Jump in—the water’s fine: The pier at White Birch Lodge, on Michigan’s Elk Lake Photograph: Daniel Shea
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The pier at Fountain Point Resort Photograph: Daniel Shea
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Fountain Point Resort: Merchants in nearby Leland, including a shoe store and cheese shop Photograph: Daniel Shea
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Fountain Point Resort: Quaint, TV-free cottages near the lodge Photograph: Daniel Shea
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Erik Zehender, whose family has run Fountain Point for four generations Photograph: Daniel Shea
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Fountain Point Resort
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Fountain Point Resort
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Fountain Point Resort
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Portage Point Inn, backed by dunes separating it from Lake Michigan Photograph: Daniel Shea
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Portage Point Inn & Yacht Club: An angler in nearby Manistee Photograph: Daniel Shea
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Portage Point Inn & Yacht Club: The beach and pier—hubs of family activity on Portage Lake Photograph: Daniel Shea
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Portage Point Inn & Yacht Club: A cottage on the inn’s grounds Photograph: Daniel Shea
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Portage Point Inn & Yacht Club
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Watercraft for use by White Birch Lodge guests on Elk Lake Photograph: Adam Senatori
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White Birch Lodge: The lodge, which does a brisk business in repeat clientele Photograph: Adam Senatori
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White Birch Lodge
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White Birch Lodge
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Some of the attractions at posh Canoe Bay: Prairie-style architecture in harmony with the landscape (shown here), canoeing, fishing, and hiking Photograph: Adam Senatori
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Some of the attractions at posh Canoe Bay: Prairie-style architecture in harmony with the landscape, canoeing (shown here), fishing, and hiking Photograph: Adam Senatori
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Some of the attractions at posh Canoe Bay: Prairie-style architecture in harmony with the landscape, canoeing, fishing, and hiking (shown here) Photograph: Adam Senatori
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Some of the attractions at posh Canoe Bay: Prairie-style architecture in harmony with the landscape, canoeing, fishing (shown here), and hiking Photograph: Adam Senatori
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Canoe Bay
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Chippewa Retreat Resort: A stand of majestic pine trees near Manitowish Waters
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Chippewa Retreat Resort, on Manitowish Lake
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Chippewa Retreat Resort
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Chippewa Retreat Resort
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Chippewa Retreat Resort
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Homemade sign at Coon’s Franklin Lodge directing guests to tennis courts
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The main lodge at Coon's Franklin Lodge
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Coon’s Franklin Lodge: Mailbox on Highway 51 marking access to the lodge
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Coon’s Franklin Lodge: Trout Lake, renowned for its fishing and lack or shoreline development
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Amenity-rich Heidel House Resort & Spa, on the shore of Green Lake Photograph: Courtesy of Heidel House Resort & Spa
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Heidel House Resort & Spa
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Heidel House Resort & Spa
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Stone front patio at Spider Lake Lodge
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Spider Lake Lodge: The Bear’s Den, oozing Northwoods coziness
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Spider Lake Lodge: A perfect spot for a picnic or game of croquet
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Spider Lake Lodge: Fried potatoes ready for a breakfast plate
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Spider Lake Lodge: Big Spider Lake
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Spider Lake Lodge: Vintage fishing reels at the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame
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Spider Lake
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Stout's Island Lodge: The lodge’s front lawn, scene of serious lounging and even more serious croquet matches Photograph: Brad Daniels
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Stout's Island Lodge: Elegant wooden canoes in the boathouse Photograph: Brad Daniels
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Stout's Island Lodge: Chicago lumber magnate Frank Stout’s Island of Happy Days Photograph: Mark Peterson
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Stout's Island Lodge
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Wandawega Lake Resort: Rope swings at Lake Wandawega Photograph: David Robert Elliott
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Wandawega Lake Resort: The porch of Lake Cottage Photograph: Bob Coscarelli
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Wandawega Lake Resort: A wood-floored canvas cabin Photograph: Bob Coscarelli