Visit Houghton Lake Michigan-Wild Parties, Festivals and Fun in Summer and Winter!

Houghton Lake Michigan | By Sherry Trautman | Traveling Michigan at Travel-Mi.com

Houghton Lake Michigan is famous for the Tip Up Town festival, fantastic beaches, wild Bud Bash each summer, picturesque nature trails and so much more!

Who doesn't LOVE watching brave (crazy?) people jump into icy cold water?!

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Polar Bear Plunge just happened at Tip Up Town in Houghton Lake! Freezing temps yet over 50 people jumped in the 8 feet of freezing water! Would you do it?? . . . #tipuptown #polarbearplunge #winterinmichigan #michiganwinter #puremichiganders #itswhatwedo #crazypeople #houghtonlake #houghtonlakemichigan #michiganders #onlyinmichigan #winterfun❄️ #winterfun #michigan

A post shared by Michigan Travel+Food Adventure (@travelingmichigan) on Jan 25, 2020 at 1:11pm PST

Where is Houghton Lake Michigan?

Tip Up Town Festival Makes A Splash Each January!

Houghton Lake Michigan's Tip Up Town Festival is a blast every January. We love the polar bear plunge (seeing people jump into 8 foot of icy water never gets old), crazy snowmobile races, crispy hot pasties (yum!), slippery fun ice slide, wild carnival rides and so much more! 

Best Restaurants in Houghton Lake Michigan

We enjoy Blake's on the Lake located at 104 W Houghton Lake Dr, Prudenville for bbq in the summer and winter! I love getting a table overlooking the lake as the views are fantastic.  My favorite meal is the pulled pork (super tender) with fries and potato salad. 

Blake's on the Lake is known for their outrageous sundaes so if you are feeling feisty, get their Peanut Butter Cookie Explosion Sundae - peanut butter sauce, Oreo cookies and chocolate sauce served in a huge mason jar.  Freakin' awesome!

More Houghton Lake Restaurants

• M55 Pour House - 5309 W Houghton Lake Dr, Houghton Lake Michigan. Great spot for dinner and drinks! Try the nachos!
• The LimberLost - 4168 W Houghton Lake Dr, Houghton Lake, MI. Great spot for drinks, fun and great food! Known for their burgers, steaks and ribs, be sure to pop in for Bud Bash! 

Limberlost Bud Bash!

Between 5,000-10,000 people flood the South Shore of Houghton Lake for a giant boat party every August for the Limberlost Bud Bash! It's nuts!

The restaurant is also fun to visit as the fish tacos are very tasty!  

One heck of a view!  Almost Jimmy Buffet style! We ate here recently during a motorcycle/car road trip with Chris' coworkers.  What a fun adventure!

Boardwalk Outlook

Lost Twin Lakes Pathway is Fantastic for Walking, Biking or Photography!

The lost Twin Lakes Pathway is located in the AuSable State Forest at S Reserve Road in Houghton Lake, MI.  Perfect trail for hiking, cross-country skiing and biking. The trail is 3.3 miles long. 

Directions to Trailhead: 7 miles south of Houghton Lake via M-55 & Reserve Rd (County Road 401).

This 3 mile loop trail winds through an old growth pine forest. This trail has several bridges, including a covered bridge. The trail contains scenic overviews of pristine wetlands areas. Here is a DNR Trail Map.

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I was feelin' Groovy at Tip Up Town this weekend! I love the ice bus! I've been trying to get Chris to build one for me in the backyard but he's not all about it. Geeze....it wouldn't take THAT long to make!! lol! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #tipuptown #winterinmichigan #michiganwinter #puremichiganders #itswhatwedo #crazypeople #houghtonlake #houghtonlakemichigan #michiganders #onlyinmichigan #winterfun❄️ #winterfun #michigan #puremichigan #groovy #icesculptures #houghtonlake

A post shared by Michigan Travel+Food Adventure (@travelingmichigan) on Jan 27, 2020 at 2:45pm PST