Mackinac Vista
SLEEPS: 10 Comfortably
BEDROOMS: 3
BATHROOMS: 2.5
*LAKEFRONT (Lake Huron)
*SWIMMING ON PROPERTY
*DOG FRIENDLY
*VIEWS OF MACKINAC ISLAND, THE MACKINAC BRIDGE, and ST. IGNACE
* SLOW DRIVING (25 MPH) IS ESSENTIAL from the subdivision gate to the house. Neighbors are vigilant at having the speed limit enforced. Police will be notified.
With approximately 200 ft. of shoreline on St. Martins Point, your family will be submerged in nature. Surrounded by national forest on one side and Lake Huron on the other, enjoy hiking, swimming, and nearby tourism (St. Ignace, Mackinac Island). Mackinac Vista is a true custom log cabin built with huge natural logs(not with milled logs). There is zero drywall in this home. Marvel at the large timbers as you sip your coffee at the breakfast bar in the modern, fully equipped kitchen.
From the backyard, you can see the Mackinac Bridge, Mackinac Island, and the St. Ignace fireworks every Saturday night in the distance. At night you can see the lights of St. Ignace. Some will gather their friends and enjoy cooking on the propane grill, while folks rest along the wrap-around deck. The national forest is a great feature for those who love to hike and explore. Mackinac Vista sleeps 8 comfortably in beds and has 2 ½ bathrooms. There is also a futon and pull-out couch if needed. Two additional twin beds are also available during the Summer months.
*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 Mackinac Vista.
*This home is located in a private subdivision. The entrance is clearly marked, and speed limit signs are posted. SPEED LIMIT IS 25 MPH. Please adhere to the speed limit-there are kids and residents who walk this road daily. Failure to follow the speed limit on the private road, could result in the rental being shut down and therefore you will need to leave immediately.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Air Conditioning: No air conditioning. There are ceiling fans in great room and 3-4 portable fans that you can place wherever you wish.
ATV's: Yes. You are able to park your trailer and jump on your gear from the front door. There is an ORV trail nearby on the Point itself which goes to Search Bay.
Bathrooms:
Bathroom #1= connected to master bedroom with jetted-tub and separate shower
Bathroom #2= upstairs with a shower, no tub
Bathroom #3= half bath on main floor—no tub or shower
Beach/Swimming: Grass to rocky shoreline to rocky water. Water shoes are seriously suggested. It has a gradual decline into the water (so it is shallow for a while). The lake bottom is rocky. Swimming is sometimes rough because of the winds around the point in the afternoon. There are life jackets hanging inside. Another location for swimming is Search Bay: Forest Road 3436, Hessel, MI
Bedroom Configuration:
Master Bedroom= main floor with King Bed
Bedroom #2= upstairs with Queen Bed
Bedroom #3= upstairs with 2 sets of twin bunk beds
General Sleeping Areas = upstairs loft has a full-size futon also there is a pull-out couch in a nook off the great room.
Also, on the main floor, the porch with 2 twins is ONLY for use in the summer. It is NOT insulated.
PORCH CLOSED IN THE WINTER-The fourth room(or porch) is long and narrow. It is actually an enclosed deck that is carpeted and has two beds in it. It has windows all around facing the lake. These two beds do not have box springs - they are mattresses on slats. Due to the frames of the beds they cannot be converted to a king size bed. The upstairs loft also has a full-size futon as well as a pull-out couch in a nook off the great room.
Boats: No boats are provided, but you are welcome to bring your own.
Bugs: Typical UP bugs, but the Mayflies (in June) can be thick, depending on the year.
Cell phone service: AT&T has good service, along with Verizon.
Distances:
* Pictured Rocks: 2 hours and 18 minutes ( 134 miles)
* Marquette: 3 hours and 5 minutes ( 177 miles)
* Tahquamenon Falls State Park: 1 hour and 32 minutes ( 86 miles)
* Mackinac Bridge: 35 minutes (31 miles)
Fire-pit: There is a fire-pit in the backyard on the water side half way between water and house.
Fireplace: There is a gas fireplace
Fishing: The cottage location is NOT an easy fishing spot- it's not traditional dock fishing— it's a rocky shoreline. You would be able to fish from there w long cast, yet the average fisherman would not be able to.
Best nearby fishing options are at:
Nearby Hessel Marina you can go fishing off the pier (Lake Huron).
Salmon fishing can be done in the Carp River (20 minutes away).
Les Cheneaux Islands is about 20 minutes away which are boater and fishing friendly.
Grill: Propane grill. Propane is provided.
Grocery Store: The Narley Whale Fish Market- 54 W M-134, Cedarville, MI 49719
Family Fare - 699 US-2, St Ignace, MI 49781
Cedarville Foods- 30 N M-129, Cedarville, Mi 49719
Heat: Forced air heater and baseboard heating.
Internet: YES! Satellite internet requires optimal weather conditions to perform its best. Wind, snow, and rain will affect internet speed.
Linens: Yes, we provide your sheets and linens. Just like a hotel, the beds will be made for you upon arrival. If you would like to use your own sheets just let me know, and I'll make sure we leave a bed open for your sheets. We have just the basic sheets, pillows, pillow cases and bath towels.
Parking: There is room for about 2-3 cars or 1 truck/trailer combos.
Pets: 2 dogs are welcome! Freshwater Vacation Rentals currently charges $75/per pet for your entire stay. Yes, we do accept dogs, yet we do ask that you please clean up after them both inside and outside the cabin. Plus, if you allow them on the furniture, we do ask that you please bring your own linens/blankets for them to sleep on. Just let us know which bed you will be using with them, and we'll make sure it is ready for your sheets when you arrive. Plus, if the pet hair starts to build, we do ask that you please run the vacuum. Generally, dogs love the water and places to explore. Pet food does tend to attract mice, so vigilance is needed.
Privacy: You can see the national forest on one side of the home and on the backside of the home you can see a neighbor's home.
Snowmobiling: The closest trail to Mackinac Vista is Trail 47. Ideally, you do need to trailer your sleds to the trailhead.
Space: Main floor and upper floor.
Televisions: Smart TV in the great room with cable. Also, there is a TV in the loft which only plays DVDs.
Towels: Yes, we provide towels. It's always good to bring extra though.
Washer and dryer: YES! Laundry soap is provided.
Winter Activities:
* Snowmobiling
Hessel is part of the Upper Peninsula snowmobile trail network, offering direct access to various trails. There are trails that connect you to Hiawatha National Forest and the surrounding region, where you can enjoy miles of snowmobiling paths. ~Please trailer to trails~
* Cross-Country Skiing & Snowshoeing
Distance: 10-15 miles
- The Hiawatha National Forest is located approximately 10–15 miles from Hessel. It offers cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails. Popular trails include those around Big Island Lake and Indian Lake.
* Ice Fishing
Distance: 5-10 miles
- Lake Huron (including Les Cheneaux Islands) is very close to Hessel, providing excellent ice fishing opportunities. You can find spots in nearby waters, such as Lake Michigan and Mackinac Island, around 10 miles away.
* Skiing & Snowboarding
Distance: 70-90 miles
- If you're looking for downhill skiing or snowboarding, the nearest resorts are Shanty Creek Resorts (about 75 miles) and Boyne Highlands (around 90 miles). These resorts offer a variety of runs and winter activities, including snowboarding and tubing.
* Winter Hiking
Distance: 10-20 miles
- Mackinac Island is about 15 miles from Hessel by boat (though ferry service is seasonal and limited in winter). In winter, you can take a ferry to the island and enjoy peaceful, snowy hikes along the Mackinac Island State Park trails.
* Dog Sledding
Distance: 50-60 miles
- You may need to travel around 50–60 miles to find dog sledding operators, often based in areas like Tahquamenon Falls or Marquette. You could explore this activity in nearby forests, depending on availability.
- Mackinac Island Winter Charm
Distance: 15 miles (by ferry in winter)
The Mackinac Island winter experience includes carriage rides and trails for hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. It's 15 miles from Hessel by ferry, though winter access is limited.
Wood: Please bring your own for the firepit. Check out Family Fare - 699 US-2, St Ignace, MI 49781
