House in Maryland
8 guests · 4 bedrooms · 2 baths
Reasons to book
Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
High-end valueWell priced for this area
Book with confidenceWe partner with the top travel sites so you know you're getting a great deal on the perfect rental
About this house rental
Welcome to the Butterfly Effect! Recharge at this tranquil getaway. 2.5 wooded acres with a private dock and cove, a short paddle away from the lake beach with a swimming dock and sandy beach! Fishing, swimming, and floating all on the protected freshwater lake. We have boats for your use and theater space & hot tub to wind down at night after dining on our deck. Picnic at our private Shark Tooth Beach, watch Osprey & Eagles fish the Potomac and collect 15-million-old fossilized shark teeth!
2026 Lake Update: Our lake is currently undergoing major dam improvements — an investment in the lake's long-term health that wraps up summer 2026. Water levels are temporarily lowered, but there's still plenty to love: Shark Tooth Beach, Hidden Beach, and the marina are all open, with personal house paddle boards available at the marina to explore. The hot tub is ready and waiting. The home is ready for memory-making.
To thank you for your flexibility, we've already discounted a $100/night on spring, summer, and early fall bookings — no guesswork, no hassle.
When you arrive look for the butterfly-shaped roof and make yourselves at home at The Butterfly Effect!
As you pull into the circular driveway you will notice a small set of stairs going up to the game lawn. There is a fire pit and picnic table. Also, a pump and hose near the driveway to wash the sand off your feet after returning from a day at one of our beaches!
The top floor has two bedrooms and a full bath—the first sleeps two in a double and the second sleeps four with two single beds and a double bed. The main floor has another bedroom sleeping two and another full bath. We also have a pack-in-play for your little one if needed.
The hanging fireplace is the home's centerpiece, (please burn only duraflame logs) waiting for your memories to be made while playing games at the game table or taking a nap!
The sunroom has a dining table big enough for the entire group to gather around and a cozy reading room everyone's favorite spot! It also has a comfortable queen pullout sofa. Off the sun and game room is the dining deck-my favorite place at the lake! Seating for the entire group and grill area!
In the basement is the theater space! Bring your popcorn and enjoy the 120" screen! There is also a foosball table and laundry room.
You will find the laundry room also has life jackets for every size infant-adult.
Outside we have a hot tub (operated seasonally September-May) seating area and a hammock to relax in.
A private dock to enjoy your mornings. We are the only ones in the cove- enjoy fishing off the dock or paddling on one of our boats! We have a large canoe, an adult sit-on kayak, an adult sit-in kayak, a paddleboard as well as a children's kayak!
Lake Independence is a warm freshwater lake, it is tested regularly for safety and only allows electric boats. We swim April-October and do polar bear plunges in the winter! Bring your favorite floaties and enjoy the peace of our quiet gem of a neighborhood! You will see cranes, bald eagles, and osprey fishing in the lake and soaring overhead!
If you can bring yourselves to leave the home the neighborhood offers excellent amenities! Shark Tooth Beach is everyone's favorite- take your beach chairs, book, and umbrella and enjoy a day hunting for shark tooth teeth and many other millions of year-old fossils! There are picnic tables too and fishing is allowed in the river! The water is brackish and if you get lucky you can see dolphins coming up from the bay!! We crab there as well and occasionally there are jellyfish to be aware of. There is also Hidden Beach which is a bit of a hike and then a scramble down on boulders (only go at low tide!) and you can walk along the cliffs!
One of our favorites is Lake Beach. It also has picnic tables, grills, play sand, a pier, and a floating dock to play all day. This is a short paddle from our cove just across the lake! We paddle over and have a pirate breakfast with our kids!
Note: All neighborhood amenities if you drive and park your car need to have your guest pass displayed on your dash. The neighborhood is private, including all amenities, and is patrolled by security. Your passes will be waiting for you at the cottage!
2026 Lake Update: Our lake is currently undergoing major dam improvements — an investment in the lake's long-term health that wraps up summer 2026. Water levels are temporarily lowered, but there's still plenty to love: Shark Tooth Beach, Hidden Beach, and the marina are all open, with personal house paddle boards available at the marina to explore. The hot tub is ready and waiting. The home is ready for memory-making.
To thank you for your flexibility, we've already discounted a $100/night on spring, summer, and early fall bookings — no guesswork, no hassle.
When you arrive look for the butterfly-shaped roof and make yourselves at home at The Butterfly Effect!
As you pull into the circular driveway you will notice a small set of stairs going up to the game lawn. There is a fire pit and picnic table. Also, a pump and hose near the driveway to wash the sand off your feet after returning from a day at one of our beaches!
The top floor has two bedrooms and a full bath—the first sleeps two in a double and the second sleeps four with two single beds and a double bed. The main floor has another bedroom sleeping two and another full bath. We also have a pack-in-play for your little one if needed.
The hanging fireplace is the home's centerpiece, (please burn only duraflame logs) waiting for your memories to be made while playing games at the game table or taking a nap!
The sunroom has a dining table big enough for the entire group to gather around and a cozy reading room everyone's favorite spot! It also has a comfortable queen pullout sofa. Off the sun and game room is the dining deck-my favorite place at the lake! Seating for the entire group and grill area!
In the basement is the theater space! Bring your popcorn and enjoy the 120" screen! There is also a foosball table and laundry room.
You will find the laundry room also has life jackets for every size infant-adult.
Outside we have a hot tub (operated seasonally September-May) seating area and a hammock to relax in.
A private dock to enjoy your mornings. We are the only ones in the cove- enjoy fishing off the dock or paddling on one of our boats! We have a large canoe, an adult sit-on kayak, an adult sit-in kayak, a paddleboard as well as a children's kayak!
Lake Independence is a warm freshwater lake, it is tested regularly for safety and only allows electric boats. We swim April-October and do polar bear plunges in the winter! Bring your favorite floaties and enjoy the peace of our quiet gem of a neighborhood! You will see cranes, bald eagles, and osprey fishing in the lake and soaring overhead!
If you can bring yourselves to leave the home the neighborhood offers excellent amenities! Shark Tooth Beach is everyone's favorite- take your beach chairs, book, and umbrella and enjoy a day hunting for shark tooth teeth and many other millions of year-old fossils! There are picnic tables too and fishing is allowed in the river! The water is brackish and if you get lucky you can see dolphins coming up from the bay!! We crab there as well and occasionally there are jellyfish to be aware of. There is also Hidden Beach which is a bit of a hike and then a scramble down on boulders (only go at low tide!) and you can walk along the cliffs!
One of our favorites is Lake Beach. It also has picnic tables, grills, play sand, a pier, and a floating dock to play all day. This is a short paddle from our cove just across the lake! We paddle over and have a pirate breakfast with our kids!
Note: All neighborhood amenities if you drive and park your car need to have your guest pass displayed on your dash. The neighborhood is private, including all amenities, and is patrolled by security. Your passes will be waiting for you at the cottage!
Amenities at Lakefront/Private Cove, Hot Tub, Boats, Woods, & 3 Beaches
Non-smoking
No pets allowed
Family friendly
Map of Maryland
Ratings and reviews
10 / 10Outstanding·Aug 2023
Our family (consisting of myself, husband, our 4 boys and 2 grandparents) had the best time at this charming property. The bedrooms were perfect- especially the room with 3 beds that all 4 boys stayed in! The home and property were immaculate and very well taken care of. There was plenty of space to sit and relax-especially the shaded deck where we ate breakfast under the trees and felt like we were in a magical treehouse! We loved walking along the path and paddling on the lake to the floating dock and beach. We had a campfire and spent evenings in the hot tub and watching movies on the big screen in the basement- which had the most cozy seating! There were games, books, and toys to use. The location was private and just a short drive to town. We had fun fossil-hunting as well. We would definitely go back!
10 / 10Outstanding·Jul 2023
My stay here was absolutely delightful. The owner sent the check-in information well in advance and was gracious enough to help me troubleshoot issues with the Amazon Fire Dongle. We loved the views, the access to water, and all of the interior space. And when it started to rain that weekend, we really appreciated having the projector system in the basement to watch some films. If I come back to Montross, I'll be sure to try and book here again. Thanks!
10 / 10Outstanding·May 2023
10/10 would recommend! Very comfortable, cozy, and chill. Owners were very communicative and helpful!
10 / 10Outstanding·Dec 2022
Our extended family had a wonderful time at this lake house! Plenty of room for 6 people to spread out. The movie room, foosball table, and hot tub were big hits with everyone. The house is well equiped with everything you could need for the outdoors (camping chairs, smore sticks, hammock, etc) and indoors (well equipped kitchen, plenty of towels, washer/dryer, etc). It was a little too cold to take the kayaks out on the lake but would love to do that some other time when it is warmer. We visited Westmoreland State Park, Stratford Hall, and a few of the local beaches. Food lion was 15 minutes away and had everything we needed. The owner, Rebecca, was easy to communicate with and super helpful with all our questions. We'd come here again!
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Top rated by guests
9.6Outstanding
(5 Ratings)
"Our family (consisting of myself, husband, our 4 boys and 2 grandparents) had the best time at this charming property. The bedrooms were perfect- especially the room with 3 beds that all 4 boys stayed..."
Julie H.Don't miss out! Price and availability may change
