Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer
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 the Narrows isthmus and bridge, with public access to Little Glen Lake available on both sides of the bridge. Walk to public frontage with your raft or kayak. If you prefer a broad sand beach, Glen Haven Beach at the National Seashore is a three-minute drive away with many beautiful and secluded public Lake Michigan beaches 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 has 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.
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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
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 cycling and hiking nearby.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - 20 min walk - 1.7 km
Crystal River - 5 min drive - 6.5 km
Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum - 12 min drive - 11.2 km
Getting around
Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital) - 49 min drive
Restaurants
Art's Tavern - 5 min drive
Cherry Republic - 5 min drive
La Becasse - 6 min drive
Glen Arbor Wines - 5 min drive
The Mill - 6 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Bear Haven Cottage at Glen Lake Narrows pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Bear Haven Cottage at Glen Lake Narrows?
As of 12 May, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Bear Haven Cottage at Glen Lake Narrows on 7 Dec, 2026 start from S$444, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Bear Haven Cottage at Glen Lake Narrows?
On-site parking is available at the 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 within 1 mi (2 km) of Glen Lake and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Little Glen Lake and Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive are also within 3 miles (5 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
The home was clean, comfortable, and had everything we needed for our week getaway!! Very good location. Close to some great beaches, shopping, and quaint small towns. Cheryl was great to work with and we truly enjoyed our stay!!
This home is much more than we expected. It’s beautifully decorated and was very clean. The owner was extremely easy to communicate with and wanted to ensure our stay was perfect. The leaves were starting to turn color which made driving just beautiful. Many nice beaches for rockhounding. Restaurants in town were really good and the coffee shop in the old mill was wonderful. Would definitely stay here again when in the area.
Patricia F.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 31 Oct, 2025
Thank you Patricia, You are so sweet. I am so glad you enjoyed Bear Haven Cottage and the Glen Arbor area. I always want guests to have a great time. Come back soon.
Great place at a fair price for the area. Place was Beautifully decorated and had all the amenities. Very clean and had nice beds and furniture Location is perfect! Close to sleeping bear dunes And Glen Arbor is 5 min away. Even Traverse City is a hour away.Great Lake view from rental too
Greg Y.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 16 Sept, 2025
Thank you Greg for your kind words. I love sitting on the porch and looking out at the water also. Hope you come back.
We had a wonderful stay at the cabin! We were very happy with the cleanliness of the house, which is especially important with a baby crawling around on the floor! We also found this location to be perfect for our visits to Sleeping Bear Dunes, Glen Arbor, Empire, etc all within a close drive. Cheryl was very communicative and had some great recommendations (playground rec was an A)! Would definitely stay here again
Kitchen is fully equipped, no air conditioning, excellent proximity to Glen Arbor and the national lakeshore. We appreciated that garbage bags and dishwasher detergent were available in good quantities.
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.
Devon V.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 17 Jul, 2022
Thanks so much. I am sorry I did not respond right away. We love all seasons as well. Come back.
Cheryl
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!
Tracy S.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Jul, 2023
Thank you Tracy for your kind words. I am so happy your group enjoyed all the wonderful activities around Glen Arbor. We would love you to come back anytime.
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!
Roseanne C.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Oct, 2024
Thank you Roseanne for your kind words. It was a joy to get to meet you while you were in Glen Arbor.
Verified
8/10 Good
Martha M.
24 Jul, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication
Bear Haven
It was just okay. It is not "on a lake", just near. It is not 500 feet to access either. The king bed needs replacing. Super soft and lumpy. Very cheap, thin, scratchy towels.
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.
Patricia G.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 26 Aug, 2021
We were so happy that you chose Bear Haven Cottage for your trip to the Glen Arbor area. Thank you for your positive review of our house. We work hard to meet people’s expectations. I am sorry the bed was too soft for you, it was a firm mattress and only a few years old., but these are truly peoples preferences.
Glad your time was wonderful. Come back.
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!
Mariane P.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 15 Oct, 2022
Hello Mariane, I am glad you enjoyed the area and your time away. Our cleaner is pretty impeccable, so I am sorry if she missed something.
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.
Michele M.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Oct, 2022
Thank you Michele for your kind words. I am so glad you enjoyed your reunion and that the house was perfect for you all.
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!
Matthew B.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 25 Jul, 2023
Thank you Matthew for these kind words. We are very happy the house helped make your vacation so special. We love how close it is to all of the areas great activities.
Come back again.
Cheryl
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.
Verified traveller
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 20 Jul, 2020
Thank you for your kind review. So happy your time away was wonderful.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Michele C.
12 Jul, 2017
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!
Michele C.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Apr, 2020
Thank you Michele for your kind review. We are so glad your week was wonderful, and free of troubles due to the power outage.
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.
Keith N.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 25 Aug, 2022
Thank you, Keith, for your kind words. I am so happy you enjoyed the house and all that the surrounding area has to offer.
About the host
Hosted by Cheryl Bayly
Married thirty-seven years. Five grown children. Twenty-one grandchildren. 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