Population12,096 (2020 Census)
River Adventures, Forest Camps and Idlewild Stories
Lake County, MichiganLake County offers forest recreation, river outings and places to learn about the history of Idlewild. Plan a visit to the cultural center, explore a trail near Luther or arrange a camping trip along the Pere Marquette River. Baldwin and Chase provide dining and shopping stops between outings. This guide also brings together libraries, schools, county offices, health resources and transportation contacts for residents and visitors handling everyday needs.
Lake County at a Glance
Population12,096 (2020 Census)
County SeatBaldwin
Largest MunicipalityWebber Township (2,384; 2020 population within county)
Established1871 (organized)
ZIP Codes11 ZIP codes wholly or partly within the county
Total Area574.3 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesUS-10 and M-37
Area Codes231
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
Discover Lake County
Lake County
Lake County was organized in 1871, and its community story includes both forest recreation and the nationally significant heritage of Idlewild. The Idlewild Historic & Cultural Center shares the experiences of African American visitors and residents connected with entertainment, business, education and civil rights. Around Baldwin, river outfitters and campgrounds reflect another enduring part of local life. Libraries in Baldwin, Luther and Chase provide places to gather, learn and connect, linking these distinctive histories with the needs of today’s communities.
Baldwin, Luther, Chase, Idlewild, Irons and surrounding townships have different combinations of services and recreation access. Confirm school enrollment, utility providers and transit coverage with your address. Yates Dial-A-Ride provides local transportation, with advance arrangements and geographic limits for some services. For outings, check campground availability, river conditions and any required permits before leaving. Libraries offer indoor alternatives, while regional hospitals outside the county provide additional health-care options beyond local routine services.
What Shapes Us
Idlewild Heritage
The Idlewild Historic & Cultural Center shares the community’s African American history through exhibits and cultural activities; contact its operator for current visiting arrangements.
River Recreation
The Pere Marquette River draws campers and anglers to the Baldwin area, with outfitters and public sites offering different access, booking and permit arrangements.
Community Connections
Libraries in Baldwin, Luther and Chase offer reading spaces, practical resources and local activities, giving residents and visitors useful indoor stops throughout the county.
Follow river bends, forest paths and stories worth sharing.
Around Lake County
Around Lake County
Places, landscapes and community stories
Lake County
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING REGARDING LAKE COUNTY MASTER PLAN
The Lake County Planning Commission is updating the county’s Master Plan and seeks public input to help guide…
Read the Story Sep 29, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Lake County
Stories from every corner of Lake County.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING REGARDING LAKE COUNTY MASTER PLAN
The Lake County Planning Commission is updating the county’s Master Plan and seeks public input to help guide…
Sep 29, 2026 • 2 min read
Delinquent Property Taxes Online
Directions on the Lake County Treasurer’s website.
Oct 20, 2025 • 2 min read
Register of Deeds – Activity Alert Signup
Register of Deeds – Activity Alert Signup Welcome! To help combat potential fraud stemming from identity theft or…
May 20, 2025 • 2 min read
David Epstein Author Talks
Sep 25, 2026 • 2 min read
Carolyn Russo Author Talks
Sep 25, 2026 • 2 min read
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Find the right local resource
Use these resources to connect with public offices, essential services and community organizations in Lake County. Visit the linked provider for current details before making a trip.
County Government
Board of Commissioners — Official county office information, contacts and services.
Clerk — Official county office information, contacts and services.
Treasurer — Official county office information, contacts and services.
Register of Deeds — Official county office information, contacts and services.
Equalization — Official county office information, contacts and services.
Schools and Education
Confirm school assignment with the district serving your street address.
West Shore ESD — Regional educational services agency serving Baldwin and other districts.
Baldwin Community Schools — District information, enrollment and family resources.
Baldwin Elementary School — Elementary school contacts and family resources.
Baldwin JR/SR High School — Secondary school contacts and student resources.
Baldwin preschool — District early-childhood program information; confirm current enrollment requirements.
Hospitals and Regional Care
Call 911 for an emergency. Regional facilities are labeled separately.
Corewell Health Reed City Hospital — Regional hospital in Reed City, Osceola County, outside Lake County; use the Reed City contact in the provider directory.
Corewell Health Ludington Hospital — Regional hospital in Ludington, Mason County, outside Lake County.
Public Safety
Lake County Sheriff — County law enforcement and public safety contacts.
Lake County Emergency Management — County emergency coordination and preparedness information.
Michigan State Police — State law enforcement contacts and resources.
DNR Law Enforcement — Conservation enforcement and outdoor regulations.
Michigan local emergency management directory — Official county emergency management contacts.
Emergency Services
Call 911 for immediate police, fire or ambulance response.
Lake County Emergency Management — County emergency coordination and preparedness information.
District Health Department #10 — Lake County — Local public health and environmental health services.
West Michigan Community Mental Health — Community mental health access and crisis support serving Lake, Mason and Oceana counties.
National Weather Service Grand Rapids — Official weather forecasts, watches and warnings.
Michigan energy emergency preparedness — Official utility outage preparation and energy emergency resources.
State Parks and Recreation Areas
Ludington State Park — Regional park in Mason County, outside Lake County; check entry requirements, construction and reservations.
Trails and Outdoor Recreation
Bowman Bridge — National forest camping and river recreation near Baldwin; check site availability, fees and river permits.
Gleasons Landing — National forest campground beside the Pere Marquette River; check booking, access and activity requirements.
Silver Creek Pathway — State forest trail near Luther along the Pine River; use current maps and check trailhead requirements.
Hollister Park — Village recreation space in Baldwin; check current facilities and any construction before a family visit.
Pere Marquette River Lodge guided trips — Paid guided river outings near Baldwin; book directly and confirm trip suitability, licenses and conditions.
Utilities
Providers and public water or sewer service vary by address; confirm your service territory.
Consumers Energy — Utility account and outage information within its service territory.
Village of Baldwin water and wastewater — Municipal utility information; confirm service at your property.
District Health Department #10 — Lake County — Local public health and environmental health services.
MPSC electric service area map — Identify the electric utility serving an address.
Michigan energy emergency preparedness — Official utility outage preparation and energy emergency resources.
Libraries
Pathfinder Community Library — Collections, programs and borrowing information; confirm current hours and card eligibility.
Luther Area Public Library — Collections, programs and borrowing information; confirm current hours and card eligibility.
Chase Township Public Library — Collections, programs and borrowing information; confirm current hours and card eligibility.
Courts
Trial Court — Court information, procedures and office contacts.
Circuit Court — Court information, procedures and office contacts.
District Court — Court information, procedures and office contacts.
Probate Court — Court information, procedures and office contacts.
Friend of the Court — Court information, procedures and office contacts.
Driver and Vehicle Services
Official statewide services available to county residents.
Michigan Secretary of State — license and ID renewal — Review renewal options and documents.
Michigan Secretary of State — vehicle tabs — Renew vehicle registration.
Michigan Secretary of State — titles and registration — Prepare for a vehicle transfer.
Michigan Secretary of State — address changes — Update your address with the department.
Michigan Secretary of State — disability parking — Find placard application and renewal information.
Michigan self-service stations — Find a nearby kiosk and check supported transactions.
Transportation
Yates Dial-A-Ride — Public transportation for Lake County; advance booking and service-area limits apply to some trips.
Lake County government — County directory for local road, airport and other transportation-related contacts.
MDOT Mi Drive — Road conditions and construction information.
Michigan public transit providers — Official transit agency contacts across Michigan.
Michigan transportation guide — Airports, bus connections and other travel resources.
Postal Services
Official USPS tools for local mailing and delivery needs.
USPS Post Office locator — Search your town or ZIP for nearby offices and services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Confirm the mailing ZIP for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold.
USPS Change of Address — Use the official postal address-change service.
USPS PO Boxes — Find and manage a post office box.
USPS package pickup — Check and schedule an eligible pickup.
Veterans Resources
Official statewide services available to county residents.
Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency — Connect with state benefits assistance and local support.
Michigan Veterans Trust Fund — Review emergency-assistance options and eligibility.
VA health care enrollment — Find enrollment guidance.
Veterans education benefits — Explore federal and state education programs.
Veteran Readiness and Employment — Learn about employment and rehabilitation support.
Veterans burial benefits — Find benefit and memorial planning resources.
Employment and Training
Official statewide services available to county residents.
Michigan Works! — Find the workforce agency serving your area.
Michigan Rehabilitation Services — Employment support for eligible people with disabilities.
Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency — Claims, account help and program information.
Michigan Reconnect — Check eligibility for community college tuition support.
Veterans Employment Services — Career assistance for eligible veterans.
Workforce education and training — Explore state training programs and pathways.
Make yourself at home
Practical answers for residents and visitors
County Questions
Know Before You Go
Find answers to common questions about exploring and living in Lake County.
Idlewild Historic & Cultural Center shares stories of African American residents and visitors and the community’s cultural significance. Contact the operator for current opening and visit arrangements.
Hollister Park is a recreation space in Baldwin. Confirm current facilities and construction conditions before planning your outing.
Bowman Bridge and Gleasons Landing offer national forest camping. Check reservations, fees and any separate river-use permits.
Silver Creek Pathway follows the Pine River area. Consult the current map, trail conditions and access requirements before selecting a route.
Pere Marquette River Lodge guided trips offers river-guiding services. Confirm the trip, equipment, fishing licenses and conditions directly with the operator.
Chase Creek Smokehouse is in Chase, Barski is near Baldwin, and Oak Grove Tavern is in Irons. Check current menus and opening hours.
Baldwin Bait & Tackle and Pere Marquette River Lodge Fly Shop offer fishing supplies and apparel. Contact the shop about current stock and sizes.
Baldwin Thrift Center is on Michigan Avenue in Baldwin. Check its current selection, opening hours and donation policies.
Pathfinder Community Library, Luther Area Public Library and Chase Township Public Library offer public reading and browsing spaces. Special services, borrowing and scheduled activities have their own requirements.
Yates Dial-A-Ride provides county transportation. Confirm advance booking, destination coverage and return arrangements; Sunday service has a limited area.
Corewell Health Reed City Hospital is in Osceola County and Corewell Health Ludington Hospital is in Mason County. Both are regional options outside Lake County. Call 911 for emergencies.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Make a day of itExplore places to eat, shop and spend time together.
Kids’ Fun
- Idlewild Historic & Cultural Center — Exhibits and cultural learning about Idlewild’s African American history; contact the operator for current visiting arrangements.
- Hollister Park — Village recreation space in Baldwin; check current facilities and any construction before a family visit.
- Pathfinder Community Library — Public reading spaces and community activities in Baldwin; check hours and program registration.
Restaurants
- Chase Creek Smokehouse — Restaurant in Chase near the rail trail; consult current menus and seating arrangements.
- Barski — Casual restaurant and bar on M-37 near Baldwin; check current menus and hours.
- Oak Grove Tavern — Tavern dining in Irons on West Ten and a Half Mile Road; confirm hours before traveling.
Shopping & Retail
- Baldwin Bait & Tackle — Fly-fishing supplies and shop apparel near Baldwin; ask about current stock and sizes.
- Pere Marquette River Lodge Fly Shop — Fishing gear, outdoor apparel and accessories at the Baldwin outfitter.
- Baldwin Thrift Center — Resale shopping on Michigan Avenue; ask about current clothing selection and donation arrangements.
Clothing & Boutiques
- Baldwin Bait & Tackle — Fly-fishing supplies and shop apparel near Baldwin; ask about current stock and sizes.
- Pere Marquette River Lodge Fly Shop — Fishing gear, outdoor apparel and accessories at the Baldwin outfitter.
- Baldwin Thrift Center — Resale shopping on Michigan Avenue; ask about current clothing selection and donation arrangements.
Outdoor Fun
- Bowman Bridge — National forest camping and river recreation near Baldwin; check site availability, fees and river permits.
- Gleasons Landing — National forest campground beside the Pere Marquette River; check booking, access and activity requirements.
- Silver Creek Pathway — State forest trail near Luther along the Pine River; use current maps and check trailhead requirements.
Free Things To Do
- Pathfinder Community Library — Public reading spaces and community activities in Baldwin; check hours and program registration.
- Luther Area Public Library — Public browsing, reading and local activities in Luther; check current hours and borrowing requirements.
- Chase Township Public Library — Library browsing and public computer access; printing and certain other services have separate charges.
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