Little Traverse Lake

 

Little Traverse Lake
Quiet scale with a distinctly residential feel

Overview

Located in Leelanau County within a comfortable drive of Traverse City, Little Traverse Lake offers a peaceful lakefront setting that prioritizes privacy, usability, and year-round livability.

Little Traverse Lake is a smaller inland lake known for its calm waters, limited shoreline density, and understated character. Properties here tend to be modest cottages and well-maintained year-round homes, appealing to buyers who value simplicity and a more residential lake experience rather than a high-activity destination environment.

Lake Character & Lifestyle

Little Traverse Lake supports a relaxed, low-key lakefront lifestyle.

The lake is well suited for swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, and quiet pontoon use. Boat traffic is generally light, even during peak summer months, which contributes to the lake’s consistently calm atmosphere.

Buyers are often drawn to Little Traverse Lake for its sense of community, manageable scale, and suitability for both seasonal use and full-time living.

Shoreline & Water Considerations

Shoreline characteristics on Little Traverse Lake vary by property.

Water depth, frontage width, and bottom composition differ depending on location, influencing dock placement and shoreline usability. Evaluating exposure, vegetation, and long-term maintenance needs is an important part of selecting the right property.

Location & Nearby Amenities

Little Traverse Lake offers convenient access to the broader Leelanau County region.

Residents enjoy:
• Proximity to nearby villages and local dining
• Easy access to wineries, trails, and outdoor recreation
• Reasonable driving distance to Lake Michigan
• Straightforward access to Traverse City for shopping, dining, and healthcare

This balance of quiet lake living and everyday convenience defines Little Traverse Lake’s appeal.

Zoning, Preservation & Long-Term Value

Little Traverse Lake is governed by local township and county zoning regulations that support controlled shoreline development and long-term preservation.

Its limited size and stable ownership patterns contribute to steady long-term desirability within the Leelanau County lakefront real estate market.

Is Little Traverse Lake Right for You?

Little Traverse Lake is best suited for buyers who:
• Prefer a quiet, residential lake environment
• Value privacy and minimal boat traffic
• Seek year-round livability as well as seasonal enjoyment
• Appreciate a smaller, more intimate lake setting

For buyers looking for understated Northern Michigan lakefront living, Little Traverse Lake offers a balanced and approachable option.

Lake Size & Key Facts

• Surface area: approximately 600 acres
• Shoreline: approximately 6 miles
• Maximum depth: approximately 40 feet
• Water type: clear inland lake
• Drive time to Traverse City: approximately 30 minutes

Little Traverse Lake’s manageable scale and central location make it an appealing choice for buyers seeking practical lakefront ownership in Leelanau County.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Little Traverse Lake

$949,000
3 Beds ⋅ 1 Baths ⋅ 1950124 MLS ⋅ N/A BLDG.
Rare opportunity to own 1.17 acres with 102 feet of private frontage on the coveted north shore of Little Traverse Lake. With mature trees and an exceptional waterfront setting, this property offers an exciting opportunity to create your own Northern Michigan retreat on one of Leelanau County’s most treasured inland lakes. The property currently features a 1940 log cottage that offers a glimpse into the classic cottage era of Northern Michigan. The cottage includes a living room with stone fireplace, kitchen, two bedrooms, one bath, an additional sleeping room accessed from the screened-in porch, and an existing septic and drainfield serving the two-bedroom cottage. Whether re-imagining the nostalgic character of the existing cottage or envisioning a new lake home, the generous parcel and outstanding Little Traverse Lake frontage provide a remarkable canvas for the future. Ideally located between Leland and Glen Arbor, this remarkable setting is enhanced by protected Sleeping Bear Dunes Wilderness lies directly across the road, with the Good Harbor Bay Trail nearby for hiking and exploring the surrounding natural beauty. This is a rare chance to own a special stretch of Little Traverse Lake and create something uniquely your own. Property and existing cottage are being sold as-is, including dock and furnishings. Sellers have some personal items they will be removing prior to closing.

276 E Traverse Lake Road, Cedar
$949,000
1950123 MLS ⋅ N/A BLDG.
Rare opportunity to own 1.17 acres with 102 feet of private frontage on the coveted north shore of Little Traverse Lake. With mature trees and an exceptional waterfront setting, this property presents an exciting opportunity to create a new Northern Michigan lake home in one of Leelanau County’s most desirable locations. The property currently features a primitive 1940 log cottage with two bedrooms, one bath, an additional sleeping room, screened porch, and stone fireplace. An existing septic and drainfield serves the two-bedroom cottage. The property and cottage are being sold as-is. Whether preserving some of the property’s vintage cottage character or envisioning something entirely new, the generous parcel and outstanding Little Traverse Lake frontage provide a remarkable canvas for the future. Ideally situated between Leland and Glen Arbor this remarkable setting is enhanced by protected Sleeping Bear Dunes Wilderness lies directly across the road, with the Good Harbor Bay Trail nearby for hiking and exploring the surrounding natural beauty. This is a rare chance to create your own retreat on a special stretch of Little Traverse Lake.

276 E Traverse Lake Road, Cedar
$2,495,000
4 Beds ⋅ 5 Baths ⋅ 1949185 MLS ⋅ N/A BLDG.
LITTLE TRAVERSE LAKE – This meticulously maintained craftsman style home blends timeless design with modern comforts, creating a true lakefront sanctuary. It has nearly 3700 square feet of interior living space, 4 bedrooms and 4 ½ baths, ample gathering areas, and overflow sleeping space with commanding views of the lake throughout. The current owners have undertaken a long list of improvements and upgrades including granite countertops, refinished solid wood flooring, beautifully overhauled decks and extensive landscaping. The home offers single-story living, with a private primary suite opposite the generous common areas and a three-season screened porch that feels inviting rain or shine. Upstairs, you’ll find another ensuite bedroom plus two more and a second full bathroom. The open lower level offers flexible space for an office, workout area, and game room, along with another full bath and a walk-out to a new composite deck that spans the width of the home and provides access to the waterfront. Outside, a professionally landscaped front yard/garden area leads from the paved driveway to a covered entry. On the lakeside, the owners have encouraged the restoration of native species, which is not only ecologically beneficial to the lake, but is a low-maintenance solution that serves double-duty as a refuge for the abundant wildlife passing through from the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore just across Traverse Lake Road. The shoreline of this section of Little Traverse Lake has a firm sand bottom and the lake itself is fantastic for all activities from fishing to watersports, yet is free of crowds. And with the Swanson Preserve and the recently protected Sugar Loaf Mountain creating the backdrop across the lake, your views will never change.

1164 E Traverse Lake Road, Cedar
$2,350,000
3 Beds ⋅ 3 Baths ⋅ 1948668 MLS ⋅ N/A BLDG.
LITTLE TRAVERSE LAKE – The quintessential lakeside retreat. This masterfully crafted 4,200-square-foot residence features three bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, and generous living spaces inside and out. Completed in 2006 of UP-sourced pine, the home has been meticulously preserved as a seasonal escape by its original owners. The timeless materials honor the spirit of Northern Michigan: rich maple floors, slate tile, custom cherry cabinetry, and pine trim and doors —all shielded by a lifetime-warranted metal roof. The main living areas flow seamlessly toward the waterfront, while the lower-level family room features a full wet bar and walk-out access directly to the lakeside lawn. The property boasts 135 feet of sandy frontage with sought-after southern exposure, bathing the property in all-day sun and framing striking views across the lake and toward the recently protected Sugar Loaf Mountain. Little Traverse Lake remains one of Leelanau County’s hidden gems—a picturesque, spring-fed, all-sports lake at the base of Good Harbor Bay. Positioned equidistant to Leland and Glen Arbor, it offers effortless access to the very best of the peninsula. Arrive via a quiet, canopy-lined road where all the acreage across the street is protected National Lakeshore land, offering hiking trails and Lake Michigan beach access just three-quarters of a mile away. Desirable amenities round out this exceptional property, including a heated two-car garage with direct dual-floor access, expansive lakeside decks and patios, a sprawling waterside lawn, a 14'x14' garden shed, and a 16kw whole-house generator.

788 E Traverse Lake Road, Cedar
$799,900
3 Beds ⋅ 2 Baths ⋅ 1945861 MLS ⋅ N/A BLDG.
This newly constructed, efficiently scaled 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath cottage (completed in 2023) sits on 3.11 private acres with approximately 200 feet of frontage on Little Traverse Lake, just one mile from the northern entrance of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and direct access to the park’s bike trail. Inside, the home features 9-foot ceilings on the main level, vaulted ceilings upstairs, and a bright open-concept layout designed to maximize natural light and views of the surrounding landscape. The kitchen includes a large island, butcher block and quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, and abundant storage. A dishwasher could be added beneath the island if desired. The home offers approximately 500 square feet per level, creating an intentionally compact and low-maintenance layout that emphasizes connection to the surrounding landscape. The main living space opens directly to a covered rear deck, creating seamless indoor-outdoor living. A large covered front porch provides additional space for relaxing and enjoying sunsets and the natural surroundings. The home is inspired by a historic Michigan kit home design, thoughtfully reinterpreted with modern systems and high-quality materials. Architectural details include exposed rafter tails, large frieze boards, and solid wood, hand-stained entry doors that emphasize craftsmanship and durability. The lower level is a tall crawl space (approximately 5’10” ceiling height) and includes laundry and mechanicals. A private boardwalk leads through native wetlands to the shoreline of Little Traverse Lake, offering a quiet and immersive connection to the water. Additional structures include an unfinished garden shed and fenced garden area, with ample room for future expansion. This property offers a rare combination of new construction, architectural character, privacy, and an unmatched location near Sleeping Bear Dunes, Lake Michigan shoreline, and one of northern Michigan’s most desirable recreation corridors.

220 W Harbor Highway, Maple City
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