Forty Feet on Elk Lake, Minutes From the Harbor
$1,100,000
This 1920 home sits directly on Elk Lake, one of the deep, clear lakes that make up northern Michigan's Chain of Lakes system, just minutes from the harbor town of Elk Rapids. It's a compact lot — 40 feet of frontage — but that's the trade northern Michigan lake buyers often make for direct access to water this good, this close to town.
The house itself is a straightforward three-bedroom, two-bath cottage at 1,320 square feet, built in 1920 and showing its age inside — knotty-pine walls, older carpet, and a stone fireplace that reads more rustic-cabin-in-need-of-refresh than move-in-polished. Anyone touring this one should plan on updating the interior; the value here is squarely in the water and the location, not the finishes. What makes it worth a second look regardless is what's reachable by water without ever loading a trailer: a private dock is already in place, and the Chain of Lakes links Elk Lake to Lake Skegemog and the renowned Torch Lake, so a single boat ride opens up miles of connected water. Elk Rapids itself is a genuine harbor town, with its own marina, shops, and restaurants a short drive or boat ride away, and the beaches of Lake Michigan aren't far beyond that.
At $1,100,000, or roughly $833 a square foot, the price reflects the water and the location, not the house's current condition — direct frontage on this particular chain, this close to Elk Rapids, doesn't come up often. Listing courtesy of James Garrow, Bayside Real Estate.
Life at the Water
Water Access & Depth
The property carries 40 feet of direct frontage on Elk Lake, enough for a private dock and swim access without the scale of a larger estate lot. Elk Lake is known for clear, deep water typical of the Chain of Lakes region, and its connection to Torch Lake and Lake Skegemog means the practical boating range extends far beyond the property's own shoreline.
Recreation & Boating
Elk Lake is part of Michigan's Chain of Lakes, connected by water to Torch Lake — routinely ranked among the clearest inland lakes in the country — and Lake Skegemog to the south. That connectivity is the real draw here: boating, water skiing, and fishing for walleye, smallmouth bass, and lake trout are all popular across the chain, and a boat launched from this dock can reach a genuinely large stretch of connected water.
Dock & Waterfront Features
A private dock is already in place — an L-shaped structure with a ladder, well suited to swimming as well as tying up a boat or paddleboard. Confirm its condition and any recent maintenance with the agent, since Michigan shoreline structures on inland lakes like Elk Lake typically require permitting through the county and, depending on scope, the state EGLE (Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy).
Flood & Insurance Considerations
Northern Michigan inland lake properties don't carry the same flood-insurance urgency as coastal states, but a narrow 40-foot lot this close to the water still warrants a straightforward conversation with the agent about lake-level history and any local shoreline setback rules before finalizing plans for the property.
Beyond the Property Line
Local Flavor & Small-Town Character
Elk Rapids is a classic small Up North harbor town on Grand Traverse Bay, with its own marina, a walkable downtown of shops and restaurants, and the kind of unhurried charm that draws people back to this part of Michigan every summer. It's close enough to Traverse City for a fuller range of dining and shopping, while keeping its own distinct small-town identity.
Outdoor Recreation & Natural Surroundings
Beyond the Chain of Lakes itself, the beaches of Lake Michigan are a short drive away, and the Traverse City wine region — one of the largest concentrations of wineries in the Midwest — spreads across the Leelanau and Old Mission peninsulas nearby. The Antrim and Grand Traverse County area is also thick with public boat launches, golf courses, and hiking trails, making this a genuine four-season base rather than a single-activity property.
Listed on Zillow
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