Fontana’s relaxed lakeside lifestyle on the west end of Geneva Lake
With over 5,400 acres, Geneva Lake is cradled on all sides by lakefront communities. Fontana, also known as Fontana-On-Geneva-Lake, is among the many. Still, the village finds ways to differentiate itself from its neighbors. “We like to say that the West End is the best end,” says Marc Jensen, Realtor with Twin Realty and 50-year resident of the Geneva Lake area. “It’s quieter than Lake Geneva, but there are still great lake views and lakefront properties.” The community offers a variety of landscapes, from waterside parks and resorts to golf course subdivisions and leafy suburban neighborhoods. Locally owned restaurants and shops dot the village, and a few major roads connect the community to cities like Milwaukee and Chicago. Village events keep residents active and draw seasonal tourists to the area.
The village has abundant lake recreation, golf courses and trails
Fontana hugs the western end of Geneva Lake, a major recreational attraction in Walworth County. People lie in the sand, swim and launch boats at Fontana Beach. Residents can have up to 6 season passes to the beach. Next door, Reid Park features a playground, a softball diamond and picnic tables. It also regularly hosts community events. The Abbey Resort treats vacationers to a private marina that connects to the lake. Golf is another popular pastime since the community has three major courses. Big Foot Country Club and Abbey Springs offer member-only amenities, while Country Club Estates Golf Course is open to the public. People hike along the lakefront via the Geneva Lake Shore Path or explore natural habitats at the Hildebrand Nature Conservancy. Duck Pond Recreation Area’s sports fields host Little League games and soccer practices.
Year-round and seasonal residents stay in custom lakehouses and resorts
Jensen says the village has around 1,800 full-time residents, but summer brings an influx of tourists and short-term renters. Homes can be registered as tourist rooming houses or vacation rentals, but homeowners must acquire a village license first. Individual associations can also restrict or prohibit short-term rentals. Custom architecture is the standard among the community’s cottages, ranch-style houses, contemporary homes and expansive lakehouses. People can also purchase units at The Abbey Resort. Prices vary drastically, but the village’s median price is $690,000. Several homes are also in the $1 million to $6 million range.
Kids attend Fontana and Walworth schools
Students attend Fontana Grade School in the Fontana JT 8 School District. The school serves prekindergarten through eighth-grade students and has a B score on Niche. Students then transition to Big Foot High School in Walworth. The school has a B-minus rating and offers specialized courses in agriscience, ranging from biotechnology to plant systems.
Waterfront restaurants and locally owned shops dot the village
Gordy’s offers a pro shop, boat rentals and boat sales, plus a surf and turf restaurant along the waterfront. Next door, Chuck’s Lakeshore Inn diners also enjoy lake views with their burgers and cocktails. Drivers stop along Mill Street to grab a drink at Coffee Mill or a scoop from Blue Heaven Ice Cream. Big Foot Market offers a curated selection of groceries and a small café serving breakfast sandwiches and coffee. Daniels Foods is the closest commercial grocery store.
Highways and a commuter rail connect Fontana to big cities
Residents are car-dependent and use roads like state Route 67, County Highway B and Highway 14 to get around the region. Drivers are also about 10 miles from Interstate 43, which leads to Milwaukee, and the commuter train to Chicago. “If I want to go to a Cubs game, all I have to do is drive 15 minutes, and then I can take public transportation the rest of the way,” Jensen says. The nearest hospital is Mercyhealth Hospital and Medical Center–Walworth, and Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is 51 miles away.
Reid Park hosts Lions Club lobster boils and Fourth of July fireworks
Every July, the Big Foot Lions Club hosts its Lobster Boil & Steak Fry, one of Fontana’s biggest events. Bands play all day at Reid Park while attendees stack their plates high and socialize. July also brings Dan Green’s Pig in the Park — a pig roast fundraiser and festival — and Independence Day fireworks. “You can stand in one location and see five different fireworks displays,” Jensen says. “There will be hundreds of boats on the water and thousands of people looking up at the sky.” Other community events include outdoor movies at Fontana Beach and the Fontana Farmer’s Market. The market opens every Saturday morning on Porter Court from June to September.
