Crown Point, Indiana
A Private Wildlife Sanctuary, About One Hour From Chicago
One cabin. One guest group. Resident animals.
One cabin. One guest group. Resident animals.
Avanti The Bear Den is a private wildlife sanctuary cabin stay in Crown Point, Indiana, about one hour southeast of Chicago. One cabin, one guest group at a time, on the same property as a rescued black bear, two resident mute swans, and a longtime resident elk. Guests stay overnight, observe the animals, and experience a quiet, licensed sanctuary setting unlike any other getaway near Chicago.
Crown Point, Indiana sits about one hour southeast of Chicago, making it one of the closest true overnight escapes from the city. The drive is straightforward, and the shift from city to countryside happens quickly once you cross into Lake County, Indiana.
For Chicago travelers, this is a genuine weekend escape that does not require a full travel day. You arrive, settle in, and the property takes over from there.
Avanti is a rescued American black bear who has lived on the property for years. Guests observe him from safe, designated areas of the property. Bear visibility is seasonal: Avanti is most active spring through fall.
Bonnie and Clyde are mute swans who live year-round on the property pond. Guests may feed the swans using approved food, guided by staff. It is one of the most memorable parts of the stay for visitors of all ages.
Ethel is a longtime resident elk who moves freely across the property. Guests may observe her naturally as she appears. No scheduled feeding or forced interaction.
The stay is in a single private cabin on the property. One guest group at a time, no shared spaces with other visitors, no resort crowds. Just the property, the animals, and your group.
View the CabinOne cabin. One guest group. No other guests on the property during your stay.
The animals are residents, not performers. The experience is quiet, unscripted, and genuinely rare.
About one hour from Chicago. No flights, no long highway slogs, no travel-day overhead.
The property is USDA licensed and insured. Trained handlers are on site. Guest safety and animal welfare are the foundation of everything here.
Avanti The Bear Den welcomes one guest group at a time. To check availability or ask a question before booking, use the options below.
Licensed wildlife sanctuary. Handlers on site. One group at a time.
Have questions? Read the FAQ.
The property is USDA licensed for exhibiting animals and insured for animal experiences.
No questions in this topic.
Avanti The Bear Den is located in Crown Point, Indiana, about one hour southeast of Chicago. The drive is straightforward and does not require a full travel day.
Yes. Avanti The Bear Den is a private wildlife sanctuary cabin stay about one hour from Chicago. One guest group stays at a time, with access to bear observation, swan feeding, and elk viewing on a licensed sanctuary property.
Yes. Avanti The Bear Den is home to Avanti, a rescued American black bear. Guests observe Avanti from safe, designated areas of the property. Bear visibility is seasonal, with Avanti most active spring through fall.
Guests may observe Avanti the black bear (seasonal), feed Bonnie and Clyde the resident mute swans (year-round), and observe Ethel the resident elk (year-round).
Avanti The Bear Den is enjoyed by couples, families, and animal lovers.
No. Avanti The Bear Den is a private, licensed wildlife sanctuary, not a zoo or petting farm. Guests stay in a private cabin, observe resident animals respectfully, and experience a quiet, one-group-at-a-time retreat.
Availability and booking can be found on the Book Your Stay page. Inquiries are also welcome for questions before booking.
One cabin, one guest group at a time, no crowds, and a genuine wildlife sanctuary environment. It is a rare, private, and memorable overnight experience within easy driving distance of Chicago.
Still have questions? Read the full FAQ
Ready to plan your visit?