The Bears Den Vacation Rental Resort.

The Bear's Den is an Adirondack lodge in Caroga Lake rented on an exclusive whole-property basis, sleeping up to 20 guests. The original log cabin beams remain exposed throughout, anchoring the rustic feel of a property heavily upgraded for group entertaining.

Inside: a full restaurant kitchen, full bar, three fireplaces, three baths, a pool table, wall games, washer/dryer, and dishwasher.

The outdoor scene is the real draw. The summer side includes a gazebo with a Margaritaville-style bar, a full sand volleyball court, a hot tub, a water feature with a fire pit set in the middle, and three cascading waterfalls. The outdoor cooking station is unusually well-equipped — gas BBQ, meat smoker, gas flat-top grill, and a wood-fired pizza oven. A short trail leads to a private sand beach on the West Branch of the Sacandaga River, with paddleboards, kayaks, and canoes for guest use.

Winter: snowshoe, cross-country ski, and snowmobile directly from the property — trails connect on-site. Downhill skiing, snowboarding, and tubing are all within a 20-minute drive.

Best for: extended-family reunions, weddings, milestone birthday weekends, corporate retreats, and friend-group destination trips.