Big Glen Lake is a 4,871-acre lake near the charming little town of Glen Arbor. It reaches a maximum depth of 130 feet and has a pleasant sandy shoreline surrounded by rolling dunes and occasional small forests.

The water is crystal clear and is justifiably nicknamed Inspiration Point. Big Glen Lake and its smaller cousin Little Glen Lake were connected to Lake Michigan during the last ice age, but the sandbar that was accumulated through ages separated the two over time.

The lake is very popular with boaters and families looking for a nice day of swimming as well as with fishermen. It is rich with yellow perch, brown trout, smallmouth bass, lake trout, and northern pike.

There is easy access to the lake from the public boat ramp on Little Glen Lake and several private marinas.

The Glen Lakes are connected by a narrow channel that runs under the bridge that crosses the lakes. Just next to the lake is the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore created in 1970 to protect the 110-foot tall dunes. The park stretches to Lake Michigan and also north and south of Manitou Islands.

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