Empire Land for Sale

Empire Land for Sale

Welcome to Empire, Michigan – a hidden gem nestled along the stunning shores of Lake Michigan. This charming village is part of the picturesque Leelanau County, known for its breathtaking landscapes, vibrant local culture, and outdoor adventures. With a population of just over 300 residents, Empire offers a tranquil lifestyle while being surrounded by the natural beauty of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

Empire is a haven for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. The area boasts pristine beaches, rolling sand dunes, and lush forests, making it the perfect backdrop for hiking, biking, fishing, and swimming. In the summer, the village comes alive with seasonal festivals, farmers' markets, and local art fairs, showcasing the talent of its residents and the flavors of the region.

For those looking to invest in their own slice of paradise, there is exciting land for sale in Empire. Imagine waking up to the sound of waves lapping against the shore and the scent of pine trees in the air. Whether you envision building a cozy cottage, a modern family home, or a serene retreat, the available land offers endless possibilities to create your dream sanctuary.

With its welcoming community, breathtaking landscapes, and a wealth of recreational activities, Empire is not just a place to live; it’s a lifestyle. Don’t miss your chance to own a piece of this enchanting village and experience the beauty of Michigan’s North Coast firsthand. Discover the magic of Empire today!

Newest Empire Land for Sale

W Osborn Road, Empire
$175,000
1951910 MLS ⋅ Metes & Bounds BLDG.
Build your Northern Michigan getaway on this beautiful 5-acre parcel, to be split from a larger 10-acre property. Ideally situated near the natural beauty and outdoor recreation of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, the property offers a peaceful setting with convenient access to some of the area’s most sought-after destinations. The Empire Airport is less than a mile away, providing an appealing option for small-aircraft enthusiasts. Enjoy easy access to Lake Michigan, the Empire Bluffs Trailhead, Dunes Golf Club, and the historic villages of Empire and Glen Arbor, with their restaurants, shops and local attractions. Whether you envision a year-round home, seasonal retreat or private Northern Michigan escape, this property offers the space and location to make it your own.

W Osborn Road, Empire
011 W Timber View Trail, Empire
$62,900
1951083 MLS ⋅ Timber View Ridge BLDG.
A little bit of open space, a little bit of woods, and a location that puts some of the best parts of Northern Michigan just minutes from home. This corner parcel in Timber View Ridge gives you a great starting point for creating your own place near Empire. The gently rolling terrain and mix of open and wooded areas provide flexibility when deciding where to position your future home and how you want to use the property around it. Keep the trees for privacy, selectively remove a few for a yard or outdoor gathering space, and create a setting that fits the way you want to enjoy Up North. And there is plenty to enjoy beyond your own property. The Dunes Golf Club is right across the road, while Empire, Lake Michigan, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, and numerous hiking trails are all just minutes away. Spend the morning golfing, hop on the trail for a bike ride, head to the beach for the afternoon, or make the short drive into Empire or Glen Arbor for dinner. Timber View Ridge offers a peaceful setting while keeping you connected to everything that makes this part of Leelanau County such a special place to call home. Located in the Glen Lake School District and less than 30 minutes from Traverse City, you can enjoy the quieter pace of life near Empire while still having everyday conveniences within easy reach. The setting is here, the Up North lifestyle is all around you, and the rest is yours to create.

011 W Timber View Trail, Empire
S Golden Valley Drive, Empire
$223,000
1951063 MLS ⋅ Golden Valley Woods BLDG.
Discover 8.56 acres of rolling hardwoods in the heart of Leelanau County, just outside the village of Empire. This beautifully wooded parcel offers a mix of sloping and level terrain, ideal for those looking to build a private retreat surrounded by nature. With mature trees, seasonal color, and a peaceful setting along a quiet road, the land provides both seclusion and convenience—close to Lake Michigan beaches, the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and the charming shops and dining of Empire. Whether you envision a year-round residence or a seasonal escape, this property offers the space and natural beauty to bring your plans to life. HOA dues cover road maintenance and snow removal. Once a residence is built, the amount can fluctuate based on the winter and the amount of snow removal that is needed.

S Golden Valley Drive, Empire
11127 S Hermies Pass, Empire
$233,984
1951060 MLS ⋅ Timber View Ridge BLDG.
A one-of-a-kind opportunity in the heart of Leelanau County — the only truly build-ready log home site on the market. Tucked into 1.20 wooded acres in the Timber View Ridge community outside Empire, this parcel arrives with the hard work done: a prepared 28' x 52' slab-ready foundation site, septic tank installed under an active health-department permit, well installation underway, and a 150-foot drive already in. The vision is ready too — full architectural plans for a 1,980 sq. ft. Beaver Log Homes design convey with the sale, along with on-site building materials — and the complete log package is available with an acceptable offer. Better still, this community was planned for exactly this home: the covenants call for natural-wood exteriors with logs expressly preferred. Building, zoning, and health-department permits are paid and executed. Where most vacant land hands you a two-year project, this one hands you a running start: many months of site work, engineering, and supply decisions already behind you, with the savings in both time and cost that come with it. Even the builder question is answered — the seller is a licensed builder and may be available to complete the home under separate arrangement. And you can enjoy the property now: association documents allow camping while you plan (up to 8 weeks per year) and Short term rentals of one week or more, with community open space for hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiles. All of it sits minutes from the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, the village of Empire, Glen Lake schools, and the beaches, trails, and wineries that make this corner of Michigan a destination. Picture the finished cabin in the trees at the end of your own drive — then come see how much of the picture is already real. Renderings shown for illustration; buyer to verify use and rental regulations with the Association and township; see attached documents including Covenants at a Glance.

11127 S Hermies Pass, Empire
0000 W Timber Lane, Empire
$149,900
1950115 MLS ⋅ The Timbers BLDG.
This is one of the most affordable five-acre parcels currently available in all of Leelanau County, offering an incredible opportunity to own your own piece of Northern Michigan. From the moment you arrive, towering pines and mature evergreens create a peaceful atmosphere and natural privacy. Toward the back of the property, the woods open into a spacious grassy clearing—providing an ideal setting for a future home, Up North getaway, or private retreat. Imagine building among the trees with plenty of room to enjoy quiet mornings, evenings around the bonfire, and the beauty of every Northern Michigan season. Located within the Glen Lake Community Schools district, the property is just minutes from Empire, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Lake Michigan beaches, golf courses, hiking trails, and the scenic M-22 corridor. Downtown Traverse City is approximately 30 minutes away, providing convenient access to shopping, dining, wineries, and year-round entertainment. Whether you enjoy boating, golfing, hiking, or exploring nearby communities such as Glen Arbor and Empire, this location keeps you close to everything people love about Leelanau County while still offering the peace and privacy of a natural setting.

0000 W Timber Lane, Empire
57 S Hermies Pass, Empire
$74,900
1949995 MLS ⋅ Timber View Ridge BLDG.
Nestled within a quiet wooded neighborhood off M-77 in Empire, this beautiful parcel offers a peaceful Northern Michigan setting where life naturally slows down. Surrounded by mature trees and a blend of wooded privacy and open space, the property feels calm, natural, and connected to the landscape from the moment you arrive. Sunlight filters through the trees, the setting is quiet and refreshing, and the atmosphere captures the relaxed character that makes this area so desirable. The neighborhood features tree-lined roads, large wooded parcels, and a peaceful setting that feels tucked away while still remaining close to everything Northern Michigan has to offer. Dunes Golf Course is nearby, and Sleeping Bear Dunes, Lake Michigan beaches, scenic hiking trails, and the charm of downtown Empire are all just minutes away. Traverse City is also an easy drive, offering convenient access to wineries, shopping, restaurants, and year-round entertainment before returning home to the quieter pace of the woods. The HOA maintains the private roads within the community, helping preserve the neighborhood’s well-kept feel and providing easy year-round access. Whether you’re looking to build a year-round residence or a Northern Michigan getaway, this property offers a setting that feels peaceful, connected, and easy to fall in love with.

57 S Hermies Pass, Empire
11789 S Roen Drive, Empire
$67,500
1949928 MLS ⋅ Empire Hills BLDG.
Set in the Village of Empire, this ½-acre buildable lot puts you right where you want to be; close to everything that makes this area special, without feeling crowded. Located at 11789 S Roen Dr, you’re just minutes from Lake Michigan’s shoreline, local shops, and great spots to eat. The lot offers a clean slate with the space and flexibility to bring your vision to life, whether you're planning now or thinking ahead. Opportunities like this, location, size, and value all lining up, don’t come around often in Empire. If you’ve been waiting for the right piece of land in a prime Northern Michigan, Leelanau county setting, this one’s worth a closer look.

11789 S Roen Drive, Empire
15 S Mistys Trail, Empire
$66,900
1949919 MLS ⋅ Timber View Ridge BLDG.
Privacy and nature abound in this one of a kind wooded parcel located in the beautiful development of Timber View Ridge. Mature hardwoods and a gentle rolling topography allow for multiple options, with country side views and walkout opportunities when building your Up North dream home. A driveway has already been cut into the parcel making it easily accessible and vacant land to the East allow for additional privacy. Located on the southern side of Leelanau County in the Glen Lake School District, this slice of heaven is just minutes from Empire, Glen Arbor, numerous beautiful beaches and the Sleeping Bear Dunes. Located just off of M72, you can easily commute to Traverse City for shopping, pleasure, or work. This parcel is not like the other lots that have sold over the years in this development. Come and explore this slice of heaven and begin dreaming of all the possibilities!

15 S Mistys Trail, Empire
0000 S Honeybee Road, Empire
$174,900
1949787 MLS
Tucked away along a quiet private road in southern Leelanau County, this level, wooded parcel offers privacy, flexibility, and the freedom to create your own Northern Michigan retreat. Mature trees provide a peaceful backdrop for a year-round residence, Up North getaway, or cozy cabin in the woods. Agricultural Conservation zoning and allowance for manufactured homes give you added flexibility as you bring your vision to life. When adventure calls, nearby inland lakes, rivers, and public lands offer endless opportunities for boating, fishing, hunting, and exploring. The Lake Michigan shoreline, Empire, and Sleeping Bear Dunes are just a short drive away, with Traverse City, Frankfort, Honor, and Benzonia all within convenient reach. A private road maintenance agreement is already in place for Honeybee Road, helping ensure the continued upkeep of the roadway. Whether you’re ready to build, searching for a peaceful escape, or investing in land for the future, this wooded parcel is your opportunity to claim a quiet corner of Leelanau County.

0000 S Honeybee Road, Empire
12500 & 12750 S Plowman Road, Empire
$850,000
1949525 MLS ⋅ N/A BLDG.
Opportunity to own 50.20 acres of productive tillable land in beautiful Leelanau County. The property consists of two separate 25-acre parcels, offering flexibility for farming, investment, or future planning. Each parcel includes its own well. The property is currently enrolled in the Qualified Agricultural Property Exemption, providing an opportunity for reduced property taxes for a buyer who continues to meet the requirements for the agricultural exemption. With its substantial acreage, tillable ground, two parcels, and existing wells, this property is an excellent opportunity for a farmer, agricultural investor, equine facility, or anyone looking for a large tract of land in Leelanau County.

12500 & 12750 S Plowman Road, Empire
12540 S Benzonia Trail, Empire
$1,600,000
1949351 MLS ⋅ Na BLDG.
A one-of-a-kind, estate-sized Leelanau County parcel. This private, elevated 120 acres includes a spectacular panoramic view of the Empire Valley and is only a 5-minute drive to the Village of Empire amenities, a sandy public beach on Lake Michigan, the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail and National Lakeshore recreation. The property is improved, with two active wells, electric service, a cement-block barn and a fence encompassing 100 acres. Rising hundreds of feet above the valley, a 2,500-foot-long, west-facing ridge currently offers stunning sunsets and distant views of Lake Michigan and Sleeping Bear Dunes from two locations. Select tree thinning of the 20-acre woodland on the slope could provide potential views from the entire ridge. Flat land in the middle of the property presently contains 60 acres of active cherry trees. Their removal would provide a new owner with a number of use options. Rolling hills with 100-plus-year-old white pines and other trees are found on the property’s east side, bordered by a paved county road. Tall, mature spruce trees line a portion of the property near the road, and red pines are found along most of the property lines, offering privacy. Last year 400 new evergreens were planted, and some of the parcel adjoins National Lakeshore property. The acreage has access to cable internet along the road. It is a short drive to golfing, to the Glen lakes for swimming, boating and fishing, and to Glen Arbor for eclectic shopping and dining, tennis, and kayaking on the Crystal River. Located in the Glen Lake School District, the property offers an easy commute to Traverse City via M-72 for big city fun such as movies, concerts, upscale dining, festivals and more.

12540 S Benzonia Trail, Empire
S Lacore Road, Empire
$250,000
1949211 MLS ⋅ N/A BLDG.
Discover your own slice of Northern Michigan on S Lacore Road in Empire! This beautifully wooded, buildable lot offers just over an acre and 124 feet of private frontage on scenic South Bar Lake. Enjoy peaceful mornings listening to the loons, paddle across the lake by kayak or paddleboard to Empire Beach, or bike into the charming Village of Empire. The Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail is also just a short walk or bike ride away, offering miles of scenic recreation to explore. Surrounded by nature yet close to everything, this special property is the perfect setting for your Up North retreat or year-round home.

S Lacore Road, Empire
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