Douglas Lake House: Cozy, Relaxing Home - Open 2025

DOUGLAS LAKE HOUSE
SLEEPS: 8
BEDROOMS: 2
BATHROOMS: 2
*LAKEFRONT (Douglas Lake)
*SWIMMING ON PROPERTY
*SEASONAL PRIVATE DOCK (Spring - end of September)
*23min. from MACKINAC BRIDGE
*Skiing nearby! Only 30 minutes from Nub's Knob and Boyne Highlands
*Property does have surveillance cameras

Looking to relax on a quiet peaceful lake, bird watch, kayak with family and friends, and tell stories around the campfire? Then, Douglas Lake House is the perfect vacation rental for you. Sleeping 8, this ranch house is nestled just 23 minutes from the Mackinac Bridge. Come swim off the dock, cook on the propane grill, and gaze at the night stars (beautiful sight). We are near many popular winter destinations as well, offering a variety of cold-weather activities:

*Snowmobiling: The North Central State Trail runs from Mackinaw City to Gaylord and offers beautiful winter scenery, perfect for a thrilling ride through the snow-covered wilderness.
*Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing:
Wilderness State Park: Just a short drive from Levering, Wilderness State Park offers 26 miles of trails perfect for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. The park's peaceful and scenic winter environment is ideal for a serene adventure.
Petoskey State Park: Another great spot nearby for skiing or snowshoeing, with trails providing lovely views of Lake Michigan.
Headlands International Dark Sky Park: Offers a serene, snow-filled landscape where visitors can snowshoe or hike along the designated trails.
*Downhill Skiing & Snowboarding:
Nub's Nob Ski Resort (Harbor Springs): Offers a variety of terrain for skiers and snowboarders, with runs for all skill levels. They also have cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails.
Boyne Highlands (Harbor Springs): Another popular ski destination, offering not only skiing and snowboarding but also tubing and ziplining.
*Winter Festivals and Events:
Mackinaw City Winter Fest: If you're visiting in January, this festival includes ice sculpting, chili cook-offs, and a variety of other fun winter activities.
Petoskey Winter Carnival: In nearby Petoskey, this event usually happens in February, featuring activities such as ice skating, sledding, ice sculptures, and more.
Sledding and Tubing:
Boyne Highlands: offers a fun tubing park for a family-friendly winter thrill.
Cheboygan State Park: Not far from Levering, this park has some hills suitable for sledding in addition to winter hiking or snowshoeing.




FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Air Conditioning: There is not central air here, but there are ceiling fans in each bedroom and 2 in family room areas plus a window A/C unit in master bedroom and living room area. You will also find 1 or 2 oscillating fans to use as well.


ATV's: Yes, bring them along! Please refrain from driving on the lawn. There is room to park 1 truck/trailer combo sideways. The lawn across the street is also available for guests to park (near pole barn).

Animals: Eagles, loons, ducks, deer, turtles, squirrels, bear are present.

Bathrooms:

Bathroom #1: Shower, toilet, sink, and laundry room

Bathroom #2: Shower, sink, toilet

Beach/Swimming: Swimming should be done off the dock. The lake is a sandy bottom lake but boulders line the edge, therefore, swimming off the dock is the best option. At end of the dock, the water is typically less than 3 feet. About 150ft. out is waist-high. Please rinse off with the Fels-Naptha soap after swimming to avoid any irritation or swimmers itch. Soap is provided.


Bedroom Configurations:
Bedroom #1: main floor Queen bed

Bedroom #2: 1 King bed and 2 sets of bunk beds

Boats: 4 adult single-kayaks and 2 kid kayaks are available for guests to use from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Life jackets are present and encouraged when boating.


Bugs: Typical Michigan bugs. May-flies are present a few days in June.


Cell phone service: Verizon service is wonderful. T-Mobile works well too.

Camera: For security of the property when vacant, there is one camera on the roadside(ring doorbell)

Distances:
* Pictured Rocks: 2 hour and 35 minutes (144 miles)
* Marquette: 3 hours 8 min (183 miles)
* Traverse City: 1 hour and 52 min (90 miles)
* Petoskey: 32 minutes (24 miles)
* Tunnel of Trees: 30 min (25 miles)
* Kitch-iti-kipi: 2 hours 7 min. (107 miles)
* Detroit: 4 hours 3 min (287 miles)
* Tahquamenon Falls State Park: 1 hour 47 min (100 miles)
* Mackinac Bridge: 26 minutes (21 miles)

Dock: Seasonal Private dock: 24 ft. long, 12 feet wide at end (L-shape). If you choose to bring your own boat, there is a public launch on the lake. You can tie off to the dock or deeper in the water. Dock is removed at the end of September.

Drinking Water: This property has well water. Some guests may choose to bring bottled water of their own.

Drugs/Smoking/Fireworks: Freshwater does not permit illegal drugs of any kind on the property, including marijuana. Due to the location of the properties, smoking is strongly discouraged around the home and strictly prohibited in the home. Fireworks are prohibited at a Freshwater location for the safety of all persons in and around the property, even if it is legal in that city.

Fireplace: There is no fireplace at this property

Fire-pit: Yes! Wood not provided.

Fishing: Some common fish you will see in the nearby lake are bluegill, perch, and walleye. It is a bit shallow to fish off the dock. Please be sure to bring your own poles as there are none at this property. Also, in order to fish in Michigan lakes, one is required to hold a fishing license. Click here to purchase your fishing license online.

Grill: Propane grill. Propane provided.

Grocery Store: Approximately 5 miles from the cabin, there is a Market with wine, beer, deli, pizza, gas, fruits and veggies. Also, 2 miles away is a party store. Petoskey has larger stores.

Handicap Friendly: Let us explain what we mean by handicap friendly…there is a zero-1 step entry into this home, and it is one level (a ranch-style home). The bathrooms and hallways are not up to official handicap standards and do not come equipped with special apparatus to help those in need.

Internet: YES! High speed internet. Up to 300 MPS

Linens: Yes, we provide your sheets and linens. Just like a hotel, the beds will be made for you before arrival. If you are fussy about the thread count of your sheets, just let us know, and we'll make sure we leave a bed open for your sheets. We have just the basic sheets, pillows, pillow cases, blankets and bath towels.

Parking: Maximum 3 cars on property.

Pets: 1 dog is allowed here! Freshwater Vacation Rentals currently charges $75/per pet for your entire stay. There are 1 dog crate (for small dogs—under 40lbs.) for guests to use while on-site. Also, we have dog dishes for you as well. Yes, we do accept 1 dog, yet we do ask that you please clean up after it inside and outside the cabin. Plus, if you allow it on the furniture, we do ask that you please bring your own linens/blankets for them to sleep on. Just let us know which bed you will be using with it, and we'll make sure it is ready for your sheets when you arrive. Plus, if the pet hair starts to build, we do ask that you please run the vacuum. Generally, dogs love the water and places to explore. Pet food does tend to attract mice, so vigilance is needed.

Privacy: NEIGHBORS ARE CLOSE- NO LOUD MUSIC or PARTIES

Seniors: Come one, come all! This space is great for those over 60. Sometimes when renting a home, you are never too sure about the terrain: is the home on top of a hill?, is parking on a steep slope?, are there 100 steps to the beach or the unit? etc. This home gets the FVR approval for the young at heart!

Snowmobiles: a person (resident and nonresident) that operates a snowmobile in Michigan is required to purchase a snowmobile trail permit. The trail permit enables snowmobilers to ride state-designated trails and thousands more miles of public roads and on public lands (where authorized). It is valid for one year, which begins Oct. 1 and ends Sept. 30 of the following year. State-designated trails are open Dec. 1-March 31 and grooming occurs when there is enough snow on the ground.

Televisions: There is one 65”- smart TV with local channels. Roku smart TV

Towels: Yes, we provide towels. It's always good to bring extra though! Also, bringing beach towels is not a bad idea.

Tunnel of Trees: Michigan's Tunnel of Trees is a 20-mile stretch of State Highway M-119 along the coast of Lake Michigan. It begins in Cross Village and goes south to Harbor Springs. It is around a 20-minute drive without stopping and will take around 40 minutes. Please plan for 4-5 hours to get out of your vehicle to explore and get the full experience of Michigan's beautiful fall colors!

Washer and dryer: YES! Laundry soap is provided.

Wood: Not provided.