Wolf Lake
June 13, 2009 by Dave
Filed under Lake County, Michigan Lakes
Wolf Lake is located in Peacock Township in central Lake County. To get there, take M37 about six miles due north from Baldwin’s stop light. Wolf Lake is a Michigan lake of 418 acres of surface waters, but unfortunately, it is only about 12 feet deep at its deepest point.
The lake has been popular for many years and is mostly developed with a mix of year round homes, cottages and trailers. You can find a little bit of everything on the lake, from a motel, to several seasonal cottage resorts to seasonal trailer / RV parks.
A ride around any Michigan lake is always an adventure and this lake is no different. To take a drive around this lake, just follow Lakeside Drive all around the lake, except on the west side, when you would take Aster Road north or south, depending on your direction.
The most interesting resort on the lake may be the Wolf Lake Ranch. I must admit I have never been to the ranch, but in my travels have many times passed by it on the northwest tip of the lake and have always found it intriguing. The lake front, combined with the ranch style environment and the horses, sounds interesting. Add to that the thousands of state and federal owned acres just across the road to enjoy, you may find this is just the weekend destination spot you are looking for. If you have ever stayed there, I would like to hear your about your experience.
The Wolf Lake Motel has a pool to it with a lake right behind it. That always puzzled me until I learned that the deepest part of the lake is 12 feet which would make it about two feet deeper than that pool.
In the heart of the Manistee forest with old logging trails, 6,500 acres of hills, valleys, and secluded forest, Wolf Lake Ranch, originally known as Wolf Lake Station, was built in 1890 as a wilderness depot. It served loggers who worked the pine forests between Baldwin and Traverse City. Tom and Mabel Shook bought the three story boarding house (”Big House”), railroad depot (”Branding Iron”) and 35 acres in 1942 and created a guest ranch. The ranch has come a long way over the years. Changes have been made to improve guest comfort. The old hay barn has been converted into an pavilion where cook-outs take place, games are played, and dances are held. The “Mercantile” opened, offering ranch wear and gift items. We now have a “Veranda” on the Big House, along with newer cabins, a hot tub, playground and volleyball court. Spectator bleachers have been built at the rodeo corral. Most recently, air-conditioning has been added to each unit for your comfort.