Eagle's Retreat is a cozy cottage with a lot of character and an unbeatable location! You can relax on the front deck enjoying the view of Van Cleve Park and Little Bay de Noc (Lake Michigan) or walk over to Gladstone Beach (1 minute walk) and go for a dip. Enjoy a movie in our outdoor theater or take one of our numerous bikes for a ride along the shores of Lake Michigan (cottage rental includes garage access)! The Eagle's Retreat has something for everyone!
"Eagle's Retreat" is within 5 minutes walk of the following attractions...
* Little Bay de Noc Trail biking / walking trail head (5 mile round trip along the shoreline)
* Gladstone Beach (Rated one of the Top 5 Beaches in Michigan)
* Kids Kingdom Play Area
* New Public Fishing Dock complete with lights for night fishing and a fish cleaning station
* Fitness Course
* Skateboard Park
* Scenic Lagoon, Marina, Boat Launch and Gazebo
* Thursday night concert series (live music in the park 7-9pm in summer months)
* See the video in the pictures section for some aerial views of Van Cleve Park across the street from the cottage
Gladstone is also a perfect location for exploring all that the Upper Peninsula has to offer. Within one hour drive you can enjoy...
* Pictured Rocks National Lake Shore
* Fayette Historic State Park
* Big Springs (Kitch-iti-kipi), the largest natural spring in Michigan located in Palms Book State Park
* Sugarloaf Mountain, Presque Isle Park and historic Marquette
* Iron Mountain Iron Mine
* Splash Island Indoor Waterpark (20 min away)
* Dozens of gorgeous waterfalls and walking / biking trails
* The Island Resort and Casino
* Eben Ice Caves (seasonal)
* Lakenenland outdoor Sculpture Park
* Miners Castle Rock and the Lake Superior Shoreline
* Numerous golf courses, lighthouses, museums, and more!
* You can even take a day trip to Mackinac Island, rated the Number 1 Summer Destination in America by Tripadvisor in 2018! The ferry dock for the island is a 2.5 hour drive from the cottage.
Eagle's Retreat is well-equipped and features a large kitchen and a custom stone fireplace. We even have an outdoor movie theater with a 6 foot screen and Netflix! There is one bedroom on the main floor and two bedrooms upstairs in the converted attic. We refer to the upstairs bedrooms as the "Eagle's Nest" and it's a perfect hangout for kids of all ages. They will love having their own space to relax, watch movies, or play video games (Nintendo Wii and Gamecube with many games provided or bring your own to play on our 55” 4K TV). Other amenities include a large shower, 3 high definition TVs with Netflix, Sling Live Internet TV, Blu-Ray players, free wifi, a Japanese style bidet seat, washer & dryer, Air Conditioning (uncommon in this region) and dishwasher.
Outside you will find a front deck as well as a covered patio in the back. Both offer great views of the park and lake. The covered patio is equipped with a sound system and a 6 foot movie screen for watching streaming movies! There is a charcoal grill (charcoal provided) and plenty of outdoor seating for family and friends. You will have access to the garage (via a remote opener) to keep your vehicle and to access the collection of bikes of various sizes (helmets provided) as well as several yard games.
Little Bay De Noc is the Walleye fishing capital of the world and is home to many major fishing tournaments. In addition to Walleye you can also fish for Salmon, Bass, Trout, Perch, and several other species. Charters are available locally or you can fish from the newly constructed fishing dock which is just a few minutes walk from the cottage.
In the winter months you will find Gladstone to be an ideal place for your skiing, snowboarding, ice fishing, or snowmobiling getaway. Snowmobiles are permitted on Gladstone city streets and local trails connect you to the rest of the Upper Peninsula and beyond. The recently renovated Gladstone Sports Park is perfect for beginner to intermediate downhill skiers and it boasts 3 rope tows, 1 wire, and 1 t-bar. It also has a snowboard run with a regulation half-pipe and an indoor chalet with concessions. The cottage is just 38 miles from the stunning Eben Ice Caves which is becoming one of Michigan's top winter destinations!
There is plenty to do in Gladstone and the surrounding area no matter what the season. Other activities include lighthouse tours, gambling, golf, cross-country skiing, ATV trails, wreck diving, etc. etc. etc. The recently opened "Little Bay de Noc Trail" start just across the street and follows the shoreline for 2.5 miles. Just let us know what you are interested in and we will try to help you arrange an unforgettable getaway!
Upper Michigan has been named one of the Top Ten Travel Values in the World (2017) by Lonely Planet, the only location in the U.S. to receive this honor! Come and discover why!
