Nestled along the deep blue waters of Grand Traverse Bay in the northwestern Lower Peninsula, Grand Traverse County is the undisputed cultural, culinary, and tourism capital of Northern Michigan. Globally celebrated as the “Cherry Capital of the World” and home to the acclaimed National Cherry Festival, Grand Traverse County combines a bustling waterfront city center in Traverse City with the vineyard-covered hills of the Old Mission Peninsula, crystal-clear glacial lakes, and the prestigious artistic haven of Interlochen. Whether you are navigating US-31 along the Lake Michigan shoreline, mapping a winery tour up M-37, researching township zoning in Garfield or East Bay, or planning an outdoor adventure along the TART Trails, this authoritative Grand Traverse County Map guide provides essential geographic, civic, and travel information. Explore our detailed municipal profiles, regional infrastructure guides, and free printable maps below.
Grand Traverse County Map: Geographic Layout & Bay Corridors
Grand Traverse County spans 601 square miles across northwestern Lower Michigan, featuring a unique coastal geography shaped by the East and West arms of Grand Traverse Bay (a massive freshwater inlet of Lake Michigan). Key landmarks highlighted on a map of Grand Traverse County include:
- Principal Cities & Villages: Traverse City (County Seat & Regional Hub), Kingsley, and Fife Lake.
- High-Growth Suburban & Resort Townships: Peninsula Township (Old Mission Peninsula), Garfield Charter Township, East Bay Charter Township, Acme Township, and Long Lake Township.
- Major Highway Arterials: US Highway 31 (US-31), M-37 (Center Road / Old Mission Peninsula Highway), M-72 (Coast-to-coast highway running west to Empire and east to Grayling), and M-113.
- World-Class Cultural & Natural Destinations: Mission Point Lighthouse, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Clinch Park Beach & Marina, The Village at Grand Traverse Commons (historic state hospital revitalized into artisan shops and dining), and Grand Traverse Resort & Spa.
Looking for a statewide perspective? Explore our master Interactive Michigan County Map to view all 83 Michigan counties.
Grand Traverse County Quick Facts & Geographic Data
Created in 1851 from Omeena County and officially organized in 1853, Grand Traverse County was named after the Grand Traverse Bay (from the historic French voyageur designation “la grande traverse”—the long crossing across the mouth of the bay).
| Geographic Metric | Data / Details |
|---|---|
| County Seat | Traverse City, MI |
| Region | Northwest Lower Peninsula / Grand Traverse Bay |
| Date Established | April 7, 1851 (Organized 1853) |
| Total Area | 601 sq miles (1,557 km²) |
| Land Area | 465 sq miles (77.4% of total area) |
| Water Area | 136 sq miles (22.6% / Grand Traverse Bay & inland lakes) |
| Population (Census Est.) | ~96,000 residents |
| Population Density | 206.5 people per sq mile |
| FIPS Code | 26-055 |
| Major Highways | US-31, M-37, M-72, M-113 |
| Bordering Counties | Antrim (North/Northeast), Kalkaska (East), Wexford (South), Benzie (West), Leelanau (Northwest) |
Grand Traverse County Townships & Regional Sectors
Grand Traverse County is organized into 13 civil townships surrounding Traverse City:
1. Traverse City Urban Core
Traverse City serves as the commercial, judicial, and cultural heart of the entire northern Lower Peninsula. Located at the base of West Grand Traverse Bay along the Boardman River, the city features historic Front Street shopping, the historic State Theatre, Munson Healthcare (the region’s largest hospital system), and direct access to public waterfront beaches.
2. Peninsula Township (Old Mission Peninsula)
Extending 19 miles north directly into Grand Traverse Bay along state highway M-37, Peninsula Township is one of Michigan’s most prestigious wine-growing and agricultural regions. Benefiting from the Lake Michigan microclimate along the 45th Parallel, it is home to over a dozen internationally acclaimed wineries (Chateau Chantal, Chateau Grand Traverse, Bowers Harbor Vineyards), cherry orchards, and historic Mission Point Lighthouse at the northern tip.
3. East Bay & Acme Resort Corridors
- East Bay Charter Township: Encircles East Grand Traverse Bay, hosting premier beachfront hotels, Cherry Capital Airport (TVC), and family-friendly swimming beaches.
- Acme Township: Located along the eastern shore of the bay, home to the luxury Grand Traverse Resort and championship golf courses designed by Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player.
- Whitewater Township: Situated east near Elk Rapids, known for agricultural farms, Skegemog Lake Wildlife Area, and historic Battle Creek Road.
4. Western Lakes & Arts Communities
- Garfield Charter Township: The most populous township in the county, serving as the primary commercial and retail center with major shopping plazas, medical facilities, and the Grand Traverse Commons.
- Green Lake Township & Interlochen: Renowned worldwide as the home of the Interlochen Center for the Arts and Interlochen State Park (Michigan’s first state park, nestled between Duck Lake and Green Lake).
- Long Lake Township: A picturesque residential lake community featuring over 2,800 acres of clear recreational water, multiple public islands, and township boat launches.
5. Southern Forests & Rural Villages
- Blair & Paradise Townships: Home to the growing village of Kingsley, combining rural agricultural vistas with convenient commuter access into Traverse City.
- Fife Lake, Grant, Mayfield & Union Townships: The southern timberland sector of Grand Traverse County, celebrated for historic logging heritage, ORV and snowmobile trail networks, and quiet inland fishing lakes.
Transportation & Highway Corridors
Grand Traverse County serves as the central transportation crossroads of Northwest Lower Michigan:
- US-31: The primary coastal highway wrapping around Grand Traverse Bay, providing transit south toward Manistee, Muskegon, and Grand Rapids, and northeast to Charlevoix and Petoskey.
- M-37: Travels north from Grand Rapids through Cadillac into downtown Traverse City, continuing north the full length of the Old Mission Peninsula.
- M-72: Michigan’s only continuous coast-to-coast state highway, carrying traffic from Empire (Sleeping Bear Dunes) through Traverse City east toward Kalkaska and I-75 in Grayling.
- Cherry Capital Airport (TVC): Northern Michigan’s premier commercial airport, offering nonstop flights to Chicago, Detroit, Charlotte, Dallas, Atlanta, and other national hubs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Grand Traverse County Map
What is the county seat of Grand Traverse County, Michigan?
The county seat of Grand Traverse County is Traverse City. Situated at the head of Grand Traverse Bay, it houses the Grand Traverse County Governmental Center, the 13th Judicial Circuit Court, and regional administrative facilities.
Where is the Old Mission Peninsula on the map?
The Old Mission Peninsula is the 19-mile land finger that extends directly north from Traverse City into Grand Traverse Bay, dividing the bay into the East Arm and the West Arm. It is accessed via state highway M-37 (Center Road).
What counties border Grand Traverse County?
Grand Traverse County is bordered by Antrim County to the north and northeast, Kalkaska County to the east, Wexford County to the south, Benzie County to the west, and Leelanau County to the northwest.
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