Embrace the peace of northern Michigan, breathe the fresh air, and spend time surrounded by stunning forest landscapes. Taking a vacation here invites you to unplug and unwind in absolutely beautiful surroundings. Enjoy swimming, fishing and boating in the summer, or snowmobiling in the winter. Any Black Lake vacation rental you choose will put you within easy access of miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails. You’ll be able to easily visit family-friendly attractions and historical spots, as well as enjoy shopping in cute boutiques and dining in fantastic restaurants.
1. Right on Black Lake
There are many cozy cabins along the lake that you can rent, and most of them have picturesque views of the water — a perfect way to wake up in the morning. Explore acres of forests and meadows, and bring some binoculars so you can watch hummingbirds and local wildlife. Spend ample time on the water right outside of your home away from home, and take a break to enjoy the peace and quiet from the comfort of your home.
2. Onaway, Michigan
Stay in Onaway, called the “Playground of the North” because of the access to so many different kinds of outdoor recreation. You can spend your vacation just minutes from campgrounds, trails, Black Lake, and Onaway State Park. Only four hours north of Detroit, this area is an ideal place to get away from the city and to spend most of your day outside.
3. Pine Grove Beach
Go jump in the lake at Pine Grove Beach, where you’ll feel the stress float away. Reconnect with family members in the outdoors, whether it’s over a picnic, playing on the beach, or renting kayaks and going out on the water. Make sure to bring your camera — the scenic forests of northern Michigan and beautiful lakefront vistas are the perfect backdrop for the photo on your next holiday card.
4. Ocqueoc, Michigan
You’ll feel like you’ve hit the vacation jackpot when you stay in the Ocqueoc area near the lake, which is surrounded by natural beauty. Make sure to visit Ocqueoc Falls and take some time to explore the forests and stop for a break at one of the picnic areas. When you stay here, you’ll be close to Black Lake and Cheboygan, a small town on Lake Huron. You’ll also be close to the small town of Huron Beach if you’re interested in spending a day on one of the Great Lakes.
5. Tower, Michigan
Tower is a small town south of Black Lake that is another excellent area to stay in. You’ll have access to hiking and biking trails, golf courses, and Black River, where you can enjoy your favorite watersports like kayaking and canoeing. In the winter, snowmobiling is very popular in this area, and worth a trip! Try stargazing on a clear night — there isn’t a lot of light pollution in this rural area, so you’ll be able to see a lot of stars and planets. In fact, if you’re interested in stargazing, you can go to Headlands International Dark Sky Park in Mackinaw City, where you can see some of the darkest skies in North America.
6. Cheboygan, Michigan
If you enjoy fishing, consider staying in the small town of Cheboygan. Here, you can fish the deep water harbors on Lake Huron and also explore nearby Black Lake and Mullett Lake. Another popular activity here is to ride ATVs along logging trails. The deep woods are full of wild turkeys, squirrels, rabbits, whitetail deer, and many bird species, making it a great destination for anyone who enjoys birdwatching and viewing wildlife.
7. Huron Beach, Michigan
Huron Beach is a small town on (you guessed it!) Lake Huron, and has a long shoreline where you can have a beach day. Of course, this is a perfect place to go if you enjoy activities on the water, like boating, fishing, and swimming. You’ll soon see why Michigan’s Lake Huron coast is called the “Sunrise Coast”: go diving here, and you’ll find many shipwrecks, or stay above water and take pictures of the beautiful lighthouses along the shore.
8. Rainy Beach Area
Don’t worry, it doesn’t rain here all the time! This small town on the southeastern side of Black Lake is a popular place to stay on vacation. As you can imagine, you’ll be able to fully enjoy the beach on Black Lake. Check out Schell Resort if you’re interested in taking a boat out on the water. Here, you’ll also have easy access to Black Lake Golf Club and Onaway State Park, as well as many hiking trails.
9. Alverno, Michigan
Step back in time when you stay in Alverno, a quaint little town just southeast of Cheboygan. This town has one of the closest grocery stores to Black Lake, making it a good place to stop to get ready for your trip. This area is ideal for families who want to try biking, hiking or skiing along wooded trails. It is between Black Lake and Mullett Lake, giving you many opportunities to enjoy water activities. Take a day trip to Cheboygan if you’d like to have a little more action in your day.
10. Rogers City, Michigan
If you love the outdoors and family-oriented adventures, stay in Rogers City. You’ll find diverse activities for everyone, and if someone in your family doesn’t like the water, they’ll have plenty of other things to do here. Rogers City makes it convenient for you to explore the nearby state forests, visit lighthouses, explore Lake Huron’s beaches, or enjoy movies in town. Knaebe’s Apple Farm is close by if you happen to be visiting in the fall during apple picking season, and of course, Black Lake is close by.