Entire home

Ski at nearby Massanutten Just $99/night at Bear Escape Cottage

Escape to a riverside village where adventure meets relaxation by exploring nearby caverns or sipping wine at Cross Keys Vineyard.

Photo gallery for Ski at nearby Massanutten Just $99/night at Bear Escape Cottage

Exterior
Pet-friendly
Property grounds
2 bedrooms, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedroomsSleeps 656 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Washer
  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor space
  • Air conditioning
  • Kitchen
The current price is AU$210
includes taxes & fees
23 Feb - 24 Feb

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Ski at nearby Massanutten Just $99/night at Bear Escape Cottage

Catch Broadway quality production of A Christmas Carol at the Blackfriars Theater or Singing in the Caverns at Grand Caverns. Two night min in December at $99 per night:
* 25 minutes to Skyline Drive and Shenandoah National Park
* 10 mins to JMU, Harrisonburg, Massanutten
* Stroll to the Shenandoah River, and swim, tube, or kayak
* Shower outdoors (yes to hot water)
* Explore downtown Harrisonburg and Staunton,
Bear Escape sleeps six, but access to the ONLY bathroom is by way of primary bedroom
Vacation/Workation?
* High speed Wi-Fi, excellent cell service
* Walk to the headwaters of the South Fork of the Shenandoah River to kayak, tube, fly fish, or just sit. Catch site of a Bald Eagle or Great Blue Heron
* Attend a JMU function, from a Dukes game to Graduation
* Hit the slopes at Massanutten, skiing, snow boarding, snow tubing, all year waterpark, or a live band at Basecamp
* Visit the vibrant city of Staunton and its delightful architecture, scrumptious restaurants, and the amazing Blackfriars Theater, for live, affordable and world renown Shakespeare in the round
* Wineries? Cideries? Breweries, Distilleries? Yup! Cross Keys Vineyard, Brix and Columns Vineyard, Bluestone Vineyard, Old Hill Cidery, Bold Rock Cidery, Brothers Brewery, Pale Fire Brewery, Stable Craft Brewery, Cave Hill Brewery, to name a few, all 5 to 20 minutes away
* Civil War Battlefields? Port Republic is one! Visit the Colline, Cross Keys, New Market or Piedmont, too
* Climb a mountain! You are just 3 miles from Madison Run Trailhead at the base of Shenandoah National Park and can be on Skyline Drive in 14 miles from Swift Run Gap or Rockfish Gap park entrances
* Bike riding, caverns, antiquing, star gazing, BBQing, relaxing, unwinding, sightseeing

This is just a start on all there is to see and do. Gather the family and friends to enjoy this delightful, and scenic riverside Village of Port Republic, a National Historic Registered Site.

Bear Escape, a cute, very little (650 sq ft.) cottage gives you all the conveniences of a modern, two bedroom home, with spa bathroom ( BUT you do need to go through the primary bedroom to get to the ONLY bathroom) and fantastically appointed new kitchen, in the peaceful atmosphere of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, right on the South Fork of the Shenandoah River.

Endless sights to see. Walk to the Shenandoah River. You are 5 minutes from Grand Caverns and 35 from Luray Caverns. Shenandoah River Rafters can outfit you for a float or kayak adventure. Outdoor Adventures (540-879-9030) The Shenandoah Winery Trail, Silverback Distillery, Bold Rock and Old Hill Cideries, Stablecraft, Three Notched, Skipping Rock Breweries, to name but just a few, are right nearby. Enjoy hiking in Shenandoah National Park, Skyline Drive and Blueridge Parkway, plus music and festivals, and restaurants that rival New York, but without the price tag. Scroll to the very end for a detailed listing of things to do and see, plus a list of some of my favorite restaurants.

CAVING: Grand Caverns is just 3 miles away, having one of the best collections of shield formations in the world, according to Parade Magazine. Luray Caverns is only 35 miles away. Check out Endless Caverns and Shenandoah Caverns, too.

STROLLING: You can walk everywhere in the Historic Village of Port Republic, a Civil War battle site, on the Virginia Historic Register. Just amble to the riverside for a picnic, jump in if it gets hot. Kayak the river, float in an inner tube, or fly fish. You are minutes from the base of Shenandoah National Park, where you can hike Madison Run Trailhead, the RipRap Trail, or just travel a bit more and conquer Old Rag or White Oak Canyon! Massanutten Four Season Resort is 20 minutes away. Port Republic has its own village run museum, too! Open Sundays and by special appointment.

Bear Escape Cottage has a Comfort Aire king size bed in the Sunflower bedroom. The Bear Cubs bedroom has a queen size Beauty Rest mattress which will give you gorgeous mountain views between your toes. Open the Drexel Heritage sleeper sofa, and fit two more. Please remember, this cottage has ONLY one big beautiful spa bathroom, that you access THROUGH the primary bedroom. The gorgeous, Italian tiled shower features four separate shower heads, a rain shower head with a handheld shower head, too, and two individual temperature controls. No longer be frozen (or scalded) because your partner has different ideas of comfort than you do. Please be aware that you must go through the Sunflower bedroom to reach the bathroom. Or... enjoy a shower outside, under the stars, in the modern, temperature controlled, completely private outdoor shower. Outdoor shower karaoke anyone?

The kitchen, with stainless steel appliances, has beautiful blue macaubre quartzite counters. Breakfast is easy. Outside, you will find a gas grill, chaise lounges, patio furniture and hammock to enjoy the evening BBQ, fire pit and star gazing.

With over 55 languages spoken in Harrisonburg schools, you will understand that this small town boasts many interesting and culturally diverse restaurants:
* Fusion Korean at Mitasha,
* Indonesian at Boboko,
* Modern American at the Chop House or Rocktown Kitchen
* Fine dining, with outdoor patio at the Joshua Wilton House (my absolute favorite!)

Staunton, just 20 minutes away, with the Blackfriars Theater, the only theater-in-the-round just like Stratford-on-Avon. Affordable, professional, and approachable, this theater is utterly charming. Check out Zynodea Restaurant. James Madison University, Bridgewater College, and Eastern Mennonite University are only 10 to 20 minutes by car.

Want a gorgeous hike with waterfalls, swimming holes, rock scrambles and gorgeous views? You are just 3 miles from Madison Run Trailhead, and only 25 minutes from Swift Run Gap or Rockfish Gap entry to Skyline Drive. Hike Doyle's Falls, Jones Falls, for waterfalls. Rock scramble? Bearfence Mountain is unbelievable!!!

Relax with a tour of local wineries, as Cross Keys, Brix and Columns, Barren Ridge, and Bluestone are 10 to 20 minutes drive. Plus you have access to about 50 more wineries within an hour's drive. Google Shenandoah Wine Trail. The Glass House Winery is unbelievably beautiful. Most of these venues feature music, too. You can easily cross Afton Mountain to reach Charlottesville for a days visit to UNESCO World Heritage site of University of Virginia and Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson.

Besides tastings and tours, you can enjoy local music, from Pick'n and Grinnin' to the best live dance music. Ski Massanutten only 18 minutes away. Local auctions held most days of the week will delight with bargain treasures. Green Valley Auctions, my favorite. See Auctionzip.com and use zip code 24471. Looking for antiques? Shop The Factory Antique Mall in Verona.

Virginia boasts many micro breweries, so stop for a cold one on your bike ride at Stablecraft Breweries for live music.

When you finally say "when", rinse off in the outdoor shower with fantastic views of the Valley. It IS the only way to star gaze. The Shenandoah Valley allows you clear views of the Milky Way, and invites you to compare the "milky wonders" of the best ice cream ever! Kline's vs. Grammie's vs. Wright's Dairy vs. Smiley's...Mmmmmm. If you can tear yourself away from the back yard chaise lounges, the succulent wonders arising from the BBQ, and the peaceful sounds of crickets and songbirds.

We have a guestbook and a Facebook page, with WHAT to do, WHEN to do it and HOW. I am updating this page continuously.

Just 150 miles (2.5 hours) from Washington, Richmond, and Roanoke. 50 miles from Charlottesville, 8 to Harrisonburg, 15 to Staunton.
Google "What's happening in Harrisonburg, or Staunton or Rockingham County."

What to see:
Grand Caverns ( 3 mi), Luray Caverns (25 mi), Endless Caverns (30 mi), Shenandoah Caverns (35 mi)
Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway (14 mi)
Civil War Battlefields: Port Republic (you're here!), New Market, Cross Keys, Piedmont,
Shenandoah National Park, George Washington National Forest, Sherando Lake, Natural Chimneys
Monticello, home of Thomas Jefferson, Ash Lawn, James Monroe's home, and Michie Tavern (delicious, colonial fare)
Museum of Port Republic
University of Virginia, UNESCO World Heritage Site

What to do:
Cycle Shenandoah Valley country roads
Hike waterfalls, or rock scrambles in Shenandoah National Park, George Washington National Forest
Horseback riding at Massanutten or Big Meadows, Mountain Top Ranch (mountaintopranch.com), Riversbend Ranch (riversbedranch.com)
Virginia Wine Trail, nearby Cross Keys Vineyard, Brix and Columns Vineyard, Bluestone Vineyard, Barren Ridge Winery
Local breweries, Three Brothers, Three Notched. The Stablecraft, Skipping Rock or Bold Rock Cidery or Old Hill Cidery

Guided Tours:
Outdoor Adventures, www.oaeinc.biz, (540) 879-9030 for guided rafting, kayaking, paddleboarding

Where to eat:
Joshua Wilton Restaurant (My Absolute Favorite!)
Chop House (Yummy steaks)
Boboko (Indonesian)
Mitasha (Korean fusion)
Rocktown Kitchen
Food Bar Food
Clementines
Taste of Thai or Thai Flavor or Beyond (Asian fusion)
Many other cuisines, Salvadorian. Peruvian, Oaxacan, Central Mexico,
Zynandoa in Staunton

Music and theater:
Blackfriars Theater, the ONLY theater in the round outside Stratford-on-Avon
Lime Kiln Theater
Orkney Springs, a beautiful venue that rivals Wolf Trap
Massanutten Resort Base Camp
Bluestone Vineyard, Cross Keys (and many others)
Oak Grove Theater--an intimate theater, outdoors, in the woods!
Court Square Theater
Forbes Theater
Pale Fire Brewery

Special Events:
Historic Virginia Garden Tours (April)
Rockingham County Fair (August)
Shenandoah Valley British Car Show (First Sat in Oct.)
Shenandoah Cruise In--Google the web pagebo

Property manager

Jena

Languages

French

Property amenities

Ski

  • Close to skiing
  • Snowboarding nearby

Internet

  • Available in the cottage: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Car recommended
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Hob
  • Ice maker
  • Kitchen island
  • Kitchenette
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer
  • Outdoor shower
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room
  • Wood stove

Entertainment

  • Books
  • Games
  • Smart TV

Outdoor areas

  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Gas grill
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property
  • Note from host: Eviction occurs immediately if smoking anywh

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • In a village
  • In the mountains
  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near a hospital
  • On a river

Things to do

  • Golf
  • Kayak
  • Snow sports gear
  • Water park
  • Basketball nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Ice skating nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Rafting nearby
  • Rock climbing nearby
  • Sledding nearby
  • Spelunking nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby
  • Winery tours nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Garden
  • Property located in a resort
  • Unit size: 600 square feet

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Minimum check-in age - 21

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM
Contactless check-out

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Payment types

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

Property is also known as

Vrbo Property

About the area

Map
Port Republic, VA

What's nearby

  • Shenandoah National Park - 8 min drive
  • Cross Keys Vineyards - 10 min drive
  • White Oak Lavender Farm & The Purple WOLF Vineyard - 10 min drive
  • James Madison University - 15 min drive
  • Rockingham Fairgrounds - 22 min drive

Getting around

  • Staunton Station - 28 min drive
  • Weyers Cave, VA (SHD-Shenandoah Valley Regional) - 11 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪CrossKeys Vineyards - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Ciros Flying Pizza - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Wood Fired Oven - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Subway - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Blue Yonder Cafe - ‬12 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Ski at nearby Massanutten Just $99/night at Bear Escape Cottage pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Ski at nearby Massanutten Just $99/night at Bear Escape Cottage?

As of 20 Feb 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Ski at nearby Massanutten Just $99/night at Bear Escape Cottage on 23 Feb 2025 start from AU$209.78, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

What time is check-in at Ski at nearby Massanutten Just $99/night at Bear Escape Cottage?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Ski at nearby Massanutten Just $99/night at Bear Escape Cottage?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Ski at nearby Massanutten Just $99/night at Bear Escape Cottage located?

This family-friendly Port Republic cottage is located on a river, within 1 mi (2 km) of Port Republic Museum and Shenandoah River. Port republic Battle Field is 2.9 mi (4.7 km) away.

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Ski at nearby Massanutten Just $99/night at Bear Escape Cottage Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 83 out of 89 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 89 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 89 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 89 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 89 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Gretchen T.

Disliked: Cleanliness
Getaway
Quick getaway for us. We went to the Luray Caverns which were astonishingly beautiful.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Amanda S.

family getaway
had a wonderful stay, loved the short walk to the river and the grand caverns are close and wonderful. The house was wonderful to come back to after a day of hiking and being outside.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jenna M.

Great little spot!
Property was cute and quaint. Only thing we missed out on was the goat on the photo or some cows in the backyard that other reviewers mentioned. I think it was simply timing not on our side! But kids were looking forward to seeing animals. Jena has put a TON of time into providing resources for her visitors. Brewery nearby (Alpine Goat) was one of the best we’ve been to. Fantastic location!!!
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ruth B.

Great weekend getaway
Loved the quiet location
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

lindsay a.

Perfect cabin!
My son and I enjoyed our stay. It was a great location.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Emily G.

Wedding Weekend
My now wife and I stayed at this perfect little cottage for our wedding weekend. Check in was super easy. Linens and towels are clean. The owner is easy to get in touch with. The master bedroom is almost half of the square footage and is gorgeous. We didn't use the guest bedroom and there was a strange odor the first night in the second bedroom but it faded with time.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Andrea A.

Cute Cottage!
This is our second stay at the cottage. It is a perfect fit for us and the location is great! We attended graduation at JMU and enjoyed exploring the area during our visit. Everywhere you look is a breathtaking view of the mountains!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Justin M.

Great place!
Very nice
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

kristi m.

Great place!
We needed an overnight stay while driving through. Very comfy and quiet.
Stayed 1 night in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Daniel L.

Cozy cottage
We had a great time in this cozy cottage. Great location, clean, and lots of fun. Great communication with host.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Andrea A.

Cutest cottage!
Loved our stay at the cottage! Very clean and all the amenities needed for a perfect stay. We were visiting our daughter who attends JMU and it was an easy ride into Harrisonburg. We will definitely be back to visit soon!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lorraine P.

Perfect place to stay
It was perfect for us! Close to what we wanted to do. Loved the cows and the neighbors
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Emily S., Melbourne, KY

Great
It was the perfect place to relax after exploring the area.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly c.

cozy cottage
We enjoyed our stay very much. Very cozy and pet friendly. Easy access to many wineries and breweries. A quick 20 minute drive to Shenandoah national park .
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Russell M.

Bear Escape is exactly what you need
Great property in a quiet neighborhood. If you are looking for a place to stay in the area, I would highly recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tamara H.

A lovely and cozy home
We had a truly lovely stay. We used the cottage as our home base for skiing and water park fun at Massanutten, and it was conveniently located for that. There is also lovely walking and hiking nearby. Our host was very responsive to our questions both before and during our stay. The cottage is cute and cozy with comfortable beds and the well-stocked kitchen worked well for our desire to cook most of our meals during our stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Natalie J., Toledo Ohio

Pink Cottage
This was the perfect place for our family to experience the Shenandoah. Very comfortable beds and a beautiful shower. Jena provided a perfect itinerary for our short stay. Thanks to her we got to experience so much of what the area has to offer!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Delton M.

Great!
Worked well for us, didn't get to spend a lot of time there, but it was clean and the beds were comfy! Oh and the we enjoyed sitting around the campfire in the evening.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Janice S.

Cute Compact Cottage
Jena and Dave were wonderful hosts! The cottage has been renovated with love and is a mix of old and modern. The cottage is small, cozy and comfortable. We stayed for two nights and hiked in Shenandoah National Park. In the early mornings and evenings we enjoyed sitting at the back windows and sipping coffee/wine. A very relaxing view. We hope to return in the future.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rachel B.

Quiet spot, close to everything
We spent a lovely week at Bear Escape cottage. Jena was a wonderful host and gave us plenty of good ideas of things to do in the area. The beds were comfy, the kitchen is well set up for simple cooking, and there was plenty of firewood for toasting marshmallows.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jade J.

Weekend getaway
We loved the place. Jena was super responsive & helpful with our entire stay. The place was super cozy & cute. The outdoor shower was definitely my favorite part & seeing the cows in the morning. Would def recommend! I’m absolutely coming back!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Amber C., Norfolk, Virginia

Memories that will last a lifetime
Our small family stayed in this magnificent cottage that gave us just the reprieve we needed. It offers more than what pictures show and felt like home to us. Mountains all around us along with a quaint perfect little store a mile away set us back time. My children still talk about it every day and we can’t wait to come back!
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kelly D.

Great stay close to JMU
Great stay! We visited VCU in Charlottesville and JMU in Harrisonburg! We also hiked at dark hallow falls and bear fence rock crawl and we did the host recommended grand caverns which did not disappoint- our favorite caverns yet. The host was the best I’ve ever dealt with! She was Full of support and great ideas to make our stay fabulous! We would definitely book again with bear escape.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Thomas A.

Peace In The Valley
The refurbished cottage was a perfect base. Our hostess was kind and very helpful. We recommend this property and area wholeheartedly!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Morgan F.

Wonderful get a way!
We celebrated our anniversary and had a wonderful time! The little house was clean and beautiful. Check in and check out were easy. It had all the essentials and more!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022