Cedar Lake · Elmwood Township · Traverse City, MI
Cedar Lake homes for sale
Every lakefront home for sale on Cedar Lake, the long, narrow lake about a mile north of Traverse City in Elmwood Township, pulled from the MLS each week, plus a 3D map of the lake bottom so you can see the water off each shoreline.
Listings updated October 5, 2026. Prices and status can change between updates, so ask us before you fall for one.
Cedar Lake
Leelanau County · MI
This 3D lake model needs a browser with WebGL. Ask us about Cedar Lake frontage and we’ll send you the depth map.
The lake bottom comes from the Michigan DNR lake survey, whose deepest contour is 45 feet; the DNR lists Cedar Lake at about 46 feet. Height is exaggerated so the drop offs show. A guide, not a navigation chart.
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Homes for sale on Cedar Lake
Every active Cedar Lake waterfront listing near Traverse City, homes first, highest price first, then lots. Tap a photo to fly to it on the lake.
$1,140,000
10268 E Twin Oaks Drive
Traverse City, MI 49684
5 bd · 3.5 ba · 3,990 sq ft
224 ft of shared frontage · Built 1998
Listing courtesy of @properties Christie's International · MLS #1947262
Ask about this home →Living on Cedar Lake
Cedar Lake is about as close to Traverse City as inland lake living gets: it sits just north of town near Greilickville, a few minutes from downtown and West Bay.
The lake is long and narrow, and much smaller and quieter than the big lakes around Traverse City. It reaches about 46 feet at its deepest, and the 3D map shows where the shallow edges give way to the middle.
A long stretch of the west shore is protected. Elmwood Township owns about 4,500 feet of shoreline at the DeYoung Natural Area, and the Leelanau Conservancy manages it, so that side stays wooded.
Frontage is listed as private or shared, and every card above says which one it is.
Size
About 252 acres, long and narrow.
Depth
About 46 feet at the deepest.
Inlet and outlet
Cedar Creek comes in from the west. The outlet runs east to Grand Traverse Bay, with a control structure below M-22.
Township
Elmwood Township, Leelanau County.
Close to town
About a mile north of Traverse City, near Greilickville.
DNR boat launch
A concrete ramp on the south end with parking for about 15 vehicles.
DeYoung Natural Area
An accessible trail through old cedars leads to a fishing and wildlife viewing pier on the west shore.
Leelanau Trail
The paved TART trail between Traverse City and Suttons Bay runs right past the lake.
Getting on the water
Cedar Lake is a good size for fishing, paddling and easy days on the water, and you can bike to it from town on the Leelanau Trail.
Fishing includes yellow perch, both kinds of bass, northern pike, rock bass and smelt, plus the odd trout from Cedar Creek.
Buying on Cedar Lake: what to know
Septic inspection at sale
Leelanau County requires a septic inspection at sale or transfer for homes on septic. We check the address and get it scheduled early, because the report can change a deal.
Private or shared frontage
Shared frontage usually means an association lot and dock rules. Ask for the association documents before you write an offer.
Short term rentals
Rules vary by township, and they change. We check the current Elmwood Township ordinance for the exact address.
Leelanau taxes, Traverse City address
Cedar Lake is in Leelanau County, not Grand Traverse, so taxes, schools and permits follow Elmwood Township and Leelanau County.
Depth off the dock
Some shorelines drop off fast and some stay shallow for a long way. Use the 3D map, then look in person.
Not many chances
With a protected west shore, there are only so many homes on the lake. It pays to be set up for alerts.
Cedar Lake questions
Which Cedar Lake is this?
The Cedar Lake in Elmwood Township, Leelanau County, near Greilickville and about a mile north of Traverse City. Michigan has several Cedar Lakes, so this page only covers the one by Traverse City.
How big and deep is Cedar Lake?
About 252 acres and about 46 feet at its deepest, according to the Michigan DNR. It is long and narrow, just inland from West Grand Traverse Bay.
Where does Cedar Lake drain?
Cedar Creek, a trout stream, is the largest inlet and comes in from the west. The outlet flows east into Grand Traverse Bay, and a control structure just downstream of M-22 sets the lake level.
Where is public access on Cedar Lake?
The DNR has a concrete boat launch on the south end with parking for about 15 vehicles. On the west side, the DeYoung Natural Area has a fishing and wildlife viewing pier.
What fish are in Cedar Lake?
Yellow perch, smallmouth and largemouth bass, northern pike, rock bass and smelt. Trout show up too, likely coming down from Cedar Creek.
Can you get to Cedar Lake by trail?
Yes. The TART Leelanau Trail, the paved path between Traverse City and Suttons Bay, runs through the DeYoung Natural Area on the lake’s west side.
Do Cedar Lake homes need a septic inspection to sell?
Yes, if the home is on a septic system. Leelanau County adopted a time of transfer rule in 2022, and since the health code took effect in January 2023 homes on septic need an inspection at sale or transfer, done through the Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department. Homes on sewer are handled differently, so check the specific address.
Looking on Cedar Lake?
Cedar Lake is a small lake with a limited number of homes. We are Traverse City Realtors who work Leelanau County every week. Tell us your budget and what you need on the water, and we will send you new Cedar Lake listings as soon as they hit the MLS.
More lakes near Traverse City
Listing information comes from Northern Great Lakes REALTORS® MLS and is refreshed weekly. Homes listed by other brokerages are shown with the listing office’s name. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be verified. Janel Brown and Taylor Brown, Real Estate One, Traverse City.
Lake facts: Michigan DNR Cedar Lake fishery report, Leelanau Conservancy DeYoung Natural Area, Leelanau Conservancy on Elmwood Township’s Cedar Lake shoreline, Leelanau Ticker on the county septic ordinance. Depth map from Michigan DNR Institute for Fisheries Research lake contours. Imagery: USGS. Elevation: Mapzen / AWS Terrain Tiles.