Birch Lake - Porter Twp

Located in Cass County, Michigan

Birch Lake is a 295-acre lake located in Porter Township (Cass County), Michigan. Detroit is located 171 miles northeast, and Kalamazoo is 41 miles northeast.

The closest location for urgent care is the Three Rivers Health Hospital, 14 miles northeast. The South Bend International Airport is only 33 miles southwest.

Residents heading into town can visit the University Park Mall, where they will find boutique stores, name-brand retail stores, and a food court. If you're looking for expanded dining options, head to nearby Three Rivers and try restaurants like L.A.'s Coffee Cafe, Roosters Wing Shack, and El Camino Real.

Crystal Clear Waters

Birch Lake is an all-sports lake with clear, deep waters reaching up to 95 feet. Residents enjoy a wide array of activities here, such as boating, waterskiing, kayaking, and swimming. The crystal clear waters here make it especially popular for the latter.

Given the large size of the lake, there is plenty of room for anglers to cast a line out! Fishing reports indicate there are bluegill, panfish, and rainbow trout.

Back Country Fun

Dr. Lawless International Dark Sky Park is a perfect place to go to enjoy nature to its fullest. The park is less than three miles north of the lake.

There are seven miles of hiking trails, a golf disc area, horseshoe pits, and more. In 2020, the park was converted to what is known as a dark site. A dark site is an area that allows people to see the night sky uninhibited by light pollution, so visitors will get the perfect view of the stars!

The nearby Swiss Valley Ski & Snowboard Area provides a lovely skiing hill less than 10 miles north of the lake. There are three runs, seven lifts, and tutors who will give you skiing/snowboarding lessons!

Visit Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo makes for a great day trip, with plenty of things to do indoors and out!

The Kalamazoo Nature Center spans 1,100 acres with an 11-acre arboretum, 11 nature trails, and the Delano Pioneer Homestead. The Interpretive Center features its award-winning "Nature Up Close" hall, interactive exhibits, three-story tropical rainforest, a bug house, and seasonal butterfly and hummingbird garden.

The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts features more than 5,000 works of fine art in its permanent collection for visitors to enjoy. It also has touring and collective exhibitions in 10 galleries, offers four art classes at the Kirk Newman Art School and highlights local artists in the KIA Gallery Shop.

The Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum has been voted the "Best Place to Take Out-of-Towners" and "Best Place to Spend a Day with Your Family," making it a must-see. It features more than 100 air and space artifacts, rides, Full-Motion Flight Simulators, a theater, historical exhibits, and educational activities.

After a long day of exploration, be sure to enjoy a meal at one of the many delicious restaurants in the city. Highly-rated options include Crow's Nest, The Studio Grill, Kalamazoo Beer Exchange, Erbelli's Gourmet Pizza, and Bell's Eccentric Cafe.

Calm and Quaint

Those looking for a slice of small-town life will love living on Birch Lake.