Are you ready to explore one of Michigan’s most beautiful and underrated treasures? While we’re known as the Great Lakes State (with good reason), there are plenty of inland bodies of water worth exploring throughout the area. As you plan for your next outdoor adventure, keep one of the clearest lakes in Michigan on your must-visit list. This sparkling clear spot will easily capture your heart.
Elk Lake is located within Grand Traverse and Antrim Counties, bordering communities like Rapid City, Elk Rapids, and Kewadin. It’s just a stone’s throw from the marvels of Torch Lake and Lake Michigan.
While the lake itself is smaller than Michigan’s iconic Great Lakes, its size shouldn’t stop you from visiting. After all, Elk Lake boasts some of the most crystal clear waters in the entire state – truly enchanting.
Despite its relatively small size (the lake extends for approximately nine miles and measures 1.5 miles wide), Elk Lake is also unique in its depth of 192 feet, rendering it Michigan’s second-deepest inland locale.
Whether you’re appreciating the water from a campground or venturing out for an afternoon of boating, you’ll immediately notice its impossibly blue hue. In fact, you might just wonder if you’ve landed in the Caribbean.
For those who love fishing and exploring the great outdoors by boat, Elk Lake is a true paradise. For a launch fee of $12, you can take to the lovely water via a public launch site off East Elk Lake Drive in Rapid City.
Searching for a more laid-back experience that doesn’t require a water vessel? Make your way to Whitewater Township Park and Campground, where you can camp just off the shore of the lake and unwind with family.
For an elevated adventure, rent a private cottage at Wandawood Resort in Elk Rapids, which provides beach space along Elk Lake. No matter where you choose to make memories, you’ll be easily enamored.
As you plan your next in-state adventures, be sure to consider Elk Lake and its crystal clear waves. Whether you’re tossing in a line or relaxing along the shore, it’s almost impossible not to love this inland treasure.
See the clarity of this stunning Michigan lake for yourself:
Have you spent time along the shores of Elk Lake during previous outings here in the Great Lakes State? What are some of your favorite memories? Or, if you’d like to recommend another one of the clearest lakes in Michigan, let us know by completing our official nomination form. Happy adventuring, fellow Michiganders!
