$523,031Average Value$356Average Price per Sq Ft7Homes For Sale
Locals and tourists enjoy Torch Lake's crystal waters
Just east of Lake Michigan, Rapid City combines rural, small-town living with lakeside recreation. The central town sits about 2 miles inland from the southern shores of Torch Lake, while a row of homes on Crystal Beach Road sit right on the shoreline. In the summer, locals and tourists alike are drawn to the lake and its impressive sandbar. “The water looks blue and quite tropic,” says Realtor Douglas Swartz with Century 21 Northland-Elk Rapids. “You’ll look down at the water at 10, 20 feet, and you’ll see the bottom.” Although the popular lake fills with boats and swimmers, the town itself has a much calmer vibe, featuring a small selection of local restaurants and one grocery store. The community also receives a CAP Index score of 1 out of 10 for overall crime, considerably lower than the national average.
The crystal blue waters of Torch Lake bring visitors from all around the state to this gem in the north.
Marinas along the Torch River such as Sun Life Marina are an important part of Rapid City life.
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Torch Lake Sandbar, plus hiking at Seven Bridges Natural Area
While much of the Torch Lake shoreline is private property, there are plenty of public access points just off Crystal Beach Road, where locals can wade into the water or launch watercraft. The Torch Lake Sandbar is a popular tourist destination in the region, where adventures can anchor their boats in shallow waters and mingle among other seafarers. Deeper parts of the Sandbar are popular with paddleboarding and water skiing.
Beyond the lake, the area is also home to nature preserves, like the 300-acre Seven Bridges Nature Area. Wildflowers line its wooded walking trails, and wanderers can stop by the river to fish. In Rapid City, Freedom Park offers a walking path and a baseball field.
Seven Bridges Nature Area is one of many parks in Rapid City with water access.
Torch River in Rapid City is so clear it feels like you're floating.
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A mix of houses in Rapid City and along the lakefront
Ranch-style and manufactured homes are common across Rapid City, typically ranging between $90,000 and $350,000 depending on acreage. Along the lakefront and Rapid River, older cottages and farmhouses from the 1970s sit alongside newer custom homes. “There’s still a fair amount of older homes, but it’s not uncommon for them to sell and get bulldozed for something nice and new,” Swartz says. Pines and tall trees sit between properties to offer some privacy, and many homeowners can access the waterways from private docks and beaches. Riverfront homes typically sell for $700,000 to $825,000, while lakefront homes range from $1.6 to $1.9 million.
While vacationers are common in the area, rental properties and summer homes aren’t super common in Rapid City. “The whole short-term rental thing is becoming a hot term in the townships, and they are trying to make it pleasant for the people who live there full time,” Swartz assures. “The bulk of the houses on Torch Lake are not short term.”
Lakefront homes in Rapid City overlook the south shore of Torch Lake.
Historic homes overlooking Torch Lake sit alongside more modern homes in Rapid City.
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Restaurants by the lake and Rapid City's only grocery store
Up by the lake, Johnny’s Torch Riviera is a small red barn where people can order from plenty of pasta and seafood options. Bluewater Bistro and Pizzeria’s blue walls match its name. The garage-style windows open to make a more flexible space between the indoor and patio seating. The menu features plenty of seafood options, like whitefish, walleye and cod. People can enjoy hot dogs and ice cream on the porch at Torch Lake Cones and Coffee. “The nice thing about Rapid City is that they do have Village Market, which is a nice little grocery store with a deli counter,” Swartz says. “You can get your shopping done without having to go to Traverse City.” A Dollar General is also located here. For more options, Northland Food and Family Center is 10 miles away in Kalkaska.
Johnny's Torch Riviera brings the locals and travelers through Rapid City together.
Pick up what you need for the week at Village Market Food Center in Rapid City.
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Nearby amenities in Kalkaska and Rapid City
Nearby towns have shopping as well as the area schools. Kalkaska is about 10 miles away, accessible via Rapid City Road. Kalkaska Memorial Health Center is also here, about 11 miles away. Traverse City, the closest big city, is about 23 miles away, featuring the nearest airport, Cherry Capital Airport.
Rapid City students attend Kalkaska schools
Located within the town, Rapid City Elementary School receives a C-plus from Niche. The rest of the schools are in Kalkaska. Kalkaska Middle School receives a C. Kalkaska High School, rated B-minus, hosts a number of fundraisers throughout the year.
Kalkaska High School is located in Kalkaska, Michigan and serves Rapid City teens.
Rapid City youth can attend Kalkaska Middle School.
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Rapid City's summer festivals and concert series
In the summer, Clearwater Township Hall in the center of town hosts many of Rapid City’s events. For five weeks from July to August, Thursday Night Live brings live music, beer and crafts to the community. Every late August, the four-day Rapid City Heritage Festival includes carnival rides, a parade, a car show and a vendor market.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Rapid City, Elk Rapids sell after 95 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Rapid City, Elk Rapids over the last 12 months is $382,000, up 12% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
This unique property features a stick built 3 bedroom, 1 bath main home, along with two additional guest cabins. Ideal for rental income, extended family, or a private retreat. The main house offers a cozy enclosed front porch, main floor living, wood floors and butcher block countertops in the kitchen. Set on a corner lot, there’s plenty of outdoor room for summer bonfires, gardening, or
Nearly new 3-bedroom, 2-bath home on just under 5 acres. The back acreage includes the Rapid River, offering a serene natural backdrop and space for future possibilities. Currently used as a short-term rental, the property provides immediate income with strong potential for rental-income expansion—yet it’s equally suited as a comfortable year-round residence. Inside, enjoy a private primary
3 acres with the Rapid River running through, offering a serene natural backdrop and space for future possibilities. Build your dream home, or create income with the available short-term rental opportunities. Drive already in place leading up to the property, with utilities available. Located only 4 miles from Torch Lake public access and 5 miles from the Torch River Nature Preserve, you’ll have
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
