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The Family Vacation You're Looking for on Birch Lake

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The cottage from the lake side.
Plenty of space to put your toes in the sand...
Shallow, clear, kid-friendly water entry
Remodeled kitchen with full range, microwave, and dishwasher.
Family room

Reviews

9.6 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% based on
3 bedrooms1+ bathroomSleeps 674.3 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Outdoor space
  • Parking available

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

About this property

The Family Vacation You're Looking for on Birch Lake

Just 20 miles north of Traverse City, Birch Lake is the family friendly lake. Warm water, sandy shore, gently sloping shallows, great for families, fishing, boating, water skiing, swimming, playing and relaxing.

The water front cottage is on the south side of Birch Lake, just 3 miles north of Elk Rapids. Cottage has 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, cathedral ceiling, full kitchen, washer.dryer, outdoor deck with charcoal grill. It has cable TV, WIFI and CD player. Sheets & towels are provided.

Amenities include: a sandy beachfront location; gently sloping shallows area for children; dock, boat tie out, full kitchen, comfortable great room, deck, picnic table, charcoal grill, fire place, beach fire pit, close to Grand Traverse Bay and Elk Rapids. Pets welcome.

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Birch Lake Cottage, Elk Rapids, Waterfront Property near Traverse City
Kewadin
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor space
  • Parking available
  • Barbecue
9.4 out of 10, Exceptional, (13 reviews)
Birch Lake Cottage, Elk Rapids, Waterfront Property near Traverse City

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 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

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 2 total)
Pets welcome with $100 cleaning fee.
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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 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, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

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
  • Torch Lake - 6 min drive - 5.8 km
  • Torch Lake Park - 17 min drive - 22.4 km
  • Traverse City Beach - 28 min drive - 31.2 km
  • Front Street - 35 min drive - 36.3 km

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • ‪Oasis Tavern - ‬15 min walk
  • ‪The Dockside - ‬26 min drive
  • ‪Pearl's New Orleans Kitchen - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Alden Bar - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪Torch Lake Beer Company - ‬18 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 2 Apr 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Family Vacation You're Looking for on Birch Lake on 22 May 2026 start from AU$326, 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. Elk Rapids Golf Club is 2.7 mi (4.3 km) away.

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. 32 out of 38 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 38 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 38 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 38 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 38 reviews

9.0/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michele P.

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

10/10 Excellent

Kara D.

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

10/10 Excellent

Susan M.

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

10/10 Excellent

Jessica H.

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

10/10 Excellent

Pamela G.

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 Sept 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

10/10 Excellent

David W.

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

10/10 Excellent

Julie E.

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 Sept 2022
We're so happy that you enjoyed your stay at our humble cottage.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Robert H.

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

8/10 Good

Patricia F.

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 Apr 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

10/10 Excellent

Stacy B.

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

8/10 Good

Monalu P.

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 Sept 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.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Tiffany M.

Great family cottage

This is a wonderful place to stay if you have young children. The water is very clear and shallow for quite a bit. There is a small yard for play and great beach area for the kids to build sand castles on. My kids love it here they were in the water from sun up to sundown only leaving for meals and bathroom breaks! I would definitely recommend this particular cottage for anyone with young kids.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sarah S.

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

10/10 Excellent

Michele P.

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

10/10 Excellent

Laura F.

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

Red cottage review

The only complaint I have is the living room furniture was not comfortable. Once you sat down it was hard to get up because it was old and sunk down..
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Sept 2022
Thanks for your feedback, Laura. Some like big cozy couches you can sink into, and some like a firmer cushion. We are happy that you enjoyed the rest of your stay.
Verified

8/10 Good

Kathleen S.

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 Sept 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

10/10 Excellent

Orin L.

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

2/10 Terrible

Lynn f.

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 Oct 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

10/10 Excellent

Laurie K.

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 Sept 2021
I'm so glad you enjoyed your time at the Red Cottage. I'd be happy to host you any time.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nancy L.

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

10/10 Excellent

Kara D.

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

10/10 Excellent

Cindy W.

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

10/10 Excellent

Sally H.

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
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Brian J.

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

Very nice little house.

Spent the entire trip playing the water and sand with our 3 year old boys and visiting the numerous parks in the area.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mindy T.

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

Love the Little Red Cabin

Had a great time staying at the Little Red Cabin with my family. It has everything you need and great location! The lake is so clean and great sandy beach. We’d definitely like to stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2020

About the host

Hosted by Laurie Maddex

Host profile image
We are from the East Lansing area. This has been our family cottage for 60 years. As the 5 sons travel farther away, we want to let others enjoy the wonderful experiences we had growing up at this lake.

Why they chose this property

The warm lake and family access first drew our parents here. Over the years the lake has proven to be a wonderful place for creating family memories. The lake and area are beautiful, and invites you back year after year.

What makes this property unique

It was the safe, friendly, family atmosphere that drew us to Birch Lake. The clean, warm water and shallow sandy bottom makes the lake ideal for families and children. Evening campfires, beautiful sunsets, playing splash football and throwing a Frisbee in the shallows, learning to fish and water ski. These are just some of the memories you'll take home, as we did.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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