Nestled in the pines of Mi Wuk Village in the heart of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Brown Bear Village Cottage is your perfect basecamp for a family vacation, romantic getaway, ski trip, or summer lake retreat. Surrounded by towering pine and cedar trees, this cozy 2-bedroom + loft cabin sleeps up to 6 guests and delivers exactly what a mountain escape should — comfort, nature, and memories that last. It is the ideal place to unwind after a day of adventure in the Sierra Nevada.
The space
Sleeping & Space:
2 Bedrooms — restful and comfortable after a full day outdoors
Kid-friendly loft — a fun, cozy hideaway kids will love
Sleeps up to 6 guests — perfect for families or small groups
Amenities & Comforts:
Fully equipped kitchen — everything you need to cook and enjoy meals together
Smart TVs with streaming in the main bedroom and living room (bring your own accounts)
Board games & video games for rainy days and family fun nights
Dogs welcome! Bring your four-legged family member along
Free parking on-site
Baby & toddler gear included — Pack 'n Play, portable bassinet, portable high chair, Bumbo chair with tray, and Bumbo booster seat. Families with little ones, you're covered!
The Wraparound Deck & Outdoors:
Step outside onto the wraparound deck featuring a picnic table and BBQ grill — the perfect setup for outdoor meals surrounded by nature. The spacious yard offers plenty of room for kids to play, whether in the summer grass or fresh mountain snow. With minimal light pollution, the stargazing from the deck is absolutely breathtaking — a highlight guests rave about.
Please note: open campfires are not permitted, but the BBQ and outdoor deck are perfect for gathering under the stars.
The Neighborhood:
Brown Bear Village Cottage sits in a peaceful, well-spaced cabin community in Mi Wuk Village — quiet, private, and authentically mountain. The area is steeped in history: MiWuk Village is home to descendants of the original MiWuk people, with a heritage spanning over 11,000 years. As you explore the neighborhood, keep an eye out for beautiful cultural artwork, carved bears, and totem poles that honor the area's rich Indigenous past.
Location — You're at the Center of It All
Winter Adventures:
Dodge Ridge Ski Resort — minutes away for skiing & snowboarding
Leland High Sierra Snowplay Area — great for kids
Long Barn Ice Skating Rink — classic winter fun
Summer Adventures:
Pinecrest Lake — swimming, kayaking, paddle boating, motorboating, Friday night movies & ice cream
Kennedy Meadows, Fraser Flats & Beardsley Lake — hiking, fishing & camping nearby
Lyon's Reservoir — just 5 minutes up the highway
Day Trips & Sightseeing:
Yosemite National Park — approximately 1.5 hours away
Columbia State Park — gold panning and California history
Railtown 1897 State Historic Park in Jamestown — historic steam trains & Gold Rush heritage
Clover's Apple Ranch & Indigeny Reserve Cidery — local favorites
Downtown Sonora & Twain Harte — antiques, restaurants & miniature golf (just 8 min away)
Black Oak Casino — nearby entertainment option
Dining & Essentials Nearby:
Mi Wuk Market, Diamond Jim's Restaurant, local sandwich shops
Full grocery store in Twain Harte (~8 minutes)
A Note from Your Hosts:
Brown Bear Village Cottage isn't a luxury resort — and that's exactly the point. It's a genuine mountain retreat with all the basics done right, in one of California's most beautiful settings. Come for the fresh air, stay for the stars, and leave with memories your family will talk about for years.
Book your Sierra Nevada getaway today — Brown Bear Village Cottage is waiting for you!
Guest access
Whole house is available to guests, though we have a locked owner closet and locked storage shed outside.
Other things to note
Our home is situated above the snow line in the Sierras. As a result, on occasion we are subject to power and internet outages during the winter months or during the summer when fire danger is prevalent. We are also nestled in nature which is home to many creatures big and small and it is not unusual to see bugs, crawlies or even bears, in or around the home, even though we have regular pest control and meticulous cleaning. If you are not OK with nature life, this is not the home for you.
This is not a party rental house, it is ideal for families or those looking to enjoy a relaxing, fun getaway. We respect the year round neighbors who make Mi-Wuk Village their permanent residence and it is imperative that our renters will too!
This is our second home and we hope you enjoy it as your own. We have taken care to provide the essentials that you will need to come and have a fantastic Sierra experience.
***We cannot be responsible for acts of nature, weather conditions, wild fires, air quality, road conditions or any other occurrences affecting your trip including illness, and recommend all guests purchase trip insurance through Airbnb or privately in case of any reason that guest cannot make it for their stay.***
Tuolumne County collects 12% rental tax on all rents collected for vacation homes, so we will collect 12% tax on all reservations, payable through Airbnb at time of booking. Additionally, we require all guests to sign a rental agreement that we will email after booking is confirmed which includes providing your phone number as well as a copy of your ID.
Surveillance camera are used outside of the premises only to protect guests and host’s property.
Additional Charges will be added for any additional guests who come without prior approval and there is a pet fee for guests who bring pets. We expect dog owners to clean up all dog waste and place in outdoor trash bins across the street and to not leave dogs unattended.
We recommend that guests purchase travel insurance for any unforeseen need to cancel, including but not limited to weather, air quality, road conditions, illness, or any other factor. You can look up travel insurance or purchase through Airbnb.
Stays over 2 weeks will have an additional cleaning fee, collected after booking for bi-monthly cleanings. We provide enough supplies for about a one week stay, if staying longer, guests are responsible for purchasing additional supplies needed.
If any rules are broken, (for example, smoking in the home, extra guests, pets, parties, noise complaints, etc) it is considered a breach of contract and you forfeit your deposit of $500, paid out through the resolution department. Additionally damage will be charged as per the amount to resolve the damage.
