20 Tiny Houses in Michigan You Can Stay in on Your Next Vacation

Have you ever considered staying in a tiny house in Michigan? Imagine it with me. The weekend hits, and you pack your car with your coziest knit sweaters, a bottle of wine, your swimsuit, and some board games. Then, you hit the road and head up north. In Michigan, this means driving through highways lined in pine trees. When you crest a hill, a turquoise blue Great Lake stretches out before you. Finally, you arrive at your home for the weekend: A tiny wooden cabin nestled in the forest. It’s simple, but it’s all you need.

The “tiny house” concept has taken the world by storm the last few years, and that’s especially true in Michigan. Across Michigan, there are so many real estate and tiny house builders popping up. It makes sense, though. Michigan is certainly a state for nature lovers who just want to get away from it all. A  stay in a minimalist tiny house can definitely help you with that.

I did the research for you and gathered 20 tiny houses in Michigan that will be perfect for your next getaway. Check them out below (or scroll to the bottom of this article for a map with price points).

First, though, let’s talk about what a tiny house actually is, and some things you need to be aware of if you choose to stay in one!

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A cozy reading nook at Tiny House NoMich. Photo credit: Airbnb

What is a tiny house?

The tiny house movement grew in response to people’s discomfort with the overly materialistic style of American living. A tiny house is a lifestyle, not just a place to live, and it’s all about minimalism and contentment with what you have.

So what exactly qualifies as a tiny house? When the movement began, any house under 1,000 square feet was considered a tiny house – but that’s still pretty big by most tiny house standards these days.

As the movement expanded, different tiers of what could be a tiny house developed. Currently, there are two tiers:

  • Small house: 400-1,000 square feet
  • Tiny house: less than 400 square feet

With most “tiny housers” there seems to be a challenge of how tiny can you go. This necessitates getting creative with house layout, electricity, plumbing, sleeping arrangements, and more. Each of the 20 tiny houses in Michigan that I’ve listed below fits in the category of tiny house!

A tiny house in Michigan
View from the loft at Tiny House NoMich. Photo credit: Airbnb

Sleeping in a tiny house in Michigan: Things to consider

If you choose to stay in a tiny house, there are some things to consider beyond the cozy atmosphere. Make sure a stay at a tiny house fits your travel style before committing.

Lofted beds

The main thing to consider when booking your tiny house is if you are willing (and able) to climb a ladder to access a sleeping loft. Many tiny houses maximize their space by lofting a mattress, which is accessible via a library-style ladder. This can totally add to the charm of sleeping in a tiny house, but could be an unpleasant surprise for those who are mobility impaired.

Not all tiny houses loft their beds, so don’t worry if that’s outside your comfort zone. You can definitely still have the experience of staying in a tiny house even if a lofted bed isn’t for you! I’ve noted in the list below which tiny houses use a ladder for sleeping access.

Plumbing and electricity

Another major factor to consider before choosing your tiny house is the plumbing and electricity. There is a wide range of luxury when it comes to Michigan’s tiny houses. Some of these houses feature the full amenities you’d find in any normal house. Others are more like glorified camping or “glamping” – and may lack electricity, plumbing, and indoor toilets.

I’ve noted in the list below which houses have limited or no electricity and plumbing. This is definitely something you should be aware of before booking your stay, and decide what level of comfort is your ideal.

Mattress covered in blue and white quilt in an A-frame cabin loft.
The cozy A-frame sleeping loft at Tiny House NoMich. Photo credit: Airbnb

A mini packing list for a Michigan tiny house getaway

Because tiny houses have these unique aspects, you might need to pack some extra bits and bobs than your typical vacation getaway. Consider the activities you plan on doing (like hiking, biking, or beaching), as well as the weather. You’ll also want to check your house’s heating or A/C status, proximity to supermarkets, and electricity or plumbing status.

As a longtime Michigan resident, here are a few things I’d recommend packing for your tiny house getaway:

Bug Spray (Nontoxic)
Exploding Kittens Game
Bananagrams
What do you meme?
YETI Rambler Travel Cup
Portable Utensils
Bodum Caffettiera French Press Coffee and Tea Maker, 34 Oz, Light Blue
GRAYL Filter Water Bottle
Thinksport SPF 50
Yeti Lunchbox
Kindle Paperwhite
Anker PowerCore Portable Charger
Asos Pink Hat
The North Face Women’s Venture Rain Jacket
Waterproof Birkenstocks
Tep Wifi Portable
Collapsible Silicone Food Storage Containers

20 tiny houses in Michigan

Choose among these Michigan tiny houses for your next weekend (or longer) getaway. Each one offers a cozy oasis – some with more luxuries than others.

1. Tiny House in NoMich

Charlevoix, Michigan

Check rates and availability here

This 200 square foot tiny house, located just outside downtown Charlevoix, is one of my favorite picks among all the Michigan tiny houses out there. It’s the ultimate hygge getaway with its woodland surroundings, outdoor fire pit, and cozily decorated interior.

There is both a sleeping loft and a storage loft, accessible via ladder, which makes the ground floor of this tiny house feel especially spacious. The house features a full kitchen and bathroom, and a reading (or cuddling) nook. It is also close to both bike paths and walking trails, and just a short drive (or 2.5 mile walk) from everything downtown Charlevoix has to offer.

A stay here will give you the quintessential northern Michigan experience!

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Tiny House NoMich. Photo credit: Airbnb
Tiny house kitchen
The fully kitted-out kitchen at Tiny House NoMich. Photo credit: Airbnb

2. The Oriole Tiny House

Saugatuck, Michigan

Check rates and availability here

The Oriole is a tiny house that’s part of the historic Bird Center Resort. At just 291 square feet, it somehow still feels spacious with its queen bed, full bath, and kitchenette. You’ll also have access to an outdoor hot tub – that’s open year round!

This tiny house is just a short walk (only three blocks) from downtown Saugatuck, where you can browse shops and galleries, dine out, or head to Lake Michigan beaches!

The Oriole Tiny House. Photo credit: VRBO

3. Leelanau Little House

Suttons Bay, Michigan

Check rates and availability here

This tiny house, which can accommodate two people, is nestled in between forests and meadow on an eight acre property. Located in Suttons Bay, Michigan, it is just off the scenic M-22 roadtrip that snakes through Leelanau Peninsula. You’ll be within easy access of Traverse City, Sleeping Bear Dunes, and all the wineries, beaches, and bike trails that Leelanau County has to offer.

The bed in this tiny house is lofted, and accessible via ladder. It also has a small kitchen and an indoor shower and bathroom, with fully functional electricity and plumbing.

A pale green tiny house in Leelanau Michigan.
Leelanau Little House in fall. Photo credit: Airbnb

4. Tiny House Under the Oak Trees

New Buffalo, Michigan

Check rates and availability here

This tiny house is perfect if you’re looking for a bit more luxury. The house features high ceilings, kitchenette, full indoor bathroom, wifi, TV with Hulu, and an outdoor grill perfect for the summer months.

This house qualifies as a tiny house based on its dimensions, but can accommodate three guests, making it one of the more spacious tiny houses in Michigan.

a Michigan tiny house
Tiny House Under the Oak Tree. Photo credit: Airbnb

5. Petoskey Tiny House at a Small Farm

Petoskey, Michigan

Check rates and availability here

Petoskey is one of the must-visit towns in northern Michigan, and this tiny house is the perfect accommodation for your visit. Located on a small working farm that is still just minutes from downtown Petoskey, you’ll find the perfect balance of privacy and accessibility.

The tiny house itself has a spacious lofted sleeping area, plus a kitchen and indoor bathroom. There is no heating or air conditioning, but you will find yourself comfortable with a space heater or fan depending on the weather.

A tiny house in Petoskey
Petoskey Tiny House. Photo credit: Airbnb
Petoskey tiny house.
The kitchen, eating area, and sleeping loft at Petoskey Tiny House. Photo credit: Airbnb.

6. Fern Garden Tiny House

Interlochen, Michigan

Check rates and availability here

The Fern Garden tiny house can accommodate two people, and is tucked away in the woodland near Interlochen, Michigan. It is close to hiking trails – just outside the door! – a brewery, a stone oven bakery, and a general store.

The house itself does not have electricity, making this more of a glamping experience for people who are happy to let go of modern luxuries in exchange for a cozy, secluded getaway.

A wooden tiny house.
Fern Garden Tiny House. Photo credit: Airbnb

7. – 11. Sand Castles Cottages

Coloma, Michigan

Check rates and availability here

Sand Castles Cottages is an adorable collection of cottages just one mile from the public beaches near the stunning beach town of South Haven, Michigan. The family-owned property has a collection of nine cottages, all built in the 1930s-50s. Five of these qualify as tiny houses (cottages 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7).

Each tiny cottage has colorful trim and a screened in porch, and access to the property’s campfire pits, woodland, and Adirondack chairs, plus games like bocce ball, corn hole, volleyball and more. This is the perfect getaway for a family, friend, or reunion group looking to stay close together in your own tiny homes.

cottages with circled of adirondack chairs in Michigan
Cottages 1-3 at Sand Castles Cottages. Photo credit: Airbnb

12. Tiny House at Arrowhill Farm

New Era, Michigan

Check rates and availability here

At 156 square feet, this cute house in New Era, Michigan is most definitely tiny. Here, you’ll find yourself secluded on a 40 acre private farm, surrounded by 300 acres of public land. If you do decide to venture outside the property, it’s just a short drive to Lake Michigan beaches, and the surrounding wineries and beach towns.

The sleeping area is in a loft space accessible via ladder. There is a wood stove to keep it cozy in the colder weather. This is definitely a more rustic stay with limited electricity and no indoor plumbing. However it is the perfect option for those looking to be at one with nature in a real working farm.

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A pale gray tiny house in a forest.
The exterior of Tiny House at Arrowhill Farm.
Wooden interior of a tiny house in Michigan.
The lovely wooden interior, kitchen table, and ladder to the sleeping loft at the Tiny House at Arrowhill Farm. Photo credit: Airbnb

13. Good Harbor Tiny House

Lake Leelanau, Michigan

Check rates and availability here

This tiny house is located on the hosts’ property, surrounded by their flower garden and backed by a forest. It is ideally located in northern Michigan, just a 25 minute drive from Traverse City, and easy walking distance to Good Harbor Beach.

At just 196 square feet, it certainly qualifies as a tiny house, although its ingenious design will still make you feel like there’s space to relax. You can use this as your home base to explore the wineries and beaches along the Leelanau Peninsula, or perhaps drive the famous M-22 roadtrip down to Michigan’s iconic Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

A stone tiny house in a flower garden.
Good Harbor Tiny House. Photo credit: Airbnb

14. Tiny House in the Woods

Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Check rates and availability here

Located near Deerfield Park and just 15 minutes outside Mount Pleasant, this tiny house has the perfect combination of seclusion and connection. You can either cozy up at the house itself, and enjoy the surrounding hiking trails, or use this as your home base to visit golf courses, Soaring Eagle Casino, and Central Michigan University.

A tiny house with a roofed porch in the woods.
Tiny House in the Woods. Photo credit: Airbnb

15. Knackered Tiny House

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Check rates and availability here

This is the only tiny house located in the Ann Arbor and Detroit area, and a perfect getaway for residents of southeast and mid Michigan. Located in the historical Old Westwide of Ann Abor, this tiny house is located on the back of the hosts’ property. It is only a short walk from Ann Arbor’s Main Street.

The tiny house itself is immaculately decorated and recently renovated, featuring a small kitchen, a lofted bed, and a TV. It’s definitely one of the more luxurious and centrally located tiny houses in Michigan, and is ideal if you’re looking to get out and explore while staying in a tiny house.

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Sleeping loft with grey striped mattress in a Michigan tiny house.
The sleeping loft at Knackered Tiny House. Photo credit: Airbnb

16. Laketown Hut

Holland, Michigan

Check rates and availability here

This adorable tiny house is located halfway between Holland and Saugatuck – both popular lakeside towns in western Michigan. The Laketown Hut is open for rental in all seasons, and features a space heater in the winter. In the summer, you can enjoy an above ground pool, a campfire ring, and easy access to beaches and quaint coastal towns.

A tiny house in winter
Laketown Hut in winter. Photo credit: Airbnb

17. Rustic Tiny Barn Cabin

Traverse City, Michigan

Check rates and availability here

There are tiny houses, and then there are tiny barns. This tiny barn is located near popular Traverse City in northern Michigan. It’s a very unique place to stay surrounded by peaceful woodland.

Important to note is that this tiny house does not have running water or electricity. A small outhouse (pictured below) is available, but this stay will feel more like camping or glamping than staying in a hotel. Guests also need to bring their own sleeping bags.

The tradeoff is an extremely low nightly rate compared to other tiny houses in Michigan, and a relaxed and secluded experience.

a small barn and outhouse
Rustic Tiny Barn Cabin. Photo credit: Airbnb

18. Cozy Tiny House in the Woods

Freeport, Michigan

Check rates and availability here

This cozy little place is one of the most affordable tiny houses in Michigan. Located in Freeport, this rental house is located on the same property as a main house and garage, yet still secluded back in the woods.

Inside the house, you’ll have access to a small kitchen and bathroom, plus two beds (one lofted and accessible via ladder). In addition to surrounding woodland and a campfire pit, there is also Netflix and Amazon Prime, making this the perfect place to hole away for a weekend of relaxation.

Interior of a tiny house.
The interior of Cozy Tiny House in the Woods. Photo credit: Airbnb

19. Hephzibah’s Haven

Gaylord, Michigan

Check rates and availability here

Close to Otsego Lake in northern Michigan, Hephzibah’s Haven is a teal blue A frame cabin. It’s adorable and definitely qualifies as a tiny house. The bed is lofted and accessible via a library ladder. The cabin is surrounded by woodland yet only 45 minutes to an hour from many favorite northern Michigan destinations like Petoskey, Charlevoix, Traverse City, and Mackinac Island.

A blue teal A-frame cabin in autumn
Hephzibah’s Haven. Photo credit: Airbnb

20. Harbor Country Cabins

Sawyer, Michigan

Check rates and availability here

Harbor Country Cabins is a small resort of tiny cabins. In total, the resort can fit 28 people and can be rented out for group events like weddings or reunions. It’s close to many southwest Michigan attractions like wineries, breweries, and Lake Michigan beaches.

Each cabin has its own screened in porch, and the property also has picnic tables, hiking trails, fire pits, and hammocks. It is the perfect retreat either to cozy up in your tiny cabin all weekend, or go explore the local Michigan sights.

A small wooden cabin with a pine tree
One of the Harbor Country Cabins. Photo credit: Harbor Country Cabins
Two cabins in a forest clearing with a girl in a dress walking
Two of Harbor Country Cabins. Photo credit: Harbor Country Cabins

The best tiny houses in Michigan

I know I’m biased as a Michigander myself, but there’s nothing quite like a secluded getaway in this state. We have forests, hiking and biking trails, quaint towns, wineries perfect for dropping by, and the most stunning beaches and lakes!

With everything going on in the world, nothing sounds more appealing to me than a weekend retreat to one of these cozy Michigan tiny houses. The only question is… which one are you staying at first?

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