Austin Lake - Portage

Located in Kalamazoo County, Michigan

Austin Lake is located in Portage (Kalamazoo County), Michigan. Kalamazoo is 10 miles north, Detroit is 146 miles east, and Grand Rapids is 60 miles north.

The closest location for emergency care is the Bronson Methodist Hospital, 10 miles north in Kalamazoo. The Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport is less than five miles north of the lake.

Residents heading into town can visit the Crossroads Mall, where they will find popular retail brands, gift shops, and food. If you're looking for expanded dining options, there are plenty in Portage. Examples include Penn Station East Coast Subs, Craftsman Chop, East Egg on Sears Drive, and Hillside Indian Cuisine.

Big and Beautiful

Spanning 1,090 acres and with a max depth of 11 feet, Austin Lake has plenty of room for residents to explore. Set out on your kayak or sailboat when the sun is shining for a day of serene fun.

Being an all-sports lake also gives residents plenty of high-speed things to do. Whether you're looking to jet-ski, waterski, wakeboard, or tube, the options here are limitless!

The fishery here is bar-none, loved for summer and winter fishing alike. Anglers can expect to catch largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, muskie, northern pike, and yellow perch.

What's Nearby?

Located between Kalamazoo and Battle Creek is the Fort Custer Recreation Area. This 3,033-acre state park is popular for its 25 miles of trails used for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and more.

If you're trying to set a time on the links, you're in luck, as there are many golf courses around the lake, like the Indian Run Golf Club, Moors Golf Club, and the Milham Park Golf Club.

Visit Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo makes for a great day trip, with plenty of things to do indoors and out!

The Kalamazoo Nature Center spans 1,100 acres with an 11-acre arboretum, 11 nature trails, and the Delano Pioneer Homestead. The Interpretive Center features its award-winning "Nature Up Close" hall, interactive exhibits, three-story tropical rainforest, a bug house, and seasonal butterfly and hummingbird garden.

The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts features more than 5,000 works of fine art in its permanent collection for visitors to enjoy. It also has touring and collective exhibitions in 10 galleries, offers four art classes at the Kirk Newman Art School and highlights local artists in the KIA Gallery Shop.

The Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum has been voted the "Best Place to Take Out-of-Towners" and "Best Place to Spend a Day with Your Family," making it a must-see. It features more than 100 air and space artifacts, rides, Full-Motion Flight Simulators, a theater, historical exhibits, and educational activities.

After a long day of exploration, be sure to enjoy a meal at one of the many delicious restaurants in the city. Highly-rated options include Crow's Nest, The Studio Grill, Kalamazoo Beer Exchange, Erbelli's Gourmet Pizza, and Bell's Eccentric Cafe.

A Slice of Michigan Outdoors

Those looking for a slice of Michigan outdoors that don't want to be too far from a large city will love Austin Lake!