Bear Lake, in Frederic County, is a classic North Michigan retreat with ample opportunities for hiking, fishing and waterfront recreation. Residents enjoy forested streets and two large lakes: Bear and Cub Lake. Since this area is rural and residential, locals head 15 miles east to Kalkaska or 15 miles west to Grayling for shopping, dining and socializing.
Along Bear Lake and Cub Lake’s shorelines are log cabins and lake houses surrounded by forests. Most lakefront houses have private docks used for boating, kayaking or paddleboarding launches. Set on multiple acres, several houses have large barns or garages with wide doors for storing snowmobiles, ATVs or hunting gear. Seasonal owners are common, and many residents use their Bear Lake homes as weekend retreats, although a small population lives in the neighborhood year-round. Houses vary in price depending on property size and proximity to the lakes but generally range between $250,000 and $450,000. Outliers, including estate-size houses with multi-acre properties, can be priced up to $1.8 million.
The public access beaches have sandy shores, perfect for sunbathing in the summer, and the forest’s edge overlooking the water offers a shaded spot to hang a hammock. “Summertime here is lovely,” says Daniel. “The lakes and rivers are gorgeous and there’s plenty to catch. It’s a popular place to stay for the summer months, and people bring their families.”
But it’s not just a summer spot—Bear Lake is known for its ice fishing, a time-honored Michigan tradition. With a depth of 60 feet and abundant fish, including bluegill, rainbow and brown trout, there’s plenty to hunt throughout the year. Cub Lake, while smaller than Bear Lake, is still a hot spot for year-round fishing. It’s around 43 feet at its deepest point and has sizeable populations of bluegill, largemouth bass, northern pike and sunfish. Originally known as “Little Bear Lake,” Cub Lake is surrounded by hardwoods and native pines. While both lakes have public access points, recreation passports and boat registration are required to use the boat launches. These documents can be acquired on the Michigan State Government’s website or at a Secretary of State office.
Hikers and campers looking for a rustic retreat can head to Pickerel Lake in Kalkaska State Forest Campground. This campground has 13 tent sites, vault toilets, potable water, parking spaces and a 2-mile loop trail used for hiking, cross-country skiing and mountain biking.
While the Bear Lake Neighborhood doesn’t have a bustling town center, there are several restaurants and bars along State Highway M-72, which crosses the center of the neighborhood. Bear Lake Inn & Dingman’s Beergarden is a local spot serving wings, sandwiches, burgers and hand-tossed pizzas. Dingman’s is open year-round and has a full bar with local beers on tap. In the summer, Dingman’s puts out lawn games like horseshoes and cornhole on the patio, while during snowy winters, the parking lot fills with snowmobiles as locals meet up for drinks and dinner.
Just down the road, Bear Lake’s Marathon is a gas station with a small, attached shop selling liquor, wine, beer and snacks. It shares a parking lot with the Dollar General next door. Aside from these two shops, the Bear Lake neighborhood has few commercial businesses. Over 95% of the area is zoned for residential use only, so locals leave the neighborhood to get groceries. Family Fare Supermarket, located 14 miles east along M-72 in the Grayling Mini-Mall, is the nearest grocery store. While in town, stop at Grayling Farmers Market for fresh produce during the summer months.
The Bear Lake neighborhood is zoned in the Kalkaska Public School District, which Niche graded C plus. KPS has under 1,500 students from preschool through high school and serves free breakfast and lunch to all students daily. Students may attend Birch Street Elementary, graded C plus; Kalkaska Middle, graded C; and Kalkaska High School, graded B minus.
Just 15 miles from charming downtown areas in Grayling and Kalkaska, locals are within driving distance of shopping and dining. Bear Lake and its surrounding areas are rural and car-dependent. During snowy winter months, locals make quick trips to visit friends or ice fish at the lakes using snowmobiles, which are allowed on public roads—just be sure to wear a helmet, as required by state law.
Beth Olosky
EXP Realty
(231) 714-6380
95 Total Sales
2 in Bear Lake
$222K - $401K Price Range
Marsha Minervini
REMAX Bayshore - Union St TC
(231) 714-6963
76 Total Sales
1 in Bear Lake
$1,670,000 Price
Kristine McCarty
Keller Williams First
(810) 428-0790
137 Total Sales
1 in Bear Lake
$252,700 Price
Carol Karas
EXIT Northern Shores Realty-KA
(231) 715-5295
111 Total Sales
5 in Bear Lake
$37K - $415K Price Range
Janet Mass
American Homes and Realty
(810) 777-7084
37 Total Sales
2 in Bear Lake
$165K - $180K Price Range
Melanie Sutton
Bayside Real Estate
(810) 666-6286
54 Total Sales
1 in Bear Lake
$150,000 Price
On average, homes in Bear Lake, Kalkaska sell after 35 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Bear Lake, Kalkaska over the last 12 months is $197,000, down 15% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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