Beautiful, Lakeside Michigan Land is On Sale – How to Get It
If you live in Michigan, owning lakeside land is kind of a dream. Many people obviously have their regular home and then a cottage off a lake to enjoy in…
Beautiful sunset with a group of rowboats.
If you live in Michigan, owning lakeside land is kind of a dream. Many people obviously have their regular home and then a cottage off a lake to enjoy in the summer. I would love to own land off a lake at some point. But, lakeside property is often expensive. Thankfully, sometimes, you can find some more reasonable Michigan lakeside land.
So, what's one of the best ways to get a deal on Michigan lakeside land?
One great way is to get it from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources via an auction. Moreover, according to the DNR, nearly 100 parcels of land are going to be for sale in the next batch of surplus auctions starting in August. What's really cool is the kind of property available. According to the DNR, you'll find lake frontage, river frontage and vacant forested acreage part of the 95 parcels that will be up for auction. Actually, I would prefer living off a river, so this definitely interests me.
In total, land is available in a dozen counties in the Lower and Upper Peninsulas. Moreover, those counties are Alger, Allegan, Chippewa, Dickinson, Iosco, Lake, Kent, Mackinac, Midland, Montcalm, Oscoda and Presque Isle. The largest parcels, according to the DNR, are in Alger, Chippewa, Iosco, Midland, Oscoda and Presque Ile counties. If you're specifically interested in lakefront and riverfront properties, those are in Allegan, Chippewa, Iosco, Lake, Montcalm and Presque Isle. You may pre-register and get more information on the available properties at www.tax-sale.info. Also, you have to register before the auction date. I actually wrote about my love for Michigan lakes here. Finally, good luck with your search, and find all the info via www.tax-sale.info.
The DNR will host nine auctions with the land featured by county. Here are the dates:
Aug. 4 – Lake County.
Aug. 10 – Montcalm County.
Aug. 15 – Alger, Chippewa and Mackinac counties.
Aug. 16 – Dickinson County.
Aug. 22 – Oscoda County.
Aug. 23 – Presque Isle County.
Aug. 29 – Allegan and Kent counties.
Sept. 6 – Midland County.
Sept. 7 – Iosco County.
Everyone loves to talk about the Great Lakes, but what about the amazing rivers in Michigan? Over Memorial Day weekend, I went on a pontoon ride down the Grand River. It was so perfect outside, and watching the water ripple as the boat moved along was very relaxing. I had to watch getting sunburned, though. It's so much easier to get burned on the water than on land.
Canoeing, kayaking and fishing are very popular activities in Michigan along our rivers. But, even if you don't do either of those, just laying by a river on a warm, summer day can be fun. There are plenty of rivers that run through our cities, too, so chances are one is just a short drive away.
You know what else is great to do in the summer? Set up a picnic right by a river. Sure you might have to chase some mosquitos away, but laying on a blanket and having a picnic on the edge of a river is a very special activity.
Read on for 10 of the best rivers in Michigan. These are my personal picks, and I'm sure I left out some great ones. Reach out to me on social media with your top choices.
Best Rivers in Michigan
10. Jordan River
The Jordan River flows through the Jordan Valley, and it's really beautiful. People who love to fish trout will find lots in this river. It's also a very clear river, making it a beautiful spot for a picnic, and a moderately calm river, so it's good for canoeing.
9. Rifle River
Rifle River is a shallow river, so it's perfect for families. This river is located in the northeastern Lower Peninsula. It's always a popular spot in the summer months.
8. Big Manistee River
The Big Manistee River is actually part of the National Wild and Scenic River system because of its clean water and forests. This spot is also known for picturesque views. It's a must-see spot for any nature lover.
7. Boardman River
Like the Jordan River, the Boardman is another great spot for trout fishing. The river runs a little over 28 miles and drains into the Grand Traverse Bay. Several other fish are also easy to find in this spot, including smallmouth bass, northern pike and walleye.
6. Huron River
The Huron River goes through so many cities and towns, including Ann Arbor, Detroit and beyond. There's something special about the nature feel of a river running through a bustling city. There are also good camping and picnic areas around this river.
5. Grand River
The Grand River runs along the southwestern portion of the southern peninsula of Michigan and flows into Lake Michigan. It's actually the longest river in Michigan and runs 252 miles. I've been on this river many times, and it's a favorite.
The Grand River is a Michigan favorite.
4. Detroit River
The Detroit River runs about 24 miles west and south, from Lake St. Clair to Lake Erie. It's also a strait in the Great Lakes system. The river is right between Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario. It's a landmark of the Motor City.
3. Pine River
Pine River offers exquisite views, as it flows through the Manistee National Forest. This is also a popular river for camping, and you'll find campgrounds all along the banks.
2. Platte River
The Platte River runs through Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Northern Michigan and goes into Lake Michigan. It has a very gentle current, which is good for a variety of activities. There is lots of greenery around this river, too, making it lovely.
1. Au Sable River
The Au Sable River runs a whopping 138 miles through the towns of Grayling and Mio. It runs into Lake Huron at Oscoda. This is another prized spot for trout fishing and was even named a blue ribbon trout stream by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
