Often called the third most beautiful lake in the world
Nineteen miles of Caribbean-blue water in Northern Michigan
From Eastport at the north tip to Alden and the famous sandbar at the south end, Torch Lake's turquoise shallows and deep blue center draw boaters, swimmers and families every summer. Find a place to stay, book directly with the owner, and see the lake live.
At the south end of the lake near the Torch River, a shallow shelf of white sand turns the water a brilliant, glowing turquoise. On summer weekends — and especially the Fourth of July — boats raft up by the hundreds in waist-deep water to swim, float and picnic.
Get there by boat, kayak or paddleboard, or wade out from the Lake Street public access near Rapid City. Parking is limited, so arrive early.
Why is it so blue?Torch Lake's bottom is covered in white, calcium-rich marl, and there's very little in the water to cloud it. Sunlight bounces off the pale bottom, so the shallows glow turquoise and fade to deep sapphire over the lake's deep center.
Looking north · the turquoise shelf at the south end
Around the lake
Eastport to Alden to Rapid City
Torch Lake runs north to south for nineteen miles, tucked between Grand Traverse Bay and the rest of Antrim County's Chain of Lakes. Each end of the lake has its own personality.
Sits on the narrow neck of land at the lake's north tip where US-31 meets M-88, with Torch Lake on one side and Grand Traverse Bay just to the west. A quiet place to start a drive down either shore.
Southeast shore
Alden
A pretty village with a main street of shops, galleries and places to eat, plus a harbor and boat launch right on the water. Visit the restored Alden Depot museum, catch the summer Thursday evening strolls with live music, and swim at Archie Valleau Landing — one of the lake's few sandy public beaches.
South end
Rapid City
The gateway to the sandbar, with public lake access on Lake Street. Just beyond, the Torch River carries the lake's water south toward Lake Skegemog and the rest of the Chain of Lakes — a favorite run for boaters.
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