Birch Harbor, Lakefront Cottage - Northport, Michigan

Birch Harbor is a 4 bedroom, 2 bath, lakefront cottage on Grand Traverse Bay in Northport, Michigan.

Explore everything Leelanau County has to offer while enjoying 130 feet of private beach frontage on Lake Michigan.

The historic cottage has modern updates and is located 1 mile from the Village of Northport on a Natural Scenic Beauty Road. This private, cozy setting has multiple indoor living spaces, an enclosed 4-season porch with water views, and a large deck overlooking Lake Michigan.

Nestled on Northport Bay near the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula, this home is perfect for getaways with family, friends, or couples.

The cottage is the perfect blend of old and new. Historic log beams, knotty pine, wood floors, and a massive fieldstone fireplace are complemented with an updated kitchen, updated baths and modern amenities.

The main house features 3 bedrooms located in the rear of the cottage with great natural light and views of Leelanau Conservancy forest. The two bedrooms on the main floor share a full bath and each has a queen size bed with new Nectar mattresses. The main bedroom is located upstairs and has a king size bed with a new Nectar mattress and a large private bathroom. The cottage’s laundry is located in this bathroom. NOTE: The fourth bedroom is located in a separate studio built in 2020 and located behind the cottage. The studio has a queen size bed, futon and dedicated work/workout space. The studio does not have its own bathroom.

If you’ve been disappointed with the quality of linens and towels at many short-term rentals, we think you’ll appreciate the Cuddledown linens, Turkish Towel Company towels and Brooklinen pillows we stock at Birch Harbor. Beach towels and Paul Mitchell shampoo, conditioner and body wash are also provided.

The cottage features two indoor living spaces. The downstairs living room has cathedral ceilings with a wood burning stone fireplace as a centerpiece. Upstairs, a loft area features a 60” TV and a leather sofa, perfect for evening movies or watching a game.

The headliners of the cottage are the enclosed four-season porch spanning the width of the cottage and the large deck, both overlooking Lake Michigan. Enjoy meals at the dining table on the porch or on the outdoor table on the deck. Either space is perfect for enjoying your morning coffee, meditation or reading your current favorite book.

The kitchen is fully equipped and perfect for cooking and has direct access to the indoor dining area on the porch.

Finally, the exterior areas feature 130 feet of beach, a beach fire pit with Adirondack chairs, a wood beach swing and a dock. The studio also features a small deck with a two-person bistro table and chairs.

Please note: Guests are welcome to walk out and sit out on the dock, which has 4 Adirondack chairs. We do not allow guests’ watercraft of any kind to be tied to the dock. The waters are shallow and there are some large rocks which can damage boats/propellers. Boat, kayak and paddle board rentals are available for day use at North Shore Outfitters in the Village.

Birch Harbor has remote access locks. You’ll be provided an entry code for access.

Everything will be accessible to you at Birch Harbor except the upstairs locked storage area located in the garage.

You will have access to parking in the two-car garage, as well as the driveway.

Parking cars, trailers or any other vehicles on the lawn is strictly prohibited. Leelanau Township prohibits the use of tents or other portable structures at the property.

Birch Harbor is located 1 mile north of the Village of Northport on a Natural Scenic Beauty Road. Note: the road is a County maintained sleepy dirt road. It runs between the cottage and the beach, but it is typically not busy and is usually used only by people that live on the road or by walkers/joggers.

The Village of Northport is the most laid back municipality in Leelanau County. In the high season, the vibe is distinctly different than the “bustle” of Suttons Bay, Leland or Glen Arbor. It has a vibrant dining and music scene, with such stalwarts as the New Bohemian Cafe (fantastic coffee, teas, lattes, and sandwiches), the Tribune (breakfast, lunch and ice cream in the evenings), Fingers Crossed (great for dinner and the best cocktails in the County), the Union (fantastic small plates and wood fired pizza), the Mitten (local brewery with the Big Hot Woody slinging pizza), Barb’s Bakery (the donuts!) and Yard & Lake (great bar and a taco truck). Make sure to check out Music in the Park (Friday evenings in the summer at the park at the Northport Marina) and the rotating musicians at the Union. Finally, get up early on Friday, watch a spectacular sunrise at Birch Harbor with your first cup of coffee, and then hit the Leelanau Farmer’s Market (open early June to mid-September) in the marina parking lot. 9 Bean Rows, the best bakery in Northern Michigan, has a stand at the farmer’s market and the local farm produce at the market is out of this world.

The Village is within easy walking/biking/driving distance from Birch Harbor at only one mile away.

The star of the show is Leelanau County itself. Birch Harbor is the perfect base to explore the Peninsula, including the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Empire Bluff, Christmas Cove, Peterson Park, Leelanau State Park, the Grand Traverse Lighthouse, or the other historic villages in Leelanau County, including Suttons Bay, Leland, Lake Leelanau, or Glen Arbor.