Huge yard, Family-friendly, Hot Tub, walk to Beach, Dunes, Hiking Trails
Guest rating: 4.7 / 5
Overview
Sandhill Flat is a modern, mid-century ranch-style vacation home in Miller Beach (Gary), set near Lake Michigan and the Indiana Dunes area. It’s designed for larger groups, with smart-home features and sleeping capacity geared to families and multi-generational trips. The home is smoke-free, air-conditioned, and includes a large fenced yard suited to kids and pets.
Outdoor space & recreation
A standout feature is the expansive private patio and backyard, enclosed by a 6-foot privacy fence. Outdoor amenities include a year-round 6-person hot tub, a gas fire pit, a natural gas grill, hammock, outdoor dining area, café lighting, and a seasonal heated outdoor shower. The setting is geared toward beach time and nature activities, with dunes and hiking trails nearby and a lakefront environment that supports birdwatching and wildlife spotting.
Kitchen & dining
The open-plan kitchen is fully equipped for full meals, with a gas double oven (four burners), dishwasher, fridge/freezer with auto ice maker, and island seating for four. Coffee options include both a Nespresso machine and a Keurig, with complimentary capsules and k-cups noted. Cookware, bakeware, glassware, dinnerware, utensils, and kids’ dishes are provided.
Living areas & entertainment
Two separate indoor gathering spaces sit adjacent to the kitchen. The living area includes a 65” Smart TV with Xfinity cable and Roku, plus seating that includes a queen pullout sofa and recliners. A second family room offers a banquette-style sofa, an extendable dining table for 6–8, a 60” Smart TV, and sliding doors to the yard; its sofa converts to a king-size pullout bed.
Bedrooms, bath & laundry
The home has three bedrooms: two with queen beds and a bunk room with a twin XL over a queen. Each bedroom includes a wall-mounted Smart TV, USB-charging nightstands, sleep machines, fans, and closet space. A full bathroom with tub/shower is supplied along with linens, bath and beach towels, and basic toiletries; laundry includes an ozone-infused washer designed to be used without detergent or fabric softener.
Policies & parking
Minimum age to rent is 30, and bachelor-style groups or underage party groups are not permitted. Quiet hours are enforced from 9PM–9AM, and outdoor music is not allowed after 9PM; noise monitoring measures decibel levels and fines apply for device tampering. Parking is limited to two cars in designated private spots with no street parking; overflow parking is located about 2 miles away.
Best for
This home best suits families and friend groups seeking a Lake Michigan and Indiana Dunes-style getaway with outdoor hangout space, including a fenced yard, year-round hot tub, fire pit, and grill. It’s also a strong fit for pet owners who want a private, enclosed backyard and an easy base for beach walks, dunes, and hiking trails.
Travel tips
Plan transportation around the strict parking limit: only two cars are allowed in the designated private spots at any time, and street parking isn’t permitted (overflow parking is about 2 miles away). Quiet hours run 9PM–9AM with outdoor music not permitted after 9PM, so schedule hot tub and patio time accordingly. For larger groups, note that an additional guest fee applies over 6 people ($25 per person per night) and maximum occupancy is 11 individuals (excluding children under two).
What guests say
Reviews emphasize an especially strong setup for families, highlighting comfort, space, and a home that feels well-stocked for cooking and everyday needs. Outdoor living is a recurring theme, with guests frequently calling out the hot tub, patio ambiance, grilling, and the fenced yard as a major plus. Location feedback centers on easy access to dune hikes and beach walks, along with sightings of local wildlife during nearby walks. A noted drawback is that the surrounding area may feel a bit rough on arrival, even though the home itself is described as a standout once inside.
Check availability · Booking links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Affiliate disclosure