This nearly 10,000-acre, spring-fed lake is the tenth largest in Michigan as well as one of the deepest. It’s often named one of the most beautiful lakes in the country thanks to its stunning turquoise waters. The color is due to the lake’s curious lack of plant life. With hardly any algae to muck up the water, it remains clear through to its sandy bottom, reflecting that signature Caribbean blue hue. Just a handful of residents live on Higgins Lake full-time — too few to comprise a proper township. But there is a post office here, as well as a shared sense of community with the rest of Roscommon County. Coupled with nearby Houghton Lake and Lake St. Helen, this trio of county lakes draws tourists for great fishing in their clear waters. Higgins Lake, especially, with its 21 miles of shoreline, is a hotspot for catching perch, trout, crappie, pike, walleye, bluegill, smallmouth and largemouth bass. The only thing that rivals the incredible fishing in Higgins Lake are the awesome sunrises and sunsets over the water.

Higgins Lake and its neighbors shine in the summertime, making it a popular time to book one of the area’s vacation rentals, but true to the American Midwest, where winter stretches for several months, locals make sure that their longest, coldest season is just as fun. Every February, Houghton Lake hosts the state’s longest-running winter festival: Tip Up Town USA. There’s snowmobile drag racing, an ice fishing contest, a winter 5K race, and a polar bear plunge. July’s Roscommon Riverfest features live music, cardboard boat races, and more. There are even more festivals spread throughout the spring and autumn, when stunning fall color reflects vividly against the crystal-blue lake waters.

South Higgins Lake State Park

Split in two by County Road 100, this 1,000-acre state park makes up for its relatively small size with a variety of terrain worthy of exploration. Stretching across a mile of Higgins Lake’s south shore, the park is covered in a dense forest of maple, oak, and pine trees, with a massive, 400-site campground.

North Higgins Lake State Park

About half the size of the southern-bordering state park, North Higgins Lake State Park is located on what was once the world’s largest tree seedling nursery. Check out the Higgins Lake Nursery and the Civilian Conservation Corp Museum to learn about this old-world industry. Eight miles of trails and a popular swimming beach round out the park.

Seasonal festivals

Beyond the draw of the lake itself is the flurry of festivals that take place over the course of the year. From art fests in the summer to multiple Christmas festivals in December, and even festivals dedicated to local birds and fish, Higgins Lake and the surrounding Roscommon County community know how to celebrate.