Crown Point, Indiana
A Weekend Getaway Near Chicago Unlike Anything Else
One private cabin. Resident animals. A licensed wildlife sanctuary, about one hour from Chicago.
One private cabin. Resident animals. A licensed wildlife sanctuary, about one hour from Chicago.
Avanti The Bear Den is a private wildlife sanctuary cabin stay in Crown Point, Indiana, about one hour from Chicago. Guests stay in a single private cabin on the same property as a rescued black bear, two resident mute swans, and a longtime resident elk. One guest group at a time, no crowds, no resort atmosphere. Just a quiet, licensed sanctuary setting unlike any other weekend getaway near Chicago.
No other guests share the property during your stay. The cabin, the pond, the animals, the grounds, all private.
Avanti the bear, Bonnie and Clyde the swans, Ethel the elk. Residents of a licensed sanctuary, not performers. The experience is quiet and unscripted.
Crown Point, Indiana sits about one hour from Chicago. No flights, no long drives, no full travel day.
USDA licensed and insured. Trained handlers on site. The property has never had a guest incident.
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.
Ethel is a longtime resident elk who moves freely across the property. Guests may observe her naturally as she appears.
The property also draws wild deer, turkeys, and birds throughout the seasons. No two stays are exactly alike.
A private cabin with no other guests, resident animals, and quiet sanctuary grounds. A genuine escape from the city for an anniversary, a birthday, or a long overdue weekend away.
Kids who have never seen a black bear up close, or fed swans by a pond, or watched an elk graze at dusk. A private property with trained handlers and a licensed sanctuary environment.
Named resident animals, a rescue story, a working sanctuary. For guests who want their travel to mean something, this is a rare overnight experience.
The stay is in a single private cabin on the property. Rustic wood interior, sanctuary grounds outside the door, and complete privacy for your group. No shared spaces, no other guests, no resort common areas.
View the Cabin
Avanti The Bear Den welcomes one guest group at a time. Check availability or send a question before booking.
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 in Lake County.
Yes. It is a private wildlife sanctuary cabin stay about one hour from Chicago, with one guest group at a time, resident animals, and a quiet sanctuary setting.
Guests may observe Avanti the black bear (seasonal, spring through fall), feed Bonnie and Clyde the resident mute swans (year-round), and observe Ethel the resident elk (year-round).
Yes. Avanti is a rescued American black bear who lives on the property. Guests observe him from safe, designated areas. Bear visibility is seasonal, with Avanti most active spring through fall.
Yes. The private cabin, sanctuary setting, and one-group-at-a-time policy make it a natural fit for couples seeking a quiet, memorable escape near Chicago.
No. It is a private, licensed wildlife sanctuary. Guests stay in a private cabin, observe resident animals respectfully, and experience a quiet retreat, not a zoo visit.
Availability and booking are on the Book Your Stay page. Inquiries are welcome before booking.
One cabin, one guest group, no crowds, and a genuine wildlife sanctuary. It is a rare private overnight experience within easy reach of Chicago.
Still have questions? Read the full FAQ
Ready to book your weekend getaway near Chicago?