Best Lakes for Kayaking Near Traverse City
Michigan
2 kayaking lakes within driving distance of Traverse City, Michigan, ranked by water quality and kayaking-specific filters. Filtered for grade A, B, or C water quality, public access, and ideal paddling size (30-3,000 acres).
Lakes near Traverse City are sparser (2 graded lakes within reach), so the choices are limited. Tippy Pond by Dam (A) is the standout.
The kayaking-specific ranking layered on top of the LakeGrade rubric is what produces the list below: a grade-good lake that does not also support the kayaking use case is less useful than a grade-decent lake that does.
| # | Lake | County | Grade | Distance | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tippy Pond by Dam | Manistee | A | 38.1 mi | - | - |
| 2 | Lake Bellaire | Antrim | C | 23.5 mi | 8.8 ft | - |
Other activities near Traverse City
Swimming near Traverse City →Fishing near Traverse City →Boating near Traverse City →All lakes near Traverse City →
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.