History comes alive!
Walloon Lake brings young and old together with its many offerings.
Walloon Lake may be one of the most important lakes in American literature. This is where Ernest Hemingway spent his childhood summers and part of his early adult life. His family’s cottage, Windemere, still graces the shore of this peaceful lake. The fact Hemingway spent his first honeymoon at Walloon Lake is a testament to its allure and tranquility.
Aside from its historical significance, Walloon Lake is lined by a tight-knit community offering recreational opportunities for boaters, swimmers, fishermen and sunbathers. This unique lake bears a striking similarity in shape to Lake Charlevoix and is surrounded mostly with residential homes.
The only town to lay claim to its shores is Walloon Lake Village, a small tight-knit community that welcomes visitors who enjoy the warmer waters of the smaller lake.
Vital Stats
Surface area: 6.7 square miles
Shoreline: 27.5 miles
Length: 9.2 miles (main basin)
Depth: 81 feet (main basin)
Depth: 100 feet (West Arm)
Average Depth: 30 feet
Campgrounds and Parks
Walloon Lake Village Park is located where the Bear River meets Walloon Lake. Features are a section of grass/ sand beach and boat launch. Across the road is a park area along the river that has a playground, pavilion and picnic area with grills.
Camp Daggett is located on 43 acres along the west arm of Walloon Lake. It serves as both a children’s summer camp and a year-round retreat for groups and schools interested in team-building and adventure programs.
Camp Michigania offers 11 weeks of summer retreats and is a long-standing tradition for University of Michigan graduates and their families
Social Club
Established in 1904, the private Walloon Lake Country Club has almost 300 members, an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts and a clubhouse that serves lunch and dinner.
