Local Activities

 Located in the heart of the Village, the library offers reading materials, movies, computers and printers for patrons use. Classes periodically offered for children and adults on a range of subject for education and enjoyment.

 12325 Virginia St, Bear Lake, MI 49614 

Contact: (231) 864-2700

 The Bear Lake Area Museum was formed to preserve and share the unique history of the Bear Lake area. It is located in a building constructed in the late 1880s and is likely the oldest building that remains in the Village. The building previously housed a Baptist Church.   

7750 Main St, Bear Lake, MI 

(773) 396-6269 

The Manistee National Forest is right in our backyard and is over 540,000 acres offering everything from camping, hiking, biking, birding, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, paddle sports, swimming, tubing and scenic drives. Take the River Road National Scenic Byway to explore the forest by car while the 37 mile Big M biking trail allows riders of various skills to create rides of differing loop combinations of length and intensity.  

An all-season resort known for its varied activities for the whole family. The list of year-round activities offered at Crystal Mountain Resort seems endless and filled with fun, and either active or relaxing activities for everyone of all ages.

12500 Crystal Mountain Dr.

Thompsonville, Michigan 49683

(855) 995-5146

There are no less than a dozen excellent golf courses within a 30 minute drive of Bear Lake!  These include Arcadia Bluffs and Arcadia Bluffs South Course, Bear Lake Highlands, Manistee National Golf Club, Chestnut Hills, The Heathlands, Mountain Ridge at Crystal Mountain, Betsie Valley at Crystal Mountain, Crystal Lake Golf Club, Crystal Downs Golf Club, Pinecroft Golf Plantation, and Champion Hill Golf Club. 

  Come check out the 1/8-mile race facility. From the end of April through the end of September races are conducted for all ages and skill levels including Brackets I, II, Pro & Street Trophy, Advanced Juniors, Mini Juniors, High School Class, Nostalgia Outlaws, Diesel, Top Doorslammers, Chicks on Slicks and Money Class.

 13991 Potter Rd. Kaleva, MI 49645

(231) 362-3439 

  Many local communities have weekly farmers markets with fresh from the field fruits and vegetables, baked pies and other goods, homemade jams and pie fillings and crafts other items from local artisans. Municipalities by the Village that have sizeable weekly summer markets  include Onekama, Frankfort and Elberta. 

  Within a 20-45 minute drive, you can access the Manistee, Pine, Platte or Betsie Rivers all of which are great spots for canoeing, kayaking, tubing, fishing and swimming. There are launches at many spots on these rivers and businesses located along each of these rivers that rent whatever you need to have a fun and relaxing day on the river with friends or family. 

  The beautiful scenery and beauty of Bear Lake makes the 11.5 mile ride around the lake a perfect backdrop for either a relaxing or exercise-focused bike ride. There are other local bike trails of all levels of intensity and length. The Northwest Michigan Bike Map put out by the Cherry Capital Cycling Club is a great resource to learn about many of the trails in the area.