$325,038Average Value$243Average Price per Sq Ft4Homes For Sale
North Michigan retreat
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.
Bear Lake residents enjoy easy access to hiking, fishing, and two large lakes.
The Bear Lake neighborhood has homes set near two large lakes: Bear Lake and Cub Lake.
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Log cabins and lake houses
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 Bear Lake neighborhood has log cabins by the lake.
Bear Lake has some spacious lakefront homes.
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Public access beaches
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.
Bear Lake, located in Frederic County, is a classic North Michigan retreat.
Bear Lake residents and visitors love to boat on both Bear Lake and Cub Lake.
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Kalkaska Public School District
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.
Kalkaska High School is located in Kalkaska, Michigan.
Kalkaska Middle School is located in Kalkaska, Michigan.
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Grayling and Kalkaska
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.
Dining, lawn games and grocery stores
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.
Local restaurant Bear Lake Inn serves wings, burgers and hand-tossed pizzas.
Bear Lake’s Marathon is a gas station with a small, attached shop selling alcohol and snacks.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Kristine McCarty,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Transit
Airport
Cherry Capital
59 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Bear Lake
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
1
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Bear Lake Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Bear Lake, Kalkaska sell after 80 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Bear Lake, Kalkaska over the last 12 months is $209,900, down 42% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Up North Living Near Bear Lake! Tucked back off the road, away on 4.78 wooded acres of gently rolling terrain, this clean, move in ready 3BR, 2BA home offers the perfect blend of comfort, privacy, and year-round adventure. Surrounded by mature hardwoods and stately pines, the property features a bright island kitchen open to the LR and DR, side deck with awning, durable metal roof, paved
Welcome to Bear Lake! One of Northern Michigan’s most coveted all-sports lakes, affectionately known as “Little Torch Lake” for its Caribbean-blue, crystal-clear waters & hard sandy bottom w/ a gradual walkout. This 316-acre, spring-fed lake is truly a hidden treasure, free of algae, weeds, & invasive species thanks to regular monitoring. Quiet no-wake hours and limited public access preserve its
Great location! This clean & maintained home is within walking distance to gorgeous Bear Lake & boat launch, close to the Manistee River, and only a 15min drive to both, Grayling & Kalkaska. Carport and shed to store your outdoor toys. On demand water heater, metal roof, new carpet, washer & dryer, updated well, (2017), fire pit, deck, & covered back patio. Possible financing options are
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Kristine McCarty,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
706
Median Age
52
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
17.7%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
30.3%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$54,615
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$62,799
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
88.9%
College Graduates
12.4%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
3.8%
% Population in Labor Force
46.1%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
34''
Average Winter Low Temperature
8°F
Average Summer High Temperature
79°F
Annual Snowfall
63''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
24/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
