Kid-friendly holiday rentals in Kalkaska County

This was perfect for our little getaway from home! The water was so relaxing as well as kept the kids busy. They generously have paddle boards and kayaks which were a huge hit. The board games surprisingly kept our teens busy for hours at night so we loved having those. Would definitely recommend and stay here again!

The house was beautiful and perfect for our group. Convenient location for a day in traverse city but was a quiet and peaceful retreat to come back to. Host was very responsive and helpful! We would definitely consider coming back if we visit this area again.

was a great place to stay. was very clean and had everything we needed. private and relaxing. Derek was a great host!

Great place for the family. Plenty of things to do at the house. Also not too far from Traverse City or Boyne Mountain. Would definitely stay here again!!

Our group of six adults really enjoyed our stay at the Bear Lake Barnhouse. We rented side by sides from Rippin Razor rentals in St Helen & they delivered them and picked them up which is perfect because the trails are close by. We loved all the choices of fun things to do including the boat we decided to rent for our stay. Downtown Grayling is close by and the food at Ray's BBQ & Paddle Board was really good if your not feeling like cooking but if you do want to cook the kitchen is well equipped. There was even some oil, spices, foil & storage bags in the kitchen which was nice. We mostly ate out but we did cook hotdogs on the grill one night & enjoyed a bonfire afterwards during our 4 night stay. Nick was an excellent host very responsive & helpful. If in the area again with a group we would stay here again.

Kristin was a great host and very responsive. The cabin was beautiful and very clean. Lots of room for our group of 6. We had a great time and hope to be back soon!

Beautiful home and an incredible lake view! Great open space for large groups to enjoy each other’s company.

We had a great stay! The location was perfect for our weekend and we really enjoyed the peacefulness of the river. Holly was great to communicate with and really thought of everything to make a stay enjoyable. Would definitely stay again!

Mark’s place was absolutely perfect. It was exactly like the photos and had everything we needed. I’m usually one who packs everything and the kitchen sink and I found that I didn’t need it because Mark-s condo had it all. He was very quick to respond to any questions I had which I appreciated. I also loved how the condo is located on the TART trail which made it super convenient to hop on for a quick bike ride. We definitely plan to return. Thanks again!

This is the second time I’ve stayed here and I enjoyed this visit as much as the first. Extremely friendly hosts, beautiful surroundings, quiet and peaceful. Exactly what I was looking for. I will stay again for sure.

Wonderful place to stay off-season. Exactly what we were looking for. Very convenient and effortless check-in check-out.

I absolutely loved my stay at this charming studio! It had everything I needed for a comfortable and relaxing solo retreat. The setting is incredible - right on the water. The views were breathtaking, especially at sunrise, and the private sandy beach made it feel like a hidden oasis. The landscaping is gorgeous , and the beachfront seating, fire pit, and beach toys made it easy to unwind and enjoy. The patio was a perfect spot to relax with a view and peaceful atmosphere. The owners were so kind and welcoming. It felt tucked away, yet still close to everything. Truly the best of both worlds. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a quiet, and relaxing stay with stunning setting.

Morgan's place was great. It had everything we needed for our stay. The space is exceptionally well maintained. The location is ideal for visiting Traverse City and the surrounding area. I would definitely recommend!

My partner and I’s stay at Jeffrey and Holly’s suite was outstanding. The space felt incredibly homely, with cozy decor and thoughtful touches that made us feel right at home. It was spotless and well-equipped with snacks, coffee, beach amenities, you name it - and we loved using their kayaks for exploring Silver Lake. They were friendly and provided smooth check-in instructions. The price for the area far beats any hotel we could have booked considering how comfortable, clean, and private the unit was. As other reviews said, mechanical noises and footsteps can be heard, but this did not bother us at all. We loved this unit so much, we will probably check the availability for our next trip to TC. This was hands down the best AirBNB we’ve ever stayed at. Highly recommend!

My 4 kids, husband and I have been coming to Shanty creek resorts for over 10 years. This is the first time we stayed somewhere other than the resort hotels. We enjoyed we were able to bring our dog on this trip, we had a kitchenette, and we did more in the area because we had to drive ourselves. This gave us a chance to explore and save more money. By staying in a place more reasonable than the hotel and we were able to cook ourselves and didn't have the added expense of a dog sitter. 4girls sharing one bathroom worked out better than I thought. We really enjoyed ourselves. Thank you The Ramsey family

Nice space, beautiful yard with fire pit around 40 mins away from traverse city. It was right next to a winery which was amazing and the place itself was cozy and peaceful. Mary left a treat for us when we got in which was really sweet. I recommend this place!

It was better than expected. The place was clean, amenities were thoughtful. Everything we needed was there. The host definitely had the guests best interest in mind. . Very pleased. 5 star host for sure.

There’s something magical about Shanty Creek. It’s our little escape each year, and this visit was just what we needed. Mornings with coffee, evenings with sunsets—those peaceful balcony views never get old. The space is cozy, calm, and always feels like a gentle pause from the world. It gave us room to breathe, rest, and just be. Cheryl was a fantastic host who communicated with perfect detail and the space was our perfect getaway. We are already dreaming of next year’s visit!

Great place with a beautiful view!

Loved our stay! Check-in was super easy and communication was quick. The place was really cute and thoughtfully decorated. Everything was great quality and the kitchen had way more than most Airbnbs we’ve stayed at. Loved the little extras like body wash and laundry detergent. The rooftop hot tubs were a nice bonus and got really hot. Parking was fine in our small SUV but could be tight for something bigger. Super quiet and the bed was really comfy. Would definitely stay again!

Beautiful accommodations. K.C. was a fantastic host and went above and beyond to accommodate us and made sure that we had a wonderful stay. Everything was perfect and we will definitely be back and recommend to our friends and family.

Jesse was a great host and we enjoyed staying at their place! We appreciated the private beach to play at and the pool was well maintained. There were plenty of food and entertainment options that Jesse recommended in their binder, and all were fantastic choices. The views were amazing from the living room/patio, and it felt very private. We couldn’t see any other guest and did not hear neighbors. It was very peaceful being on site and we could definitely see about renting the place again in the future! Jesse was a great host, communicated early and often, and made sure our stay was a pleasant one. Overall, great experience and thank you for letting us stay at your lovely home!

Great location - nice and clean! Fast communication with host.

Amazing view!! Very helpful with things around to do! Clean!!