Life revolves around boating on Twin Lake’s four lakes
In Twin Lake, neighbors enjoy each other’s company out on the four lakes that make up this small community in Muskegon County. “It’s not uncommon to see several pontoons linked together, floating around,” says Marilyn Tucker, a Realtor with Rucker Benner Realty, who has lived in Twin Lake since 1998. “Pretty much every night, there’s a pontoon parade where everyone circles around the lakes.” All four lakes are surrounded by waterfront houses, each with a private beach and dock. And while it’s common for residents to drive around on their golf carts, Tucker says, “We’ll bring our boats over to the park store for ice cream. It’s the best way to get around. We don’t come by land. We come by water.” The water is open to boaters all year except for one day, the Fourth of July, the most highly anticipated event, and one of the biggest community-funded fireworks shows in West Michigan.
Twin Lakes offers homes on and off the water
Each lake is surrounded by single-family homes, most of which have multi-car garages in the front and decks that overlook the water. Each home has a private beach and they can range anywhere from 30 to 130 feet of waterfront. They also come with docks where residents can park their boats. The lowest price for a waterfront home is around $350,000, which would get a homebuyer a two-bedroom ranch-style house. Larger three- to four-bedroom ranch styles and A-frame houses can range anywhere from $400,000 to $700,000. Homebuyers can get more house for their money living off the lake. Inland homes start at around $180,000 for a 1,200-square-foot ranch-style house, ranging up to $650,000 for a 3,500-square-foot New Traditional house with 5 acres of land.
Boats and beaches on the lake
Locals refer to the two Twin Lakes as Middle Lake and Twin Lake. The other two are North Lake and West Lake. North and Middle lakes are for residential use only. Twin Lake, the largest of the four, gets the busiest. “The lakes aren’t too big or too small and there’s plenty of activity,” says Tucker. “Sometimes we’ll have water skiing shows.” Locals can head out on the water at Twin Lake from their own private docks or the public boat ramp at Twin Lake Park. The park is free to anyone who walks or rides a bike there. Those who drive can get an annual pass or pay a daily fee. The 800-foot beach is the main attraction. Visitors also enjoy taking their kids to the playground, playing pickleball, tennis and volleyball, and picnicking under the park’s oak trees. There’s also a park store, where people can grab some snacks and ice cream. West Lake has a smaller beach called Padley Park. It’s about 100 feet of waterfront.
Community-funded Fourth of July fireworks
Organized cookouts and fundraisers are held throughout the year to raise money for Fourth of July fireworks. According to Tucker, the community usually raises around $22,000 a year. “It’s a 110-acre party,” says Tucker about the Fourth of July at the 110-acre Twin Lake. “People are out swimming and barbecuing. And by nightfall, we watch the fireworks set off from the island in the middle of the water.”
Education through Reeths-Puffer Schools
Public school students attend Twin Lake Elementary School, which earns a B grade from Niche. While the elementary school is right in the community, the rest of the schools are seven to 10 miles away in Muskegon. Fifth through sixth-grade students attend Reeths-Puffer Intermediate School, graded a B-minus. Reeths-Puffer Middle School and Reeths-Puffer High School are both graded a B.
Shopping and dining along Main Street and Holton Road
All of Twin Lake’s shopping and dining options are at the iintersection of Main Street and Holton Road. There are two restaurants from which to choose. Overboard Inn has a small-town diner atmosphere, serving traditional breakfasts and lunches. Effin Bar and Grill is where locals go to hang out late (until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays). The restaurant’s lively atmosphere has people coming to enjoy live music inside and on the patio, where they can play cornhole and horseshoes. Shoppers have a few options, including Dollar General and John’s Market, a small local grocery store. The closest big box stores are in Muskegon and North Muskegon.
12 miles to Muskegon
Residents get around town by driving their cars and golf carts. There’s no public transportation available and no major interstates run through Twin Lake. Muskegon is the closest city for shopping and working. It’s about a 12-mile drive starting on Holton Road, aka, Michigan Highway 120. Muskegon County Airport is about 17 miles away, where travelers can fly to Chicago O’Hare International Airport in about 30 minutes.
