Return to the Rhythm of the Land

A place to reconnect with nature, with self, and with the wisdom of slower living.

Line drawing of a sitting bear in a minimalist style.

Tucked into the ancient cliffs and ravines of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, just eight miles from downtown Marquette, Bear Tree Homestead spans a forested landscape of hand-built cabins, wild gardens, and direct access to thousands of acres of protected wilderness.

Minimalist cabin interior with wood stove and cozy furnishings

 

Accommodations

Bear Tree Homestead offers two distinct cabin stays: the Orchard Cabin, a cozy, semi-connected retreat near the gardens and pastures, and the Pond Cabin, a secluded, off-grid hideaway nestled at the far end of the spring-fed pond. Both cabins are hand-built using traditional Scandinavian techniques and offer a deeply immersive experience in nature.

Traditional Finnish sauna with wood-fired stove and cedar benches at Bear Tree Homestead

Finnish Sauna

Our hand-built, wood-fired Finnish sauna is available to book for day use, offering a deeply restorative experience rooted in Nordic tradition. Set beside a natural, spring-fed pond perfect for cold plunging, the sauna invites guests to slow down, sweat out stress, and reconnect to their senses—surrounded by the quiet rhythm of the forest.

A living classroom of livestock, gardens, and the skills to build your own way of life.

Who
we are

Built slowly by hand and rooted deeply in the land, Bear Tree Homestead is a working farmstead and nature retreat tucked into the forested edge of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Here, we raise animals, grow food, heat with firewood, and live in rhythm with the seasons—offering guests a chance to reconnect through simple stays, traditional practices, and the quiet power of place.

Nick and Jill, founders of Bear Tree Homestead, standing near the original hand-built sauna
Black and white illustration of a rooster with detailed feathers and a prominent comb.
Silhouette of a pinecone and a palm leaf against a black background.

Recent Guest Reviews

Sophie G.

“Awesome place in the middle of nowhere. Great place to relax from the modern world for a while.”

Sean B.

“Incredibly peaceful cabin just far enough out of town. Very comfortable, clean and host was great! My soul definitely needed that time out on the back deck overlooking the pond. Host took great care of us.”

Nicole T.

“Such a sweet spot and worth the challenge of figuring out how to get there! A true homestead experience with incredible construction on the property, including the sauna down by the pond. For those looking for a unique stay, this is it. My 6 year old says she wants to live there.”

Yooper

“I lived on this property in a yurt. It was one of the best times of my life. Nick is a great teacher of timber framing.”

Nick Y.

“The cabin was amazing! The perfect mix of peace and seclusion with plenty to do just a short drive away. We loved that we could hike to the top of Hogback from the property. We will definitely be back.”

Where the trail leads inward. A stay at Bear Tree is more than a getaway—it's a return.