We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website.

Lake Macatawa, Michigan, USA

Also known as:  Black Lake

The Ottawa tribe of Native Americans called Lake Macatawa “Ma-Ca-Ta-Wa” or Black Lake. The water, like many lakes in northern states, was dark from tannin released by decaying vegetation. Tributaries feeding into this natural lake include the Macatawa River, Pine Creek, and Winstrom Creek. Lake Macatawa formed at the mouth of the Macatawa River, just east of the Lake Michigan shore. When first surveyed in 1821, the…
Keep scrolling to read more.

Welcome to the ultimate guide to Lake Macatawa! Article topics include:

Looking for Lake Macatawa cabins or other accommodations? Save time and use this interactive map to find, compare and book at the best rates. Or explore more of our favorite travel partners.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click and purchase, we may earn a small referral fee at no extra cost to you. Read our full disclosure.

Explore Area Hotels

Nearby offer more hotel accommodations:

  • Check TripAdvisor
  • Check Expedia
  • Check Hotels.com
  • Check Booking.com

    • All About Lake Macatawa, MI

    Lake Locations: USA - US Midwest Region - Michigan - Southwest Michigan -

    The Ottawa tribe of Native Americans called Lake Macatawa “Ma-Ca-Ta-Wa” or Black Lake. The water, like many lakes in northern states, was dark from tannin released by decaying vegetation. Tributaries feeding into this natural lake include the Macatawa River, Pine Creek, and Winstrom Creek. Lake Macatawa formed at the mouth of the Macatawa River, just east of the Lake Michigan shore. When first surveyed in 1821, the surveyor was impressed enough that he purchased the Lake Michigan beach land that later became the Ottawa Beach and Macatawa Resorts.

    The land rush created by the wildcat banking bubble sent settlers to the Lake Macatawa area in the early 1800s. By 1832, a sawmill had been built midway up the lakeshore, and three small settlements were platted out. When the wildcat banking boom crashed, the settlements more or less died. Many people moved away, and Lake Macatawa (aka Black Lake) was mostly quiet. Villages were un-platted and re-platted.

    In 1846, a group of 60 Dutch Calvinists led by Rev. Albertus C. VanRaalte left Rotterdam (Netherlands) to head for New York, intending to settle in Wisconsin. After hearing about available lands in West Michigan, VanRaalte decided to look it over. He reached the banks of Black Lake on January 1st, 1847 and the first group of settlers arrived on February 9th, 1847. The settlers began clearing land and establishing their village. Industrious people, they soon had a village plotted out and a park established. After failing to obtain government assistance, the men got to work and dug a channel at the other end of the lake to connect it directly to Lake Michigan, bypassing the smaller crooked outlet. They also renamed it Lake Macatawa.

    By 1871, two rail lines had built spurs to the new city of Holland, Michigan and business was booming. Many businesses grew up on the shore of Lake Macatawa. Unfortunately, the day of the Great Chicago Fire, Holland also caught fire in the drought. Over 80% of the city was burned and many lives lost. The staunch Dutch settlers simply began anew and, with help from businessmen in Grand Rapids, soon were back in business.

    In the late 1800’s the resort business exploded when the Chicago yachting crowd discovered the resorts at the mouth of the channel. As the channel had been dredged to accommodate Great lakes freighters, steamships soon arrived filled with vacationers and summer residents. Now, more visitors arrived by boat than by rail. Many wealthy families bought property in the new ‘sub-divisions’ outside of the resorts on both sides of the channel, building two and three-story Victorian ‘cottages’ connected by narrow streets and wooden boardwalks. John Jacob Astor vacationed here, and Frank Baum worked on his most famous novel, The Wizard of Oz, at the family cottage on Lake Macatawa. Later, President Gerald Ford spent all of his summers at the family property here while growing up.

    A variety of activities built up to amuse the summer guests, including a zoo near the Big Red lighthouse north of the channel. The proprietors dug a tunnel through the dune to take the elephants down to Lake Michigan. The tunnel still exists in Tunnel Park, now a county park. Several yachting and sailing clubs developed marinas on Lake Macatawa, excursion boats plied the lake, and Lake Macatawa cottagers developed a society of their own making.

    In the 1920’s fire took its toll of both of the biggest resort hotels at different times, taking many of the cottages with it on both occasions. The lack of adequate fire equipment and the inability to get fire brigades up the narrow lanes caused much property to be sacrificed to the burning embers driven by lakeshore breeze. New cottages were built, but never on as grand a scale as the originals. Now these neighborhoods exist as gated communities, still served by the same narrow streets and wooden boardwalks. Many of the same families still summer here in Lake Macatawa.

    Up the lake, the city of Holland grew and prospered, with furniture-making and tanneries. Hope College became known as one of the premier liberal arts colleges. The world’s largest pickle factory, belonging to HJ Heinz, cans over a million pounds of pickles a year. Now in business for over 100 years, the aroma of vinegar and spices can be smelled in certain areas of town.

    Through all of its travails and triumphs, Lake Macatawa has remained a sailing hotspot. An easy sail from Chicago, the marinas cater to the visitors with fine dining and every sundry necessary to enjoy life. Because the channel and lake are dredged to accommodate Great Lakes freighters for local shipping, even the largest pleasure boats can enjoy a berth here. The Coast Guard Station is located on Lake Macatawa rather than Lake Michigan. Yachts are now joined by all sorts of sports water craft for water skiing and wakeboarding. Equipment rentals, including kayaks, are popular for bird watching and wildlife viewing along the Lake Macatawa shore and Macatawa River.

    Lake Macatawa has always been a favorite for fishermen. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) maintains three public boat launches, and there is public swimming and camping at the two units of Holland State Park. This unique park has space on both Lake Macatawa and Lake Michigan. The acres of state land assure plenty of room for hiking and exploring. Fishermen enjoy catching Bluegill and Crappie and larger game fish such as Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskie and Chinook Salmon, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and Brown Trout. In winter, true fishermen don’t let the cold stop them: they can hardly wait until the ice is thick enough to spud a hole and drop in a line. Charter fishing can also be arranged from here.

    For those wanting a day away from the water, the city of Holland has much to offer the visitor. Windmill Island with its 250-year-old Dutch windmill is a celebration of Dutch culture. One of the biggest celebrations each year in May is Tulip Time, where the streets are all lined with tulips and the festivities continue for the full week. Holland also has three museums and exhibits of interest at Hope College, plus music and theater. Downtown Holland has been revitalized and presents a full array of activities for every taste. Water quality has improved as the lake recovers from its difficult early industrial past, and Holland is determined to restore Lake Macatawa to better-than-new condition.

    At only 30 miles from Grand Rapids and 150 miles from Chicago, Lake Macatawa is an easy weekend trip. To truly experience Lake Macatawa will take a little longer. Rental cottages and condos are available, even within the gated old communities at the mouth of the harbor, so pack your bags today.

    Things to Do at Lake Macatawa

    These are some activities in the Lake Macatawa, MI area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Boating
    • Sailing
    • Swimming
    • Beach
    • Kayaking
    • Water Skiing
    • Wakeboarding
    • Camping
    • Hiking
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • Birding
    • State Park
    • Museum

    What Kind of Fish Are in Lake Macatawa?

    Lake Macatawa has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Black Bass
    • Bluegill
    • Brown Trout
    • Chinook Salmon
    • Crappie
    • Largemouth Bass
    • Muskellunge
    • Northern Pike
    • Perch
    • Pike
    • Salmon
    • Smallmouth Bass
    • Sunfish
    • Trout
    • Walleye
    divider

    Find Places to Stay at Lake Macatawa

    If you’re considering a Lake Macatawa lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

    Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

    More Sites to Book a Lake Macatawa Vacation

    Our interactive Lake Macatawa lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

    Check TripAdvisor
    Check Expedia
    Find a Campspot
    All Travel Resources

    Lake Macatawa Statistics & Helpful Links

    divider

    Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Not Dammed

    Surface Area: 1,780 acres

    Shoreline Length: 14 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 577 feet

    Average Depth: 12 feet

    Maximum Depth: 36 feet

    Drainage Area: 179 sq. miles

    Trophic State: Hyper-eutrophic

    Lake Macatawa Map
    Local Weather Forecast

    We strive to keep information on LakeLubbers as accurate as possible. If you’ve found something here that needs updating, please touch base by filling out our Content Correction form.

    Shop Lake Macatawa Gifts

    Custom Lake Tumblers

    Captain / First Mate Custom 20 oz Tumbler

    SHOP NOW
    Custom Lake T Shirt

    Personalized My Boat My Rules Unisex T-Shirt

    SHOP NOW
    Custom Lake Coffee Mug - On Lake Time

    On Lake Time Custom Coffee Mug – 11oz or 15oz

    SHOP NOW
    VIEW ALL CUSTOM LAKE PRODUCTS

    More Lake Macatawa news from LakeLubbers.com

    • Advertise your vacation rental property or local business: DETAILS HERE
    • The Lake Macatawa forum has been discontinued: HERE’S WHY
    • New Lake Macatawa photos coming soon!
    • You’re invited to join our lake-lovin’ community on Facebook and Instagram!
    • Share this Lake Macatawa article with your fellow LakeLubbers: