Relaxing Sandy Beach Retreat on Lake Superior
House in Big Bay, MI
9 guests · 4 bedrooms · 2 baths
Reasons to book
Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
Free cancellationFull refund if you change your mind
Includes essentialsGarden, Kitchen or Kitchenette, Internet / Wifi and more
About this house rental
The most difficult decision you might have to make during your stay is where to sit and drink your morning coffee. No matter where you settle, there’s plenty to take in as this spacious log cabin house sits on the small peninsula looking out on Lake Superior and Big Bay Harbor. The lakeshore frontage has a private sandy beach just steps from your back door with a magnificent view of Lake Superior, while the sights of the marina can be enjoyed from the front yard.
You might contemplate breakfast in Marquette, only 40 minutes away, a university town with plenty of attractions, food and pubs. We recommend checking out Donckers. How many places do you know of that are a Chocolatier downstairs and a breakfast nook upstairs?!
Mapping out the rest of your day might involve grabbing some essentials to make a sack lunch at Cram’s, just down the road in Big Bay, to afford you the flexibility to be a little adventuresome. Perhaps some hiking is in order. Thomas Rock scenic overlook and the Sugar Loaf Mountain Observation Decks are two splendid destinations for such, both within 30 minutes of the cabin. Alternatively, the water might call to you, and a kayak trip around the Pictured Rocks or some fishing is what you desire.
It’s true that dinner and evening plans create another set of decisions, but there are plenty of excellent choices: fix a meal in the spacious, well-supplied kitchen and play games in the rec room, or throw some firewood into the firepit and enjoy the evening outdoors with the sound of the waves accompanying your conversations? Feel like eating out? It’s less than five minutes to Thunder Bay Inn, where Anatomy of a Murder was filmed, for great meals and drinks. Or if you feel like connecting to the rest of the world, how about spending the evening enjoying satellite TV or fiber optic internet access with the view of the lake in the background?
When it’s time for retiring, you’ll find plenty of accommodations – will it be a comfortable bed for two in one of the downstairs bedrooms, or bunk beds in the loft that can sleep three, or the sofa in the grand room with the pull-out bed? Whatever you decide, you’ll wake rested and ready for another day of ‘what to do’.
We are certain you will love the experience, but be careful, or you might find yourself in our shoes and falling in love with the UP!
You might contemplate breakfast in Marquette, only 40 minutes away, a university town with plenty of attractions, food and pubs. We recommend checking out Donckers. How many places do you know of that are a Chocolatier downstairs and a breakfast nook upstairs?!
Mapping out the rest of your day might involve grabbing some essentials to make a sack lunch at Cram’s, just down the road in Big Bay, to afford you the flexibility to be a little adventuresome. Perhaps some hiking is in order. Thomas Rock scenic overlook and the Sugar Loaf Mountain Observation Decks are two splendid destinations for such, both within 30 minutes of the cabin. Alternatively, the water might call to you, and a kayak trip around the Pictured Rocks or some fishing is what you desire.
It’s true that dinner and evening plans create another set of decisions, but there are plenty of excellent choices: fix a meal in the spacious, well-supplied kitchen and play games in the rec room, or throw some firewood into the firepit and enjoy the evening outdoors with the sound of the waves accompanying your conversations? Feel like eating out? It’s less than five minutes to Thunder Bay Inn, where Anatomy of a Murder was filmed, for great meals and drinks. Or if you feel like connecting to the rest of the world, how about spending the evening enjoying satellite TV or fiber optic internet access with the view of the lake in the background?
When it’s time for retiring, you’ll find plenty of accommodations – will it be a comfortable bed for two in one of the downstairs bedrooms, or bunk beds in the loft that can sleep three, or the sofa in the grand room with the pull-out bed? Whatever you decide, you’ll wake rested and ready for another day of ‘what to do’.
We are certain you will love the experience, but be careful, or you might find yourself in our shoes and falling in love with the UP!
Amenities
Kitchen or Kitchenette
Internet / Wifi
Parking
Laundry
Balcony or Patio
Dishwasher
TV
Garden
Family friendly
Map of Big Bay, MI
$$$$
Reviews
5.0
This is pir second time staying and it's never long enough. I feel like Anne is a dear friend. The cabin is so cozy and perfect for our family. We love the space and the location. We look forward to many more years of staying
5.0
You wont find more responsive or welcoming hosts. What a breathtaking cabin and views of the lake. Had the most wonderful stay.
5.0
Third stay at property and always a delight to work with Anne. The views of sunrises and sunsets are amazing. The property is equipped with anything you need for cooking and lots of special touches we have not seen or gotten in other rentals properties.
We look forward to next time.
5.0
The house was perfect for a family gathering.
Right on Lake Superior with a beautiful beach.
It had everything you needed to enjoy your stay.
We had a great time.
5.0
This stay was fabulous!!!! The house was the most fully stocked house I have been to. It was beautiful inside and out!! I could not ask for more!!
5.0
We couldn’t have picked a better week to come to the U.P. for color and this house was perfect for our stay. The home was stocked with everything that we needed and you could tell that these owners really cared about us as guests. The view was amazing and we took full advantage of the beautiful beach, evening fires and stargazing, and even took a dip in Lake Superior. The neighbors were very friendly and the neighborhood is very quiet and peaceful. Thank you for an amazing week with many memories made!
5.0
Last year's stay was so good we came back in 2023!
We can't say enough good things about the Mills and their wonderful home. We don't think that you will find a better location or a more comfortable and well-equipped home in Big Bay (or the Marquette area, for that matter) than this one.
The home makes a great base for exploring Big Big, Marquette, and other great areas of the UP. It also is a great spot to stay and enjoy Lake Superior - inside or outside - with a wonderful deck and sandy beach.
Most certainly, you will not find more kind, professional and friendly hosts than Anne & Joe Mills. They strive to make your stay hassle-free and do everything that they can to make their guests feel at home.
Thank you, Anne & Joe, for sharing your home with us (again). We hope to visit again some day soon!
5.0
Wonderful cabin that is fully stocked with everything you might need. Would be a great house for Family with Kids. The beach is nice, no rocks or vegetation in the water. The water is only about 3ft in depth for about 50yrds. Great outdoor play area with the beach and the shallow water.
Marquette was an easy drive for food. There are some restaurants near the cabin but if you want something a little less local dive bar, then I’d head into Marquette
5.0
We enjoyed our stay here! The house had all the things we needed, including some baby items. We enjoyed all the outside toys, kayaks, chairs, and fire pit. The host was very responsive to inquiries we had. While this place is definitely way out there on location, shopping and anything we needed was only 30 minutes away. The kitchen was well stocked with everything we needed. Great hikes of all levels are very close with some great views. Check in was easy and check out was even easier. A fantastic stay!
5.0
The location is perfect right on Lake superior. Nice sandy beach, easy to use fire pit. The house is very good but the best part was how well stocked it was from a well equipped kitchen, to bath towels, to kayaks to great grill utensils to good marshmallow skewers. The views were spectacular, it’s private, and the access to Lake superior is just incredible.
5.0
Host is very prompt in responding to questions. We enjoyed the beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Located in a peaceful quiet area. Many thoughtful touches provided, games for the entire family, a high chair for little ones. We can’t wait to return.
5.0
Thank you Joe and Anne for hosting our family for our 2023 MI vacation! We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Michigan has always been one of our favorite vacation spots, but this was our first trip to Big Bay. Your house is beautiful and I still can't get over that view. The sunrises on Lake Superior were amazing!!! Thank you for the recommendations of places to visit while we were there! The Thomas Rock Scenic Overlook was beautiful as was the view from the top of Sugarloaf Mountain. We also enjoyed the Black Rocks at Lil Presque Isle. While on your property we had a daily visit from a chipmonk, a one time visit from a least weasel, a one time visit from an eagle, multiple visits from 2 duck families, and saw a couple deer just down the road. The kiddos enjoyed swimming, kayaking, building sand castles, and drawing in the sand on the beach. They also enjoyed the games in the game room. We were lucky enough to even do a campfire on the beach one night. Lots of memories were made!!! My youngest didn't want to leave and has since asked if we could go back to vacation! Thank you!!! You truly thought of anything and everything that could have made our trip easier and more special. We felt right at home!!!
5.0
This home away from home is everything in the listing and more. There are a lot of great hiking trails where you’ll have great views!!
Thank you for sharing your beautiful home.
5.0
This was the perfect spot for a Bachelor party for a group that liked the beach and fishing. We spend most of our time on the beach and at the fire. While here we did two fishing charters and the kitchen (and grill) had everything we needed to cook up out catch! The owner was very responsive and the listing was spot on... I hope to come back!
5.0
This is the second time we stayed in this rental and it’s beginning to feel like home away from home. From ease of booking to overall communication with owner things could not have gone better. We celebrated our 40th Anniversary here and not only was there plenty of room & activities for all ages, but this places dresses up amazingly! Love it & will definitely be back!
2.5
This was our family's 2nd trip to Big Bay, but our first time in the Mills' home.
The house was well equipped and very comfortable for a great vacation. You will not find a better host than Anne to work with in planning a stay. She is the best!
We watched the Northern Lights, the surrounding wildlife (eagles, chipmunks, deer and squirrels), and experienced the many moods of the greatest of the Great Lakes - Lake Superior. When we did manage to pull ourselves away from "home", we enjoyed shopping/dining in Marquette and exploring nearby nature areas and trails.
Anne & Joe - thank you so much for your kindness and for sharing your home with us. We made many great memories and hope to visit again some day soon!
5.0
Another beautiful stay in Big Bay. Great weather, great hikes, great wildlife viewing, great beach, beautiful cottage and most important of all great hosts. Thank you, Anne and Joe for another special stay.
5.0
This was our second year coming to the Mills cabin and we had another amazing stay. It has everything you need right there and the beach area is private, relaxing, clean, and so safe with having littles. It is the perfect place to go to getaway as a family and lots to do right at the cabin.
5.0
We had a great stay in Big Bay. The owners were so easy to communicate with and made sure our stay was very comfortable. The beach was awesome for the children, and we enjoyed the nearby hikes and biking each day. Thank you for the memories!
5.0
Perfect Spot, Perfect House
We knew it was a good sign when the first day we were in Big Bay, a bald eagle swooped in and landed atop a pine tree on the beach on the property. The sight kicked off a nine day vacation that couldn't have been more perfect. The house is lovely, located on a secluded, beautiful beach with incredible views, and fully appointed, perfectly comfortable for our three-generation group (my son, wife, and in-laws). Anne was wonderful to work with as well: responsive as could be and eager to make our stay as comfortable as possible. We also found the area a lot of fun. Great walks and runs out the front door, hiking a moderate drive away, and Marquette only a little bit further, a place we had not before visited, but a great diversion on our rare rainy day. All in all, we couldn't have asked for more.
5.0
Wonderful property and hosts!!
Our family agreed that this was one of the best properties that we ever stayed at! There was everything in the house that we could possibly need with an amazing view to top it off. The hosts are amazing to work with and always quick to respond. Would love to make a return trip!
5.0
Wonderful views & peaceful
Beachfront property provided great views of water and eagles. Many games provided for whole family for indoor and outdoor fun. House was equipped with many nice things throughout. Host provided with fully stocked kitchen (ie griddle, electric fryer, waffle maker, blender) and other nice pluses include: lighters, flashlights, pudgy pie makers and roasting sticks for campfire area too). Host is wonderful to work with and responded promptly to questions.
5.0
Secluded, kid friendly, and beautiful views
We loved our stay. The house was very kid friendly with lots of games and activities. The host have gone to a lot of effort to ensure the guests have an excellent time at their house. Definitely recommend and would go back.
5.0
Cozy cabin in glorious setting
Everything you need for a roomy 2 bedroom cabin plus a sleeping loft on Lake Superior. Peaceful setting with a spectacular view and all the amenities to make our stay enjoyable.
5.0
Wonderful, relaxing getaway in the U.P.
Our family of five spent an amazing extended weekend at this gorgeous property. The home was very clean and well stocked with necessities for our stay. Everyone agreed the beds were very comfortable. Large kitchen with ample seating. We could not get enough of the beach - it was so peaceful! Thunder Bay Inn had great food and atmosphere. Independence Trading Company is a great shop right in Big Bay with fun items and candy. Cram’s is close by for necessities and REALLY good ice cream. Downtown Marquette is quaint and has great shopping and food. During our stay, we saw eagles, chipmunks, geese, deer, turkey, red squirrels, hummingbirds and blue jays on or near the property. We even heard a moose calling one day on a hike! There are so many great hiking trails in the area. The owners are fabulous to work with and clearly care greatly about their beautiful home and the guests they welcome! Highly recommend this wonderful U.P. home!
5.0
Beautiful home, Great host.
The host, Anne, did a great job of communicating with us to make sure everything went well and met our expectations. The home was beautiful and well-furnished with nice touches like large, thick towels, substantial dishes and tableware, a selection of games, etc.
The setting was wonderful and we especially enjoyed sitting outside at night, listening to the gentle waves on the beach and gazing up at the spectacular night sky.
Wish we could have stayed longer - would love to return some day. Would absolutely recommend to others!!
5.0
Quintessential U.P.
If you are looking for peace and quiet, for a chance to get away from life to simply enjoy living, look no further. This amazing home has nothing to hide and makes no promises it can’t keep. It was, quite literally, the perfect place to call home for a week. But beyond the property and beautiful location, it’s managed by some amazing people who clearly care and want you to enjoy your stay. Thank you again, Anne! It was a wonderful week.
5.0
Beautiful….Serene….Spacious Cabin Home
WOW! This is so Cool! These were the words my family shouted upon entering the Cabin. Just to mention a few of our favs…grilling out and enjoying breakfast out on the deck, roasting marshmallows over the fire pit, listening to the calming waves, taking adventurous hikes, boating (btw marina is only three min away) beautiful double rainbows and beautiful sunsets. Our hostess was informative and caring, making our vacation stay a very pleasurable one. My family and I would like to thank Anne for making us feel so welcome into her home.
5.0
Amazing stay at Big Bay
Beautiful, spacious, clean, well-maintained property on large sugar sand beach. Many amenities! Lake Superior is shallower and warmer here, ideal for swimming and kayaking. The owners were responsive and helpful. Beds were comfortable and kitchen well stocked. Many beautiful waterfall hikes are nearby, make sure to bring hiking poles if you are of a certain age. Loads of books provide information about the area and the U.P. It was a great vacation and we can't wait to return. Anne and Joe were accommodating, gracious hosts.
5.0
Family Vacation
Anne was amazing to work with and her property is absolutely beautiful! We have kids ages 4, 7, and 9 that enjoyed the beach very every day. The weather was perfect, the cabin had everything we needed and more, and there was plenty to do. We enjoyed the Pictured Rocks Cruise one day but spent most every other day of the week just hanging out at the cabin. Our first trip to the UP and definitely won’t be the last!
5.0
Amazing experience
My college friends and I stayed here for a week and we had an amazing experience. The house is perfect with so many things you can do, the beach is amazing and great for swimming, and the property manager is very kind and accommodating. We will definitely be back if we can.
5.0
Fresh Coast Relaxation
My family and I had an awesome week that we didn’t want to end. Anne’s cabin has everything you need and more. We loved using the kayaks and yard games. Of course Lake Superior is the star here. Always in sight and really an immersive experience.
5.0
Great getaway
This cabin is a great getaway from anywhere. Great beach, neighbors are friendly, and the view is second to none.
5.0
Family Fun Getaway
Our family, adult children and grandkids all had a great time. The house was in excellent condition, clean, well maintained and had everything we needed and more to keep all of us entertained for our 9 day stay. The hosts were very responsive. We would highly recommend this property.
2.5
Big Bay is best kept Michigan secret. This home had everything you need to entertain. Five star luxury log cabin with cliffs. Activity included:Private cliff hiking along Lake Superior. Hidden amazing waterfalls. Huron Mountains in the back ground. Amazing sunsets. Charter fishing boats that will take you to the Huron Islands. The locals are incredibly kind.
5.0
Best kept Michigan secret
Big Bay is best kept Michigan secret.
This home had everything you need to entertain.
Five star luxury log cabin with cliffs. Activity included:
Private cliff hiking along Lake Superior.
Hidden amazing waterfalls.
Huron Mountains in the back ground.
Amazing sunsets.
Charter fishing boats that will take you to the Huron Islands.
The locals are incredibly kind.
FAQs
How much does this house cost compared to others in Big Bay?
The average price for a rental in Big Bay is $324 per night. This rental is $182 above the average.
Is parking included with this house?
Yes, parking is listed as an amenity at Relaxing Sandy Beach Retreat on Lake Superior. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.
Is there a pool at this house?
We didn’t find pool listed as an amenity for this house. It may be worth double checking if a pool is important for your stay.
Is Relaxing Sandy Beach Retreat on Lake Superior pet friendly?
Unfortunately, this house is not pet-friendly. Try searching again and filter for "Pets Allowed"
What amenities are available at Relaxing Sandy Beach Retreat on Lake Superior?
We found 9 amenities for this rental. This includes kitchen or kitchenette, internet / wifi, parking, laundry, and balcony or patio.
Explore similar vacation rentals in Big Bay
Explore all rentals in Big BayBig Bay travel inspiration
Read our blogGuides
Top Things to Do in Gulf Shores, Alabama: Adventure and Fun Await
Local Culture
Exploring Miami’s Wynwood District: Street Art, Food, and More
Guides
Fun Things to Do in Ocean City, Maryland
Local Culture
A Foodie’s Guide to the Best Dining in Orlando, Florida
Guides
Top Things to Do in Oahu and Honolulu
Guides
Top Things to Do in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Guides
Top Things to Do in Miami: From Beaches to Culture
Guides
The Best Things to Do in Orlando: Attractions, Food, and Family Fun