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Lakefront cottage close to Traverse City, Sleeping Bear Dunes & Crystal Mountain

Beachfront holiday home with kitchen and patio

Photo gallery for Lakefront cottage close to Traverse City, Sleeping Bear Dunes & Crystal Mountain

Welcome to Whitetail Cottage on Bass Lake in Traverse City, Michigan!
Two kayaks are provided for your use during your stay at Whitetail Cottage.
Whitetail Cottage includes parking out front.
View of front entryway into Whitetail Cottage.
The kitchen is the first room upon entry to Whitetail Cottage.

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 492.9 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Beach view
  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Washer
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

View map
Traverse City, MI
  • Place, Bass Lake
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Great Wolf Lodge Water Park
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Place, Turtle Creek Stadium
    ‪12 min drive‬
  • Airport, Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
    ‪17 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen

About this property

Lakefront cottage close to Traverse City, Sleeping Bear Dunes & Crystal Mountain

Just 10 minutes from Traverse City, 30 minutes from Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and 35 minutes from Crystal Mountain, Whitetail Cottage is nestled on the shores of Bass Lake. Although it's an all-sports lake, it is best suited for fishing and kayaking. With 500 feet of shared sandy beach frontage, Whitetail Cottage has a gas grill on the deck overlooking the water as well as a beachfront fire pit. Two kayaks are available for renters to use for free and two child-size kayaks are available upon request. We also have paddle boards and bikes that can be rented for a separate fee by the day based on availability.

The cottage has two bedrooms with queen beds. There is a strict 4 person limit due to township rules. The upstairs bathroom has a tub and the downstairs bathroom has a newly renovated, walk-in shower.

A few quirks to note:
- The upstairs, where the bedrooms are located, has lower than standard ceilings, so if you are more than 6 feet tall, please take that into consideration.
- Whitetail Cottage has window air conditioner units in place during the summer - one downstairs and one upstairs (as pictured). Traverse City summers tend to be temperate and while these should do the trick, additional fans are also provided.
- The dock at Whitetail Cottage is not big enough to tie up motorized boats. Please contact us first if you plan to bring a boat and we will see if we can help!

Unfortunately, we don't allow guests to have pets; however, the property owners have doodles that love people and will want to say hi at some point, guaranteed!

While Traverse City is well known for its festivals, shopping, and restaurants, easy access to a quiet lake and extensive trail system are what sets our property apart. Plus, our proximity to Sleeping Bear Dunes and Crystal Mountain makes it a perfect location for those seeking natural beauty, freshwater beaches, and more.

Here are some of our favorite leisure activities by season:
- Summer: Beach days, fishing, kayaking, rock hounding, paddle boarding, and berry picking
- Fall: Mountain biking, leaf peeping, hiking, beer/cider tasting, and apple picking
- Winter: Cross-country/downhill skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing, sledding, and snowmobiling
-Spring: Cherry blossoms, trail biking, bird watching, winery hopping, and morel mushroom hunting

We are more than happy to offer local insight on our favorite spots to do all the above - except for morel mushroom hunting - you're on your own :)

Lastly, we are a family-run property with multiple listings, so if you're interested in coordinating several cottages for a larger group, please don't hesitate to contact us. Thanks for considering Whitetail Cottage and please reach out with any questions!

Long Lake Township Certificate Number: STR22-00071

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Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 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

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

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 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 and a first aid kit
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

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts

About the area

Traverse City

Located in Traverse City, this holiday home is on the beach. Shoppers can check out Front Street, while everyone can enjoy the natural beauty of Lake Michigan and Traverse City Beach. Great Wolf Lodge Water Park and Great Lakes Children's Museum are also worth visiting. Kayaking and power boating offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking/biking trails nearby.
Map
Traverse City, MI

What's nearby

  • Bass Lake - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Great Wolf Lodge Water Park - 9 min drive - 10.1 km
  • Grand Traverse Mall - 9 min drive - 10.1 km
  • Turtle Creek Stadium - 12 min drive - 9.7 km
  • Front Street - 13 min drive - 14.7 km

Getting around

  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital) - 17 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Chick-fil-A - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Culver's - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Burger King - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Lakefront cottage close to Traverse City, Sleeping Bear Dunes & Crystal Mountain pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Lakefront cottage close to Traverse City, Sleeping Bear Dunes & Crystal Mountain?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Lakefront cottage close to Traverse City, Sleeping Bear Dunes & Crystal Mountain?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Lakefront cottage close to Traverse City, Sleeping Bear Dunes & Crystal Mountain located?

This Traverse City holiday home is on the beach, steps from Bass Lake and within 6 mi (10 km) of The Crown Golf Club and Fisher's Run. Lake Michigan and West End Beach are also within 9 miles (15 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. 82 out of 97 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 10 out of 97 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 5 out of 97 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 97 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 97 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Shannon S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a great weekend at the cottage! Clean, comfortable, and cute. Enjoyed campfires on the beach and the relaxing cottage vibe! Close to lots of great Michigan destinations: Sleeping Bear Dunes, Leland, Sutton's Bay, Skybridge, etc. Hosts were very responsive for questions before our stay and once we arrived. Would definitely stay again!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Katie S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We loved this little slice of heaven. Cottage is cute and has beautiful beach access. We enjoyed a bonfire with friends, kayaking around the entire lake and reading lakeside for sunrise.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mark G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beach was great! Proximity to both Traverse City and Sleeping Bear made for a great vacation. Would definitely rent again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Courtney O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Loved it! Thank you to awesome hosts, great location- peaceful and short drive to TC!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sara L.

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

Cute cottage perfect for family getaway!

Stayed with my two kids (4 & 1.5 yo) & my mom and it was the perfect space for us. Great location to explore Traverse city. After a busy day trip downtown it was nice to come back and relax by the water.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michael E.

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

Nice Quiet Cottage

We enjoyed our nice quiet mornings on the beach drinking our coffee.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Susan C.

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

Great Getaway

Great place to stay. Kayaked, biked & just relaxed. Lake is beautiful. Hosts are awesome, so very friendly & helpful. Highly recommended anyone considering, you won’t regret the stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kory B.

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

Northen Michigan lake cottage

The hosts were very nice people and very accommodating with great and prompt communication. The cottage is quaint and has everything you need.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

gail T.

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

Girls getaway

Spent 3 nights enjoying the lake and nearby attractions. Short drive into Suttons Bay and up to Fishtown. Host was very sweet.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sherry C.

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

A little slice of heaven

The cabin was everything we had hoped for and more. The lake is beautiful and quiet. Absolutely enjoyed our stay. I would definitely recommend this cabin to friends and family.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

John R.

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

Beautiful property and great time

We had a blast. Cute clean cabin with everything you need. We did a lot of fun activities in the area but our kids kept wanting to go back to this cabin so we could fish, kayak, swim. Had no problems during our stay. Beds are so comfortable. Love the big walk in shower downstairs. We spent so much time just sitting in the chairs looking out at the beautiful lake.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Norbert T., Auburn Indiana

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

Relaxing get away

Just what we wanted. Relaxing get away cabin with the ability to fish right in front of the property. Very quiet at night. Perfect if you want to curl up with a book or if you want to kayak on the lake. We caught bass, perch and bluegill from our kayaks. Recommend bringing fishing gear if you like to fish.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jessa C.

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

Our stay at Whitetail Cottage

We really enjoyed our stay, and found it hard to leave. The place was clean and comfortable, and the views were incredible. We enjoyed the many amenities, such as having a beach 10 feet off the deck, the kayaks that were made available (which were put to good use), and a late evening fire in the fire pit. We were close to Traverse City, which allowed us to enjoy the many adventures we went on exploring the city, and the events. The only downfall would be the internet not cooperating with us, and the lower A/C unit. We were unable to adjust the temperature setting on the A/C, and some days got a little warm, but was manageable. Overall, we would definitely book this home again in the future for another summer get-away!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Alene S.

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

Peaceful Getaway

Stayed here for a few days with our teenage son and a friend. Jody greeted us upon arrival and let us know her she was available anytime. Home was just as described in the listing and photos. We had everything we needed in the kitchen for meals and for grilling on the deck. There was an extra mattress in the boys' room so they could each have some space for sleeping. A/C units upstairs and downstairs. Helped to keep the bedroom doors open at night since the A/C was set up in the hallway. Took full advantage of the kayaks and enjoyed the calmness of the lake living. Location close to Traverse City, Moomers Ice Cream and Sleeping Bear Dunes. Would definitely stay here again. Very enjoyable stay. Thanks, Jody!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Tami B., Ohio

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

Cute house on Bass Lake

This owner thought of everything. Every detail from the beginning to end. It started with music on to greet us. This is an older home that’s been nicely updated. Rustic details throughout. The kitchen is fully stocked. Comfortable living room with amazing water views through the double sliders. The newly updated shower might be my favorite. We loved our stay. We were very comfortable, and relaxed. We enjoyed being right on the water, and having a beach to play on. Beautiful in the morning and relaxing by the fire pit at night. We swam, fished and kayaked right in our backyard. My husband had to work some and what an amazing “office” to work from on the back porch! We loved staying on Bass Lake and can’t wait to return. If all you want is to pack a bag, and not worry about anything else, then this lake rental is perfect for you. We were central to several exertions. We enjoyed Sleeping Bear Dunes, Torch Lake and Traverse City. On our way home we drove down to Silver Lake Dunes and rented Jeep’s and drove on the Sand Dunes. Plenty to do to relax and be adventurous!! Loved our first trip to Michigan!!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Bill S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The view of the lake from the back porch AND from the couch in the living room are amazing. This is a fantastic property. The owners are wonderful and the trip couldn’t have gone better. This place is worth a visit!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025

6/10 Okay

Mandy H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in
Disliked: Communication, location, listing accuracy
The view was good.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Laura F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We enjoyed the lake view, the quiet, and fire on the beach at night. We enjoyed the stay immensely. The cottage was quaint, clean and cozy.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Krista W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Peaceful lake view! Really appreciated the little guide put together by the hosts, very thoughtful and helpful.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

L H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The location was convenient to many attractions, and the property and amenities were perfect.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Shari V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful weekend!!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Gary B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very clean cottage. Beautiful view.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kyle A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent little spot!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Donna P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Absolutely loved this property. It was above what we expected. It was lovely to be right on the lake for fishing in our small boat and walking around the woods. The house was very clean and comfortable and met all our needs. We will definitely love to come back again and stay there.
The view from the deck
The lake
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kelsey H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a great stay on the lake. Quiet, calm and clean. Look forward to staying again.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

About the host

Hosted by Katlyn Martin

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Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests