This cottage places you steps from Clam Lake and within a 20-minute stroll of Lake Bellaire. .Accommodation features a washing machine, free WiFi and 2 bathrooms. In-room dining is easy with a kitchen that comes equipped with a fridge, a microwave and a stovetop. A fireplace, a patio and a living room are also available.
Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital) - 62 min drive
Restaurants
McDonald's - 23 min drive
Short's Brewing Company - 21 min drive
Bellaire Bar & Restaurant - 22 min drive
M88 Morning Grind - 22 min drive
Shanty Creek Resorts - 29 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.
Cottage On River - close to Torch Lake, sleeps 8
Indian Gold retreat (sleeps 8 - strict) is a serene, relaxing beautiful cottage located at the mouth of Grass River. This property has 3 bedrooms plus a sofa bed in the living room and lower level. Bring your boat because you are directly in front of a waterway (short canal to river) that has access to the famous Chain of Lakes. A MAXIMUM of 2 boats/trailers can be parked at the property as well as a MAXIMUM of 3 vehicles at anytime. Tents and campers aren’t allowed at the cottage. Inboard motors are not recommended because the short canal To Clam Lake is weedy. The canal near the dock is shallow and most boats 24’ or less can use the covered boathouse in front of the cottage. A public access for boats is 3 miles from the cottage. You can use the 2 canoes, 3 kayaks and 6 life jackets (3adult/3 child) provided to go across the river and walk the Grass River Natural Area and enjoy the summer activities. A 10 minute boat ride to Torch Lake and a 20 minute ride to Lake Bellaire down Grass River will be filled with beautiful scenery. The up north decor and a gas fireplace (not available during all seasons) make this cottage a cozy stay for your family and friends. You will want to bring your favorite book so you can enjoy the cozy enclosed porch with a lake/River view while sipping your morning coffee. You may catch a glimpse of a swans, loons, geese, ducks, beavers and an eagle during your stay. You will be amazed at the starry sky as you enjoy a nighttime bonfire (wood provided) and s'mores to enhance your stay. A lower level walk out with a large concrete patio includes a table and gas grill for your outdoor meals. The cottage has 2 large flat screen TVs, 2 coffee makers, cable and wifi. Glacial Hills with 30 miles for biking and hiking is located 10 minutes away. Torch Lake Cellars - winery with spectacular views, disc golf, outdoor seating and a tee to try and land a gold ball in a bucket in the valley, a covered space and a play area. The famous Short’s Brewery is locatedin downtown Bellaire. Due to vegetation at the dock area it is not conducive to swimming. Local public beaches are nearby. Primary guest must be at least 25 years old. You need to visit to discover why the cottage is known as "Indian Gold." Your family and friends will want to be your annual vacation!
Property manager
Kristi Poel
Languages
English
Similar properties
Central Lake Cozy Retreat | AC | Boat Launch | Fire Pit
Central Lake Cozy Retreat | AC | Boat Launch | Fire Pit
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)
Deadbolt lock
Policies
Check-in
Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Minimum check-in age - 25
Check-out
Check-out before 11:00 AM
Special check-in instructions
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Pets
No pets allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome.
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
On-site 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
Safety features at this property include a deadlock
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
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
This property is managed by a private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business.
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited. For guests' safety, the property includes a deadbolt lock in all accommodation.
Frequently asked questions
Are there any beaches close to Cottage On River - close to Torch Lake, sleeps 8?
The closest beach to Cottage On River - close to Torch Lake, sleeps 8 is Dam Beach (15.1 km).
Does Cottage On River - close to Torch Lake, sleeps 8 have a pool?
No, this cottage doesn't have a pool.
Is there a free airport shuttle available at Cottage On River - close to Torch Lake, sleeps 8?
No, Cottage On River - close to Torch Lake, sleeps 8 does not offer an airport shuttle service.
What time are check-in & check-out at Cottage On River - close to Torch Lake, sleeps 8?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM. Check-out time is 11:00 AM.
Are pets allowed at Cottage On River - close to Torch Lake, sleeps 8?
No, pets are not allowed.
Cottage On River - close to Torch Lake, sleeps 8 Reviews
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Rating 10 - Excellent. 52 out of 58 reviews
10 - Excellent
52
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 58 reviews
8 - Good
6
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 58 reviews
6 - Okay
0
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 58 reviews
4 - Poor
0
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 58 reviews
2 - Terrible
0
10/10
Cleanliness
Reviews
10/10 Excellent
Heidi G.
27 July 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Boat trip fun!
Great place to stay with friends. Clean, convenient, great hosts, great for the boat!
Heidi G.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
10/10 Excellent
Noah W.
20 July 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Great stay and beautiful property. The kayaks and canoes were a bonus, and the location was pristine.
Noah W.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
10/10 Excellent
Robert R.
6 July 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Great family holiday trip!
Property was perfect for our family getaway for the 4th of July weekend! The house had everything we needed and in a quiet location. Would definitely rent again.
Robert R.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
10/10 Excellent
Melissa Z.
20 July 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
The most beautiful place in the world!
This property is one of the best places we have ever stayed, and this was our 3rd time back! The cabin itself is well maintained and meticulously clean. It had everything we need, including coffee! There is a telescope in the Sun porch for viewing bald eagles and other wildlife, there is a ton of space in the walk out basement for our young adult kids to play games and hang out after spending a day on the water. We kayaked and canoed every day. The owners and property manager are very responsive and helpful. The location is simply amazing, with loons, swans, herons, cranes, and song birds all around. It’s an easy drive into Bellaire or Alden for groceries, cute shops and a few restaurants, but I like to spend my time taking in the view from the dock and rarely leave this gorgeous place!
Melissa Z.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024
10/10 Excellent
Joy E.
20 Sept 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Family trip
The house and yard are lovely. In fact I don’t think the pictures do it justice. It’s cozy, clean, comfortable and well equipped with everything that we needed. The location is great. We hiked and biked the local trails and kayaked the Grass river right from the house. We only had 5 in our group and had more than enough space. It could comfortably accommodate the 8 that it lists. The property manager was extremely helpful. We would definitely stay here again.
Joy E.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023
10/10 Excellent
David J., Delton, Michigan
21 Aug 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful - Relaxing Vacation Get-A-Way - Clam Lake / Torch Lake
Property is located on a quite street tucked into the base of the Grass River (just off Clam Lake). Home is clean, spacious kitchen / living room area and big rec area down stairs. Beautiful yard w/ a hammock - nice yard to play cornhole or have a campfire and enjoy sunsets. Covered boat slip was a real bonus for your 24' pontoon with some off and on rain. Property description was right on and property manager was very responsive to any questions. Great Torch vacation! We will be back - Thank you!
David J.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
10/10 Excellent
mark and jenny h.
6 Aug 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Very nice place.
My son and his friends rented this for a golf outing. They had a great time. The property manager, Kristi was a pleasure to work with. She made it so easy.
mark and jenny h.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023
10/10 Excellent
Trent F.
4 Aug 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Great location. Quiet and comfortable.
A group of friends stayed here this last weekend for a day on Torch Lake. The location is great and host communicated well. We almost had an issue with having new appliances delivered during our stay but the owners came and resolved it for us. Would stay here again.
Trent F.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
10/10 Excellent
Verified traveller
13 July 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
We had a GREAT week!!
Indian Gold was exactly what our family needed! Everything was exactly as the listing shows. We enjoyed meals around the large table and kayaked down the grass river each morning.
Thank you for allowing us to stay in your home. We look forward to coming back next summer!
Verified traveller
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023
10/10 Excellent
Verified traveller
20 June 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Michigan Trip June 13-18, 2023 - Cottage on Grass River/Clam Lame
In short, our Cottage stay was PERFECT. Kristi Poel was WONDERFUL. One of my best vacations in ever. Highlights of our stay was the cottage location on Grass River. beautiful scenery, boat dock with canoe, kayaks, fire pit, outdoor grill, etc. Spectacular wildlife scenes….we saw nesting loons, a Merganser with ducklings, Trumpeter swans with young, rabbits with babies, A sandhill crane with babies, snapping turtles laying eggs nightly just feet from our cottage door! I could go on. Loved the accommodations inside and cottage layout. Very comfortable. Our only problem was there was so much to do and fun to be had, we just didn’t have enough time there 😁. We were all sad to leave.
Verified traveller
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023
10/10 Excellent
Andrea W.
2 Aug 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing Cabin!
This little cabin has it all! There was room for everyone and the basement space was perfect for evening game nights and it's so cozy. It was a little warm sleeping with only one window air conditioner for the place and we had to sleep with our doors open, but overall we would stay there again with no problem!
Andrea W.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
10/10 Excellent
Crystal M.
2 Aug 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
The Swans House
Fishing off dock, kayaking was a blast, star gazing
& camp fires. We loved all of this house.
Crystal M.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022
10/10 Excellent
Melissa Z.
16 July 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect place!
This property was perfect for my family! My husband and I, plus our 2 young adult kids and 3 of their friends, had plenty of space to sleep. 2 bathrooms plus laundry is so helpful for a crew of our size. The house is on the most tranquil, gorgeous spot, and the boat slip was just right for our 21 foot boat. We grilled out, had bonfires, kayaked and canoed every day! This was our second year at the house, and we all hope to make it an annual tradition! The house is immaculate, and the hosts are fantastic!
Melissa Z.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
8/10 Good
Laura L.
8 July 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Pictures are not as nice as the house
House was nice and the property and river tranquil
Laura L.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022
10/10 Excellent
Katie K.
29 June 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Up North Getaway
Indian Gold was perfect for a group of 7 adults. The access to the lakes was wonderful, the house was so clean and nicely stocked and Kristi’s responsiveness was so appreciated. We can’t wait to visit again! Thank you for a great weekend getaway!
Katie K.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022
10/10 Excellent
Craig H.
29 Aug 2021
Liked: Cleanliness
Great!
5 Stars
Craig H.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2021
10/10 Excellent
LYNN L.
28 Aug 2021
Liked: Cleanliness
Absolutely Awesome
This was perfect for our family of 8. The house was clean and well supplied for towels, bedding, kitchen items. The extra bathroom was great to have. The spot is perfect. We could dock a 16 ft bass boat and 20 ft pontoon. The property manager is accessible at all times for anything and will give you tips about the area. You can enjoy the best of both worlds of quiet, beautiful mother nature and fishing. Or take a boat ride to the famous Torch Lake Sandbar and enjoy the fun atmosphere! Five lakes are connected by awesome rivers. You can boat to nearby towns and enjoy them for the day. Definitely will go again! A cool treasure of Michigan!
LYNN L.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021
10/10 Excellent
Jennifer V.
28 Aug 2021
Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful easy feeling!
Great, quiet location! Plus quick trip to sandbar on torch lake (30 min with our pontoon). Kids loved the use of the kayaks and went out every morning! Was able to get quick reply from manager when huge storm caused some water in basement (came right away and took care of it). Thankful for enjoyable family time!
Jennifer V.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2021
10/10 Excellent
Rod F.
7 Aug 2021
Liked: Cleanliness
Great place to stay
Great time.
Rod F.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021
10/10 Excellent
Melissa Z.
17 July 2021
Liked: Cleanliness
Best rental ever!
My family and I have been renting cottages around the chain of lakes for the last 20 years, and this was hands down the best place we have ever stayed! First, the cottage is set in a gorgeous, serene location with tons of wildlife and a view of Grass river and clam lake. Just as important, though, the place is immaculate and stocked with everything you could ever need. I wish my own home was this clean, and I am a neat freak! The beds were super comfy, there is a huge amount of outdoor space for relaxing and dining, and the basement family room was perfect for our family game nights (complete with board games!). Our 21 foot speed boat fit perfectly into the covered boat slip, and we also enjoyed using the several kayaks and canoes at the cottage to get out and paddle each day. We saw loons, bald eagles, herons, swans and hummingbirds every day. It was truly magical and a new family favorite. Kristi was just wonderful to work with and made our stay perfect!
Melissa Z.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
10/10 Excellent
Thomas K.
15 July 2021
Liked: Cleanliness
Would rent again
Great house and nice location on the Grass River. Communication with the property manager was excellent and she was quick to respond. Brought our 24-foot Yamaha jet boat an had no problems getting to the house and parking alongside of the dock. The boat house is great for keeping canoes and kayaks out of the weather and in the water. It’s a perfect house if your looking for that up north feel.
Thomas K.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
10/10 Excellent
Jeff L.
27 June 2021
Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic Weekend on the Lakes
Communication was great, and hosts were wonderfully responsive and helpful all weekend. The house was immaculate when we arrived and well stocked with all we needed. We loved the location with lots of room to explore by land and water. The spacious yard and the fire pit were great, given the unseasonably cold weather that made boating less fun. We were ready to book for next year before we even left!
Jeff L.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021
10/10 Excellent
William M.
22 June 2021
Liked: Cleanliness
Great weekend
The property was perfect for a family fishing trip. I would highly recommend this property and how to use it again in the future. The location is perfect for boating, and fishing.
William M.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021
10/10 Excellent
Sagar Jitendra P.
14 June 2021
Liked: Cleanliness
Pleasant, peaceul stay
This place is ideal if you want to enjoy a weekend getaway at Torch Lake. It is close to the torch lake but also secluded in its own sense. Perfect for a peacefully, quite stay with friends and family wanting to enjoy nature. The host was really helpful and she would always reply immediately to any queries we had. I would recommend this place.
Sagar Jitendra P.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2021
10/10 Excellent
Monica S.
10 Sept 2020
Liked: Cleanliness
Great place
Property is pretty and outdoor areas very spacious. Always wood and propane. Nice they have canoes and outdoor games there for you. Only complaint - rooms are extremely small. Had newborn and pack and play barely fit. Had to break It down daily to get in and out.