About Grand Traverse County — Land For Sale

Northwest Michigan’s hub blends blue‑water bays with hardwood hills. Grand Traverse County centers on Traverse City and the Boardman (Ottaway) River, with shoreline along Grand Traverse Bay and small‑town living in Peninsula Township (Old Mission), East Bay Township, and Long Lake Township. Trailheads, vineyards, and inland lakes (Long, Silver, Duck/Green) sit minutes from US‑31 and M‑72.

Land & Lifestyle at a Glance

Hunting & Recreation — Edge cover is common: oak/maple ridges, hemlock benches and aspen regen meeting cedar swales and creek bottoms. Whitetail and turkey are steady; grouse/woodcock hunt well in young cover. Access is strong across county parks, land‑conservancy preserves, and nearby state forest.

Waterfront & Lakes/Rivers — Options range from Grand Traverse Bay frontage (sand/cobble beaches and some bluff sections) to all‑sport inland lakes (Long, Silver, Arbutus) and the Boardman River system. Bottoms vary from firm sand/stone to marl/muck in coves; know high‑water and bluff‑stability setbacks on big water and floodplain on river lots.

Farm & Tillable — Fruit‑belt influence with cherries/apples and hay/pasture on uplands. Soils trend sandy loams/loamy sands; heavier clays collect in bottoms. Field shapes are irregular—tiling/ditching, culverts and solid field drives matter for modern equipment.

Timber & Habitat — Northern hardwoods (sugar maple, red oak, beech, birch) dominate uplands; cedar/spruce in drainages; aspen/jack pine in mixed stands. Many tracts show select‑cut history—room for trails, TSI and tucked food plots on upland knobs.

Cabin/Residential — Year‑round county roads are common; seasonal lanes near state land do exist. Power typically at the road; natural gas/fiber strongest near Traverse City, Old Mission and US‑31/M‑72 corridors. Most townships allow homes/cabins with well/septic after a passing perc—verify zoning and driveway permits.

Public Land & Nearby Recreation

• Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park — Dune‑backed sand beach on East Bay with campground and paved trail access.

• Interlochen State Park — Classic pines between Duck and Green lakes; launches, swimming and four‑season trails (southwest corner of the county line).

• VASA Pathway — Groomed XC‑ski and MTB loops in the state forest east of town.

• Power Island & Bassett Island County Park — Boat‑access islands with trails and rustic campsites in West Bay.

• Grand Traverse Natural Education Reserve — Boardman River access, trails and overlooks minutes from downtown.

Prefer privacy with more to roam? Parcels abutting public land or conservancy property do come up—ask about current availability.

Local Tips from a Michigan Land Specialist

• Perc & soils: Sandy ridges usually pass; cedar/muck flats may need engineered systems—get a current perc and site plan.
• Frontage quality: On bay/lake lots, confirm bottom type (sand vs. stone/marl), setback rules and bluff stability; on the Boardman, verify floodplain and docking/wading regulations.
• Tillable details: Request tile maps and outlet capacity; size entrances for semis and farm equipment.
• Timber access: Stabilize wet crossings with geotextile and culverts; loop trails let you hunt the wind without bumping bedding cover.
• Utilities/internet: Electric/natural gas common near towns; fiber and cable are strongest around Traverse City/Old Mission corridors.

FAQs — Grand Traverse County

What makes land for sale in Grand Traverse County, Michigan appealing? Bay beaches, a blue‑ribbon river restoration, vineyards and hardwood hills—plus strong public‑land/trail access—deliver four‑season value for cabins, year‑round homes and mixed‑use tracts.

Is rural acreage “buildable”? Generally yes with township approval and a passing perc for septic. Expect driveway/culvert permits and added shoreline/bluff considerations on Great Lakes parcels.

Where can I launch a boat? DNR/city sites ring East/West Bay and the inland lakes; county access points also serve the Boardman River and Power Island.

What parcel sizes are typical? 10–20 acre starters, 40–80 acre hunting pieces, larger 80–160 acre timber/habitat tracts, and select lake/riverfront lots.

Can I get reliable internet? Strongest near Traverse City and along US‑31/M‑72; remote pockets rely on fixed‑wireless or satellite.

Talk to a Michigan Land Specialist — contact us

Helpful resources: Michigan DNR hunting rules & regulations • MSU Extension Home Soil Test kit • Grand Traverse County Planning, Resource Management & Permits • Grand Traverse County Road Commission — permits