Cabin

Bears Den Lake Access Retreat, Family/Pet Friendly – Your Peaceful Escape

Photo gallery for Bears Den Lake Access Retreat, Family/Pet Friendly – Your Peaceful Escape

A residential house with a front deck, a mailbox, and an American flag.
A small cabin with an attached deck, surrounded by lush greenery and trees.
A compact laundry room with two washing machines, a countertop, cabinets, a bench, and a door with a window.
A cozy living room with a sofa, a coffee table, and a TV. There are windows with blinds, a wooden floor, and a door with a sign.
A dock with boats, a warning sign, and a calm lake.

Reviews

8.8 out of 10
Excellent

Highlights

  • The great outdoors

    Guests love the outdoor space here.

  • Barbecue

    A rare find - perfect for a relaxed, outdoor grilling experience.
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Patio
  • Dog-friendly
  • Barbecue
  • Air-conditioning
  • Washing machine
  • Onsite parking available

Explore the area

View map
Hillsdale, MI
  • Place, Lake Wilson
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, Hillsdale College
    ‪15 min drive‬
  • Place, Michigan International Speedway
    ‪48 min drive‬

Where you'll sleep

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Living Room 1

2 Single Sofa Beds

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Bidet · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Number of living rooms

About this property

Bears Den Lake Access Retreat, Family/Pet Friendly – Your Peaceful Escape

The Bears Den - Unwind in Hillsdale at this charming cabin on Bear Lake. With two cozy queen bedrooms and a peaceful living room featuring two sofa beds, guests have plenty of space to relax. The bathroom includes a refreshing shower. Stay comfortable year-round with heating and AC throughout the cabin. Whether you’re curling up with a book or enjoying time with friends, this superb cabin offers a welcoming retreat. Kick back, relax, and enjoy everything Hillsdale and this lovely cabin has to offer.

Peace & Privacy – Nestled in a tranquil neighborhood with a mix of year-round and seasonal residents, you’ll enjoy serenity in every season.
Work & Play – Fast, reliable internet makes remote work a breeze. Year-Round Fun – Fishing, Boating/Kayaking (rental available), Swiming, Hunting, Ice Fishing!
Whether you’re seeking a quiet workspace, a cozy retreat from city life, or a base for outdoor adventures, The Bear Den Retreat is designed to make your stay unforgettable.

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 21

Check out before 11:00 AM

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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

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Events

No events allowed

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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs less than 23 kg per pet (limit one pet total)

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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:

Strip any used beds, gather used towels and store extra beds

Remove personal items and take out the rubbish

Turn off the lights and lock the doors

All guests, please turn off both bedroom AC/HEAT units (mini splits) and close doors. Warm weather guests, set AC in main area on 78 degrees. Cool weather guests, set Heat in main area on 65 degrees.

Please load washer with used linens/ towels & provided detergent and start washer if detergent is available.

Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Important information

You need to know

Property # 4980666vb
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated that there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the area

Hillsdale

Located in Hillsdale, this cabin is on a lake. Bella Vista Golf Course and Lake Leann Golf Course are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Baw Beese Lake and Bird Lake. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's going on at Angola Motor Speedway, or consider a night out at Red Barn Acres. Kayaking and waterskiing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hunting and hiking nearby.
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Map
Hillsdale, MI

What's nearby

  • Lake Wilson - 3 min drive - 1.5 km
  • Hillsdale College - 15 min drive - 10.2 km
  • Pokagon State Park - 41 min drive - 58.7 km
  • Trine University - 47 min drive - 68.2 km
  • Michigan International Speedway - 48 min drive - 63.1 km

Getting around

  • Kalamazoo, MI (AZO-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek Intl.) - 87 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Dairy Queen - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Ray's Tavern - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Arby's - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Overflowing Cups & Cones - ‬14 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Bears Den Lake Access Retreat, Family/Pet Friendly – Your Peaceful Escape pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.

How much is parking at Bears Den Lake Access Retreat, Family/Pet Friendly – Your Peaceful Escape?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Bears Den Lake Access Retreat, Family/Pet Friendly – Your Peaceful Escape?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Bears Den Lake Access Retreat, Family/Pet Friendly – Your Peaceful Escape?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Bears Den Lake Access Retreat, Family/Pet Friendly – Your Peaceful Escape located?

Situated on a lake, this cabin is within 9 miles (15 km) of Hillsdale Hospital, Baw Beese Lake and Hillsdale College. Bird Lake is 9.2 mi (14.8 km) away.

Reviews

8.8

Excellent

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 2 out of 3 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 3 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 3 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 3 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 3 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Check-in

8.8/10

Communication

8.8/10

Location

8.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in
This was a really old cottage that had been given a superficial make over. It was on a dusty unpaved road in a low income area and had a safety issue with a small step down between the house and the only bathroom. My son got up to use the bathroom in the night and tripped and nearly fell. He has a big bruise but it could have been worse. Also the check out required us to pretty much leave the place fully cleaned which I have never experienced with previous bookings. It was very overpriced for what it is. I had assumed that the price included the pet but found out it didn't and was charged an additional 120.00. It was reasonably clean but tacky and exposed plumbing in the bathroom as well as instructions to conserve water, strip beds and put them in the washer when leaving. Wouldn't recommend this place.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 6 July 2026
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, though we are disappointed by your characterization of your stay. While we maintain a 5-star rating across multiple other booking platforms for our hospitality and property quality with multiple repeat bookings and corporate accounts, we regret that your experience did not match this standard. Our cottage is a historic, charming lake community property. We clearly state its vintage nature and location details in our listing description so guests can make informed decisions before booking. Regarding your concerns: The Step: The layout of the home, including any transitions, is standard for historic properties and fully compliant with local safety standards. Pet Fees: Our pet policy and the $120 fee are explicitly detailed on our listing page. This fee was agreed upon during booking, and attempting to avoid paying it after check-in is not acceptable. Check-out Procedures: Standard, minor requests like stripping beds help keep our cleaning fees affordable and are clearly communicated in our house rules. We strive to be transparent and fair with all of our guests, but we cannot accommodate attempts to bypass established policies.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We’ve stayed before, we really enjoyed our stay! I had asked about the little coffee maker if it was still there, he thought not. Upon our arrival the owners put it out or purchased one. They always go out of their way, we truly appreciate all you do! Highly recommend this lovely cottage! Our best part is the patio, listening to the birds, it’s a beautiful set up! We love being outside, the sunsets, walks taking it all in. Thank you!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 9 Aug 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words. We strive to meet and or exceed expectations. You took care of the space as if it was your own and we really appreciate you. Thank you for choosing to stay with us again and we look forward to accommodate you again in the future.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Apr 2026
Thank you for choosing to stay with us, we appreciate your business as well as your perfect review.

About the host

Hosted by Jamie N Akrum

Host profile image

My wife Jamie and I grew up in the 60’s, love traveling and the outdoors, and aim to treat guests as we wish to be treated.

Why they chose this property

We chose this area for its beautiful sunsets, welcoming community, and waterfront location—perfect for our Bears Den VRBO cottage. Our second home is also nearby.

What makes this property unique

The cottage offers easy water access, proximity to Hillsdale college and a cultural center, plus a variety of restaurants and grocery stores at a great value.

Languages:

English

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