Photo courtesy HomeAway.com

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By Emily Bingham | ebingham@mlive.com

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Want to escape to a private island without traveling all that far? It's possible at these eight Michigan vacation rentals. Some are remote and require a boat ride to be reached; others are accessible via bridges (walking or driving); all offer a unique option for lodging when you're planning your next Michigan vacation.

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Photo via HomeAway.com

AshKay Island

Location: Manchester, Mich., on Iron Mill Pond, about 30 miles from Ann Arbor

Details: An eight-acre island that sits within a 156-acre lake. There's a two-bedroom, two-bathroom cottage plus a tree house (with a queen bed); in total, the listing can accommodate up to 12 guests.

Average $600/night

Listing here

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Related: Spend a week at this cabin on a private island - just outside Ann Arbor

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Photo via HomeAway.com

The interior of the cottage on AshKay Island.

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Photo via HomeAway.com

The tree house on AshKay Island.

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Photo via HomeAway.com

The AshKay Island cottage is solar powered.

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Courtesy HomeAway.com

Zeron's Island

Location: Sage Lake, about 26 miles west of Tawas City, Mich.

Details: A 7.5-acre island with 2,000 feet of sandy shoreline on all-sports Sage Lake. Three-bedroom, two-bath cabin has a sprawling patio and grilling area; pontoons available for rent.

$650/night average (extra charge for more than 10 guests, up to 20 guests total)

Listing here

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Courtesy HomeAway.com

The spacious patio at Zeron's Island.

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Courtesy HomeAway.com

Inside the cabin on Zeron's Island.

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Courtesy HomeAway.com

Zeron's Island at night, from the water.

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Howard Island

Location: A mile north of Drummond Island in Lake Huron

Details: This privately owned island is heavily wooded with cedars and has two cute log cabins, complete with rustic knotty-pine interiors. One line in the listing we loved: "To watch sunsets and sunrises you simply turn your chair around."

Average $329/night

Listing here

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Courtesy HomeAway.com

The knotty-pine kitchen on Howard Island.

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Courtesy HomeAway.com

Cozy, rustic decor in one of the cabins on Howard Island.

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Courtesy HomeAway.com

A view of the main cabin on Howard Island from the water.

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Courtesy HomeAway.com

Charity Island

Location: Near the mouth of Saginaw Bay, with transportation to the island from AuGres, Mich.

Details: The six-person Charity Island Lodge is the only structure on this 400-acre island, except for the historic Charity Island Lighthouse. Billed as a nature-lover's paradise, the island is great for hiking, bird-watching and fishing, if you come by way of your own boat. Kayaks available for touring the 4.5 miles of shoreline.

Average $200/night

Listing here

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Courtesy HomeAway.com

Inside Charity Island Lodge

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Courtesy HomeAway.com

Charity Island

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Water views from Charity Island

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Gingerbread in Gull Lake

Location: Gull Lake, about 12 miles from Kalamazoo

Details: Cross over from the mainland to the island via a walking bridge; there you'll find this charming gingerbread cabin, with a knotty-pine interior and two porches for lounging.

Average $357/night

Listing here

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Courtesy HomeAway.com

A screened-in porch at the cottage.

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Courtesy HomeAway.com

The island's walking bridge.

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The island has a fire pit for campfires.

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Namaste Island

Location: Bass Lake in Traverse City, Mich.

Details: This 7.5-acre island in all-sports Bass Lake has a renovated log cabin and a pontoon boat for transportation to the island as well as cruises around the lake. Cabin sleeps six.

Average $549/night

Listing here

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Courtesy HomeAway.com

The charming log cabin on Namaste Island.

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Courtesy HomeAway.com

Inside the cabin on Namaste Island.

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Courtesy HomeAway.com

A view of the water from the island.

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Courtesy AirBnB.com

Island near Traverse City

Location: Fish Lake, a small lake in Buckley, Mich.

Details: Reviewers for this cabin on an island just south of Traverse City loved the peacefulness, seclusion, and quiet. It's connected to the mainland by a little bridge, eliminating the need for a boat for transportation to the island.

Average $500/night

Listing here

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Courtesy AirBnB.com

Inside the cabin on Fish Lake.

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Courtesy AirBnB.com

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Courtesy AirBnB.com

Republic Island

Location: Republic, Mich., north of Escanaba

Details: This two-acre island sits in the Michigamme River, affording it tons of privacy and making it an excellent spot for fishing. The vintage cedar cabin sleeps four guests.

$76/night

Listing here

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Courtesy AirBnB.com

The cedar cabin on Republic Island.

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Courtesy AirBnB.com

Inside Republic Island's log cabin

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Courtesy AirBnB.com

Republic Island in the fall

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Related: 17 unusual spots you didn't know you could spend the night in Michigan