Lake Charlevoix

Lake Charlevoix is the heart of the county — a big, clear, Y-shaped lake with more than 50 miles of shoreline. It’s the third largest inland lake in Michigan. Its main body stretches east toward Boyne City. A long South Arm reaches south to East Jordan. At the northwest end, the lake spills through the city of Charlevoix into Lake Michigan. Ringed by towns, cottages, and wooded hills, it’s the center of summer life here: boating, sailing, swimming, and fishing for bass, walleye, and perch.

A fun piece of local color: there’s no bridge across the narrow South Arm. So the little Ironton Ferry still shuttles across, just as it has for generations. It’s a cable ferry that has carried a handful of cars at a time since the 1870s.

For buyers, Lake Charlevoix frontage is among the most prized (and most expensive) property in the region. Even lots a short walk from the water carry a premium. The usual waterfront questions count double here. Know exactly where your lot meets the lake. Know whether you have true frontage or shared access through an association. And ask about the condition of any older septic system (see the well-and-septic note). The community works hard to protect the lake’s clean water.