Kalkaska Getaway: Winter Wonderland Escape – Trails, Ice Fishing & More!

KALKASKA GETAWAY
SLEEPS: 6 Adults max - NO ADDITIONAL GUESTS
BEDROOMS: 3
BATHROOMS: 3
*MANISTEE LAKE (sandy bottom) is a 1000 feet walk through the neighborhood
*KAYAKS (ONLY AVAILABLE Memorial day - Labor Day)
*SNOWMOBILE and ATV trails nearby
* No Smoking Allowed inside the property
*QUIET TIME: We ask that guests be respectful of our great neighbors by keeping quiet hours between 11:00 pm and 9:00 am. NO EXCEPTIONS-- Freshwater Vacation Rentals has many other places if you need a space where you can be loud with your music, voices or fireworks. Just NOT at Kalkaska Getaway.

Kalkaska Getaway is perfect for quiet groups looking to vacation, ideally for 6 people to enjoy. This home is perfect for fishing families and explorers alike. Bring your ORV's or Snowmobiles and ride from the front door! With plenty of parking, Kalkaska Getaway allows for truck/trailer combos and multiple cars to park on-site. So, grab your buddies or the kids and fish, swim, or ride until dawn!

Kalkaska Getaway is a 3-level home: Main floor (with GE kitchen appliances), upstairs bedrooms and a walk-out basement that is geared for fun with a shuffleboard table, foosball table and air hockey table for your enjoyment! Although you can barely see the lake in the summertime from this property, you are only a 150 yard walk to the water, where you can swim, lounge around, or launch a kayak. Manistee Lake is a shallow lake, and from the shore has a gradual slope so it is great for smaller kids (max depth is 16 feet). Kalkaska Getaway is located on the northeast corner of the lake.

If you would like to take a short 5 minute drive to Manistee Lake Sands Park, you will find a playground, public beach, picnic area, and public boat launch.

THIS COTTAGE HAS OUTSIDE VIDEO SECURITY MONITORING.

As an extra layer of security, we do have outside cameras mounted on the cottage. There are no cameras inside the cottage.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

A/C: No. Each bedroom has a ceiling fan and the dining room has a ceiling fan. There is an attic fan in the upper level that moves the air effectively! There are also a few oscillating floor fans which can be used throughout the home.

Animals: Variety of birds, squirrels, turkey, coyotes, fox, deer and bear.

ATV/Snowmobiles: Yes. You can drive from the front door to nearby trails. Leetsville Trail is the closest. Here is a map of ORV trails nearby.

Bathrooms:

Bathroom #1: main floor Full-bath with tub and shower

Bathroom #2: upstairs Full-bath with shower

Bathroom #3: walk-out basement shower stall, sink, toilet; connected washer/dryer

Beach/Swimming: Only 150 yards away is the access to the lake. It is shared access with 6 other homes. There is about a 12 x 4 ft. patch of sand in which kids can play. Manistee Lake is a sandy-bottom lake, very shallow with a gradual slope. The average person can walk out about 75 yards with the water only reaching your neck. The public beach and playground is on the southwest side of Manistee Lake.

Bedroom Configuration:

Bedroom #1: main floor: King size bed

Bedroom #2: upstairs: 3 Queens and a crib

Bedroom #3: upstairs: 1 Queen and a full over full bunk bed

Boats: (ONLY AVAILABLE Memorial day - labor day) 5 Kayaks with paddles with a variety of Adult-size life jackets. There is also a canoe trailer that can be attached to your own vehicle if you want to explore the Manistee River. Guests - simply walk a kayak the 150 yards away and jump on in.

Boat Launch: Public launch, Manistee Lake Sands Park, southwest end of lake. You will need to pull boat in/out, however, you can park your truck/trailer combo right in front of the house.

Bugs: Typical flies, mosquitoes, spiders, and ants.

Cable/Satellite TVs: No cable. 1 Samsung Smart TV on the main floor. Next TV is in walk-out basement and has the Chromecast and a DVD. (Netflix/Prime Video included)

Cell phone service: Verizon/AT&T - Good!

Coffee Maker: Coffee pot/carafe style. Bring your own coffee.

Distances (approximate):

*Higgins Lake: 45 minutes

*Torch Lake: 55 minutes
*Traverse City: 40 minutes
* Lansing: 2 hours 36 minutes
* Crystal Mountain: 1 hour 18 minutes
* Mackinac Bridge: 1 hours and 37 minutes away
*near to Forbush Corner Cross Country Ski Resort

Dock: There is not a dock for use at this property.

Fire Pit: YES! Please keep fires manageable and extinguish completely.

Fishing: Bring your poles. Jumbo Bluegill, Jumbo Perch, Crappie, Pike and Walleye! The best fishing is from a boat.

Fishing License: You can purchase your fishing license online

Grill: Gas grill (and spare propane tank) is in the garage. We ask that it be used on the driveway area and returned to the garage each night. Bears, coyotes and foxes are active in the neighborhood and love to get their paws on greasy grills

Grocery Store: Convenience store & Gas Station (with recreational fuel!) is a mile and half away on the south end of Manistee Lake - The Cove. Main grocery is in Kalkaska which is 12 miles away:
Family Fare Supermarket - 784 S Cedar St, Kalkaska, MI 49646 (231) 258-2101
Northland Food & Family Center - 2101 U.S. 131, Kalkaska, MI 49646 (231) 258-911

Handicap Accessible: Guests must be able to navigate stairs.

Hunting: Not onsite

Internet: Wi-Fi for guests to use. Strong service.

Linens: Yes, we provide you with basic sheets and linens. Just like a hotel, the beds will be made for you upon arrival. If you are particular about the thread count of your sheets, let us know, and we will make sure we leave a bed open for your sheets.

Neighbors: 11 PM QUIET TIME--Please be conscientious of the nearby neighbors, especially on your walk down to the beach. You are within a quaint cottage community. Please, no loud music, booming fireworks, or outside smoking of substances, other than cigarettes. We have other places for you if you would like to blast your favorites while on vacation. Per our contract, guests who can't adhere to the quiet time restrictions will asked to leave, without a refund.

Parking: 3 cars are ideal or 2 trailer/truck combination.

Pets: 2 dogs allowed, there is a $75.00 per pet fee.

Privacy: Homes are to the left and the right of the cabin.

Space: 3-Level home. Main floor, upstairs, and walk-out basement.

Towels: Yes, we provide towels. Please bring your own beach towels to take to the water.

Washer and dryer: Yes. Laundry soap is provided.

Winter Activities:
* Snowmobiling
- Kalkaska County Snowmobile Trails – Just 5 miles away, offering access to a variety of trails.
- VASA Pathway – About 10-15 miles from Kalkaska, this multi-use trail system accommodates snowmobiles in winter.
* Cross-Country Skiing
- VASA Pathway – Known for cross-country skiing, located about 10-15 miles away.
- Timber Ridge Resort – About 20 miles away, offers cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
* Ice Fishing
- Lake Kalkaska – 5-10 miles away, offering opportunities for ice fishing in the winter months.
- Torch Lake – About 20 miles (25-minute drive) south of Kalkaska, popular for ice fishing.
* Downhill Skiing & Snowboarding
- Crystal Mountain Resort – Located 40-45 miles (about a 1-hour drive) to the west, offering downhill skiing and snowboarding.
* Winter Hiking & Scenic Views
- Timber Ridge Resort – Offers winter hiking, located about 20 miles from Kalkaska.
- Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore – About 50 miles (1 hour drive), known for winter hiking and scenic views.

Winter Time: Depending on the weather, and the slope of the road, a 4 x 4 vehicle may be the only vehicle that will be able to get to the cottage.

Wood: Please plan bring your own or have your own delivered. You can purchase wood at the convenience store a mile and half away on the south end of Manistee Lake