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Gorgeous Lakeside- BeachBucket-sandy kid friendly, happy spot+add Lil’Red Cabin

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View from property
Interior
Property grounds
On the beach
Property grounds

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire cabin

2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 71000 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor space
  • Kitchen
  • Fireplace

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire cabin to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Gorgeous Lakeside- BeachBucket-sandy kid friendly, happy spot+add Lil’Red Cabin

BEACH BUCKET

INVISIBLE Check in & Check out
for your convenience

Welcome to the Cheery yellow cabin on Douglas Lake

We are proud to Maintain and Clean the Beach Bucket ourselves.
Saturday to Saturday visits.

‘the beach bucket' is a family friendly cabin for up north getaways.

SANDY SHORE, SANDY BOTTOM, GENTLE SLOPE-NO DROP OFF
pristine Douglas Lake, just east of Pellston, close to attractions, dining

This is an UNPLUGGED COTTAGE: no WiFi . Bring dvds, books, or your favorite games or puzzles

GOT FISH? Yes, fish are here
Got A VIEW? Yes, panoramic view of lake is awesome
Got A Shallow shore? visit here to make a splash, kid friendly
GOT TIME? we do---Come for a week

THIS IS THE PLACE for happy getaways

This classic cabin has a wonderful shore and beautiful views; very comfortable inside with 2 bedrooms in a great location
Get away to nature, relaxation and family memories.

Douglas lake is scenic, quiet, great for fishing, kayaking, canoeing, water skiing, hiking, biking, napping. (we offer a free canoe and paddleboat for your usage)
Full sports lake, very large but undeveloped, Lovely
Loons and eagles live on this large, scenic lake.

Come enjoy the cedar dock. (bring your boat or rent a pontoon nearby)
read a book
Take out the paddleboat or 2 canoes
grill dinner overlooking the lake
make smores over our campfire area, wood provided

This is a kid friendly cottage:
From the yard, take two steps down to the dock....
From the dock, take two steps down to the sand....
--children love to play in the sand here:)

CLEAN - CHARMING - PRIVATE - SPACIOUS - PANORAMIC - LOVED BY KIDS & ADULTS :)

The fully equipped cabin offers 2 bedrooms plus large sunny porch, and spacious full bath with shower, fireplace, deck, scenic panoramic view of lake, gorgeous view of nearby Pells Island.
Close to walking trails, steps to the boat launch, a top restaurant is only 4 cabins away, quick drive to all conveniences.

**need more space? add a LITTLE RED CABIN: available for families wishing for additional accommodations, we offer this charmer directly across the gravel drive, within view of the beach bucket
Details--The little red cabin is set up nicely with a kitchen, small dining table and living area. It has a separate bedroom with queen (12" high density foam comfort) bed, and small bath with shower. It is charming and comfortable
We have an additional twin bed off the living area too, so children can sleep separately.
*the Little Red Cabin is priced at half the rate of the beach bucket. This cabin is intended an add-on for the main cabin. First priority is for renters at main cabin. Weeks open to others thereafter.

OUTDOOR FUN: Watch (& hear) the Loons from your deck overlooking the lake; go fishing off a new dock, launch the 2 person paddle boat; canoe too.....or just lounge on the front deck

Beach Bucket--INTERIOR COMFORT: The cottage has an open floor plan for socializing and features 2 bedrooms and generous size bath with shower. The entire cabin is lined with traditional knotty pine walls, comfortable seating. Full stone fireplace has an insert for coziness! Large windows frame a wonderful view of the serene lake and sandy shore.
Note: We sleep 6 in provided bedding — including a pullout couch and two beds. We accept 7 if you want to bring a crib or air mattress.
EASY CENTRAL LOCATION: Only 5 miles west of I-75 assures access to all of northern Michigan!... Lunch in Petoskey, shop in Harbor Springs, dinner in Cross Village... or catch a ferry to Mackinac Island.
We are close to Mackinaw City, Cheboygan, Indian River, Petoskey, or Cross village for day trips or any meals.
Nearby are vegetable stands, video rentals, restaurants, convenience stores, & gas stops---just a few minutes away

Classic fun in a classic cabin, close to everything.

Michigan sales tax is 6%

*** We fill up preferred weeks quickly, so book soon.

We make vacations easy, and welcome our repeat guests

Property manager

Matt Becker

Languages

English

Property amenities

Beach

  • On the beach

Parking and transportation

  • Car required
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • TV

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundromat nearby

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property
  • Note from host: Outside only

Services and conveniences

  • Phone

Location highlights

  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near a hospital
  • Near the marina
  • On a lake
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Kayak
  • Water park
  • Water sports equipment
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Casino nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Hunting nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Theme park nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)

General

  • Garden
  • Unit size: 1,000 square feet

Similar properties

Exterior

Douglas Lake - Lakeside Cabin Living

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Free WiFi
9.8 out of 10, Exceptional, (37)
Douglas Lake - Lakeside Cabin Living
LIST_ALT

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

Check-out before 10:30 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Note from host: Kid friendly beach and lake frontage, gentle slope
MONETIZATION_ON

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
Onsite 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 not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

We should mention

A car is required for transportation to and from this property

About the area

Map
Pellston, MI

What's nearby

  • Douglas Lake - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Mackinaw City Dock - 29 min drive - 38.0 km
  • Mackinaw City Ferry Terminal - 30 min drive - 36.9 km
  • Headlands International Dark Sky Park - 35 min drive - 41.4 km
  • Nub's Nob Ski Area - 40 min drive - 25.5 km

Getting around

  • Pellston, MI (PLN-Pellston Regional) - 12 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Rusty Saw North Stakehouse & BBQ - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Hoppie's Tavern - ‬19 min drive
  • ‪Douglas Lake Bar & Steakhouse - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Dam Site Inn - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Hoppies Landing - ‬12 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Gorgeous Lakeside- BeachBucket-sandy kid friendly, happy spot+add Lil’Red Cabin pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Gorgeous Lakeside- BeachBucket-sandy kid friendly, happy spot+add Lil’Red Cabin ?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Gorgeous Lakeside- BeachBucket-sandy kid friendly, happy spot+add Lil’Red Cabin ?

Check-out is at 10:30 AM.

Where is Gorgeous Lakeside- BeachBucket-sandy kid friendly, happy spot+add Lil’Red Cabin located?

This family-friendly Pellston cabin is located on the beach, within a 5-minute walk of Douglas Lake and University of Michigan Biological Station. Burt Lake is 3 mi (4.8 km) away.

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Gorgeous Lakeside- BeachBucket-sandy kid friendly, happy spot+add Lil’Red Cabin Reviews

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 37 out of 43 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 43 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 43 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 43 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 43 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Sharlene C.

First time renters!
We usually stay in a hotel for vacation.. This year we decided to try a cabin rental. We are SO glad we did. We had a great time on the water. Fishing, paddle boat, canoeing, and kayaking kept everyone busy. Will be sure to come back!! Thank you!

10/10 Excellent

Janet P., Michigan

Would definitely stay here again
We had not stayed on Douglas Lake before. Loved the lake and this cottage was perfect, both for the location and the condition. Super clean and cozy, well stocked with everything we needed. Loved being able to just step out the door to sit by the lake and enjoy the views. Clear water, sandy bottom and shallow water were really enjoyed by our grandchildren when they dropped by from their nearby cottage. We have rented cottages in Michigan many times and Douglas Lake has been the best!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Maria S.

Wonderful stay!
Quaint little home on the lake. Sandy bottom and clear water makes swimming enjoyable. Lie on a raft and soak up the sun while the kiddos splash around you. Petoskey and Cheboygan only 20min drive away if you wanna explore in the afternoon after enjoying the lake. Bring your own disposable cups, plates, etc. Sink and shower water have strong smell due to well water which is expected. No A/C... weather was high 80s low 90s when we were there. 3 fans on site to help at night when sleeping otherwise we were outside most of the day. Overall very nice getaway. Thank you!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2020

8/10 Good

Grant M., Michigan

Great property but needs some updates
For context we were staying with our kids and another couple, 6 in total. The property itself is terrific, you have abeautiful scenic waterfront property. The lake is clean and clear with a sandy bottom. Every morning was an exceptional sunrise and every evening we watched the moon come up. Very low light pollution so the night sky was very visible. Overall I’d stay here again but there are a few items that are worth mentioning. 1) beds need updating. In the bedroom behind the kitchen the springs squeak in the mattress. The bedroom with the bathroom the floor slants as does the angle of the bed 2) the pictures show an en-suite bathroom but i don’t recall the description or pictures mentioning that the bedroom was thru the bathroom via the door in the living room. Worth noting as could be an inconvenience or uncomfortable for others. Overall not a huge deal to us just had to check before using the bathroom or going to your bedroom. 3) the wall heater in the living room wasn’t working. We plugged it in and turned it on via the wall but no heat came out made for a cold evening(s). In fairness we didn’t contact the owner to solve but just made do.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2020
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

2/10 Terrible

Wayne P.

Not what we had hoped. Have stayed in far better.
The lake was very nice and the part of the house that was remodeled was nice. The kitchen was not nice. It has a musty smell to it, there were moldy coffee grounds in the coffee maker, there was something gross in the refrigerator drawer. The timer on the stove kept going off for no reason. The floors in the two bedrooms slope towards the center of the house causing your feet to be higher than your head when you are trying to sleep. The mattresses are terrible, I know there was another review a couple of years suggesting new mattresses. The suggestion was not taken. My husband (this is the wife writing this) has some neck issues and could not sleep on either bed. He tried the sofa bed and that was even worse, the mattress has a huge crater in the middle so you are literally stuck in a hole. We had to buy an air mattress for him to sleep on. The bathroom was adequate except that I had to clean the shower. The doors were covered in scum. Easy fix is to actually spray the shower with some of the cleaner from under the sink, let it sit for a few minutes and rinse. We had the place until Saturday but we left on Thursday because neither of our backs could take another uncomfortable nights sleep. It WAS NOT because of the weather. I wrote an email to Leslie explaining to her why we left. A bit of advice...you don't blame your "guests" or try to make excuses for the things that caused their stay to be uncomfortable. There was no way for us to know there were mattress toppers in the closet. You said that the previous guests didn't want them on so you took them off. You should have put them back on, although I doubt that would have helped. You obviously know the mattresses are terrible, hence the mattress toppers. Don't make excuses for the mustiness, you can't! Its musty no matter how much you deny it. Don't say the floor isn't sloped, it clearly is, Matt even admitted it in a conversation. Maybe try rearranging the bedrooms. Also, saying that sleeper sofas are never the best, that may be true but this one is just worn out and old. The canoe was broken so we couldn't use it. We do appreciate the other paddle boat that was brought over for us to use. Unfortunately that was not enough to warrant a better review. I was told we were the first to have these problems, I doubt it. I have stayed at other rentals and never had an experience like this. This was our experience. Make you own judgement. Back problems? Beware.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2017

10/10 Excellent

claire d.

Cozy cabin
The rental process was easy and clear. Beautiful dock and view. Old school cabin feel.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

John F.

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Vincent M.

Wonderful
Beautiful Lake and cottage
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Robin C.

Great place to get away from the world!
My husband and I had a wonderful stay at the "Yellow Bucket". Indeed, the cottage was charming. This place had everything we needed. Loved the lake view and the sandy beach was awesome. We couldn't of asked for anything better. We loved the walks down the street and just taking in all the up north feelings we could get in. We had a wonderful time and we will be back soon. Thank you...
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Michael K.

Paradise Up North
Great week at the Beach Bucket: SUP around Pell’s Island at dawn and dusk Trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes Bike ride to Petoskey Lazy days swimming in the crystal clear waters of Douglas Lake Dinner at the DLB Great neighbors Counting down the days until we return!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Janice E.

Relaxing setting, beautiful view
We just left a week that was just what our family needed! Time together on our favorite lake, a great little beach and clean water for our 2 year old granddaughter, pontoon rides, hummingbirds, Eagles, and more. This home, combined with the little red cottage we also rented, gave us a cozy place to stay and relax. The owners were accessible, friendly, and helpful. Beds and furniture were comfortable and clean. The bathrooms are small and night time sleeping was tough several days due to hot conditions and rain. But fans were available and things improved throughout the week. I would recommend this little gem for a relaxing getaway. We plan to return.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Lorraine M., Taylor, MI

Perfect location
What a wonderful week! Despite bad weather for a few days we enjoyed the cabin. The lake was clean with a sandy bittom. The cabin was rustic chic and have everything we needed. Beds were comfortable. Plenty of dishes. Bring a HDMI cable if you want to watch Netflix on a rainy day. Large fire pit. Nice neighbors. If you go check out Douglas Lake Bar. Great food but you n you s a reservation. This cabin is close to many activities including miles and miles of bike trails. 1/2 he drive from Perosky, Maxkinaw City, Indian River, Chenoygan. Also close to Charlie pix and Harnor Springs. Owners were very responsive. Will defiantly stay here again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Amy B.

Beach Bucket checks all boxes!
Our family had a great visit at the Beach Bucket! The description of the cabin was accurate, very clean and well maintained. The kitchen is well stocked. Two things I would caution are 1) shower is very small but definitely useable and 2) sofa bed needs a better mattress. We had one very light weight adult use it for a night and she couldn’t sleep at all. I’d recommend an air mattress over using it. We enjoyed the view of the lake, fire pit, very nice dock, and paddle boat. We didn’t try the kayaks mostly due to weather conditions. Be sure to read up on the Douglas lake ahead of the trip. The location is prime with easy access to other major cities. Be sure to make reservations at the Douglas Lake Bar which is three doors down- great steaks! Would visit again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Bret R., Rochester Hills

Great time had by all!
The home is very clean and is larger than expected. Really enjoyed the lake, kayaks and long dock. Setting and neighbors very quiet and pleasant. Close to the bridge and other UP attractions. Heads-up: don't miss the Amish baked goods nearby on Thursdays.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Michael K.

Douglas Lake Beauty
The cottage and the lake were both amazing. DL is quiet and super clean, with a sandy bottom. The few homes on the lake are well-cared for and the DL Bar & Steakhouse is right out of the 1950’s (In a good way). The cottage is very quaint and well-maintained. Had everything we needed, with great neighbors as well. The location is perfect too; close to Petoskey, Harbor Springs, and Mackinaw. Can’t wait to return!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Roger P.

Great property
Clean and nice
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Steven W.

Perfect "Up North" stay
Stayed here with my two sons (12/7) and it was a perfect place to escape for a week. Great communication from the hosts, perfect location on the "gold coast" of Douglas Lake. Enjoyed the use of the kayaks (one single, one double), canoe (three seats), and pedal pontoon (four seats). My youngest called it "the best week of the year" when I asked for feedback as we were driving home. A few things to share: - The life jackets provided kid-sized (7yo was comfortable in the largest); for adults the only option is floating cushions (which meet the requirement for the pedal boat). Worked out for us, but be aware if you have folks needing life jackets - If you're trying to figure out where the "Gorge" is for hiking, take Bryant back to Riggsville and take a Left. Just East of W Burt Lake Road you'll see a split-rail fence off to your right. The trailhead/parking lot is right there. This is also a great place to park if you're wanting to ride your bikes along the new paved bike trail in the area. The entrance to the trail is at the back of the parking lot. If you want a quick Gorge experience, walk back to the road and go down the 100+ stairs to the bottom. - The cottage does get bright EARLY in the morning. You may want to bring some black-out material if you're wanting to sleep late and struggle with lights.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Christopher W.

Great family getaway
Charming little house with a gorgeous view of the lake. Loved the many places to sit and rear. Kids loved taking out the boats and swimming in the lake. Big great room to relax in after a long day. Comfortable bedrooms. Close to Mackinac Island, Petoskey and Cheboygan. A great week, and we hope to be back!
Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2020

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca N.

Just what we were looking for
This sweet cabin is steps away from the lake. It’s beautiful and quiet. We often felt like we had the entire lake to ourselves. The dock has 4 different boats and a raft that are setup to easily get in and out of the water. The lake is shallow for a while at the edge so my young boys were able to wade and play in the water for hours every day. 20 minutes to Mackinac Island Ferry, short drive to Harbor Springs, and an even shorter drive to a hike that leads to the Gorge. We had an amazing time here. The cabin was clean. The owner answered my many questions promptly and when there was a small issue at the cabin he took care of it right away.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2020

8/10 Good

Tim W.

Liked: Listing accuracy
Douglas Lake get-away
good

10/10 Excellent

Eileen N.

Fabulous Cottage
Great location and very clean. The sunrises are gorgeous. The water level and condition are perfect for swimming, relaxing and boating. Lots of amenities for all to enjoy. Would say more but don’t want to create such a high demand that there isn’t availability for us to return!!
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Sandi S., Pickerington, OH

Put the Beach Bucket on your bucket list!
We loved staying at the Beach Bucket! The cabin is comfortable and just right for a family of four. The neighbors were friendly and helpful, and the view is simply amazing. We loved sitting outside at night around the fire pit. The canoe and paddle boat were especially big hits with the kids. We will definitely plan on returning!

8/10 Good

Kimberly G.

Amazing lake and location!
We loved this cute spot on the lake! The lake is calm and relaxing! The cabin was fully stocked and ready for us! Nice fire pit, paddle boat, and canoes. Fun for all!!! The tap/shower water was very smelly like fishy iron. It was unpleasant while showering. It was hot inside the cabin and it only sleeps 6. The sofa bed mattress is very old and uncomfortable. We had to layer blankets and quilts to make it work.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Alicia F.

Lovely lakeside spot
This was the perfect place for my parents to stay while visiting the area. It was clean, cozy, and quiet, with a beautiful view across the lake. The sandy bottom made wading/swimming easy. Our son enjoyed the paddleboat and kayak. My mother grilled several times -- a nice amenity.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Peter D.

Would love to stay again
We really enjoyed our week at Douglas Lake. Thank you, Matt, for a great accommodation and flexibility so we could bring our entire family. Your upgrades are well done. Great location and very pleasant neighbors. Tell Fred hello for us! We would rent again in a heartbeat. Put best by a local we ran into picking up a pizza at the BP in Pellston on our first night...”everything you need, and nothing you don’t!” Even caught 3 good size fish off the end of the dock; a 16” pike and 2 small mouth. Sweet! Hope to see you again someday. Pete and the gang
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2018