Bath offers a rural setting less than 15 miles from downtown Lansing
Although Bath is less than 15 miles northeast of Lansing, it’s far from city living. The state capital’s suburban sprawl covers the land south of Interstate 69, but, to the north, the rural township is dotted with farms and forests. “Bath is a small farming community. There’s a small town with a couple of suburbs, but it’s really a big rural area,” says Realtor Brock Fletcher with Keller Williams Realty Lansing, who’s been selling in and around the state capital for over 20 years. “If someone is looking out here, they’re looking for a more rural flavor,” Fletcher says. “They’re looking for more space, more land.”
Country properties with acreage and a few suburban options
The countryside around the small town center has a number of multiacre properties, some on flat prairie, others on wooded lots. Small and midsize ranch-style homes, midcentury farmhouses and cottages from the early 1900s can cost $220,000 to $350,000. Meanwhile, large country homes and recently built contemporary Craftsman residences can reach $400,000 to over $620,000. In town, suburban options on manicured streets include 1960s ranch-style homes and 1990s New Traditionals for $180,000 $350,000. Similar homes to the south, near Park Lake, range from $140,000 to $340,000.
The Bengel Wildlife Center offers over 250 acres of wilderness
James Couzens Memorial Park is Bath’s central park space, offering a manicured lawn and playground across the road from the elementary and middle schools. Outside of town, Bath’s rural landscape is home to expansive nature preserves, like the Michigan Wildlife Conservancy’s Bengel Wildlife Center. Its 250-plus acres of wilderness and 4 miles of trails are open to the public, while members of the Michigan Wildlife Conservancy can fish on the property and practice on its archery course. During the summer, Park Lake is a popular hangout on the south end of the township. Boaters can get on the lake from the launch at Rickard Park, and swimming is popular at Park Lake Beach. Afterward, parkgoers can cool off at Park Lake Creamery next to the beach.
Bath High School football games are a community event
Bath Community Schools receive an overall B grade from Niche while serving a large area around town due to the spread-out rural landscape. Bath Elementary School and Bath Middle School are next to each other on Webster Road in the heart of town; both get a B rating. A patch of woods separates them from B-rated Bath High School, a short drive east. As in many Lansing-area towns, athletics — especially football — are a big deal in Bath. On Friday nights in the fall, most people are at the high school stadium to cheer on the Bees.
Drive to Dewitt or East Lansing for groceries
Webster Road is the main artery in the center of town. The township fire department, police station and schools sit alongside a few businesses, including Tommy’s Pizza — the town center’s only eatery — and a Dollar General. Residents drive to neighboring towns for groceries. They can drive to the Meijer about 5 miles south in East Lansing, or to another location 6 miles west in Dewitt. Fresh produce is available every Thursday afternoon at the Bath Farmers Market, held at James Couzens Memorial Park.
Michigan State University is less than 15 miles away
Bath is a farming community, but residents who don’t work in agriculture have an easy drive to Lansing, less than 15 miles away. Michigan State University is also less than 10 miles south. Other employers around Lansing include businesses on the Grand River and medical centers like McLaren Greater Lansing. Capital Region International Airport is about 10 miles away.
