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Newly Renovated Vacation Home on Crystal Clear Bear Lake.

Photo gallery for Newly Renovated Vacation Home on Crystal Clear Bear Lake.

A modern kitchen with a large island, a dining area, and a view of the living room.
A modern kitchen with white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, a marble countertop, and red bar stools.
A living room with a stone wall, a fireplace, a television, and a Christmas tree.
A white building with a sloped roof, surrounded by trees and fallen leaves.
A dining area with a long wooden table, red and black chairs, a Christmas-themed placemat, candles, and a decorative lantern.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Games at the ready
    One of the few properties with video games available for guests.
3 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 12

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Air-conditioning
  • Barbecue grill
  • Balcony

Explore the area

View map
Kalkaska, MI
  • Place, Bear Lake
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Torch Lake
    ‪35 min drive‬
  • Place, Traverse City Beach
    ‪45 min drive‬
  • Airport, Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
    ‪52 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4

+1
2 Single Beds, 1 Queen Bed and 2 Double Beds

Main Floor Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 1 Main Floor

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Balcony
Dining area

About this property

Newly Renovated Vacation Home on Crystal Clear Bear Lake.

One of Northern Michigan’s best waterfront values. This 3 bedroom, 3 full bath home on Bear Lake features new owners and renovations in Winter 2017. Renovations include beautiful kitchen with ss appliances and new counters. Step onto new hardwood floors throughout the main floor bedroom, kitchen, dining and living area. The upstairs features Jack and Jill Bathroom with 2 freshly painted bedrooms. Renovated bonus bunk and play space in the walkout basement features beds for 5 with its own full bath.

Bear Lake is one of Michigan’s clearest lakes providing a sandy bottom all sports lake, located just east of Traverse City and Kalkaska. Watch the Bald Eagles fish for Brown or Rainbow Trout from above or the loons from the water below. Start paddling in our kayaks or launch your boat from the public boat launch. Enjoy water sports, fish for trout, bass, pan fish or just drop a line from our dock, only steps from your door. Convenient to everything you need Dingmans Bar, Shirley's Cafe, Bears Lair Pizza, and The Blue Buck Mini Grocery.

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Charming 2-bedroom cottage on beautiful Bear Lake with WiFi and AC in Kalkaska.
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10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (10 reviews)
Charming 2-bedroom cottage on beautiful Bear Lake with WiFi and AC in Kalkaska.

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
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

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Property # 4530458
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
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
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

Kalkaska

Located in Kalkaska, this cottage is on the waterfront. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Hartwick Pines State Park and Bear Lake, while Crawford County Historical Museum and AuSable Artisan Village are cultural highlights. Take in the nearby slopes with skiing, or try out other outdoor activities such as ice skating and sledging.
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Map
Kalkaska, MI

What's nearby

  • Bear Lake - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Torch Lake - 35 min drive - 51.7 km
  • Torch Lake Park - 36 min drive - 52.0 km
  • Traverse City Beach - 45 min drive - 67.0 km
  • Boyne Mountain - 54 min drive - 79.1 km

Getting around

  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital) - 58 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Manistee Lake Pizzeria / Bakery - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪lost forest lodge - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Bear Lake Township Comnty Center - ‬5 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Newly Renovated Vacation Home on Crystal Clear Bear Lake. pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Newly Renovated Vacation Home on Crystal Clear Bear Lake.?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Newly Renovated Vacation Home on Crystal Clear Bear Lake.?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Newly Renovated Vacation Home on Crystal Clear Bear Lake.?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Newly Renovated Vacation Home on Crystal Clear Bear Lake. located?

Situated on the waterfront, this cottage is 0.1 mi (0.1 km) from Bear Lake and within 12 miles (20 km) of Manistee Lake and Starvation Lake. Grandview Golf Club and Lake Margrethe are also within 12 miles (20 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

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. 13 out of 13 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 13 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 13 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 13 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 13 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Rachelle V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful and clean lake
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jeanette H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Family Vacation

Great property with clear water, sandy bottom. Cottage was newly renovated and perfect with finished basement. Great host! Had a perfect family vacation.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Valerie M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful place!

We loved our stay so much. Bear Lake is absolutely gorgeous and we had zero complaints about the home. The option of two different spots for a fire at night was so nice, hanging out at the dock and jumping in the water was so fun, and the coffee maker was a lifesaver. We also really appreciated the local recommendations and really enjoyed checking out a couple of them. I would love to convince some friends to come back here one day :)
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Katherine A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family vacation

Lake was amazing. So clear and just beautiful. House was perfect for our group of 4 adults, 3 teens, and 2 child. Very spacious, comfortable, and great for spending time together. Would love to visit again someday. Also, hosts were great. Very responsive and friendly. Definitely recommend this property.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Pamela M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Fun Week

We had a Fun week on Bear Lake. The lake is beautiful & quiet. The children enjoyed fishing off the dock. The weather was perfect. Perfection was sitting on the dock & a bald eagle flying by. We made lots of memories to cherish. Thank You Butler Family for sharing your lakeside home.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 3 April 2020
Great to hear you had fun, enjoyed the views and made some wonderful memories. We are happy to share as we love it too. Thanks for choosing Butler's Bear Lake Lodge. We welcome you back next summer or come join us for some fall or winter fun!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Ah-mazing!!

Such a beautiful home and beautiful lake! We absolutely loved our stay, couldn't have asked for a better weekend! The owner was great too! Made sure I knew how to get in and even checked in to make sure I didn't have any issues. Can't thank you enough! Already talking about next summer when we can go in the lake 😁
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 9 October 2020
Glad you and your family enjoyed your stay. Thank you for the kind review and we look forward to sharing our home with you next summer!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Matt S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Hidden gem

My wife & I were looking for a property on the water of an inland lake and likely clicked on every single one within our target price range in the lower peninsula. The Big Bear Lake cottage caught our eye both with its gorgeous views and updated accommodations. Both were exactly as advertised with the lake especially being even more remarkable in person. Whoever says Torch or Charlevoix or Walloon are the clearest lakes in MI have never seen Big Bear. We watched 8-12 trout swimming around the end of the dock in ~10’ of water our first morning and could practically count their spots. And taking the canoe out was like paddling on glass, staring down to the sandy bottom. As for the cottage- perfect for a comfortable gathering with everyone having their own space. Very nicely updated (great kitchen) and two cozy spots for a group to play games or watch movies. But perhaps the most unique of this property compared to others is how flexible, communicative and accommodating the owners are. We came mid-October and they were willing to leave the dock in an extra 2-3 weeks than they’d planned for us to even just have the option of using their pontoon, which they also left in. And any question leading up to or even while there were responded to almost immediately. All together, they provided our family a wonderful getaway to enjoy just being together and a spot we certainly hope & plan to come back to again.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Allan D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great little getaway!

Haven’t gotten away since before the pandemic began, and now with 2020 almost over we just had to jump at the chance when we saw it was going to be a warm weekend. This was a perfect spot, for fishing, kayaking and spending an afternoon in Traverse City at the wineries. Kids are hoping we can come back this winter for ice fishing & sledding. The house was clean & kitchen nicely stocked with plenty of dishes & pans & things you don’t think to bring like coffee filters, foil & seasonings. Most importantly, the beds were comfortable which we rarely find in rental properties. Thank you to the Butlers!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 30 October 2020
Happy you enjoyed your stay! We love it up here and love to share it. Winter offers great ice fishing and plenty of snow. Couple great down hill ski destinations along with Hansen Hills for snow tubing. Come see us soon.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

ELYCE R.

Great View!

My family enjoyed our stay at Butlers Bear Lake Cottage from July 14th thru the 20th 2018. The water was clean and clear and the view from the multi levels of the house were spectacular. We especially liked that our group of 3 families could each have their own bathroom. The kitchen was well stocked with cooking supplies. We also enjoyed a family movie night with the very large screen tv in the living room. The 65 steps to the water gave us quite a workout each day and we also enjoyed our walks through the area. Thank you to the Butler Family for sharing your house with us.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Dana N.

Plenty of space to spread out on a beautiful,quiet lake

We had a wonderful time at Bear Lake.The house is very comfortable- lots of space, spread over three floors, so we weren't always right on top of each other. It is clear that the house has been well-maintained and is in the process of being update. Even the spaces that hadn't yet been updated were clean and efficient.The lake itself is beautiful, with unbelievably clear water. It is also very quiet-the mornings, in particular, were peaceful with only kayakers and fishermen on the lake. We spent a lot of time on the back deck, just relaxing and watching the lake! The location is convenient to Traverse City and even the UP. The owners were always very responsive to questions. We were fortunate with the weather, with a minimum of rain, cool mornings and evening, and warm days (I am really missing the weather now that I am back in Kentucky with all of the heat and humidity!).I would absolutely recommend this propperty to anyone looking for a relaxing, lakefront vacation.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Andy B.

Wonderful stay!

What a beautiful setting for a vacation. The Butler's cabin offered so many options from swimming, fishing, relaxation, and the close proximity to so many great places in the northern lower. Would highly recommend!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Mary W.

We really loved our stay. We just wish it could have been a little longer.

This was the perfect fit for our group. A bathroom on each floor was fantastic. The guys had fun fishing. The young adults enjoyed the trails with their RZR. The lake is beautiful. The water was crystal clear. We floated on the rafts and took the kayaks all the way around the lake. If you get the opportunity to rent this property you should. You will find something for everyone to enjoy.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Michelle M.

Relaxing Family Vacation

Butler's Bear Lake Cottage was a great place for our 2017 family vacation. We had eleven people in total - 4 adults and 7 children - in our party and the house was a perfect size for our group. We enjoyed kicking back inside watching movies, playing games or enjoying a delicious meal - the space was large and roomy, especially in the open main level floor plan. Outdoors we enjoyed the beautiful Bear Lake - which is a very clean, clear lake. The lake exceeded my expectations. Although there wasn't a beach to enjoy, that didn't stop the kids for playing in the water or floating around. In fact it was nice that the water was rather shallow near the shore, providing a great place for the little ones to play. We also appreciated the owners allowing us to use their two Kayaks and Canoe. We all loved used them and the adults even took on the adventure of Kayaking around the entire lake. The property was clean the recent renovations added charm to the house. We may have been the first renters to break in the newly renovated space, kinda neat. One thing that did surprise us was the number of stairs - hope you enjoy your exercise! It was a challenge each day to see who could get in the most amount of stairs for a given day. The kids also enjoyed fishing - I think 5 out of the 7 mornings we were there were spent fishing (catching if you ask my husband) and there were many times the kids caught fish without evening having bait on their hooks! Given that the lake itself has some time restrictions on when the high speed boaters can be out, it was nice to get some really peaceful moments on the lake. Finally, the owners were great as well. They were responsive to all of our inquiries and went above and beyond our expectations to help make our vacation the best it could possibly be. They even looked into and provide us with boat rental information given the busy 4th of July weekend. We even appreciated that they checked in to make sure things were going well a few days into our trip. This place is certainly worth your consideration for your next vacation - whether it is with families or friends - you'll enjoy your time at Butler's Bear Lake Cottage and look back on fond memories.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2017

About the host

Hosted by Matt Butler

Host profile image
Southern Michigan family that finds Northern Michigan draw.

Why they chose this property

The crystal blue green water and room to share the space with friends and family comfortably

What makes this property unique

Enjoying coffee in the morning overlooking Bear Lake and swimming in the sandy bottom lake steps from the door. Room for our family with plenty of space for guest.
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