Looking for a cabin with a real wood-burning fireplace in Hochatown for a winter weekend? Meet The Bear Hug. It's our classic, cozy family cabin in a semi-secluded spot among tall pines, with a wood stove in the living room, a 6-person hot tub on the patio and a fire pit out back. Here's a full look at the cabin, how a winter weekend there tends to go, and what to know before you book.
🔥 Why a Wood-Burning Fireplace Matters in Winter
Plenty of cabins have a fireplace in the photos, but many are electric or gas. The Bear Hug has a true wood-burning fireplace in the living room, and on a cold night that makes all the difference: the crackle, the smell of the wood, and a warm spot to sit with a blanket and a mug of something hot.
The cabin also has central heating and air conditioning, so you're comfortable whether or not the fire's going. The fireplace is the fun part.
A few fireplace tips: start small with dry wood and kindling, never leave a fire unattended, and let the ashes cool completely before you head to bed or check out. If you have questions about the fireplace before your stay, just message us.
🐻 The Bear Hug at a Glance
✔ 1,046 square feet, 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
✔ Sleeps up to 5: queen bed in each bedroom plus a full-size futon mattress
✔ Wood-burning fireplace in the living room
✔ Private 6-person hot tub on the patio
✔ Fire pit with 5 Adirondack chairs
✔ Pet-friendly: up to 2 dogs, $50 pet fee per stay, plus taxes and fees
✔ Washer and dryer
✔ Broken Bow Lake and Beavers Bend Brewery are both less than 5 miles away
🛏️ Inside the Cabin
Bedrooms
Both bedrooms have a queen bed. The second bedroom includes a small loft area reached by ladder. The loft isn't for sleeping, and it may not suit young children or guests with mobility concerns. A full-size futon mattress adds room for a fifth guest. There's also a desk in the first bedroom if someone needs to check email.
Kitchen and dining
The kitchen is fully equipped for real cooking: a full-size refrigerator, a stove and oven, a microwave, a toaster, cookware and dishes, plus both a Keurig and a drip coffee maker with starter coffee. A farmhouse table seats four inside, and the patio table seats six under an umbrella.
Downtime
For quiet evenings there's a smart TV with Apple TV, fast fiber WiFi, a shelf of classic books, and board and card games like Uno, Yahtzee and dominoes. The cabin is single-level living space, which makes it easy for most guests to get around.
🌲 Outside: Hot Tub, Fire Pit and Hammock
The Bear Hug's yard is made for slow days. The private hot tub sits on the patio and seats six. The fire pit is ringed by Adirondack chairs for s'mores and stories. A hammock hangs between two trees, and there's a kids' playground and horseshoe pits for the younger crew. A propane grill (with propane provided) handles dinner.
❄️ A Winter Weekend at The Bear Hug
Friday: Check in with the keypad (no key handoff), unpack, and get the first fire going. Grill something easy, then end the night in the hot tub.
Saturday: Coffee by the fireplace, then head out. Broken Bow Lake is less than 5 miles away, and so is Beavers Bend Brewery. Hochatown's restaurants, shops and hiking trails are just minutes from the cabin. For food stops, follow Destination Doug on Instagram. Our guide to things to do in Hochatown this fall and winter has more ideas. Back at the cabin, it's game night at the farmhouse table.
Sunday: Slow breakfast, one more soak, and maybe a stop at the Sweat Shack in Broken Bow on the way out. Every guest gets complimentary access, with a full gym, infrared sauna, cold therapy room and group fitness classes.
🐕 Bringing the Dog
The Bear Hug welcomes up to 2 dogs for a $50 pet fee per stay, plus taxes and fees. Winter is great for dog walks in the woods: cooler air, quieter trails and no hot pavement. Keep dogs leashed outside, out of the hot tub and away from the fire pit. Pack a towel or two for muddy paws. Our pet-friendly cabins guide has more tips.
🧳 What to Pack for a Winter Weekend
The Bear Hug comes stocked with linens, towels, extra pillows and blankets, shampoo, conditioner and body soap, plus starter coffee, avocado oil and olive oil in the kitchen. Here's what we'd add for a cold-weather trip:
✔ Warm layers and a beanie for the walk between the back door and the hot tub
✔ Slippers or house shoes for the wood floors on chilly mornings
✔ Firewood or fire starters, or plan to pick some up locally on the way in
✔ Marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers for the fire pit
✔ Groceries for an easy cabin dinner, like chili, a pot roast or grill-ready steaks
✔ A favorite board game to add to the cabin's collection for the night
✔ Rain boots or old sneakers, since the woods can be muddy after a winter rain
📅 When to Book a Winter Stay
Weekends around the holidays and long weekends fill first, so if you have specific dates in mind, check availability early. If your schedule is flexible, a midweek winter stay is one of the quietest, most relaxing ways to enjoy the cabin. Bookings include a 72-hour free-cancellation grace period when arrival is at least 7 days away, and the full cancellation policy is listed on the cabin page.
🚗 Parking and Practical Details
✔ Gravel driveway with parking for up to 4 vehicles
✔ Boat parking available
✔ 30/50 amp RV hookup available for $20/day (paid after booking)
✔ Self check-in with a keypad; the code changes after every guest
✔ Exterior security camera on the front porch facing the driveway and entry only
✔ Fresh linens, towels and starter essentials provided
✔ Minimum age of the primary renter is 21
👨👩👧👦 Need More Room?
Traveling with friends or another family? The Bear Hug shares a neighborhood with our other Hochatown stays. The Little Bear Tinyhouse sleeps 5 and is pet-friendly, and couples might love The Honey Dome, our adults-only dome for two. Curious about domes for a bigger group? Pine Acres Glamping's Incredi-Dome vs Sereni-Dome comparison covers two more family-friendly options nearby. Message us about booking nearby stays together.
❓ The Bear Hug FAQ
Is the fireplace really wood-burning?
Yes. The Bear Hug has a wood-burning fireplace in the living room.
How many people does The Bear Hug sleep?
Up to 5: two queen bedrooms plus a full-size futon mattress.
Is the hot tub private?
Yes. It's on the cabin's patio and seats six.
Is The Bear Hug good for kids?
Yes. There's a kids' playground, horseshoe pits and board games. Note that the small loft is reached by ladder and isn't for sleeping.
How far is it to Broken Bow Lake?
Broken Bow Lake and Beavers Bend Brewery are both less than 5 miles from the cabin.
🏡 Your Winter Cabin Is Waiting
A crackling fire, a hot tub under the pines and nowhere you need to be. That's a Bear Hug weekend. Book direct to skip the big booking-site fees, and we'll see you in Hochatown.