Island Park Murray Lake Area

Most people expect lakeside living to mean cramped lots and neighbors on top of you—but out here, you get waterfront on Big Crooked Lake with an average of 3.5 acres per home, the kind of breathing room that lets you actually enjoy the water without feeling watched. Ranch homes with aluminum siding sit on wooded parcels, many with their own private channels or seasonal views across Murray Lake, the 320-acre centerpiece that draws boaters and anglers year-round. The nearest restaurant is only 2 miles away, and the boat launch at Murray Lake is less than two miles down the road, so you're not giving up convenience for solitude—just the opposite. Students attend Lowell Area Schools, and if you want to stretch your legs through nature, Saul Lake Bog with its hiking trails is practically in the backyard of nearby properties. A 37-minute drive gets you into Grand Rapids when you need it, but most days you won't want to leave.