Discover the 5 Coolest Islands in Lake Michigan

Not all islands are tropical paradises within the ocean. Some are wonderful hidden gems in lakes and rivers. Some islands even contain islands themselves! One of the best places to go island hopping is Lake Michigan. This lake is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. It almost looks like an ocean, considering its size, clarity, and beaches. But which islands within this lake are worth the visit? Follow along to discover the 5 coolest islands in Lake Michigan, including fun things to do in each!

About Lake Michigan

Before we discuss the amazing islands within Lake Michigan, we should learn more about this massive Great Lake. Lake Michigan is a large and stunning glacial lake in multiple states. This lovely lake has a surface area of 22,404 square miles. It’s also 307 miles long with a maximum width of 118 miles. The average depth of this large lake is 279 feet, and the maximum depth is an astounding 923 feet. Not including the islands, Lake Michigan has a shore length of around 1,400 miles, where you can swim, relax under the sun, and fish.

Lake Michigan is called the “Third Coast” of the United States. And truly, just by looking at pictures, there’s no way you’d know the beaches are freshwater beaches. Many beaches on the east coast of Lake Michigan also have dunes. If you’d like to explore these dunes, you can visit Silver Lake State Park, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and Saugatuck Dunes State Park.

Many cities are also located on or near Lake Michigan, so you don’t have to visit an island to enjoy the lake’s loveliness. Some major cities on Lake Michigan include Chicago, Lake Forest, Michigan City, Grand Haven, Harbor Springs, and Green Bay.

If you love the outdoors, you’ll enjoy fishing, camping, and hiking near the lake. Parts of the lake are also in local and state parks like Illinois Beach State Park, Fayette Historic State Park, Warren Dunes State Park, and Ludington State Park.

The 5 Coolest Islands in Lake Michigan

Lake Michigan has countless islands, however, some are private or too small to visit. Here we have the 5 coolest islands in Lake Michigan. Although the word cool is rather subjective, these islands are still great spots for a nice weekend getaway, especially during warm summers. You won’t get bored exploring each one.

Beaver Island

Starting our list of the 5 coolest islands in Lake Michigan is Beaver Island. This island is perfect for nature lovers that want to hike, fish, and bird watching. Beaver Island has a permanent population of around 600 residents, however, during the summer, many more people come to visit and work. Beaver Island is the largest island in Lake Michigan and the third largest in the state of Michigan. It has a surface area of 55.8 square miles. The island sits at an elevation of about 696 feet.

Beaver Island was previously home to Native Americans, long before European settlers landed on the island. On this island, experts have discovered and researched two stone circle sites with hieroglyphs or pictographs.

So, what is there to do on Beaver Island? Beaver Island, also known as America’s Emerald Isle, is a lively island. There is always something to do, including live music, water sports, festivals, and excellent events. Beaver Island hosts a few annual events including Warblers on the Water, the Beaver Island Bike Fest, Independence Day Parade, and Beaver Island Music Festival. If you’re into history, you can also visit the Beaver Island Historical Society Museum, the Beaver Island Marine Museum, and the Beaver Head Lighthouse.

The Fox Islands

North Fox Island isn’t as lively or busy as Beaver Island, but still deserves a mention. This fantastic Lake Michigan island is part of the Fox Islands along with South Fox Island. The Fox Islands are uninhabited, small, and pristine. The surface area for both islands is 6.65 square miles. The larger of the islands is South Fox Island, with a surface area of 5.36 square miles. South Fox Island is 5 miles long and 1.5 miles wide. The island is owned by the State of Michigan, but most of it was previously owned by David V. Johnson. Interestingly, many shipwrecks have occurred near the Fox Islands, and parts of the wreckage are still found underwater.

North Manitou Island

The next island on our list is one of the most popular, but quiet, islands in Lake Michigan, North Manitou Island. Parts of this island are within the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. North Manitou Island has a surface area of 22.3 square miles. Its highest point sits at an elevation of 728 feet. North Manitou Island is part of Leelanau County. It’s shaped like an upside-down teardrop. This lovely island is uninhabited. It’s about 8 miles long and 4 miles wide. This lovely island is a wonderful camping spot. To get to the island though, you must take a ferry from Leland.

Previously, this island was settled by Native Americans. Artifacts and evidence though point to that the island may have only been used temporarily as natural resources are scarce. The first European settlers on this island were woodcutters. Nicholas Pickard may have been the first European settler in the 1840s. Many of the first settlers were woodcutters, however, by the 1900s, others had set up farms. Apple and cherry orchard remains can still be found throughout the island. If you visit, you might spot animals like white-tailed deer, coyotes, and beavers. The endangered piping plover also nests on the quiet North Manitou Island. The Manitou Islands are also known for the many shipwrecks surrounding them. There are at least 50 recorded shipwrecks in the area, perfect for divers.

South Manitou Island

Like North Manitou Island, South Manitou Island is also uninhabited. It has a surface area of 8.277 square miles. The island is also 3 miles long and 3 miles wide. To get to this island, you need to take a ferry from Leland. Previous settlers were woodcutters, but with time, people left. Now, South Manitou Island is a great, undisturbed island, with ruins, shipwrecks, and fantastic natural trails. Camping is a popular activity on the island. It’s important to note that there are no showers, just restrooms near the dock. When landing on South Manitou Island, many people recommend starting at the Visitor Center. From here, you can hike to the lighthouse and view a shipwreck poking above the water. South Manitou also has stunning dunes and old cedar trees.

Rock Island

Last but not least is Rock Island in Lake Michigan. This island is within Door County, Wisconsin. The island has a surface area of 974.87 acres and is about 1.6 miles long and 1.1 miles. Rock Island is a small wooded island. It’s uninhabited, but a popular destination for nature lovers. This island, like the others on our list, was first inhabited by Native Americans.

Some of the first European settlers were missionaries, fishermen, and trappers. You can visit Rock Island by ferry, but no cars or bicycles are allowed. Most of the island is part of Rock Island State Park, which has a surface area of 912 acres.

This state park features a stone Viking boathouse and an old and charming historic water tower. On this island is also the oldest lighthouse in Wisconsin, the Pottawatomie Lighthouse.

Summary for The 5 Coolest Islands in Lake Michigan

Here are the five coolest islands in Lake Michigan: