Walloon Lake

Walloon Lake- Charlevoix County

Located in northern Michigan, in the Little Traverse Bay Watershed, Walloon Lake empties into Lake Michigan through the Bear River. This beautiful 4,270-acre lake is known for its clear emerald water. Made famous by Ernest Hemmingway’s former home, Walloon Lake is regarded as one of the best lakes in Michigan.

You’ll find that while this lake offers all the peace and quiet, you could hope for, it’s still within convenient distance of everyday needs. For any medical needs, McLaren Health Care and McLaren Northern Michigan are within 15 minutes of this area. There are also other larger hospitals in the area that can be reached within about 45 minutes.

Due to the remote nature of this area, the only airports in the area are small municipal and regional airports. Chippewa County International Airport is just over an hour and a half away.

On the Water

Walloon Lake’s large size makes it the perfect destination for boating, water sports, and swimming. The lake is public access and has multiple public boat ramps and marinas in the area.

Not only is this lake great for water sports, but it’s also a hub for fishing! Anglers can find lake trout, brown trout, and rainbow trout, as well as smallmouth bass, rock bass, bluegill, perch, and walleye.

Location for all Seasons!

While your first instinct might be to think of a lake home as a summer season-only location, Walloon Lake actually has an amazing array of activities and attractions all year long!

In the winter, you can go snowmobiling and sledding at Petoskey Snowmobile Club or sledding, skiing, and snowboarding at Petoskey Winter Sports Park.

During the spring and fall months, when the lake water is too cold for swimming, go check out some of the 90+ natural areas preserved by the Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy. Go hiking or biking at one of the nearby trails through historic Horton Bay. The Boyne Valley Trailway is 6.3 miles, and if you’re looking for more of a challenge, Little Traverse Wheelway is 26 miles and runs between Charlevoix and Harbor Springs.

Go exploring at Fisherman’s Island State Park in Charlevoix. This beautiful park boasts sand dunes, campgrounds, and hiking trails.