Exploring 3 Stunning Inland Lakes of Grand Traverse County
Grand Traverse County is home to some of Michigan’s most beautiful inland lakes. These lakes offer incredible opportunities for fishing, boating, swimming, and exploring nature. Today, we’re highlighting three of the best lakes in the area: Long Lake, Silver Lake, and Green Lake.
Long Lake
As the largest inland lake in Grand Traverse County, Long Lake is a beloved destination just six miles west of Traverse City. Spanning approximately 2,860 acres, this lake reaches a maximum depth of 70 feet and serves as the primary headwaters of the Platte River. It also boasts the largest nesting population of loons in the Lower Peninsula, making it a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. Long Lake is unique because of its five islands, which provide excellent sandbars for swimming and exploring.
Long Lake is an all-sports lake, welcoming motorized boats and jet skis. Fishing enthusiasts flock here for its diverse fish population, including bluegill, largemouth bass, northern pike, smallmouth bass, sunfish, walleye, and yellow perch.
There are two main parks along the shore: Taylor Park and Gilbert Park.
- Taylor Park features a small sandy beach with a designated swimming area, a volleyball court, a dock, and shaded picnic spots. It is also handicap accessible with mobility mats for easy lake access.
- Gilbert Park offers a larger sandy beach, volleyball courts, shaded picnic areas, a public boat launch, and a dock. Ample parking is available across the street, making it a convenient choice for a full day at the lake.
A standout feature of this lake is Long Lake Grocery, located across from Taylor Park. Boaters can call ahead to order a pizza, dock their boat, and pick up their meal before heading back out for a day on the water.
Silver Lake
Silver Lake, the fourth-largest lake in Grand Traverse County, reaches a maximum depth of 96 feet. Once called Lake Kratochvil, after a nearby ghost town, this lake is a popular destination for bass, bluegill, perch, sunfish, and walleye fishing.
There are two main recreation areas:
- Silver Lake Recreation Area – This 84-acre park includes tennis and basketball courts, picnic tables, pavilions, grills, and an open play area for kids. In the winter, visitors can enjoy a sledding hill. The other side of the park features wetlands, forests, and a two-mile trail loop, perfect for hiking, biking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. There’s also a dog park for furry friends to enjoy. While the park has water access, the shoreline is mostly marshy, making it better suited for wildlife observation than swimming.
- Silver Lake Public Boat Launch – While this site provides water access, it lacks a beach or designated swimming area.
For those looking for more lake access, Holiday Park Campground offers private boat access, a beach, a dog park, RV camping, a store, and a variety of amenities, including live music events. Outside of these access points, private homeownership is necessary to fully enjoy the lake.
Green Lake
Green Lake is the primary source of the Betsie River and forms the isthmus of Interlochen, along with Duck Lake. With a maximum depth of 102 feet, Green Lake is known for its excellent fishing, with species such as bluegill, brown trout, lake trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, rock bass, perch, splake, and sunfish.
This lake is an outstanding location for swimming, boating, and other water activities. Interlochen State Park provides public access to both Green Lake and Duck Lake, offering sandy beaches, picnic areas, shaded spots, and ample parking. The park is a favorite for kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, and camping.
Interlochen State Park features 490 campsites, with 59 rustic and the remainder offering modern amenities, including 50-amp service. Additionally, three cabins are available for rent, but reservations must be made well in advance through the Michigan DNR website. The park hosts weekly nature programs in the summer and has a concession store on-site.
Beyond its natural beauty, Green Lake is famous for its proximity to Interlochen Arts Academy. Each summer, world-renowned artists perform at the academy, and one of the best ways to enjoy a concert for free is by listening from the lake itself.
Final Thoughts
Grand Traverse County is home to some of Michigan’s most beautiful lakes, each with unique attractions and recreational opportunities. Whether you’re looking for a lively, all-sports lake like Long Lake, the peaceful nature trails of Silver Lake, or the cultural charm of Green Lake, there’s something for everyone. So grab your gear, head to the water, and explore the natural beauty that makes this region so special!