ROCKY SHORES RETREAT — Private Waterfront Cottage on Little Sturgeon Bay | Door County, WI | 3BR + Bunkhouse | Sleeps 10Rocky Shores Retreat is a privately owned, whole-home waterfront cottage on 180 feet of private limestone shoreline at the mouth of Little Sturgeon Bay in Door County, Wisconsin. This is a classic Door County bay-front property — warm wood interiors, a stone wood-burning fireplace, sweeping bay views from nearly every room, and direct water access steps from your back door.With 3 bedrooms, a detached bunkhouse, and room for up to 10 guests, this is one of the few waterfront properties in Door County that genuinely works for large families, multi-family groups, and friend groups who need real sleeping capacity without sacrificing the waterfront setting.You have exclusive use of the entire property — the cottage, the bunkhouse, the deck, the yard, the shoreline, and all watercraft and equipment. No shared spaces, no other guests on the property.THE HOME — Layout & Sleeping ArrangementsThe cottage is an open-concept, single-story layout designed to keep families together in the living spaces while giving everyone room to retreat.Main Cottage:
Primary Bedroom — King bed, water views
Bedroom 2 — Queen bed
Bedroom 3 — Queen bed
Living Room — Classic stone wood-burning fireplace, Smart TV, board games, comfortable seating for the whole group
Full Bathroom — Well-appointed with soap, shampoo, and conditioner dispensers; a heater outside the shower; ample counter space for families getting ready in the morning
Detached Bunkhouse:
A separate sleeping structure that has become one of the most consistently mentioned features in guest reviews — kids and teens claim it every time. Perfect for giving younger guests their own space while keeping them steps away from the main cottage.
Deck & Great Room Connection:
Large great room windows frame the bay view and open directly to the deck — the indoor and outdoor spaces flow together in a way that makes group mornings and evenings feel effortless.
THE KITCHEN —
Stocked for Real Family Cooking. The kitchen at Rocky Shores is fully equipped and organized for families who plan to cook — not a stripped-down rental kitchen. You'll find everything you need for family breakfasts, group dinners, and morning coffee without a trip to the store:
Full-size appliances including dishwasher
High-quality cookware, organized and ready to use
Dining table that seats up to 8
Gas grill on the outdoor patio for steaks, burgers, and everything else
Coffee station with all the essentials
Ample prep space for group meal prep
Guest reviews consistently call out the kitchen as a highlight — it is set up the way a family would stock their own home, not the way most rentals are stocked.WATERFRONT ACCESS & OUTDOOR AMENITIESThe shoreline is the heart of the property. With 180 feet of private limestone waterfront, you have room for the whole group to spread out — fishing off the rocks, launching kayaks, swimming, or simply sitting at the water's edge.
4 kayaks — included for guest use at no charge
Fire pit — steps from the shoreline, with Adirondack seating for the whole group; firewood provided
Large deck — partially shaded by cedar trees, overlooking the water; ideal for morning coffee, evening cocktails, and meals with a bay view
Spacious backyard — hammock, yard games including bag toss, ample room for kids to run
Swimming — direct water access off the shoreline in warmer months
Gas grill on the patio
2025/2026 Water Level Note: Water levels in Little Sturgeon Bay are lower than in recent seasons. Kayaks are still fully usable, though guests may need to walk a bit farther across shoreline rocks to reach sufficient depth.PARKINGFree private parking on the property for multiple vehicles — no street parking required. Easy access via a well-marked private road.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY FEATURES
Rocky Shores has been hosting families for years and is designed with them in mind:
Detached bunkhouse that gives kids their own space
Board games and books throughout the cottage
Large open backyard for outdoor play
Calm bay water at Little Sturgeon — less boat traffic than open Lake Michigan properties, safer and quieter for families with young children
Simple, stress-free self check-in via keypad
Starlink high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the property
LOCATION —
Door County at a Relaxed Pace. Little Sturgeon sits just south of Sturgeon Bay at the quieter, less congested end of the Door County peninsula. You're close to everything on the peninsula without the traffic and noise of the resort towns farther north.
15 min — Downtown Sturgeon Bay (restaurants, shops, breweries, maritime museum)
15 min — Potawatomi State Park (hiking, bike trails, observation tower, kayak launches)
20 min — Whitefish Dunes State Park & Cave Point
40 min — Fish Creek and Peninsula State Park
40 min — Green Bay
The property is 15 minutes off Highway 42/57 — convenient to reach on arrival day, private and peaceful once you're there.
CONNECTIVITY & PRACTICALITIES
Starlink high-speed Wi-Fi — reliable for streaming and remote work
Smart TV above the fireplace with streaming capability
Washer and dryer available
Self check-in via keypad (instructions provided in advance)
Carbon monoxide and smoke detectors on property
100% non-smoking property
WHAT GUESTS SAY
Rocky Shores Retreat holds a near-perfect rating across hundreds of guest reviews. Guests most frequently highlight the waterfront setting and sunrises, the cleanliness, the well-stocked kitchen, the bunkhouse (especially families with kids), and the peaceful, private atmosphere."The bunkhouse was a hit with our kids." "Woke up to the most beautiful sunrise over the bay." "The kitchen had everything — we cooked every night." "We'll be back every summer."
CANCELLATION POLICY
Full refund for cancellations made 60+ days before arrival
50% refund for cancellations made 14–60 days before arrival
No refund within 14 days of arrival