Houghton Lake

Houghton Lake Key Attractions & Events

Houghton Lake is Michigan’s largest inland lake and provides authentic fun all year-round! It is known for fishing (all seasons) and boating with miles of trails for snowmobiling, hiking, and ATV adventures!

There are three public boat launches on the lake:

• West Houghton Lake Boat Launch (Off Old Us-27 on Houghton Lake’s Southwest Shore)

• DNR Boat Launch Lakeview Park (2439 Townline Rd Houghton Lake, Mi.)

• East Houghton Lake Boat Launch (Off E. Houghton Lake Dr. on Houghton Lake’s East Bay).

There are also three family beaches to enjoy:

• Sullivan Beach (Park Street - Houghton Lake, behind Chase Bank)

• Heights Park Beach (across the street from the Houghton Lake Heights Post Office on Hubbard Street)

• Lakeview Park & Beach (Federal Avenue & M55 - Houghton Lake)

Key activities and festivals throughout the year add more excitement to the area and include:

TIP -UP-TOWN (January)

TIP-UP TOWN USA is Michigan’s longest running winter festival and always happens in January. The festival is held at the southern DNR boat launch, off of M-55 near the Pines Theater and Pineview Golf Course. Plenty of winter fun for adults and children, including ice fishing, carnival rides, food, and a Polar Bear Dip plunge! Please visit https://houghtonlakechamber.net/tip-up-town-usa/ for additional details and where to get your badge for entry.

Memorial Day, 4th of July, & Labor Day Arts & Crafts Shows (May, July, September)

The Houghton Lake High School hosts Art & Craft Shows on each of these festive weekends sponsored by the North Central Art Council. Plenty of unique vendors for you to browse and places to sit and have something to eat at available food vendors. Check online to confirm dates.

Houghton Lake Blues Festival (July)

This annual festival typically occurs in July at Festival Field (1625 W. Houghton Lake Drive, Houghton Lake, MI). You will find plenty of music, food, drinks, and vendors. Visit https://www.houghtonlakebluesfest.org/ for more information.

Peace, Love & Hippies Summer Festival - Houghton Lake, MI (July or August)

The Hippie Festival occurs annually at the Houghton Lake Historical Playhouse in the summer (July or August).

Peace, Love & Hippies Festival is an Independent Michigan Grown Art, Performance & Music Festival. Hippies from all over gather to celebrate Peace, Love, and Happiness! This annual indoor/outdoor festival provides groovy fun for all with plenty of wares, food, and hip music. Dress up in your 70’s gear and enjoy the day! Visit the website to check on scheduled events.

https://www.peacelovehippiesfest.com/

The Houghton Lake Rotary Pumpkin Run Car Cruise and Show (August)

This event occurs annually typically mid-August. A real treat for car enthusiasts with plenty of vehicles to view. Please visit this link for updates.

Trestle Park (Year-round)

Denton Township's Trestle Park is a universally accessible park, located in the heart of the Township. It has numerous activities happening throughout the year, including concerts, Trunk-or Treat, and Adopt-A-Pet. Please visit their Facebook page for the latest events taking place. https://www.facebook.com/p/Friends-of-Trestle-Park-100080626090465/

Witches Weekend (mid-October)

This annual Houghton Lake event has been growing and is filled with crafts, contests, dancing and general fun! Throw on your best witch outfit and join the fun! Visit link below for more details.

Witches Weekend has been conjuring up excitement in Michigan since 2018. It is MICHIGAN'S #1 WITCHIEST WEEKEND! Where the mystical and magical meet and delight numerous Michigan locations. The annual gatherings invite all those curious to the craft, of all ages, new and old, and curious minds alike to immerse themselves in our cauldron of magical experiences!

https://www.witchesweekend.com/

Houghton Lake Area

Our History

Houghton Lake (/ˈhoʊtən/; HOH-tən) is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Roscommon County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 5,294 during the 2020 census, making it the largest unincorporated community in Northern Michigan.

The community of Houghton Lake was named for Douglass Houghton, a geologist and physician primarily known for his exploration of the Keweenaw Peninsula in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Houghton Lake is the largest inland lake in Michigan and includes the unincorporated community of Houghton Lake Heights.

The area around Houghton Lake has been occupied for thousands of years and is within Odawa and Ojibwe homelands.

The first settlers of European descent arrived and settled in 1869 via the Saginaw Trail. The settlement of Houghton Lake was established by 1873, with Roscommon County established and Houghton Lake was chosen as the County Seat.

By the late 1800’s, lumbering became the primary industry in the area. As lumber camps sprung up around the sawmills, more settlers arrived.

By the mid-1900’s, Houghton Lake had gained a reputation as a desirable resort area. Today, thousands of visitors frequent its shores each year, and there are many seasonal cottages, year-round homes and businesses lining the lake.

Houghton Lake Area Historical Society

Houghton Lake Area Village & Playhouse

In 1927, the “Johnson Dance Hall”, presently known as “The Playhouse” was erected, and is still an entertainment center for the area, with events and the annual Historic Village Days.

You will find these 13 Historical buildings have been lovingly restored or built to reflect life in a typical Logging Village of Northern Michigan in the late 1800's. The Village is located at 1701 W. Houghton Lake Drive (M-55) in Prudenville, Michigan 48629.

Their mission is to preserve and protect the buildings and artifacts which reflect the history of the Houghton Lake Area. We are dedicated to educating the residents and visitors of Houghton Lake on our logging history and life in the 1800's to 1900's.

Various events are held throughout the year from Memorial Day through Labor Day on Friday and Saturday from Noon to 4 p.m. The Playhouse, Village Church, Gazebo and Party Pavilion may also be rented as a venue. For more information:

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