Lake Michigan & Crystal River Townhouse in Glen Arbor
Welcome to Wilderness 35 — Your Glen Arbor Waterfront Escape
Wake up to the gentle sounds of the Crystal River flowing right outside your patio door. This is northern Michigan at its finest. Nestled between the iconic shores of Lake Michigan, the charming village of Glen Arbor, the Crystal River, and the Homestead Resort, this three-story townhouse is fully equipped for a comfortable stay in every season.
The Space
Spread across three floors, this townhouse comfortably sleeps up to eight guests. The first floor features a queen bedroom and a full bath. The second floor offers a second queen bedroom, a den with a sofa sleeper, and a second full bath. The third floor has a sleeping loft with two twin bunk beds, accessed by a sturdy ship's ladder with an open overlook down to the second floor. A great space for older kids and teens. Please note: the loft is not suitable for young children or those uncomfortable with ladder access.
The living area is bright and open with beautiful river views. The kitchen is fully stocked with dishes, silverware, cookware, utensils, stove, dishwasher, microwave, full-size refrigerator, a Mr. Coffee, and a Keurig. A full-size washer and dryer are also available.
On the Water
Step out your patio door onto a peaceful patio overlooking the Crystal River, one of northern Michigan's most scenic waterways. Lake Michigan is just a short walk away. Watch the sun sink over Sleeping Bear Bay with the Manitou Islands and Sleeping Bear Point in the distance, or launch a kayak, swim in the lake, and explore the river. The Location
Glen Arbor's beloved shops and restaurants are just minutes away, as is the Homestead Resort next door. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, voted "Most Beautiful Place in America," is right at your doorstep. Nearby you'll also find canoe, kayak, boat, and bike rentals, putt putt golf, playgrounds to burn off energy or a summer picnic. The Tuesday summer Farmers Market is held next to Town Hall.
Summer brings the dunes, beaches, hiking and biking trails, and the Crystal River. Winter transforms the area into a Nordic paradise with downhill and cross-country skiing at the Homestead Resort, and snowshoeing and cross-country skiing throughout the National Lakeshore. Stop by the Visitor Center in Empire for trail maps and beach access information. Wineries, art galleries, and unique shops round out the experience year-round.
Good to Know:
Minimum 7-night stay from mid-June through Labor Day weekend, Saturday to Saturday.
Check-in after 4:00 PM Check-out before 10:00 AM. Quiet hours after 11:00 PM.
This is a privately owned townhouse, not resort owned. The Homestead's pools and tennis/pickleball courts are not available for guest use. Resort amenities open to the public include the beach, market, shops, ski hill, spa, salon, and restaurants.
No air conditioning, but ceiling fans, standing floor fans in every bedroom, and fresh air from the surrounding woods keep things comfortable. This property is not wheelchair accessible.
Wi-Fi is available but not guaranteed — no refunds for outages.
No Pets or smoking are allowed.
A permit is required for beach fires.
Local laws and/or the HOA requires, guests be at least 25 years of age to book. A parent or legal guardian must accompany guests under 25 for the duration of the reservation.
Large gatherings, parties, events or unregistered guests are NOT permitted. The maximum occupancy must be adhered to at all times.
Firearms must remain secured in vehicles.
Fireworks are illegal in Michigan and are not permitted on the property.
There isn't a grill.
What's Provided
Bed linens, bath towels, hand towels, washcloths, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toilet paper, paper towels, dish soap, hand soap, and trash bags are all provided as a starter supply.
What to Bring
Guests should bring any toiletries, personal hygiene products, beach towels, cooler for the beach, and any extra supplies you feel is needed.
Keywords: Condominium, Condo, Lake Michigan, Lake Front, Beach, Beach Front, Homestead, Glen Arbor, Crystal River, M22
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The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Return the keys
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Important information
You need to know
Property # 4642532
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 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
About the area
Glen Arbor
Located in Glen Arbor, this holiday home is on the waterfront. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Lake Michigan. Enjoy the area's slopes with snowboarding and skiing, and don't miss out on the sledging.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - 1 min drive - 0.4 km
Glen Lake - 3 min drive - 4.0 km
Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum - 9 min drive - 7.6 km
Traverse City Beach - 44 min drive - 64.4 km
Getting around
Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital) - 46 min drive
Restaurants
Art's Tavern - 3 min drive
Cherry Republic - 3 min drive
La Becasse - 12 min drive
Glen Arbor Wines - 3 min drive
The Mill - 13 min walk
Frequently asked questions
Is Lake Michigan & Crystal River Townhouse in Glen Arbor pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Lake Michigan & Crystal River Townhouse in Glen Arbor?
As of 14 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Lake Michigan & Crystal River Townhouse in Glen Arbor on 15 May 2026 start from AU$596, 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 Lake Michigan & Crystal River Townhouse in Glen Arbor?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Lake Michigan & Crystal River Townhouse in Glen Arbor?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Lake Michigan & Crystal River Townhouse in Glen Arbor?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Lake Michigan & Crystal River Townhouse in Glen Arbor located?
Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is within a 5-minute walk of Crystal River and Lake Michigan. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is 0.6 mi (0.9 km) away.
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
We had a great stay at this condo - it’s very nicely updated, very spacious and in a great location! We liked being on the river and the very quiet setting, with just a short walk to the beach and an easy bike ride into town. This is a great spot at the Homestead!
This was an immaculately clean condo in a beautiful setting, close to town, and with access to trails and the Crystal River. There was also the ability to walk to the beach and swim and take in views of Lake Michigan. The host was very communicative and easy to work with. We would stay there again.
Lisa M.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Oct 2025
Thank you so much Lisa!
It was a please to have you.
Hope to see you again!
Shawn
The condo is very well located to allow you to experience all that the Sleeping Bear Dunes area has to offer. The condo is ideal for 4 adults (2 couples ) or a family with children.
Property manager was great to deal with and made the rental process a very smooth one.
We enjoyed our stay at Wilderness 35! It’s location is great, right next to the Crystal River. We caught lots of fish and also enjoyed the beach. It is conveniently located near Glen Arbor, so it’s easy access to restaurants and the grocery store. Would definitely come back!
We love Glen Arbor and were excited to show it to our friends and family in the winter! The condo offered a great location and peaceful location in the woods along the Crystal. Clean and comfortable, sleeping situation worked out well for two families.
We have stayed at The Homestead almost every year for the past 35 years and in many different units. This is one of the best. The owners have spared no expense in providing renters with high quality linens, mattresses, appliances and other furnishings. The remodel was beautifully done. We truly enjoyed our stay.
The property was newly renovated and had great furnishings. It was very clean and we enjoyed our stay there very much. The accessibility to the loft containing the 2 sets of bunk beds was challenging though and in addition, the wall opening on one side was a safety concern for younger children. For older children it was fine. I would definitely recommend this property and would love to stay there again. The access to the Crystal River is perfect and we enjoyed tubing it.
On the map it looked much closer to downtown Glen Arbor- I thought we could walk to it. It is a 10 minute drive by the time you wind out of the complex to the road. However, there are paths to Lake Michigan right from the entrance and that is fabulous!
Wonderful quiet location close to all of Northern Michigan’s splendor
The condo was very clean and comfortable! There was adequate linens for all and the washer and dryer was a life saver for lots of swimming and outdoor play with little children. The loft ladder room was used by a four year old with supervision. The beds were comfortable and the updated bathrooms were very nice and clean. The kitchen was well stocked for making many of our meals. Right off the back porch we put our kayaks in the crystal river and made our way out to Lake Michigan with a few trees to duck under. There was also a walking trail, also off the back deck, along the river that hooked up with other trails throughout the Homestead resort.
We rented this condo for a long New Year's weekend for me, my husband and our 4 adult children. It's in a great private location, newly remodeled and very clean. We could see the river out back and it was a short walk to the beautiful beach/lake (even in the winter, it was beautiful). The property manager was awesome to deal with and gave us a lot of good places to eat/visit in Glen Arbor and Traverse City (about 40 min away). Note that the bunk beds are on a 3rd floor loft and the only way to access them is to climb a ladder. It worked for my son but not us older folks. :-) Make sure you get accurate directions - it is a little confusing to find. Overall, it worked well for us and would be a great place to stay in the summer too!
The property had very nice furnishings and was in a great setting. Also, very clean. We would go back and stay in the same unit in a heartbeat. I guess the only thing I would say is they need to replace or maybe clean the coffee maker...it runs very slowly
We stayed here for my daughter’s wedding at The Homestead. Beautifully remodeled and very clean. We enjoyed the river out back and seen several nice size salmon. The guys were bummed they didn’t bring fishing gear. Thank you for sharing your wonderful home.
Condo was very nice, everything that we expected. We did have difficulty with internet and cable, which was resolved after significant effort. Would highly recommend to other potential renters.
Michael M.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021
About the host
Hosted by Shawn Bamberg
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests