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Bigbay vacation home on Lake Independence.

Lakefront vacation home with kitchen and patio

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Photo gallery for Bigbay vacation home on Lake Independence.

Exterior
Smart TV, fireplace, DVD player, books
Dining
Terrace/patio
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Air conditioning
  • Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor Space

Explore the area

View in a map
Bigbay, MI
  • Place, Sugarloaf Mountain
    ‪32 min drive‬
  • Place, Northern Michigan University
    ‪38 min drive‬
  • Place, Superior Dome
    ‪41 min drive‬

Room options

About the neighborhood

Big Bay

This vacation home places you adjacent to Lake Superior. The vacation home includes a kitchen, a fireplace, and a patio.
View more Vacation Homes in Big BayOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Little Presque Isle Recreation Area - 28 min drive - 23.6 miles
  • Sugarloaf Mountain - 32 min drive - 28.6 miles
  • Northern Michigan University - 38 min drive - 34.0 miles
  • Superior Dome - 41 min drive - 34.9 miles
  • Marquette Mountain - 48 min drive - 38.9 miles

Getting around

  • Marquette, MI (MQT-Sawyer Intl.) - 67 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Thunder Bay Inn - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Lumberjack Tavern - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Hungry Hollow - ‬4 min drive

About this property

Entire place

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

Bigbay vacation home on Lake Independence.

This is a beautiful property with a gorgeous lake view of mountains with your own personal dock. Great swimming area, and fishing. kayak, paddle board and canoe available to use. Check in is at 4 pm and checkout is 10 am. There is a Blink camera on the garage door for safety reasons and security. There are bears, deer, wolves in the neighborhood.

Open concept kitchen, dining area, and living room with stone fireplace. Panoramic views from living room and sun room. Sun room can be used for 3rd bedroom with pull out queen couch. One bedroom with king bed and second bedroom with double bed. Covered and uncovered porch area with gas grill and view of lake. Fire pit on cement patio. 2 car attached garage. Large full kitchen with granite counter tops with counter seating. New hardwood flooring and carpet in bedrooms.

Boat launches for Lake Superior and Lake independence just 1 mile away with boat rental available in Ishpeming. Full size washer and dryer.

Roku TV. You can add your own applications like Netflix.
The vacation home is air-conditioned and features a kitchen, 2 bathrooms, and a patio. There's space to spread out with 3 bedrooms and a dining area. Guests can expect to find free WiFi and a Smart TV with a DVD player. Other standard amenities include a washing machine, a fireplace, and a sofa bed. Limited housekeeping is available.

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Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach loungers
  • Beach towels

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Onsite parking options include a garage

Kitchen

  • Coffee grinder
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Kitchen island
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room
  • Separate dining area

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • Music library
  • Smart TV with cable/satellite channels
  • Stereo
  • Video library

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Desk
  • Desk chair

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Designated smoking areas

Services and conveniences

  • Housekeeping (limited availability)
  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • In the mountains
  • Near the marina
  • On a lake

Things to do

  • Bicycles
  • Boat
  • Kayak
  • Tennis
  • Water sports equipment
  • Fishing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Hunting nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Windsurfing nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Bicycles
  • Garden

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Check-out instructions

The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Strip any used beds, gather used towels, and store extra beds
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks, and take out the trash
Turn off the lights
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Rules

Load the dishes in the dishwasher run and put laundry in laundry room when checking out.
Remove the garbage from the house and put in the garbage can in the garage
Do not pull through neighbors driveways or move firepit

Pets

  • This property doesn't allow pets

Children and extra beds

Children allowed: ages 0-17

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking allowed: in designated areas

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 indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
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
  • Check-in: 4:00 PM
  • Check-out: 10:00 AM
  • Minimum check-in age: 21

We should mention

Details about charges, deposits, or other important information:

  • This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
  • Charges for extra guests may apply and vary depending on the property's policy.
  • A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges, as well as a government-issued photo ID, may be required at check-in.
  • Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in and can't be guaranteed. Certain requests may come with additional charges.
  • Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited.
  • Onsite safety features include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock.

Property is also known as

Bigbay Vacation Home Lake Independence House
Vacation Home Lake Independence House
Bigbay Vacation Home Lake Independence
Vacation Home Lake Independence
Bigbay Vacation Home on Lake Independence Big Bay
Bigbay Vacation Home on Lake Independence Private vacation home
Bigbay Vacation Home on Lake Independence
Bigbay vacation home on Lake Independence. Big Bay
Bigbay vacation home on Lake Independence. Private vacation home

Frequently asked questions

What is there to do within easy reach of this vacation home?

This vacation home is located in Big Bay, just steps from Lake Superior.

Is there parking available at this vacation home?

Yes, there is a garage.

Is this vacation home adjacent to a casino?

No, this vacation home is not connected to a casino.

Is there an indoor pool at this vacation home?

No, there is no indoor pool at this vacation home.

What will couples enjoy most about a stay at Bigbay vacation home on Lake Independence.?

Amenities that appeal to couples at this lakeside vacation home include a fireplace and a kitchen in each accommodation with some featuring lake views.

Are there hot tubs at Bigbay vacation home on Lake Independence.?

No, this vacation home doesn't have a spa tub.

Does this vacation home include breakfast service?

No, this vacation home doesn't offer breakfast.

Does this vacation home allow pets to stay free of charge?

No, pets aren't allowed at this vacation home.

Does this vacation home have connecting rooms?

No, there aren't connecting rooms at this vacation home.

Are there rooms with balconies at Bigbay vacation home on Lake Independence.?

Yes, every accommodation at Bigbay vacation home on Lake Independence. comes with a deck with some featuring lake views.

Bigbay vacation home on Lake Independence. Reviews

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 71 out of 95 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 15 out of 95 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 6 out of 95 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 95 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 95 reviews

8.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Cathy D.

Liked: Cleanliness
The cabin had a beautiful view of the lake. It was nice having a fire in the fireplace at night.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jason C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Absolutely perfect in everyway ! Beautiful location, neighbor was a really nice guy, he gave me some good advice to help catch fish off the dock!Sunroom with a breeze off the lake was paradise!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cindi W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Kitchen was fine, Laundry was fine.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Bo B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Location, Location, Location!!!!!!

We had an amazing stay at this property. Awesome lakefront views, distant mountain views. Lake is sand bottom, great for all sports!The property is listed as a 3 bedroom but really it is 2. Not a huge deal but something to know.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Chris K.

Our stay was ok here. Being directly on Lake Independence was amazing, exactly what we wanted. It was very quiet and scenic with lots of wildlife in the area. Unfortunately this property needs some help in more ways than one. At the last minute, the day before check in I received a call telling me the property won’t be cleaned before we arrival. Ok, I guess we’ll have to deal with it since we can’t find a replacement home last minute. Then the conversation went on to the fact doors don’t lock properly. Yes, very true, sliding door locked behind us going outside. 2 people got stuck in the bathroom. The home is shown to be a 3 bedroom 2 bath. It is actually 2 bedrooms and 1 bath. Bedroom 1 has a kingsize bed; bedroom 2 has a full size bed; and the sunroom with no privacy, no curtains, blinds etc. was what was referred to as the 3r bedroom. 2 baths, nope, 1 bath. I do not consider a toilet that didn’t flush in the laundry/utility room a bathroom. We learned about the issue with the laundry toilet the day before as well. The house had a wall air conditioner unit, and the bedrooms and sunroom were never cool enough for sleeping. It was too hot to have the windows open during our stay. Other concerns included mouse droppings in the kitchen cabinets, lid to grill was broken and grill in bad shape. The dock was not secured properly having cinderblocks and c clamps holding the decking to the frame. Some sections still popped out causing safety hazard. We feel very misled.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dave P.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great Place

Nice place on a Cool Lake. Caught some walleye, explored the area, the restaurant in town is good. Nice quiet get away.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nicki B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great stay in Big Bay

Our family had a great stay. Plenty of space, beautiful views, and lots of things to do on the lake. The location was just what we were looking for - quiet and somewhat remote but close enough to other gorgeous sites for hikes, swimming, and scenic outlooks. The home was cozy and had everything we needed for a great vacation. We would definitely stay again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Brianna L.

Disliked: Cleanliness

Nice location but poor management

Location was lovely. Quiet, private, picturesque. Easy access, plenty of room. The house itself was very comfortable, as was the furniture.However, property was not fully cleaned when we arrived: there was hair in the shower; beds not properly made; leftover food from previous guests in fridge and freezer. A/C did not work (window A/C unit was available, but central air was not functional); thankfully, it was mostly cool enough without, but I could see this being an issue as it continues to warm up. Minimal paper products available (toilet paper, paper towel). The host inappropriately pushed boundaries when communicating with myself (as a member of the opposite sex) before the rental period began, which I found very uncomfortable.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

JOHN T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Jim has a very nice rental at Lake Independence. It was comfortable and Jim had everything in place for our fishing trip. Neighbors aren't very friendly but sometimes you have that. It was a very pleasant stay. Thanks Jim.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Teresa H.

Liked: Cleanliness

Wonderful and Relaxing Stay

We had a wonderful stay at the house on Lake Independence in Big Bay! The highlight of our trip was definitely watching the sunrise and sunset from the porch, where we had a stunning view of the water. We also enjoyed capturing photos of the full moon reflecting on the lake in the evenings. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking. The house itself is well-equipped with everything you need for a relaxing getaway. From the comfortable living space to the well stocked kitchen, we felt right at home. One of the standout features was the Sleep Number bed, which provided an outstanding sleep experience. We woke up refreshed and ready to enjoy the day!Our host, Jim, was wonderful in communicating with us and ensuring we had everything we needed during our stay. He went above and beyond to make our experience enjoyable.It’s worth noting that the photos of the house do not do justice to the real thing – it’s even more beautiful in person!Overall, we couldn’t have asked for a better retreat. If you’re looking for a peaceful escape, this is the perfect spot. We can’t wait to return!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Chris H.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great

The host was awsome and a list of all the local spots for food and attractions the house was beautiful and the area was gorgeous 10/10 would stay again the host was quick to respond to any questions we had
Stayed 8 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ruth L.

Stayed 10 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Colin D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cynthia C.

Liked: Cleanliness

Mrs

Great place for quietness and peace!
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michele B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Beautiful home & surroundings

Jim’s home is a gem. It’s spacious and comfortable and has everything you might need. I particularly enjoyed having my meals in the sunroom each day. The lake and property are the perfect setting for relaxing and enjoying being out in nature. The public beach in town on Lake Superior is quite nice, and Marquette is just a half hour away, with lots of great hiking and natural areas in between. I hope to be able to return for another stay some day.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Sharon R.

Liked: Cleanliness

Beautiful setting and location

The house was right on the lake with outdoor seating. Also has a sunroom, so if the mornings or evenings are too cool, you can still enjoy the lake from there. Only a couple of things to be aware of. The listing says 3 bedrooms, it is only 2 true bedrooms. The third is a pullout couch in the sunroom. It also states 2 bathrooms. It is one true bathroom. The other is a toilet and utility sink in the utility room. It served it's purpose and worked just fine for 2 couples. The overall house was wonderful and I would definitely stay there again if we are in the area.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Tranquility

What a great place to stay. Starting your day looking over the lake from the sunroom could not be better. There is everything you need there to enjoy the lake. My only suggestion would be if you want to do a lot of fishing you might want to bring a boat. Communicating with the owner is a breeze.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Helen Caryl P.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great place on a quiet lake

The grounds and lake house are well kept and family friendly. We all appreciated the spaciousness and the comfort of the living room. That being said, our teenagers hardly left the dock. They came in the house only to eat and sleep. Fishing was so much fun. The sandy bottom of the lake was great on the feet. Jim was very accommodating and easy to contact. This is obviously a much loved house. I would recommend bringing all your supplies including toilet paper and paper towels, foil, etc. There is little available in the immediate area. You have to go to Marquette which is 1.5 hour round trip. That is hard to do because once you are at the house, you don't want to leave. If you have a special dish you wish to cook, I recommend bringing your own knifes and pans. There are plenty of utensils, plates, etc, but the knives, pots and pans are very basic. If you are looking for a quiet, comfortable retreat, this is the place.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Colleen D.

Amazing Lake Life Views

Stunning views of fabulous lake from this property. Great water toys and seems like new dock. Communication with the owner Jim was open and easy and he had great tips for the area. Our opinion was the property could use a deep cleaning and organizing of cupboards, updated cookware (fry pans, cookie sheets), new pillows.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lisa S., Lapeer, MI

Liked: Cleanliness

Beautiful Property

We had a wonderful stay at this lovely home on Lake Independence. The property is nice and quiet, filled with wildlife and beautiful views of the lake. It's a short drive to Lake Superior and to the quaint town of Big Bay. Jim was an absolutely excellent host and stayed in contact with us to make sure all was going well and if we had any questions or concerns. My only 'complaints' about the property would be that it did not have any beach (my fault, I should have read the property description better) and the king size bed was extremely hard. It was supposed to be a sleep number bed but I don't think it was working. Both my husband and I have back and hip/knee issues so it did make for difficult sleep. We did have everything we needed other than paper products - you will need to bring toilet paper, paper towels, etc. But otherwise it was fully stocked. Also you'll need firewood, but there are a multitude of road side stands selling firewood. All in all a great stay and Jim is a fantastic host. If you're game for a good walk through the woods with a few 'sketchy' places to get through, there are beautiful waterfalls in the area.
Stayed 9 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Karen V., Anchorage USA

Liked: Cleanliness

Amazing View

Great house, atmosphere and location. Well appointed for everything you may need for a great get away at the lake. Communication with owner was top notch. Would stay again and again!
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Stefani F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Anna H., Livonia Michigan

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

6/10 Okay

Bethany R., Freeburg, IL, USA

Disliked: Cleanliness

Beautiful Lake

The house was a let down with inaccurate information being provided regarding on more than a few things. Pros: perfect location to Lake Superior & beautiul lake with boat access & swimming from the dock with shallow water to enjoy with the kids. Unfortunately the cons outweighed the pros: The place needs a deep cleaning in the kitchen & bathroom. There is no cable/satellite, streaming only & you have to have your own streaming accounts to use the TV. There are very few remotes in the place that actually work. The entire outside of the house & some inside areas have large spiders that need to be cleaned out. Most of the windows do not close. There is only a small A/C unit in the kitchen which doesn't cool down the bedrooms at all. There is only 1 working bathroom & unfortunately it smells musty the entire time we were there. The towels were in the dryer & had to be folded & distributed throughout the kitchen & bathroom upon arrival. The dock stairs were a safety hazard & then construction started while we were there making getting to/from the lake/dock more inconvenient. The gentleman working on the stairs were fantastic & tried to stay out of our way, but we were always concerned about getting in their way. Overall, it is not a place we would stay again when we return to the area.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tiffany M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Fun time

Quiet and peaceful
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

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