Welcome to The Dragonfly Cottage – Your Perfect Northern Michigan Getaway . This dog-friendly, 5-bedroom lakefront cottage sits just 25 steps from Intermediate Lake, offering unbeatable access to swimming, fishing, boating, and relaxation. Whether you’re planning a family vacation, group retreat, or pet-friendly adventure, The Dragonfly delivers charm, comfort, and unforgettable memories year-round.
Why Book The Dragonfly Cottage?
● True Lakefront Living : Enjoy a private dock, shallow-entry beachfront, and 75-foot drop-off perfect for fishing—all just steps from the cottage. Two kayaks, a canoe, and a paddleboat are included for your use, free of charge.
● Pet-Friendly Paradise : We love dogs! Your pup will feel right at home with a dedicated dog bed, crates, bowls, leash, toys, and more. There’s even a shallow beach entry for easy doggy dips in the lake.
● Room for the Whole Crew : Sleeps up to 12 guests across 5 bedrooms + loft with 8 beds. Two full bathrooms, a fully stocked kitchen, and high-speed Wi-Fi ensure a comfortable stay for groups and families.
● Entertainment for All Ages : From a vintage Star Wars pinball machine and board games to a lakeside fire pit, hammocks, and corn hole, there’s something for everyone—rain or shine.
● High Speed WiFi: use the high speed wi-fi to work remotely or stream your favorite movie on the 55" Smart TV.
● Centrally Located for Adventure : Minutes from downtown Bellaire, Short’s Brewery, Torch Lake, and Shanty Creek Resort. Explore wineries, cideries, hiking trails, golf courses, and day trips to Traverse City, Charlevoix, and Sleeping Bear Dunes.
Seasonal Highlights
Summer:
● Private dock for your boat or rentals
● 2 Kayaks, canoe, paddleboat included
● Fire pit with marshmallow kits & stargazing
Fall:
● Leaf peeping right outside the door
● Cider tastings & apple picking nearby
● Drive the Tunnel of Trees
Winter:
● Ski Schuss Mountain (13 min away)
● Snowmobiling & ice fishing on the lake
● Cozy nights with the electric fireplace
Bedroom Layout
● Primary Bedroom (Main Floor): King bed + lake views
● Bedroom 2 & 3 (Main Floor): Full beds + closets
● Bedroom 4 (upstairs): King bed
● Bedroom 5 (upstairs): Two queen beds
● Bonus: Daybed with two twin trundle + game table & pinball machine in loft
Fully Stocked Kitchen
Vintage charm meets modern function—complete with:
● Stove, dishwasher, microwave, blender
● Coffee & tea station (with syrups, creamers, and tea)
● Cooking oil, 20+ spices, full cookware set
● New countertops, faucet, and sink (2024 update)
Bathrooms
Two full bathrooms with:
● Shower/tub combo in bathroom 1
● Walk in Shower in bathroom 2
● Towels, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, makeup towels
● “Forgot Something?” jars for peace of mind
Backyard & Lake Life
● Private sandy beachfront + 90-ft dock
● 2 Kayaks, 1 Canoe & 1 Paddleboat provided for your use
● Fire pit with wood + s’mores supplies
● 2 hammocks right by the water
● Lawn games, fishing poles, tackle
● Boat gas station down the lake
Dog Amenities
We provide:
● Dog bed, crates, slow feeders
● Collapsible bowls, toys, leash
● Waste bags and more
Good to Know
● Cottage built in 1964 with charming vintage quirks - Fully renovated for year-round use in 2021
● Well water – drinking water recommended if preferred
● Security cameras at entry points (they record audio and video upon movement)
● Quiet hours: 10PM–7AM
● No parties
● This is a lakefront property. There is no lifeguard on duty. By booking this property you are swimming, boating, and using the lake at your own risk.
Book your lakeside escape today and experience the magic of The Dragonfly Cottage – where timeless charm meets modern comfort in every season.
AMENITY HIGHLIGHTS:
◈ Two kayaks
◈ Paddle boat
◈ 16 foot canoe
◈ Fully equipped kitchen
◈ Dedicated workspace
◈ 1 gig high speed Wi-Fi
◈ Record player with albums
◈ Bluetooth speaker
◈ Alarm clocks with USB charging ports
◈ Gas grill with grill utensils
◈ Hammocks
◈ Board games & card games
◈ Pinball machine
◈ Fishing poles & tackle (bring ice fishing gear)
◈ Beach towels
◈ Coffee & tea bar
◈ Adult and children’s books
◈ Boat dock
◈ Firepit and marshmallow skewers
◈ AC + heat + extra portable electric heaters
◈ 4 adult life jackets & 2 child life jackets
◈ Lawn games (Chip-in, Ladderball, Cornhole)
◈ Dog Amenities
◈ Dog bed
◈ 2 collapsible dog crates
◈ Collapsible dog bowls
◈ Dog toys
◈ 2 slow feeders
◈ Extra leash
◈ Potty Bags
The Location:
You’ll be close to ski resorts, excellent golf courses, wine tasting, cider tasting, a famous brewery (Shorts) and more. The Dragonfly is just 8 minutes from downtown Bellaire – which is home to some favorite destinations, including Short's Brewery, Bee Well Meade, The Corner Bistro, Mammoth Distilling, and more. Just a few miles from the Torch Lake public boat launch. 13 minutes from Shanty Creek. You can also take short day trips to Charlevoix, Petoskey, Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes, Mackinac Island, or Traverse City!
Cider & Wine Tasting: Traverse City is known for its wine, but Central Lake and Bellaire have some great cider and wine. too. Drive less than 10 minutes to try some amazing cider and wine. Stop by Bee Well Cider & Mead, Cellar 1914, Torch Lake Cellars, or Short’s Brewery to try some local wine, cider, and mead.
Golfing: The Dragonfly is centrally located among many golf courses like A-Ga-Ming, Shanty Creek, Belvedere, Antrim Dells, and more.
Take a day trip: If you’re looking for more adventure, you can make day trips to some of Michigan’s top attractions like Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes, Traverse City (45 mins), Mackinac Island (1.5 hours), Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Charlevoix (25 mins), or Boyne Mountain (30 mins).
Please note: no parties are allowed at the property. Small gatherings for things like birthday dinners OK! This is a lakefront property and there is no life guard on duty. All guests acknowledge they will be swimming, boating, and enjoying the lake at their own risk when booking. Lastly, we have quiet hours between 10pm and 7am - it’s very important this is followed, so our neighbors continue to be supportive of The Dragonfly!
VINTAGE CHARM: The Dragonfly was built in 1964 and was used as a seasonal cottage for over 60 years! In 2021, it was renovated for use year-round. Your hosts are the third owners of this cottage, and all owners have kept the original vintage charm! This also means the cottage has quirks – the kitchen and bathrooms are original to the cottage, the stairs can be a bit squeaky, and sometimes the humidity makes the doors stick. The cottage is on a well and septic. If you are not used to well water, we recommend bringing drinking water with you.
Security cameras are installed on the front and back doors. The light on the front of the house is on a timer, for convenience.
