After twenty-five years of living in the beautiful Lakes Area of northwest Oakland County, Michigan, I finally had the opportunity and the gift of exploring a nearby part of the Huron River that I have had my eye on for more than ten years.
Over a decade ago, I was taking my oldest son to middle school, driving down a dirt road I normally didn’t go down because he was running late, and it was a shortcut to his school. Traveling down this dirt road, I noticed an inlet to an opening of the Huron River that appeared to be a good spot to drop in with kayaks. The view was picturesque and looked like a scene out of some travel advertisement for somewhere Up North.
The area of this section of the Huron River was so beautiful and breathtaking that it became a mission for me to explore. The problem was that I did not have a kayak or canoe, but we did have a fish and ski boat that we took out on our lake – the largest private lake in our township.
Our lake is wonderful for boating and fishing, but it’s very difficult to kayak on, as there are so many boats that create large wakes – for which I have no desire to battle. Furthermore, I choose not to run the risk of water damage or loss to Michigan’s best natural lake in Oakland County. Well, at least it’s my favorite natural lake!
Although I am obviously partial to the waterways where I live (nicknamed the Lakes Area for good reason), according to the State’s official travel and tourism website, Pure Michigan, they chose the following as the best natural inland lakes in Michigan:
- “Lake Michigamme – This lake, 40 miles west of Marquette in Michigamme
- Big Manistique Lake – Curtis
- Lake Charlevoix (Charlevoix, Boyne City and East Jordan)
- Lake Leelanau – Leland and Cedar
- Torch Lake (Elk Rapids, Alden and Bellaire)
- Higgins Lake – Roscommon
- Black Lake – Cheboygan and Presque Isle Counties
- Lake St. Clair – Mount Clemens
- Pontiac Lake – Waterford
- Gull Lake – Augusta
- Kalamazoo Lake – Saugatuck and Douglas
- Silver Lake – Mears
- Reeds Lake – Grand Rapids
- Muskegon Lake – Muskegon,”.
At least one of our Lakes Area lakes made the list: Pontiac Lake. Also, one of my favorite lakes Up North: Silver Lake. We will be vacationing on Silver Lake in Mears in a couple of weeks, and I am very much looking forward to it!
What are the hidden gem lakes in Michigan?
Yesterday, I finally took advantage of the opportunity to drop my kayak in at the Huron River inlet I discovered on the nearby dirt road near my home. Thankfully, I now have two kayaks, so I invited a friend to join me on this exploration.
It was everything I imagined and then some. Kayaking in this area of the Huron River was fairly easy-going, with beautiful scenery and a hidden gem of a lake. You can only get to this gem of a lake by way of the river or from the larger, private, adjacent lake.
It was quiet, clear, clean, and teeming with large fish. However, because we were in kayaks, we did not get to swim in this little gem, as I couldn’t get out of my kayak without dumping everything in it, let alone get back into it from deep water.
We paddled on to the larger lake, where we encountered some neighbor friends who invited us to climb aboard their pontoon. We spent a few hours there swimming, drinking plenty of water, and snacking.
As a lifelong camper, scout, scout leader, and boater, I ventured out for the day prepared. We had the following in my cooler on an ice pack:
- Two large bottles of water
- Three sparkling waters
- Carrot sticks
- Hummus with cayenne pepper
- Sweet and spicy rice crackers
- Wine cheese chunks
- My iPhone was in a waterproof case (water splashed up onto the back of my kayak while we were shored up, soaking the cooler and my shoes, but thankfully, because it was in a case, it did not get water damage)
- Swiss army knife
- Drink cozies
- Napkins
A Healthier Michigan reports these, “5 Lesser-Known Michigan Lakes Perfect for Summertime Fun:
- Spider Lake – Traverse City
- Big Star Lake – Baldwin
- Lac La Belle Lake – Keweenaw County
- Crystal Lake – Benzie County
- Higgins Lake – Roscommon,”.
Can you swim in Silver Lake, Michigan?
Earlier, I mentioned that we are taking a trip Up North to Silver Lake. I am beyond grateful to take a one-week summer vacation to stay at a cabin near Silver Lake and the infamous Silver Lake Sand Dunes. My adult son has a Jeep that we will ride on the dunes with, and we will play on Silver Lake with his twenty-foot fish and ski boat.
The boat is not large enough to take out on the Great Lake, so we will spend a couple of days on the beach at Lake Michigan and enjoy the stunning sunsets in the evening. My younger cousin is coming up from North Carolina to join us as well, and we will make unforgettable memories to cherish for a lifetime for sure.
The State of Michigan’s official government website has this to say about Silver Lake State Park where you can swim in both Silver Lake and Lake Michigan, “Silver Lake State Park is home to nearly 3 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, 2,000 acres of sand dunes, a modern campground, a day-use area, a boating access site and the popular 450-acre Silver Lake ORV Area and more.
Little Sable Point Lighthouse provides opportunities to climb the 100-foot tower, an experience facilitated by the Sable Points Lighthouse Keepers Association. Mac Wood’s Dune Rides operates an interpretive, 40-minute dune tour in the summer months, and special fat-tire bicycling and horseback riding seasons take place in the winter months.
Silver Lake ORV Area is home to 450 acres of dunes open to ORV riding adventures! The scramble area – the only motorized sand dune riding opportunity east of the Mississippi River – where you can ride ATVs or UTVs, rent one locally or embark on a guided tour. Before you hit the dunes, be sure to familiarize yourself with the park’s parking voucher system, specific rules and safety tips,”.
What are the best natural lakes in Michigan?
In conclusion, exploring Michigan’s natural lakes offers unforgettable experiences, from kayaking to hidden gems and vacationing on picturesque shores, embracing the beauty and adventure these lakes provide creates lasting memories to share with friends and family alike.