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Bigbay vacation home on Lake Independence.

Photo gallery for Bigbay vacation home on Lake Independence.

Smart TV, fireplace, DVD player, books - Bigbay vacation home on Lake Independence. (Bigbay)
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop - Bigbay vacation home on Lake Independence. (Bigbay)
A wooden deck with outdoor furniture, a covered patio, and a dog statue. - Bigbay vacation home on Lake Independence. (Bigbay)
A wooden cabin with a porch, large windows, and a satellite dish. - Bigbay vacation home on Lake Independence. (Bigbay)
A stone fireplace, wooden bar stools, leather armchairs, and a dining area with a view of the outdoors. - Bigbay vacation home on Lake Independence. (Bigbay)
Surrounded by mountains and a serene lake, this beautiful property offers endless opportunities to unwind. Enjoy swimming, fishing, or paddle around the lake with the available kayak and paddle boat. Inside, cozy up by the stone fireplace in the open concept living room with panoramic views of your private dock.

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful

Entire home

3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning
  • Outdoor space

Add dates for prices

About this property

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.

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach loungers
  • Beach towels

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Wheelchair-accessible parking available
  • Onsite parking options include a garage

Kitchen

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

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Accessible parking space
  • In-room accessibility
  • No lift
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Designated smoking areas

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board
  • Limited housekeeping

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

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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

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 to 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 rubbish
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

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and 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

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts

About the area

Located in Big Bay, this holiday home is in the mountains and on a lake. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Superior and Little Presque Isle Recreation Area. Jet skiing and kayaking offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hunting and hiking/biking trails nearby. Visit our Big Bay travel guide
View more Holiday homes in Big Bay
Map
Bigbay, MI

What's nearby

  • A coastal landscape with rocky terrain, pine trees, and a calm sea with distant islands.
    Sugarloaf Mountain
    32 min drive - 47.8 km
  • A coastal landscape with rocky cliffs and dense greenery.
    Presque Isle Park
    42 min drive - 59.8 km
  • An aerial view of a forested area with a winding road, a lake, and a distant town.
    Marquette Mountain
    48 min drive - 65.5 km
  • Lake Independence
    2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Northern Michigan University
    37 min drive - 56.5 km

Getting around

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

Restaurants

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

Frequently asked questions

Is Bigbay vacation home on Lake Independence. pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Bigbay vacation home on Lake Independence.?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Bigbay vacation home on Lake Independence.?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Bigbay vacation home on Lake Independence.?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Bigbay vacation home on Lake Independence. located?

Situated on a lake, this holiday home is steps away from Lake Independence and Lake Superior. Little Presque Isle Recreation Area and Hidden Beach are also within 25 miles (40 km).

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Bigbay vacation home on Lake Independence. Reviews

Reviews

Wonderful

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.
More informationOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 75 out of 103 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 18 out of 103 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 6 out of 103 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 3 out of 103 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 103 reviews

8.8

Cleanliness

9.8

Location

8.0

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified

8/10 Good

Vance E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The views were outstanding. The local people were extremely friendly.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Todd R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great location for snowmobiling! Jim had excellent communication before, during and after our stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Shirlee H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Host was great. Wonderful view!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jason C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
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
Verified

10/10 Excellent

zach d.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place

Great location. Good communication.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Karen V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dave C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fall getaway

Great place to stay, as described in listing. Quiet and great view of the lake. Owner is very responsive to any questions. Would certainly book again.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Diane L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Upper Penninsula Joy

Such a good and relaxing time on Independence Lake. Your choice to stay and relax or take wonderful day trips to wonderful sites.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

Greg W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Big Bay

Amazing views of Lake Independence and the Huron Mountains. Very quiet and relaxing. Enjoyed both Lake Independence and Lake Superior. Fantastic views from Thomas rock.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Gary B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great view of Lake Independence

The property was very nice and it met our needs well. The kitchen was spacious and the view was outstanding. Not sure if the air conditioner worked, but it was not so hot that we needed it. Our purpose to be there was to fish and the fishing was great. Would rent the house again if we go to Big Bay again.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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
Verified

8/10 Good

Colleen D.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michele B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lake Independence trip

We had a great stay at this property. The lake is gorgeous. The house was very comfortable for our family of 4. Our boys really enjoyed fishing on the lake and using the kayak and canoe provided. Jim was very helpful and nice, responded quickly to any communication and even gave me fishing lure tips when I told him my boys were hoping to catch a pike on the lake which they did!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kevin & Victoria K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Shimmering Birch

Two old pals continuing their annual UP North summer fishing trip tradition, experienced a really nice week at Jim’s Lake Independence cabin. The cottage served us well and the varied (day and night) vistas visible from the covered deck were marvelous. An exceptional location offering excellent fishing as well as great sightseeing opportunities nearby. Would definitely consider a return visit! Many thanks Jim, for sharing your family treasure!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

GM S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Rebooked it in less than 24 hours

We have been looking for the perfect up north cabin for our family for three years and we ABSOLUTELY found it in this one. The kids loved swimming in the warm shallow sandy waters right behind the cabin and my partner took the canoe out multiple times. We spent a day in Marquette (a super easy drive) at the Childrens Museum (do not miss this if you have kids under 8) but mostly just rotated time between the beach behind the cabin and the Lake Superior shore just down the street. Next year we're bringing bikes. Thank you for a great stay!
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Teresa H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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
Verified

8/10 Good

Sharon R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Helen Caryl P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lisa S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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
Verified

6/10 Okay

Bethany R.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location
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
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Donald S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The propery was great
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

Jeff M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Host was great, very responsive and accommodating. Property would be perfect in the summer. A little too tight for larger trucks and snowmobile trailers in the driveway, and sunroom is too cold for sleeping in the dead of winter.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Cathy D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
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
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dave P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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