Palmer Lake is a recreation-friendly, inland lake. The lake offers room for power boating, paddling, fishing, and year-round lake living. Connecting to Long Lake creates a combined water playground and gentle current throughout the system.
Palmer Lake offers an ideal balance of accessibility and tranquility, making it a popular choice for both full-time living and weekend getaways. Its convenient location allows residents to enjoy peaceful lakeside living while still staying within easy reach of major amenities and attractions.
Life on Palmer Lake blends quiet, small-town charm with the convenience of an active lake. The shoreline is a mix of classic cottages, renovated year-round houses, and a handful of newer builds, often with private docks, lakeside decks, and sandy swim areas. Many properties sit on gentle grades to the water, and the channel areas can offer quieter boating and good fishing.
A public beach on the north shore provides a family-friendly swim spot close to the village. The DNR public launch (Pine Grove Rd.) makes getting on the water straightforward for residents and guests.
The community is tight-knit, with owners collaborating through the Colon Township Lake Board on initiatives such as weed management, water-quality monitoring, safe boating reminders, and channel stewardship.
Palmer Lake is a tight-inventory market with a limited number of waterfront listings at any time.
Days on market vary by price and condition: well-priced, move-in-ready waterfront homes sell quickly between April and August, while properties with sandy frontage, sunset views, larger lots, newer construction, and modern outdoor features command premiums, and true buildable lakefront land remains scarce and highly valued.
Palmer supports wakeboarding, skiing, tubing, and pontoon cruising. Launch at the DNR hard-surface ramp or moor at a private dock. The long channel to Long Lake adds scenic, lower-wake cruising.
Palmer is a thriving warm-water fishery, home to bluegill, largemouth bass, black crappie, yellow perch, and northern pike. Although walleye were historically stocked, their long-term survival has been limited. Anglers find success throughout the summer around shallow bays, channel edges, and near-shore structures, while ice fishing remains a favorite winter tradition.
The township beach on the north shore offers a sandy entry and a pavilion area (amenities may vary by season). Many lakefront homes have private swim areas with sandy shallows.
Calm mornings/evenings are ideal for kayaking and canoeing along the shoreline and through the channel, with herons and turtles common in wetland pockets.
Explore local parks in Colon or branch out to regional preserves and state game areas within a short drive for birding and hiking.
When ice conditions allow, residents enjoy ice fishing, skating, and nearby downhill skiing at Swiss Valley (about 45–50 minutes southeast).
Colon proudly calls itself the “Magic Capital of the World,” home to Abbott’s Magic and the long-running Abbott’s Get-Together that draws performers globally each August. You’ll find magic shops, shows, and events alongside café patios and small-town festivals.
Dining near the lake ranges from casual taverns and breakfast spots to seasonal stands and ice-cream shops in the village core.
Yes. A ~1.2-mile channel links the two; water typically flows north from Long into Palmer.
Lamberson Dam controls legal summer/winter levels for Palmer and Long Lakes.
Yes. A DNR hard-surface launch serves boaters, and the township beach on the north shore provides public swimming.
Bluegill, bass, black crappie, yellow perch, and northern pike are established; walleye stocking historically occurred, but survival has been limited.
Palmer sees steady summer use, but the channel and certain shoreline coves offer quieter water compared with larger regional lakes.
Frontage quality (sandy vs. mucky), lot size, views, proximity to the channel or village, and the condition/updates of the home and shoreline (seawalls/docks).
Inventory is tight; activity peaks spring through midsummer, but tasteful, move-in-ready homes attract attention year-round.
Yes. Buyers appreciate visible stewardship by the Colon Township Lake Board and clarity on public access, which supports property values.
Whether you’re searching for a cozy channel cottage, a renovated year-round home, or planning a custom build, The Lake Life provides deep local expertise on Palmer Lake and Long Lake, from nuanced frontage values to seasonal demand patterns. We’ll help you navigate the market with current comps, on-water tours, and data-driven pricing.
Contact The Lake Life to see current Palmer Lake listings or to request a custom market analysis for your property.
“Paul and his team are my go-to experts for lake property in Southwest Michigan. He’s got great perspective and expertise when it comes to getting a deal done.” Tim L.
