$343,231Average Value$258Average Price per Sq Ft7Homes For Sale
Vacationing in rustic North Michigan
Near Kalkaska, Michigan, is the small community of Manistee Lake. This year-round resort area is known for its proximity to public nature preserves and is beloved for its impressive snowfall, which locals take advantage of through winter sports, including snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Covering 5 miles, with the lake spanning 1.5 miles, Manistee Lake is a relatively new community that was organized after the 2010 state census. While most residents don’t stay year-round, there’s plenty of rustic Michigan beauty to enjoy throughout all four seasons.
Manistee Lake is a small resort community in Kalkaska, known for its natural beauty.
There is no shortage of outdoor fun to enjoy in the Manistee Lake neighborhood.
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Cabins in the woods
Forested roads circle the lake, and houses are set back in the woods, surrounded by wildlife. Most houses are ranch-style or A-frame cabins with cozy light wood interiors and either attached garages or stand-alone barns to store snowmobiles. Houses are generally priced between $300,000 and $700,000, although new construction cabins with large lots are priced up to $850,000. While most properties are single-family houses, there’s an outlier on the west shore: a 153-acre summer campsite dotted with cabins and hiking trails, listed for $4 million. “A lot of people live here year-round, but others rent cabins or campsites for vacations,” says Denise Kelly, the store manager at Waters Edge Gas & Party Store. “It’s quiet throughout the year, with periods of excitement.”
Manistee Lake has a number of A-frame cabins by the lake.
Ranch-style homes are popular in the Manistee Lake neighborhood.
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Kalkaska Public Schools
The Manistee Lake neighborhood is zoned in the Kalkaska Public School District, which Niche graded C plus. KPS has under 1,500 students from preschool through high school and serves free breakfast and lunch to all students daily. Students may attend Birch Street Elementary, graded C plus; Kalkaska Middle, graded C; and Kalkaska High School, graded B minus.
Kalkaska Middle School has a Niche grade of C.
Kalkaska High School has a Niche grade of B-.
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Sands Park on the lakeshore
The neighborhood’s namesake, Manistee Lake, is also its best-known feature. Sands Park, located on the lake’s western shore, has a grassy picnic area, a sandy beach and a boat launch, all available for public use. Locals can fish from the shoreline or head into the water to hunt for walleye, bass, pike and bluegill. “There’s fishing in the summer and ice-fishing in the winter, so there’s plenty to do,” says Kelly. “In July, there’s a huge Independence Day boat parade that brings the whole lake together.”
For the last 75 years, nearby Kalkaska has hosted the National Trout Festival in April. Locals and visitors compete to beat fishing records and bring home fresh-caught dinners. In the winter, Michigan’s classic ice fishing is a popular pastime. Manistee Lake and its surrounding areas average over 125 inches of snow each winter, so locals have plenty of opportunities to ride over 80 miles of well-maintained snowmobile trails.
Enjoy a day of boating on Manistee Lake at Sands Park in Kalkaska, Michigan.
Kids love playing on the beach at Sands Park in Kalkaska, Michigan.
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Manistee Lake Pizzeria and Bakery
Like many rural neighborhoods, Manistee Lake doesn’t have a centralized downtown. However, locals don’t go hungry with Manistee Lake Pizzeria and Bakery just down the road. Located off Fort Road on the northeastern side of the lake, this restaurant serves a little bit of everything, from pizza to clam chowder to fresh donuts, and locals take advantage of its outdoor seating area during nice weather. On the southern end of the lake, Waters Edge Gas & Party Store supplies quick meals, to-go snacks and drinks and essentials for grilling, snowmobiling and camping.
Locals with a sweet tooth can head a few miles north to Southwell Sugar Shack. The Southwell family has been making maple syrup at their homestead for four generations and opened the Sugar Shack in 2015. This family-owned store sells “all things maple,” including syrup tapped from local trees, pancake mix and maple sugar. For more restaurants, shops and grocery stores, head west 10 miles to downtown Kalkaska. The closest grocery store is Northland Food and Family Center, but there’s also an Earth’s Garden Natural Foods and a Dollar General along North Cedar Street in Kalkaska.
Manistee Lake Pizzeria & Bakery is a cozy establishment nestled in the woods of Kalkaska.
Waters Edge Gas & Party Store supplies quick meals, to-go snacks and drinks.
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Getting to town center
“In the winter, the store gets a ton of snowmobile traffic,” says Kelly, as locals make quick trips to visit friends or grab food at Waters Edge. Snowmobiles are allowed on public roads, but be sure to wear a helmet, as required by state law. Kalkaska Memorial Health Center is the county’s largest employer, located 13 miles southwest of Manistee Lake on the southern side of downtown Kalkaska, and locals drive into town using State Road 612.
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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Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Manistee Lake
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
1
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Manistee Lake Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Manistee Lake, Kalkaska sell after 92 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Manistee Lake, Kalkaska over the last 12 months is $277,500, down 21% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Escape to Northern Michigan with this charming 2-bedroom, 1-bath cabin located just a block or two from beautiful Manistee Lake. Whether you're looking for a peaceful getaway, a base camp for ATV adventures, or a place to enjoy boating, fishing, swimming, and relaxing on the water, this property offers it all. Step inside and you'll immediately appreciate the inviting "Up North" atmosphere. The
Beautiful 2.5-Acre Parcel Near Manistee Lake! Discover the perfect northern Michigan getaway with this stunning 2.5-acre parcel located in Kalkaska County. The property is beautifully wooded with large, mature hardwoods, offering both beauty and privacy. Conveniently equipped with electric and a well already on site, this parcel is ready for your dream home, cabin, or up-north retreat. Just a
Welcome to your serene retreat at 5611 NE East Shore Drive in Kalkaska. This charming ranch-style home features three cozy bedrooms and 1.75 baths, a perfect haven for relaxation. A one-car garage provides convenience, while a unique beauty salon space opens the door to a world of possibilities, whether utilized for pampering guests or additional sleeping quarters. alongside a handy 10x22 shed
Turnkey, exquisite Manistee Lake waterfront home offering 4,700 square feet and up to six bedrooms. Relaxed, elegant, and built for lake life, this property has been cherished by the same family since the 1940s. Generations of boating, swimming, walking to the store, and now strolling to the beloved Manistee Lake Bakery have made this a true family legacy property. The original grandmother’s
Escape to the peaceful setting of Manistee Ridge with this spacious estate-sized parcel. A private road and underground electric provide a quiet, refined backdrop for your future home. With low HOA fees and minimal guidelines designed to preserve value—not restrict it—you’ll have the freedom to build what fits your lifestyle, including a pole barn. Just a short walk to Manistee Lake offering
Escape to the peaceful setting of Manistee Ridge with this spacious estate-sized parcel. A private road and underground electric provide a quiet, refined backdrop for your future home. With low HOA fees and minimal guidelines designed to preserve value—not restrict it—you’ll have the freedom to build what fits your lifestyle, including a pole barn. Just a short walk to Manistee Lake offering
Escape to the peaceful setting of Manistee Ridge with this spacious estate-sized parcel. A private road and underground electric provide a quiet, refined backdrop for your future home. With low HOA fees and minimal guidelines designed to preserve value—not restrict it—you’ll have the freedom to build what fits your lifestyle, including a pole barn. Just a short walk to Manistee Lake offering
Imagine arriving at the lake with nothing more than your overnight bag. This turn-key Manistee Lake cottage makes that dream a reality! Featuring 4 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, and a beautifully maintained interior, this waterfront retreat is ready to be enjoyed from day one. Spend your evenings watching unforgettable Northern Michigan sunsets from the lakeside deck before hopping onto your pontoon
Tucked beneath a mature canopy of hardwoods with convenient access to Sands Park, these two adjoining partially cleared lots offer the opportunity to create a Northern Michigan getaway with the conveniences of year-round living and nearby public access to all-sports Manistee Lake. Sunlight filters through the trees, providing a naturally private setting while keeping you only minutes from the
Whether you're looking to purchase your first home, find a Northern Michigan getaway, or settle into a comfortable place for retirement, this 2-bedroom, 1.5-bathroom home offers easy main-floor living and shared access to Manistee Lake! Spend summer days boating, fishing, and enjoying the water, with a shared lake access point just down the road. A community dock has historically been installed
What a charming Cottage !! check out some of the history. 2005-2013 : Cottage strip to the studs, Rewired (100 & 200 amp panels installed), insulated, windows, kitchen cabinets, septic system & more. 2013- 2026: Door & window installed in laundry room, Stone coated steel roofing & Vinyl Siding all installed by "ALL-WEATHER SEAL" Company, some items may have a transferable warranty. Short walk to
Escape to the peaceful setting of Manistee Ridge with this spacious estate-sized parcel. A private road and underground electric provide a quiet, refined backdrop for your future home. With low HOA fees and minimal guidelines designed to preserve value—not restrict it—you’ll have the freedom to build what fits your lifestyle, including a pole barn. Just a short walk to Manistee Lake offering
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