Writer Andrew Stark, wrote up a lovely article and Midwest Living Magazine after staying here at Bear Tree Homestead. The article was in May/June 2020 issue article titled "A Wild and Watery Getaway to Marquette Michigan."
The Orchard Cabin is the first log cabin built on the property it sits next to the orchard and garden under large hemlock trees. The Cabin is l
Writer Andrew Stark, wrote up a lovely article and Midwest Living Magazine after staying here at Bear Tree Homestead. The article was in May/June 2020 issue article titled "A Wild and Watery Getaway to Marquette Michigan."
The Orchard Cabin is the first log cabin built on the property it sits next to the orchard and garden under large hemlock trees. The Cabin is located on the edge of the homestead and in the main compound area of the property insight of the owner’s cabin. The covered front porch overlooks the yard and pasture where the sheep and chickens forage. Through the garden there is a small pond with a hammock, sitting area and a fire ring for your use.
The Orchard cabin has two large lofts that are accessed by a ladder and bridge that connects them. The lofts are set up for sleeping with a queen size bed in one and a set of trundle beds in the other. There is an extra twin size mattress under the trundel your welcome to use for a 5th guest and large sofa that could be used to sleep on and there is plenty of floor space for air mattresses (provided by you). Sheets and blankets pillows are provided for the four beds in the cabin, however daily maid service is not part of the package. This is a rustic cabin with electricity and a hand pump for water. There are no showers for this cabin (plans for a sauna are in the works) however if you really must have a shower we could arrange a time you could use our shower. The YMCA offers showers and towels for a small fee and is easy to find in Marquette.
The wood fired masonry stove is the heat source for this cabin. The wood is provide in a shed attached to the cabin. There is an outdoors composting toilet just is steps away. You will find the kitchen fun to prepare meals in with stove, oven, refrigerator, coffee maker, cookware and dishes. There is plenty of room to sit and enjoy yourselves in the living dining area of this cabin. Parking for 2-3 vehicles just feet from the cabin.
Once you arrive your only 8 miles from Marquette, MI however the last 2 miles in are on dirt logging roads. So in the spring and winter all-wheel or four wheel drive vehicle is recommended. You will not want to leave once you are here. Enjoy the peaceful surroundings, collect fresh eggs (when they are laying) lay in the hammock listen to the sounds of nature and the barnyard or take an adventure hike, bike ride, snowshow, ski right out the door.
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE MAKING A RESERVATION.This is a working homestead and our cabins are rustic. We have lots of sounds around our homestead including chain saws, dogs, cows, sheep, and chickens so you will most likely hear some charming farm sounds. Our dogs are friendly but they do bark especially when people come and go. We also have neighbors and their dogs seem to think this is the place to be so you may encounter their dogs as well. On a very rare occasion our neighbors may run a generator or have a night party. The cabins may have spiders and an occasional mouse but we do our best to take precautions before your arrival.
The Homestead is only 8 miles from downtown Marquette but the last 2 miles are trail roads and can be difficult to travel in the winter and spring thaw we recommend a 4 wheel or all-wheel drive during these times, There is no problem getting in durring the summer.
Refunds will not be considered for mismanaged expectations, and any concerns can always be addressed with your host directly.
We do accept a 2-day minimum stay. Due to the Covid-19 we are no longer requiring a meet and greet, but our paths may cross while your on the property so please maintain the 6 foot social distnacing rule. You can text or call with any questions you may have durring your stay.
- Check in: After 3PM
- Check out: Before 12PM
- Cancellation policy: Moderate
- On arrival: Go straight to camp
- Minimum nights: 2
- Accepts bookings: 3 months out
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Activities
Offered on the Host's property or nearby.
Biking
Both mountain biking and fat tire snow biking have become extremely popular and this area is know for excellent biking trails. ...Read more
Boating
Lake Superior, Harlow Lake the Dead River public access sites are all just 2 miles away so bring what ever boat your into and e...Read more
Fishing
Fishing in local lakes and rivers near by check out, the Dead River, Carp River, Little Garlic River, Yellow Dog River, Harlow ...Read more
Hiking
This is some of the absolute best hiking in the midwest. We on the trail system connecting the North Country Trail, the Noquem...Read more
Paddling
Lake Superior, Dead River and Harlow lake are all about 2 miles and have boat launch area. Many other lakes rivers with an ho...Read more
Snow sports
Snowshoe trials out the door World class Cross Country skiing trail system one mile away, 10 miles to Marquette Mountain down ...Read more
Wildlife watching
All the wild life typically found in the lake superior region can be seen here. Among the less common animals seen nearby are ...Read more
Terrain
Natural features you'll find at Orchard Cabin in Michigan.
Forest
Located in the transition zone of Northern hardwoods to Boreal forests. Pockets of old growth and virgin stands of pine, oak, ...Read more
Mountainous
We are at the base of Hogback Mountain it is a short but challenging hike up from the homestead. It is about a half hour to the...Read more
Swimming hole
The pond is a very cold, spring fed, shallow, and has some muck but it is great for wading in and a quick dip. Feel free to...Read more
Farm
We are a small family farm growing our own food and medicine including nut and fruit trees, extensive gardens, chickens, shee...Read more
Driveway
Drive right to your cabin 4 wheel drive recommended in late winter and spring.
The vibe at Orchard Cabin
Places to see near Bear Tree Homestead
33 Reviews
Jill and Nick' have a dreamlike place. The cabin is such a cosy nest and so authentic! We loved the place and will return for sure!
Thank you.
The property is right next to public trails connecting hogsback mountain and Sugarloaf mountain, and is located surprisingly close to Marquette.
It was exceedingly cosy, and you only have to make a fire once every morning and it keeps the cabin incredibly warm for the entire day!
If possible, I recommend arriving during daylight your first night, as you will be navigating some back country to get there. The road is marked with signs, but you will not be able to rely on gps for the final stretch.
Everything was as advertised. The hosts and animals were all very friendly. I will definitely be staying here again.
It was absolutely amazing!! Jill, the host was wonderful. She left us fresh baked cookies for our arrival!! The cabin is clean and beautiful along with the land around it. It’s very private. Far back into the woods but her directions are great. An adorable pond in the back that’s quiet. Close to downtown and great sights and restaurants/brewery’s. We hope to be back soon!!
Wonderful stay and very warm welcome from our host at this beautiful Orchard Cabin ! Would come back with no hesitations !!!
Absolutely loved staying here. Beautiful place and nice little getaway for the weekend. Would definitely recommend to a friend.
Jill’s place was great! It’s close to Marquette if you want to venture in town but it’s tucked far enough away on its own private piece of land where you have the opportunity to really relax.
We stayed in the Orchard Cabin which offered ample room. It was extremely comfortable and welcoming.
Jill was even so kind have homemade cookies awaiting and they were delicious. Our dogs had the opportunity to meet Jill’s and even experienced seeing chickens for the first time.
Overall, if you are looking to disconnect, relax and enjoy the outdoors and what a homestead like Jill’s has to offer, we highly recommend and plan on returning in the future.
Many thanks to both Jill and her family for offering up their cabin for people to stay in.
The Cabin was a beautiful place to stay for the weekend. Would recommend warm sleeping clothes and if you don't have four wheel drive be a bit wary about the road out. Everything in the cabin was prepared and we had a wonderful time.
I brought my 3 kids - ages 7, 10 and 17 - to the UP for a few days to do some hiking. There is so much to see and do in the UP - I wish we had taken at least a week! We had a wonderful experience staying at the Bear cabin. Jill and Nickolas were so welcoming - my kids have been saying that they miss them since we left. Their homestead that they are building is impressive - it would be interesting to see it again in the summer.
Jill met us when we arrived and made sure we found the property ok and then gave us a tour of the cabin and how everything worked. They both later showed us around the property and let my kids hold and pet the animals. My two youngest are interested in woodworking and Nickolas showed us around his workshop and even gave my kids some woodworking books to read, magazines to take and large pieces of wood to take home for them to practice. The NCT trail is located right on the property and leads to Hogback Mountain, which we climbed one day for awesome surrounding views. Nickolas was nice enough to take the time and show us the way to the trail to make sure we found it. The dogs, Iris and Buttercup, are real sweeties (along with the neighbor dogs who also come to visit!). I think my kids would have been content to just hang out around the property asking questions and petting the animals the whole time!
The cabin was very comfortable and perfect for us. Pump water inside was very convenient. Outhouse was very cute, clean and didn't smell - one of the best I've been in! The fireplace was extremely easy to get lit and have a roaring fire in no time, which put out a great deal of heat that kept everything warm all night. I've stayed in other "primitive" cabins that required constant feeding of the fire for heat. This one wasn't like that at all - a great design! Get a roaring fire going for about 2 hours before bed and the cabin will stay warm until morning. PLENTY of wood - you will never need to chop your own. Furnishings were very comfortable and cozy. Unfortunately it wasn't until the last night that we discovered the sofa was a reclining one - oops!
I personally didn't get all the rest I wanted with 3 kids - so plan on going up again to stay by myself and will try out the smaller cabin that they also have on the property. Looking forward to going back soon!
Awards
- Property
- Bear Tree Homestead
- State
- Michigan
- Country
- United States
- $95/night
- 1 Site
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