Elk Rapids is a small village that’s located in Antrim County in Michigan State. The village is around 15 miles (24 km) from Traverse City and it is nestled along the Elk River between Elk Lake and the nearby Grand Traverse Bay. Fishing and other outdoor activities can be enjoyed at Elk Lake, while the nearby Torch Lake has clean blue waters and is popular for fishing, diving, swimming and canoeing. Ethanology, a site in the village, is used for live music events, fly tying competitions and film events. Elk Rapids Day Park is the ideal spot for a picnic among the greenery. Guntzviller’s Spirit of the Woods Museum is an interesting visit, with exhibits dealing with zoology.
If you’re looking for suggestions on where to stay in this small village, then check out this list of the best vacation rentals in Elk Rapids, Michigan, USA, to choose from.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on May 18, 2024.
1. Classic Victorian home best for families (from USD 375)
Situated in downtown Elk Rapids, this classic Victorian home is perfect for a getaway any time of the year. It is close to areas for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing, not to mention winter festivals. In warm months, you can stroll to the sandy beach located just two blocks away or rent a boat from the local marina for a fun day in the waters.
For amusement without leaving the premises, guests can relax in the library filled with games and movies. The place also offers three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a chef’s kitchen that leads out to the dining area. There is a back porch that overlooks the beautiful backyard as well. With family-friendly amenities such as a travel crib and a high chair, it’s a great place to stay for families. Air conditioning and Wi-Fi are also available.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
comfortable living space and extremely well equipped especially the kitchenloved our stay especially the backyard area with cozy patio and croquet sets for the kids to play inCleanliness:
was very clean and comfortable well equipped with every thing you would needthe place is very nice and cleanclean nice kitchen would rent here againHost:
deborah was very helpfulproperty owners are just really nice people and there to hp when you need itRead more reviewsLocation:
easy walking distance to town and beachthe house is lovely in a fine location to town & the park marina librarycharming victorian with everything you could possibly need and great location i highly recommendwe enjoyed walking to the beach shops and restaurants
2. Cozy rental with lake views (from USD 289)
Cozy and well furnished, this vacation rental is suitable for a total of four guests. It offers a bedroom, a full bathroom, and a private sunroom with incredible lake views. The kitchen is also equipped with cooking basics for easy meal preparation. Amenities include air conditioning, Wi-Fi, a TV, and books for kids. To complete the getaway, adult bikes, kayaks, and a standup paddleboard are also provided.
Guests with cars or a trailer can park in the large area outside the guest entrance.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
great 80-85 degree weather and never needed air conditioning also availableCleanliness:
the rental house was very neat and cleanthe property was so nice and cleanlovely decor super clean & comfortablelovely clean well decorated friendly convenient private are all words to describe our stayclean comfortable fully stocked home overlooking the waterHost:
carley is the perfect hostgreat food service and staffeveryone was very friendlywe enjoyed our stay and hope to return annually the host was attentive yet we had lots of privacycarly our host was greatRead more reviewsLocation:
walking distance to great restaurants and barsgreat location in charming elk rapidsa few good restaurants within walking distance and a short drive to traverse city and torch lakegood location for going out for road trips and sightseeingoverall the place is great location
3. Charming family cottage (from USD 336)
This spacious and attractive family home is just minutes away from views over Grand Traverse Bay and three blocks away from downtown Elk Rapids with its restaurants and shops. This Elk Rapids cottage rental is a remodeled 1887 historic home and it is decorated in pottery barn style. The house has free Wi-Fi throughout and a brand-new kitchen with the latest appliances. There is a deck with a barbecue for outdoor cooking. The family room features a 39-inch LCD flat-screen TV and a games room features an entertainment center with a 27-inch TV and game cube. The master bedroom features a queen bed, while the other three bedrooms have a full bed, two twin beds, a day bed and another full bed.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
The bedrooms had comfortable beds and lots of roomThe house is comfortable and roomyproviding easy access to the town and beachTwo minor issues: the south facing upstairs bedroom was a little warm and could probably use a window a/c unit' the other issue was no upstairs bathroom which was a minor inconveniance during the n...only had a full size bed (bouncy if you have a spouse that turns a lot during the night) and one outlet in the opposite corner of the roomCleanliness:
The bedrooms were well kept and very clean as were the bathroomsThe place is clean spacious and decorated like a home in Crate and Barrel catalogHost:
The home and the hall were both historical landmarksVery nice home with a great locationWe made wonderful family memories thereWe are hoping to return next yearWhen we weren't out exploring the area we mostly hung out on the really nice back deckRead more reviewsLocation:
The location is within walking distance of main street and the beachmy sister and her spouse rented this house for a week last summerThe house was only 3-4 blocks from the beach and from downtown stores and restaurantsAlso no nightstands; so no place to plug in a cell phone or have a lampThe wine shop had some great wines I never heard of
4. Bay-view home (from USD 144)
This newly remodeled Elk Rapids home is less than a block away from the beach and Veterans’ Memorial Park, with its tennis and basketball courts and children’s playground. The home is a two-block walk from downtown Elk Rapids with its restaurants, water sports and shops. There are a gas grill and yard games available in the garden. The house offers amazing views over Grand Traverse Bay. The house offers free parking and Wi-Fi and cable TV is provided. Sleeping arrangements include a queen-size bed in the master bedroom, two double beds in the second and third bedrooms and a sofa bed and two couches in the living area.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
comfortable and stylish with all the amenities one could ask forcomfortable beds beautiful downstairs shower new appliances and excellent living room space for relaxing on the coucha fabulous location and a really nice comfortable cottage full of lots of helpful amenitiesbeds were very comfortablewe loved having a third bathroomCleanliness:
very clean and large enough for 8 ladiestucked away in very nice clean and quiet residential communityexcellent location a very clean tidy modern houseclean comfortable near the beach and downtowngreat house and location very clean and organizedHost:
host were quite consideratesteven and tami were caring and attentive hosts who quickly responded to all of our questionsand the hosts were easily accessiblewe were thankful to have such caring hosts they made there home feel like oursthanks for being awesome hostsRead more reviewsLocation:
excellent location for a winter or summer staylocated in a cute village close to the waterexcellent cute place close to the lakedefinitely recommend this location:)perfect location and great for families
Superhost
5. Family home close to downtown (from USD 150)
Steve and Tami Simpson graciously host this three-bedroom Elk Lake rental that is walkable from downtown Elk Rapids. A total of eight people are comfortably accommodated in this home that features an open-concept space on the ground level. The oneness of such floor plans make for a great family vacation where you’ll get to keep up with everyone. This vacation rental comes with a chef’s kitchen with a full pantry, free Wi-Fi, smart televisions, and kayaks. Guests usually stay here due to its close proximity to popular Elk Rapids hiking, biking, and kayaking spots.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the bed we slept in as well as the couch was very comfortablesectional was large and comfortable and there was a nice large flat screen tvcomfortable house with all the amenities needed for a late summer getaway in the traverse city areait was so nice to not have to climb into a tub to take a showerCleanliness:
it was super clean and updatedhouse was clean well stocked cozy and conveniently locatedvery clean nice place comfortable lots of room board games and blankets available to useproperty was clean and located in a quiet neighborhood with great access to local businessesHost:
the owners are wonderful and quick to respondthe owners were very responsive to questions we had when we first arrivedthe owners went out of their way to make our stay enjoyableproperty managers were very responsive and available by textthe owners were very responsive to our questions and kind and we would rent from them againRead more reviewsLocation:
the location could only get better if you are literally on the sandthe location was excellent for walks and was close to restaurantslocation was perfect grocery store across the streetnice central location for the activities we had plannedlocation was ideal owners were wonderful
6. Farmhouse-style ranch in the quaint downtown (from USD 395)
If you’re a fan of the farmhouse-style homes that Chip and Joanna Gaines of HGTV’s Fixer Upper have repopularized so well, you will go ballistic over this three-bedroom Elk Rapids rental. The property is situated in downtown Elk Rapids and can accommodate up to eight people. Staying here is ideal for families or groups looking to have a mellow but memorable getaway since events and parties of any kind are prohibited. Besides the amenities inside, another great part of this home is the outdoor seating surrounding a fire pit; it’s perfect for those cold nights where you just want to sing songs and swap stories with your loved ones.
Top guest reviews
Cleanliness:
the cottage was clean and everything looked newbeautiful inside and out very clean and a great locationHost:
the house looks newly remodeled and the host was welcoming and attentivecommunication with the owner was quick and easyRead more reviewsLocation:
the location was goodproximity and easy travel to traverse city and elk rapids downtown just a short walk awayeasy walk to town and the beachthe location of the house is very convenient to attractions like torch lake and sleeping bear dunesit’s an easy walk to downtown parks and marina
7. House in Elk Rapids (from USD 600)
One of the most luxurious Airbnb vacation rentals in Elk Rapids, this lovely, timber-framed home is set on a private shoreline on East Grand Traverse Bay in the village of Elk Rapids and is close to all the attractions. The four-bedroom home has four bathrooms, making it ideal for families and groups. There are two paddle boards and two kayaks for guests’ use as well as children’s life jackets and beach toys. There are also four bikes on loan to guests and several lawn games. An outdoor deck allows for dining in the fresh air. Air conditioning and cable TV are also provided. Sleeping arrangements include a king-size bed in the master bedroom, a queen-size bed in the second and one queen-size, one sofa bed and a crib in the third bedroom. The fourth bedroom has two single beds and there is a sofa bed in the living area.
Top guest reviews
Cleanliness:
great location very cleanHost:
superb hosts helped to highlight this stay as one we will not forgetexcellent communication with both the owner and property managerRead more reviewsLocation:
a beautiful location and a very cozy placethe location is so perfect that there is no need to leave the housevery easy ride or walk into town
8. Historic home in a quaint village (from USD 576)
This historic, charming home close to Memorial Park is a few minutes away from the picturesque Grand Traverse Bay. This five-bedroom vacation rental is an ideal place to hold intimate family reunions or company outings and can accommodate up to 14 people. A ping pong table, a pool table, board games, books, and children’s games are all available here, so entertainment for all ages shouldn’t be a hard feat. For outdoor gatherings, there are tables with seatings as well as a couple of charcoal grills at your disposal.
9. Vacation home close to the beach and playground (from USD 200)
This newly renovated vacation rental is just under a block away from the beach and the Veterans’ Memorial Park with its tennis and basketball courts and a playground for the children. The house is two blocks away from the restaurants and shops of downtown Elk Rapids. The property is on a corner lot with a big yard with games and a gas grill. There is also a beautiful view over Grand Traverse Bay. The house sleeps twelve guests in three bedrooms. The master bedroom has a queen-size bed, the second has a double bed and sofa bed, the third has a double bed and sofa bed. There is a queen-size pullout couch in the family room and a further sofa bed in the upstairs gaming nook. The house has one bathroom.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
has a number of excellent assets -- large kitchenwonderful round shower spacious living room and excellent locationIf I were to make one suggestion it would be to have the entire fry pan collection replaced Many of the pans had handles missing and wereCleanliness:
The house is very cleanHost:
We had a wonderful timeThe owners were very attentive and accommodating to our needsMy family of 3 along with another family of 4 stayed here for 4 days 3 nightsRead more reviewsLocation:
We enjoyed our stay and really liked the house and locationIt was a great location and just miles away from Traverse City where we went snow tubing and also went on a wine tourThis property was a great location to the beach and downtownThe close location to the beach and downtown was really great; the grandsons enjoyed being able to walk for a swim everyday and even do some fishing at the Elk Rapids Kids pondOur teenagers loved the upstairs loft area where they were able to play their video games & watch tv
10. Vacation townhouse close to beach (from USD 225)
This newly remodeled vacation home is located less than two blocks from the beach and downtown Elk Rapids. The living area features a TV and a selection of DVDs to watch and free Wi-Fi is available throughout. Bikes, golf, fishing and tennis gear are provided as well as beach equipment. The living area and kitchen feature a walk-out deck for outdoor dining. Sleeping arrangements include two bedrooms with queen-size beds, one with single beds and two sofa beds in the living area. There are two bathrooms in the home.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the space downstairs was fresh dry had natural light and plenty of room for 3 adultsCleanliness:
a very clean nice house with modern updatesthe house is clean and neatsuper clean and the beds were wonderfully comfortablewonderful place very clean close to downtownit was so clean nicky was a gracious host that responded very quicklyHost:
the place is immaculate and nicky is very responsive to questionsthe neighborhood was quiet and friendly and the kitchen has excellent appliancesRead more reviewsLocation:
the house is super cute and minutes walking distance from towncharming house within walking distance of beach and downtownvery nice place great locationexcellent location 2 blocks from the beachthe house is in a perfect location
11. Beachfront rental with access to tennis courts (from USD 193)
This lovely house is located across the road from tennis and basketball courts and a playground on the beach. The house is two blocks from downtown Elk Rapids with its movie theater, restaurants and pubs. Enjoy relaxing on the front deck with views of Grand Traverse Bay, while watching the children at play. The newly renovated Elk Rapids vacation rental has a living area with cable TV and four bedrooms. The master room has a queen-size bed, while the sunroom has two single beds and a trundle bed. The second bedroom has a queen-size bed. The third bedroom has full-size bunk beds and there is one bathroom.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
The view from the front bay window is so relaxing andWe had 6 adults in our group that each had their own bed and privacyI want to mention that the heater is noisyAnd an amazing bonus was being able to see this view through the huge bay windowsClean spacious (aside from the teeny-tiny bathroom) and comfortable This is a gem of a house with everything you need for a great relaxing vacationCleanliness:
Our stay was everything VRBO promised and moreThis house was extremely clean(and we even brought our tennis rackets for some time on the courts)The house was spotlessly clean with ample space for our familyHost:
Owner was great to work with Elk RapidsThe home is very clean nicely decorated and well maintainedIt was perfect for me and my wife 4 kids mother in law and dogYour camera will not capture the amazing sunsetsclean and spacious Miriah was communicative and had a genuine desire to make our stay enjoyableRead more reviewsLocation:
but there are a number of restaurantsand it's a really pleasant short walk to lots of shops and restaurants including a delicious bakery for doughnutsWe enjoyed a number of activities in the area including Sleeping Bear Dunes and zip lining at Mt Holiday in Traverse CityClean lots of space and a perfect location for a beach vacationbut is probably not an issue for summer rentals
12. One-bedroom vacation rental (from USD 143)
This one-bedroom home is located in downtown Elk Rapids, a short stroll from shops, restaurants and the local beaches. There is cable TV and free Wi-Fi available to guests. An outdoor deck allows for outside relaxation and dining and there is a well-equipped kitchen. Sleeping arrangements include a queen-size bed and a sofa bed. There is one bathroom in this apartment for rent in Elk Rapids, MI.
Top guest reviews
Host:
The caretaker was right there to help with any questionsevery where Very clean and great bed Owners are very niceVery clean and and spacious Right in town and could walk to everything Owner very nice and easy to work with Loved our stayRead more reviewsLocation:
Very clean easy to get to the beach shops and TC
13. Lazy Days: An 'Up North' Retreat (from USD 170)
For a family of six traveling to Elk Rapids with their dogs, this “Up North” retreat hosted by Ben Rubert is a great place to stay! This cozy rental is one of the properties that truly feels like home as it gives off a lived-in vibe with its all-over-the-place decor and mismatched furnishing. The back patio comes with a seating area perfect for al fresco dining. There is also a barbecue grill and a fire pit that are essentials for chilly, mellow nights.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
awesome shower and super cool coffee cupsCleanliness:
house really needs a deep cleaning and yard clean up - everything was overgrownRead more reviewsLocation:
the location was greatperfect location and nice quiet streetgreat location close to downtown and beachesit was close to everything tc has to offer but far enough away to be relaxingi even discovered i like antique shopping
14. Dreamy home with an Elk Lake view (from USD 300)
This newly built home close to Elk Lake features a bright, rustic interior with cozy furniture. The spacious living area is filled with large windows, providing a mighty view of the neighborhood. The full kitchen maintains the country cabin interior but with modern appliances. The screened garage that opens right into the huge backyard has a grill where you can whip up a feast for a family barbecue. Pets sure are welcome to join the fun in this home that also features free Wi-Fi and smart television.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
really nice property everything's perfect only suggestion is to get a king sized bed in the master suiteCleanliness:
the house was clean and comfortablevery clean and the beds were very comfortablehouse was clean and well stockedwe walk in and the place is sparkling clean the kitchen has everything you needyour home was very clean well stocked with necessary supplies conveniently located to beaches and traverse cityHost:
david was very responsive and helpfuloverall we really enjoyed this home david was very kind and responsiveowner was in touch from the first and easy to communicate withoverall great property and channels of communication with the property owner were excellentRead more reviewsLocation:
super close to elk rapids and orchardsgreat place just off if the water and close to elk rapidshad a great time it was an excellent location as a home base for day trips around the area
15. Cozy carriage house in Elk Rapids (from USD 265)
This beautiful property is located in the Grand Traverse Region, close to all the attractions of nearby Traverse City, Elk Lake, Grand Traverse Bay and Bass Lake. There is an open-plan living area with a well-equipped kitchen and the master bedroom sleeps two people on a king-size bed. The second bedroom features twin beds and there is a sofa bed available in the living area. The house has air conditioning, heating and an internet connection.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
We even sat up one night laughing instead of laying in bed watchingIt is very small but worked for the 4 of usThe kitchen is full of everything you would needthe fold out bed on the couch is just springs use as many covers and the pillow top liner to make it comfyThe kitchen had everything you needCleanliness:
It was very neat and cleanIt was clean cute and close to the waterOur group was 2 families 4 adults 1 toddler and 2 babiesHost:
The owner was quick to respond with updated password for entryOur host was very accommodating and easy to reach while stayingThe cottage was pristine and we had everything we needed to make the trip relaxing Sally was quick to respond to any questions and clearly cares about her guestsNot having a television was wonderfulThe location was great Fantastic for some cozy downtimeRead more reviewsLocation:
Within walking distance of a Bass LakeWe really liked the splash pad at Clinch Park then walked to Rare Bird BreweryAlso the connection is really spottyThe location near the grocery store is super helpful and restaurants within walking distance is perfectOne minute walk to large grocery store a few minutes' drive to the cute town of Elk Rapids and small public beaches there
16. Ames Cottage
This attractive home is located in Elk Rapids, close to the restaurants, shops and lovely beaches. There is a spacious back deck with a gas grill, outdoor seating and a dartboard for family fun. The kitchen features granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. Cable TV, free Wi-Fi and air conditioning are available to guests. The master bedroom features a queen-size bed, while the second has a double and single bed and the third has a double bed and there are two bathrooms.
Elk Rapids, Michigan, United StatesTop guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
we had plenty of room for our large group and enjoyed spending time on the large porcha really clean and comfortable cottage we especially loved the pergola covered deckthe upstairs bed was very comfortable i was told the downstairs beds were comfy alsoi suspect a much larger group would still be quite comfortable therethe kitchen was my favorite part - spacious well-equipped and a nice gas stoveCleanliness:
very clean and cozyplace was very clean and well stockednewly decorated clean and cozyeverything was really clean and the updates to the house were niceexactly as listed clean space with beautiful back patioHost:
shawn is a great host and was very timely in her responsesshawn is a fabulous hostshawn was also very responsive and helpfulshawn was responsive to questions and great to deal witheverythinhg was described shawn was very responsive to my messagesRead more reviewsLocation:
great location close to grocery store village and beachperfect location for those looking for lodging conveniently located around traverse city sleeping bear dunes etcvery cozy place with cute touchesit was within walking distance to downtown which was very nicewe ate at two good restaurants that are walking distance from the home
Experience sun, sand and fun in Elk Rapids
Enjoy your visit to the quaint village, spending time on the beach and exploring the area, while staying in comfort in vacation rentals in Elk Rapids, Michigan, USA.
Frequently asked questions about vacation rentals in Elk Rapids
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
Create an account to