Fruitland Township offers a forest landscape near Lake Michigan
Fruitland Township is a densely forested community on the shores of Lake Michigan, just north of Muskegon. “The majority of properties are wooded, so it’s a very nice rural area, but you’re still close to everything in Muskegon,” says Tricia Carlson, a Realtor with Five Star Real Estate who has lived in the region since 1993. The predominantly residential community has a few businesses in town, plus an amusement park. The township is also home to two other lakes that feed into Lake Michigan, making it a popular locale for boaters.
Homes on wooded lots, plus Lake Michigan waterfront properties
Among the township’s straight residential streets, some houses are visible from the road, while others are tucked behind trees on several acres of land. Homebuyers can find many ranch-style homes and large New Traditionals, with prices ranging from $150,000 to $615,000. Meanwhile, waterfront properties on White Lake and Duck Lake don’t sell often. In recent years, a small cottage on White Lake sold for $325,000, while larger upscale properties sold for $1 million to $1.8 million. As for Duck Lake, there have been no recent sales. Homes facing Lake Michigan sit high on dunes and have access to a sandy beach. Likewise, these rarely hit the market, though homes recently sold for $775,000 to $1.5 million. The township’s CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Access to Lake Michigan from Duck Lake and White Lake
Duck Lake State Park provides access to Duck Lake and Lake Michigan. Locals can explore paved trails through the woods around Duck Lake, relax on the half-mile beach on Lake Michigan and climb the sand dune between both lakes. “You’ve got some people on the beach, but its never so busy that you can’t find a spot,” Carlson says. The state park also has a boat ramp for those who want to go out on Duck Lake and be surrounded by trees or explore the vast waters of Lake Michigan. Boaters can also launch into White Lake from a ramp or keep their boats docked at a marina. Fruitland Township park is on the east side of Duck Lake, featuring a playground, a baseball field used by local leagues and public racquet courts. The township is home to Michigan’s Adventure, an amusement park with roller coasters and water slides.
A few local spots for food and drinks along Scenic Drive
Big-box retailers and restaurants are less than 10 miles away in Whitehall and Muskegon. Within the township, there are also a few places to shop and eat along Scenic Drive. Between White Lake and Duck Lake, White Duck Country Market serves as a convenience store that sells hot dogs and ice cream. Red Rooster Tavern offers a casual country vibe, where locals can enjoy beer and burgers during Monday night trivia or live music on the weekends.
Served by Whitehall District Schools and Reeths-Puffer Schools
Half of the community is zoned to Whitehall District Schools, which receive an overall B-plus grade from Niche. Whitehall High School has a century-old football rivalry with Montague High School, with both teams competing in the Battle for the Bell. The winner gets to keep the bell trophy for a year.
The other half of the community is served by Reeths-Puffer Schools, which receive an overall B grade. The high school’s Rocket Scholars Foundation provides scholarships for students with high academic achievements.
Highway and scenic routes to Muskegon, 50 miles to Grand Rapids
Residents on the east side can get to Muskegon by taking U.S. 31 or avoiding the highway on Whitehall Road. Those on the west side are closer to Scenic Drive, which runs along the coast to Muskegon, and is aptly named for its scenic forested views and occasional glimpses of Lake Michigan. “It’s a nice winding road along the lakeshore,” Carlson says. “It’s especially beautiful in the fall with all the trees.” It’s about a 50-mile drive to Grand Rapids and Gerald R. International Airport. Muskegon County Airport, about 20 miles away, offers flights to Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
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Written By
Nicolas Stuart
