sleeps 8

Photo gallery for Cottage On River - close to Torch Lake, sleeps 8

Beautiful living room complete with games and a TV.
Looking at the cottage from the river
Sofa bed (double)
A cozy living room with a red sofa, a teal armchair, and a patterned rug.
Cozy porch for reading and viewing the lake/River

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Sledding nearby
    A rare find — snowy slopes for sledding are just minutes away.
  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Close to Lake Bellaire
Sleeps 8•3 bedrooms•5 beds

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Air-conditioning
  • Barbecue
  • Deck or patio

Explore the area

View map
Bellaire, MI
  • Place, Clam Lake
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Lake Bellaire
    ‪15 min walk‬
  • Place, Torch Lake
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Airport, Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
    ‪51 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 3

1 Double Bed

Living Room 1

1 Double Sofa Bed

Living Room 2

1 Double Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Number of living rooms
Outdoor play area
Dining area

About this property

Cottage On River - close to Torch Lake, sleeps 8

Indian Gold retreat (sleeps 8 - strict) is a serene, relaxing beautiful cottage located at the mouth of Grass River. This property has 3 bedrooms plus a sofa bed in the living room and lower level. Bring your boat because you are directly in front of a waterway (short canal to river) that has access to the famous Chain of Lakes. A MAXIMUM of 2 boats/trailers can be parked at the property as well as a MAXIMUM of 3 vehicles at anytime. Tents and campers aren’t allowed at the cottage. Inboard motors are not recommended because the short canal To Clam Lake is weedy. The canal near the dock is shallow and most boats 24’ or less can use the covered boathouse in front of the cottage. A public access for boats is 3 miles from the cottage. You can use the 2 canoes, 3 kayaks and 6 life jackets (3adult/3 child) provided to go across the river and walk the Grass River Natural Area and enjoy the summer activities. A 10 minute boat ride to Torch Lake and a 20 minute ride to Lake Bellaire down Grass River will be filled with beautiful scenery. The up north decor and a gas fireplace (not available during all seasons) make this cottage a cozy stay for your family and friends. You will want to bring your favorite book so you can enjoy the cozy enclosed porch with a lake/River view while sipping your morning coffee. You may catch a glimpse of a swans, loons, geese, ducks, beavers and an eagle during your stay. You will be amazed at the starry sky as you enjoy a nighttime bonfire (wood provided) and s'mores to enhance your stay. A lower level walk out with a large concrete patio includes a table and gas grill for your outdoor meals. The cottage has 2 large flat screen TVs, 2 coffee makers, cable and wifi. Glacial Hills with 30 miles for biking and hiking is located 10 minutes away. Torch Lake Cellars - winery with spectacular views, disc golf, outdoor seating and a tee to try and land a gold ball in a bucket in the valley, a covered space and a play area. The famous Short’s Brewery is locatedin downtown Bellaire. Due to vegetation at the dock area it is not conducive to swimming. Local public beaches are nearby. Primary guest must be at least 25 years old. You need to visit to discover why the cottage is known as "Indian Gold." Your family and friends will want to be your annual vacation!

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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
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking allowed: in designated areas
Outside only - leave no trace

Important information

You need to know

Property # 863158vb
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
Safety features at this property include a deadlock
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 a lake. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Torch Lake and Torch Lake Park. Enjoy the area's slopes with cross-country skiing and snowboarding, and don't miss out on the sledging and ice skating.
View more Cottages in BellaireOpens in a new window
Map
Bellaire, MI

What's nearby

  • Clam Lake - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Lake Bellaire - 15 min walk - 1.3 km
  • Torch Lake - 8 min drive - 9.1 km
  • Torch Lake Park - 18 min drive - 20.6 km
  • Traverse City Beach - 44 min drive - 59.8 km

Getting around

  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital) - 62 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Short's Brewing Company - ‬21 min drive
  • ‪M88 Morning Grind - ‬22 min drive
  • ‪Shanty Creek Resorts - ‬21 min drive
  • ‪The Shanty - ‬21 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Cottage On River - close to Torch Lake, sleeps 8 pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Cottage On River - close to Torch Lake, sleeps 8?

As of 29 July 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Cottage On River - close to Torch Lake, sleeps 8 on 31 August 2026 start from NZ$3,757, 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 Cottage On River - close to Torch Lake, sleeps 8?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Cottage On River - close to Torch Lake, sleeps 8?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Cottage On River - close to Torch Lake, sleeps 8?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Cottage On River - close to Torch Lake, sleeps 8 located?

Situated on a lake, this cottage is within 1 mile (2 km) of Clam Lake and Lake Bellaire. Clam River and Thayer lake are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

9.8

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. 52 out of 58 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 58 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 58 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 58 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 58 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Noah W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great stay and beautiful property. The kayaks and canoes were a bonus, and the location was pristine.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rod F.

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

Great place to stay

Great time.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Heidi G.

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

Boat trip fun!

Great place to stay with friends. Clean, convenient, great hosts, great for the boat!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Robert R.

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

Great family holiday trip!

Property was perfect for our family getaway for the 4th of July weekend! The house had everything we needed and in a quiet location. Would definitely rent again.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rod F.

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

A+

Great time at a great place
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Trent F.

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

Great location. Quiet and comfortable.

A group of friends stayed here this last weekend for a day on Torch Lake. The location is great and host communicated well. We almost had an issue with having new appliances delivered during our stay but the owners came and resolved it for us. Would stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 4 August 2023
Thank you for being great guests and taking such good care of the cottage. You are welcome back anytime!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Katie K.

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

Up North Getaway

Indian Gold was perfect for a group of 7 adults. The access to the lakes was wonderful, the house was so clean and nicely stocked and Kristi’s responsiveness was so appreciated. We can’t wait to visit again! Thank you for a great weekend getaway!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 8 July 2023
Thank you for your kind words. We are so happy that you enjoyed your stay! Thank you for leaving the cottage in great shape! We hope to see you again!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

mark and jenny h.

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

Very nice place.

My son and his friends rented this for a golf outing. They had a great time. The property manager, Kristi was a pleasure to work with. She made it so easy.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

We had a GREAT week!!

Indian Gold was exactly what our family needed! Everything was exactly as the listing shows. We enjoyed meals around the large table and kayaked down the grass river each morning. Thank you for allowing us to stay in your home. We look forward to coming back next summer!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

Nick F.

, only issue I’d say was it gets really warm in the summer without central air.

Great place, easy to get to, well furnished with a peaceful view ! Contact number for house was very attentive to any questions asked
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2018
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Keith H.

Everything you could ask for

Our family decided to get away at the last minute and spend the weekend in Northern. This location had everything we could have ever needed. The home was easy to get to and was a great place to relax. Even in the dead of winter the backyard view was fantastic. For nature buffs this would be an amazing place to sit and watch the wildlife in the peak of summer. I highly recommend this cozy home on Clam Lake.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 8 July 2023
Thank you for being excellent guests. We appreciate the time spent on writing a nice review. We hope to see you again.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Joy E.

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

Family trip

The house and yard are lovely. In fact I don’t think the pictures do it justice. It’s cozy, clean, comfortable and well equipped with everything that we needed. The location is great. We hiked and biked the local trails and kayaked the Grass river right from the house. We only had 5 in our group and had more than enough space. It could comfortably accommodate the 8 that it lists. The property manager was extremely helpful. We would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

David J.

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

Peaceful - Relaxing Vacation Get-A-Way - Clam Lake / Torch Lake

Property is located on a quite street tucked into the base of the Grass River (just off Clam Lake). Home is clean, spacious kitchen / living room area and big rec area down stairs. Beautiful yard w/ a hammock - nice yard to play cornhole or have a campfire and enjoy sunsets. Covered boat slip was a real bonus for your 24' pontoon with some off and on rain. Property description was right on and property manager was very responsive to any questions. Great Torch vacation! We will be back - Thank you!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Melissa Z.

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

The most beautiful place in the world!

This property is one of the best places we have ever stayed, and this was our 3rd time back! The cabin itself is well maintained and meticulously clean. It had everything we need, including coffee! There is a telescope in the Sun porch for viewing bald eagles and other wildlife, there is a ton of space in the walk out basement for our young adult kids to play games and hang out after spending a day on the water. We kayaked and canoed every day. The owners and property manager are very responsive and helpful. The location is simply amazing, with loons, swans, herons, cranes, and song birds all around. It’s an easy drive into Bellaire or Alden for groceries, cute shops and a few restaurants, but I like to spend my time taking in the view from the dock and rarely leave this gorgeous place!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Michigan Trip June 13-18, 2023 - Cottage on Grass River/Clam Lame

In short, our Cottage stay was PERFECT. Kristi Poel was WONDERFUL. One of my best vacations in ever. Highlights of our stay was the cottage location on Grass River. beautiful scenery, boat dock with canoe, kayaks, fire pit, outdoor grill, etc. Spectacular wildlife scenes….we saw nesting loons, a Merganser with ducklings, Trumpeter swans with young, rabbits with babies, A sandhill crane with babies, snapping turtles laying eggs nightly just feet from our cottage door! I could go on. Loved the accommodations inside and cottage layout. Very comfortable. Our only problem was there was so much to do and fun to be had, we just didn’t have enough time there 😁. We were all sad to leave.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 8 July 2023
Oh my gosh! Thank you for the wonderful review. You were amazing guests and we hope you can return.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jessica T.

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

Great stay !!

This place was a winner ! Family of 5 including 3 kids. Hands down, 100% satisfied with our stay. We had a fantastic time at this house! Brought our boat (18 foot), pretty easy to get in and out of the covered dock. A list of our highlights ! -clean ! This is a must for us and this place exceeded our expectations - stocked with what we needed - roomy, lots of space inside and out Including plenty of outdoor seating - use of kayaks and canoe, enjoyed kayaking in the mornings, including you can go across the River to the nature preserve - quiet, peaceful - lots of wildlife! We saw snapping turtles, loons, otters, Deer, Swans, herons and many other types of birds - location worked well for us, short trip to torch‘s beautiful water, tubed a lot on clam Lake since it was A little warmer, plus down the grass river for a sunset cruise - s’mores in the fire pit to end the day - dryer was a huge plus.....mainly as we had lots of wet beach towels FYI -Can’t swim off the dock (weeds, mushy), but this had so many other pluses (And we had a boat), it did not matter.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 8 July 2023
Thank you for wonderful guests. We are thrilled that you enjoyed this beautiful area and hope to see you again!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Andrea W.

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

Amazing Cabin!

This little cabin has it all! There was room for everyone and the basement space was perfect for evening game nights and it's so cozy. It was a little warm sleeping with only one window air conditioner for the place and we had to sleep with our doors open, but overall we would stay there again with no problem!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Crystal M.

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

The Swans House

Fishing off dock, kayaking was a blast, star gazing & camp fires. We loved all of this house.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Melissa Z.

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

Perfect place!

This property was perfect for my family! My husband and I, plus our 2 young adult kids and 3 of their friends, had plenty of space to sleep. 2 bathrooms plus laundry is so helpful for a crew of our size. The house is on the most tranquil, gorgeous spot, and the boat slip was just right for our 21 foot boat. We grilled out, had bonfires, kayaked and canoed every day! This was our second year at the house, and we all hope to make it an annual tradition! The house is immaculate, and the hosts are fantastic!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

8/10 Good

Laura L.

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

Pictures are not as nice as the house

House was nice and the property and river tranquil
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Craig H.

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

Great!

5 Stars
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

LYNN L.

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

Absolutely Awesome

This was perfect for our family of 8. The house was clean and well supplied for towels, bedding, kitchen items. The extra bathroom was great to have. The spot is perfect. We could dock a 16 ft bass boat and 20 ft pontoon. The property manager is accessible at all times for anything and will give you tips about the area. You can enjoy the best of both worlds of quiet, beautiful mother nature and fishing. Or take a boat ride to the famous Torch Lake Sandbar and enjoy the fun atmosphere! Five lakes are connected by awesome rivers. You can boat to nearby towns and enjoy them for the day. Definitely will go again! A cool treasure of Michigan!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer V.

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

Peaceful easy feeling!

Great, quiet location! Plus quick trip to sandbar on torch lake (30 min with our pontoon). Kids loved the use of the kayaks and went out every morning! Was able to get quick reply from manager when huge storm caused some water in basement (came right away and took care of it). Thankful for enjoyable family time!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Melissa Z.

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

Best rental ever!

My family and I have been renting cottages around the chain of lakes for the last 20 years, and this was hands down the best place we have ever stayed! First, the cottage is set in a gorgeous, serene location with tons of wildlife and a view of Grass river and clam lake. Just as important, though, the place is immaculate and stocked with everything you could ever need. I wish my own home was this clean, and I am a neat freak! The beds were super comfy, there is a huge amount of outdoor space for relaxing and dining, and the basement family room was perfect for our family game nights (complete with board games!). Our 21 foot speed boat fit perfectly into the covered boat slip, and we also enjoyed using the several kayaks and canoes at the cottage to get out and paddle each day. We saw loons, bald eagles, herons, swans and hummingbirds every day. It was truly magical and a new family favorite. Kristi was just wonderful to work with and made our stay perfect!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Thomas K.

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

Would rent again

Great house and nice location on the Grass River. Communication with the property manager was excellent and she was quick to respond. Brought our 24-foot Yamaha jet boat an had no problems getting to the house and parking alongside of the dock. The boat house is great for keeping canoes and kayaks out of the weather and in the water. It’s a perfect house if your looking for that up north feel.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

About the host

Hosted by Kristi Poel

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Languages:

English

Premier Host

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