See all properties
Entire home

Smith Lake Fishing & Family Retreat - Private Dock, Calm Cove, Fire Pit, & Kayak

Lakefront cottage with kitchen and balcony

Photo gallery for Smith Lake Fishing & Family Retreat - Private Dock, Calm Cove, Fire Pit, & Kayak

Nestled in the back of the cove to offer a peaceful nature setting.
Sit back and relax with family and friends.
Exterior
Living room with a working wood fireplace
Smart TV's in every space

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 11139.4 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

View map
Crane Hill, AL
  • Place, Lewis Smith Lake
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Smith Lake Park
    ‪27 min drive‬
  • Place, Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament
    ‪60 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 11)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed and 1 Single Bed

Bedroom 3

1 King Bed

Bedroom 4

2 Double Beds

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden

About this property

Smith Lake Fishing & Family Retreat - Private Dock, Calm Cove, Fire Pit, & Kayak

Tucked away at the end of a quiet, private cove on beautiful Smith Lake, this charming vintage cottage offers the perfect blend of peace, nature, and classic lake-life charm. Whether you’re planning a family getaway, a fishing trip, or a relaxing weekend with friends, this is a place to truly unplug and unwind.

The cottage features 4 cozy bedrooms with plenty of space for everyone to spread out comfortably (2 king beds, 3 full beds, and 1 twin). Warm, inviting spaces and lake views create a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere that feels like home the moment you arrive.

Just 14 steps from the back door, you’ll find your private dock, ideal for fishing, swimming, or launching a kayak. Smith Lake is known for its excellent fishing, and the calm waters of the cove make it especially peaceful and family-friendly. We provide 4 kayaks (2 adult and 2 child-sized) so guests of all ages can explore the lake at their own pace. Bringing a boat? You’re welcome to bring your own or rent one nearby—there’s an easy marina launch and room to dock right at the cottage.

After a day on the water, gather around the lakeside fire pit and enjoy quiet evenings under the stars, listening to the gentle sounds of the lake. It’s the kind of setting that invites slow mornings, long conversations, and memories you’ll want to come back to.

Good to know: Like many Smith Lake properties, the cottage is accessed by a .2-mile inclined driveway. It’s a bit of a trek—but the privacy, peaceful setting, and lakefront experience make it well worth it.

If you’re looking for a tranquil Smith Lake escape with great fishing, calm waters, and true cottage charm, this is the place!

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Similar properties

Welcome to the Cottage in the Cove!!
Cottage in the Cove - Privacy / View / Screened Porch / Outdoor Cooking / Dock
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (122 reviews)
Cottage in the Cove - Privacy / View / Screened Porch / Outdoor Cooking / Dock

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
default

Events

No events allowed
default

Pets

No pets allowed
default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights
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

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts

About the area

Crane Hill

Located in Crane Hill, this cottage is on the waterfront. Lewis Smith Lake and Dowling Memorial Park reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include WildWater Cullman and Funzone. Looking to get your feet wet? Kayaking, water tubing and power boating adventures can be found near the property.
View more Cottages in Crane HillOpens in a new window
Map
Crane Hill, AL

What's nearby

  • Lewis Smith Lake - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Smith Lake Park - 27 min drive - 21.5 km
  • Stone Bridge Farms - 46 min drive - 41.7 km
  • Wallace State Community College - 47 min drive - 46.8 km
  • Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament - 60 min drive - 61.4 km

Getting around

  • Birmingham International Airport (BHM) - 76 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Drifters On The Lake - ‬25 min drive
  • ‪Whitlock's Cafe - ‬24 min drive
  • ‪The Grille At Trident Marina - ‬25 min drive
  • ‪Kat Daddy's - ‬32 min drive
  • ‪Tubbs' Redneck Yatch Club - ‬39 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Smith Lake Fishing & Family Retreat - Private Dock, Calm Cove, Fire Pit, & Kayak pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Smith Lake Fishing & Family Retreat - Private Dock, Calm Cove, Fire Pit, & Kayak?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Smith Lake Fishing & Family Retreat - Private Dock, Calm Cove, Fire Pit, & Kayak?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Smith Lake Fishing & Family Retreat - Private Dock, Calm Cove, Fire Pit, & Kayak?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Smith Lake Fishing & Family Retreat - Private Dock, Calm Cove, Fire Pit, & Kayak located?

Situated on the waterfront, this cottage is 0.1 mi (0.1 km) from Lewis Smith Lake and within 12 miles (20 km) of Dowling Memorial Park and Speegle's Marina. Smith Lake Park and Clarkson Covered Bridge are also within 16 miles (25 km).

Reviews

10

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. 16 out of 17 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 17 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 17 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 17 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 17 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Allison W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Host was very responsive! Great place with ample space.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

David E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very pleasant stay. My wife and I celebrated my 66 birthday here and truly enjoyed every moment. Wonderful property. Great host.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Denise B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great time with friends!!!!!!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Robert C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great house, beautiful location. Serene, secluded, and relaxing environment. The kayaks were great, and we caught fish from the pier. Overall 5 start experience and we'd absolutely stay here again.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Blake H.

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

Great place to stay

Nice and quiet place to stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

omar m.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great little lakehouse tucked into the woods. It was Thanksgiving, and the kitchen had everything to make dinner. The Christmas decorations were a wonderful surprise. And thank you for the welcoming gift basket and mug! My wife was born and raised in Cullman, so it was a great experience for her to be back at the Lake. Our 5 year old daughter loved the bedroom upstairs. We loved the bedroom with the little balcony. We kayaked, made a fire, played games, and made lots of family memories.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nadine K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Quit spot with all the amenities for a summer family vacation. Great host
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Gina V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Without a doubt, the Lake view is beautiful. The home was very clean and accommodating. The walk down to the lake was a struggle because we are old, but we made it twice and were able to swim.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lauren B.

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

Excellent vacation

Morgan went above and beyond in communication and accommodating our group. So thankful for this beautiful spot on Smith Lake and a wonderful stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jayci P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Truly amazing!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

BOBBIE B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice Home with a beautiful view of water!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Karen V.

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

Great Lake house

The house was nice and clean, the beds very comfy and the kitchen had all the basic needs for feeding the gang. If the weather would have given us a little more sunshine and a little less rain, the stay there would have been perfect!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

8/10 Good

Jackie S.

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

Nice area not so great tv streaming

Good
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Catherine S.

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

Amazing Hideaway

Our group of 5 visited Cullman, Al for the Strawberry Festival and stayed on Smith Lake. Our group ranged from 12 to 70. The four bedrooms easily gave everyone their own space to enjoy. We did not feel cramped in the living areas - Living Room was nice with abundant space. The lake, the view, and the deck were so relaxing. The owners were easy to communicate with and answered all questions. I asked for recommendations on food and experiences and they provided those. We tried all the restaurants they recommended and the food was amazing. We are trying to come back for Rock the South in June and if we do we plan on staying at this location again. Very clean home. I loved the bed - slept so well in it. The only thing that I was not expecting was the driveway - it is narrow and slopes down to the house and the lake- this is probably my fault as we did not get into town until after 10pm and doing the driveway for the first time in the dark was scary but the location to the lake and the home made it worth it. It gets very dark in the woods at night and I thought for sure our GPS was wrong. Would recommend arriving in the daytime for your first trip. Again, lovely house with lots of space for us to hang out or have privacy.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Samantha H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Daniel L.

Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jessica A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

About the host

Hosted by Morgan Kenney

Host profile image
We’re originally from the Midwest and moved south about 15 years ago, where we’ve loved raising our family and embracing the slower, more meaningful pace of Southern life. Family time and shared experiences mean everything to us, and some of our favorite memories have been made on trips just like this one.

We purchased this cottage with the hope that it would be a place where other families and friends could unplug, spend time together, and create memories of their own—whether that’s fishing off the dock, paddling the cove, or enjoying quiet evenings by the fire. Hosting allows us to share a place that’s brought us so much joy, and we love knowing it can be part of your story, too.

Why they chose this property

We fell in love with Smith Lake the moment we found it. Having grown up around lakes in the North, we missed that lifestyle after moving south—and Smith Lake felt like coming home. It truly is a little slice of heaven.

Beyond the beauty of the lake itself, the community here is incredibly welcoming. Neighbors look out for one another, the pace is peaceful, and the quiet coves make it easy to relax and reconnect with nature. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to slow down, stay awhile, and come back year after year.

What makes this property unique

Our cottage is tucked away off the main path in its own secluded cove, offering a rare combination of lakefront living and total tranquility. You get all the fun of being on the lake—swimming, fishing, boating—without the noise or traffic of busy waters.

The calm cove provides a sense of privacy that’s hard to find, making it easy to truly relax and enjoy nature all around you. Whether you’re casting a line from the dock, floating in the water, or watching the lake wake up in the morning, it feels peaceful, personal, and completely removed from the rush of everyday life.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
Tell us how we can improve our siteShare feedback