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Bear Haven Cottage at Glen Lake Narrows

Photo gallery for Bear Haven Cottage at Glen Lake Narrows

Bear Haven and front patio
Bear Haven entryway
Living Room
Hideabed sofa
Dining area

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 7148.6 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Beach view
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
  • Fireplace

Explore the area

Map
Glen Arbor, MI
  • Glen Lake
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum
    ‪10 min drive‬
  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
    ‪49 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 7)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed and 1 Single Bed

Living room

1 Double Sofa Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Bear Haven Cottage at Glen Lake Narrows

Bordered on one side by National Seashore land, this cottage lies at the southern end of the Narrows Bridge dividing Big and Little Glen Lakes. Cottage is five hundred feet from several hundred feet of shoreline public access on Little Glen Lake. Walk to the frontage with your raft or kayak—or beach chair. If you prefer Lake Michigan, Glen Haven Beach at the National Seashore is a three minute drive away and many more beautifully secluded public Lake Michigan beaches are available further up the Leelanau Peninsula.

And some of the best road biking in the Midwest is available from your driveway. Begin your ride at the cottage and head off on an easy ride to Glen Arbor village center where you can catch the Heritage Trail--or head northeast on MacFarlane for a challenging ride past Inspiration Point and around Big Glen Lake to the Crystal River and the Heritage Trail.

Bear Haven cottage is newly remodeled with two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a screened-in porch for summer. Five beds include three single beds in the second bedroom and a king bed in the master bedroom. There is also a comfortable sleep sofa in the family room.

Rents Saturday to Saturday. Check in 4 PM - check out 10 AM. House close to Sleeping Bear dunes and Dune Climb with Big and Little Glen Lakes across the street. Boat rentals available in walking distance. Bring kayaks and walk to public access on the Narrows Bridge.

Superb biking from cottage. Major hills surround, including on MacFarlane and a series of seven ascents on Benzonia, but equally possible to reach the Heritage Trail bike path stretching from Empire to Good Harbor Bay without a single significant climb by riding into Glen Arbor and catching the Heritage Trail there.

Property manager

Cheryl Bayly
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 23
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

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 indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a deadlock

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts

About the area

Glen Arbor

Located in Glen Arbor, this holiday home is on a lake. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Lake Michigan. Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum and Burnett Park are also worth visiting. Power boating and fishing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking and mountain biking nearby.
Map
Glen Arbor, MI

What's nearby

  • Glen Lake - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Little Glen Lake - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Crystal River - 5 min drive - 5.4 km
  • Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - 5 min drive - 5.4 km
  • Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum - 10 min drive - 9.3 km

Getting around

  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital) - 49 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Cherry Republic - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Arts Tavern - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Boone Dock's - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Shipwreck Cafe - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Blu - ‬5 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Bear Haven Cottage at Glen Lake Narrows pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Bear Haven Cottage at Glen Lake Narrows?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Bear Haven Cottage at Glen Lake Narrows?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Bear Haven Cottage at Glen Lake Narrows located?

Situated on a lake, this holiday home is steps away from Glen Lake and Little Glen Lake. Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive is 2.1 mi (3.4 km) away.

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. 37 out of 40 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 40 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 40 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 40 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 40 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

B C.

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

Great Haven!

Bear Haven Cottage was awesome! We enjoyed our stay. Perfectly located to get to all of the places you'll want to go quickly! Will stay again...
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Don F.

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

Bear Haven

Great property and great communication!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Roseanne C.

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

Great vacation house

We had a wonderful week at Bear Haven! The house was clean, well appointed, and cozy. We loved the decorating. Cheryl was a wonderful host, quick to respond, helpful and friendly. It was a great week!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ashley G.

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

Great stay!

We had a great stay! The house was very clean! Great location!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Devon V.

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

Beautiful, cozy spot for a winter getaway!

We loved the location for winter hiking, checking out local restaurants and wineries/cideries. The cottage is super clean, bright, and has everything you need for a comfortable stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Anne L.

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

Great property! Great location!

We had a great time staying at Bear Haven Cottage. Renters are wonderful! We would definitely recommend to other people!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Christine S.

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

Lovely home well supplied

Comfortable with lots of outdoor play area.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tracy S.

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

Amazing Vacation Stay!

Bear Haven is clean, cozy, and comfortable! The decor is inviting and the beds are very comfortable. Well stocked kitchen with all you need. A perfect location to do hiking, biking, boating! A nice place to stay at the end of each adventure we had!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Patty H.

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

Great cottage located near everything area has to offer

Wonderfu
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

8/10 Good

Mariane P.

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

Cute and cozy

This property was very cute and cozy. It was a great location and communication with the host was great. I did find the beds to be very uncomfortable and there were some very dusty areas but overall it was an enjoyable stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Patricia G.

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

Well located, well equipped and comfortable stay

Everything was most satisfactory. Plenty of room behind the house to play and easy access to lakes and Glen Arbor. Only problem for us was the very soft bed in the master bedroom. À wonderful stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Michele M.

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

College Friends’ Reunion

Perfect location for our annual fall reunion weekend! We enjoyed the local attractions, but even more the cozy living and dining rooms for our late night chats, comedy movie watching and daily breakfasts cooked together. The gas fireplace gave it an extra cozy vibe.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Matthew B.

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

Excellent Location

We have been traveling to the Glen Arbor area for several years now and renting homes during the summer. This cottage has been our favorite thus far, it is exactly as described and in an excellent location near to all the recreation activities the area has to offer, especially Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. We especially enjoyed sitting out on the screened in porch in the evenings. Thank you for a great stay!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Emily F.

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

Comfortable home

The pictures are accurate. The furniture is comfortable and in good condition. Clean!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Summer time fun in Glen Arbor

Great property nestled between Big Glen and little Glen lake. Walking distance to water and marina. Less than five minute drive to Glen Arbor and all its attractions. The house has also been renovated recently.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2020
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Michele C.

Perfect stay!

We had a perfect week at Bear Haven. The house was clean and had everything we needed during our stay. The community lost power at one point but because they had a generator we didn't even have to deal with it. We had four adults and a toddler and the layout of the house was ideal having a bathroom by each of the bedrooms. The owners were fantastic and easy to work with. We would highly recommend Bear Haven!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2017

10/10 Excellent

Keith N.

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

Wonderful week

We loved our stay in Bear Haven Cottage. It is magnificently located at the Narrows of the Glen Lakes, with beautiful views. The house was clean, modern and roomy enough for our adult children to join us during the week. We beached on the big lake, boated on the Glens, shopped and ate in Glen Arbor & Leland and made S'mores over a fire in the backyard. It was a wonderful week.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

diane H.

Little cream puff in perfect location!

Cozy, comfy, and clean cottage. Owners went the extra mile to make sure it was well stocked and ready for guests. Very up-to-date decor, and nice open space for spreading out comfortably. A few minutes from downtown Glen Arbor, a few minutes the other way to Empire. We never get tired of this area of Michigan- so gorgeous!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2017

10/10 Excellent

Justin N., Royal Oak, MI

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

Clean, comfortable and modern cottage near Glen Lake

Bear Haven Cottage was clean, comfortable, and modern. The photos provided matched our experience. The location was convenient to head to Glen Lake for a swim or paddle boarding. Cheryl was responsive and helpful. The cottage had all amenities you could need. We appreciated the updated and well stocked kitchen and laundry room.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Julie M.

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

Bear Haven

Beautiful property. I so appreciated all the kitchen amenities such as sharp knives, pans, bowls, spices, pancake griddle even a potato masher. THANK YOU for this. Just came from NC and that VRBO was horrible and Bear Haven made appreciate these non-essentials.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lynn M.

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

Beautiful Glen Lake Home

Awesome and spacious home across the street from Glen Lake! We enjoyed all the amenities in this modern house - stocked kitchen, picture windows, excellent beds, comfy leather furniture, and 3 outside decks. Also, the owner has a detailed welcome booklet full of many ideas for excursions and hikes in the area. We found some hidden gems off the beaten path, and the location of the house is ideal for all of the activities in Empire, Glen Arbor, Leland, and Sutton’s Bay.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Jackie B.

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

Relacing

Property was perfect getaway from home during COVID. Home is spacious, comfortable and in a great location. Only thing to note was that the twin beds are trundle so too tall for my elderly mother. We made different arrangement to work for her. The week was very relaxing.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2020
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Michael Y.

Perfect for Us

Bear Haven was perfect for what we needed this weekend. Location was ideal to everything. Short walk across the bridge to the marina to rent a pontoon and only 10 minute drive to the dunes and Glen Arbor. The house is immaculate. Looks like it was recently renovated. Super organized and very easy to find things. Hosts were quick to respond with answers to questions. We had 6 people and there was plenty of room for everyone. As far as we could tell, it wasn't walking distance to any lake public access, but this time of year we weren't looking. If that is a need for you, double check with the hosts. We would stay here again and I would recommend.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2017

10/10 Excellent

Dave B.

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

An amazing house with a wonderful owner

My wife and I decided to spend the week after Christmas up north and we thought this would be a great place to stay. Cheryl was fantastic to work with, she gave us plenty of information about the house, surrounding area and lots of things to do. The house has a view of little Glen Lake and it backs up to the woods. We walked out the back door with our snowshoes and hiked through the woods, all the while following recent deer tracks going deeper and deeper into the woods. On another day we hiked to Pyramid Point which ends on top of a hill overlooking lake Michigan and the islands. Another day we went to the dunes with some cardboard boxes that we picked up at the Glen Arbor IGA and went sledding (keep in mind, my wife and I are both 65 years old so we looked a little out of place amongst the children sledding). Most nights found us sitting in front of the fire reading or engaging in a competitive round of Scrabble. I cannot say enough about how wonderful it was staying at the Bear Haven Cottage. We will definitely be back.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2020

10/10 Excellent

Frank C.

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

Comfort at Glen Lake

We have been visiting the Sleeping Bear Dunes area for decades, and Bear Haven is one of the nicest cottages we have stayed in at Glen Lake. The cottage is honestly nicer than the pictures. Everything needed for a comfortable vacation is provided, including a well-stocked kitchen, linens, towels, coffee maker with filters, fans, pleasant eating areas, fenced in play area for children, and a decent view of Little Glen. The layout is perfect for two families, and the open floor plan is efficient and cozy. One feature that does not get noticed in the VRBO description is the screen porch with shade and pleasant breezes off the lake. This was an amazing place to read, visit, relax, or eat a snack. The host contacted us early on and then closer to our stay. All the information we needed to know was included and it made for a smooth arrival. A nice touch is a keyless entry pad on the front door and notification that the cottage was ready for occupancy earlier than 4:00. The lake can make rentals have a musty smell, but not here! Easy-to-open windows with screens and a recent remodel make for a clean, fresh cottage. One of our guests was a culinary chef, and he loved the kitchen. Fully stocked, spacious, and easy to use. Don’t hesitate to spend a week here with 5 minute drives to Glen Arbor, the National Park, the public dune climb, Glen Haven Beach, and more. A perfect location.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

About the host

Hosted by Cheryl Bayly

Host profile image
Married nearly thirty years. Five grown children. Ten grandchildren. Happy residents of Ohio. Blessed in our church family. From Chicago. Have lived in Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Fort Wayne and St. Paul. Love Toledo and its surrounding area.

Why they chose this property

My husband and I bought this cottage after years of enjoying my brother's family vacation home in Glen Arbor.

What makes this property unique

Glen Lake Narrows is a great place to be. The lakes themselves get shallow with a sandy bottom at the Narrows. If you've been there, you know that boaters will park their boats for hours just across the street from Bear Haven Cottage and swim, wade, float and paddle the afternoon away.

But the location is even better for biking. We love riding to the Heritage Trail and down to Empire or up to Little Traverse Lake. Even better, if you're a more serious biker, is the ride around the lakes and up M22 to Northport. The cottage is superbly located for a variety of rides. As a long-time rider, my husband is convinced there's no better location to begin a ride than at the Narrows.

Easy rides, challenging hill-climbs, trail rides: they're all available from this location. And the cottage is great for after-ride relaxation.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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