Torch Lake has a reputation, and once you see it, you’ll understand why: the water here is genuinely turquoise, clear enough to see straight to the bottom, and it draws comparisons to the Caribbean more often than you’d expect for Northern Michigan. The main draw is the sandbar near the south end of the lake, close to the Torch River Bridge, where boats raft up all summer long and swimmers wade out into waist-deep water over pale sand. If you don’t have a boat, you can still get in on it — park near the Lake Street public access point in Rapid City and walk or swim out toward the sandbar, about ten minutes from shore. It’s a lively, social scene on summer weekends, so if you’re after something quieter, aim for a weekday morning instead. Bring water shoes, sunscreen, and something to float on if you have it. This is close enough to our Bellaire-area properties for an easy afternoon trip, and it’s the kind of spot our own family still gets excited about every summer, no matter how many times we’ve been. Just remember: it’s a natural area with limited parking, so arrive early or carpool if you can.
