Townapedia
NorthWatervlietRd-PawpawLakeOutlet-Bridge
NorthWatervlietRd-PawpawLakeOutlet-Bridge · Michigan State Highway Department, Public domain
ISS022-E-98016 - View of Earth
ISS022-E-98016 - View of Earth · Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B...., Public domain

Paw Paw Lake, Michigan

Paw Paw Lake is a community of 3,889 people in Berrien County, Michigan.

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Population3,889 +10.5% since 2019
Elevation653 ft 199 m
Land area5.1 sq mi
ZIP codes49038, 49098
Nearest airportSouthwest Michigan Regional Airport (BEH) 9 mi

Why visit Paw Paw Lake

Townapedia lists 1 museum or landmark, 7 parks and trails, 4 places to eat, 1 place to stay and 1 attraction in and around town.

Highlights include Loma Theater, North Watervliet Road – Paw Paw Lake Outlet Bridge, Sunset Park and Paw Paw Lake Golf Course.

July is the warmest month, with average highs of 83°F; January lows average 20°F, and about 78 inches of snow fall in a normal year.

About Paw Paw Lake

Paw Paw Lake is an unincorporated community in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is a census-designated place (CDP) for statistical purposes, without legal status as a municipality. The community is located within areas of both Coloma Charter Township and Watervliet Township in the area surrounding Paw Paw Lake and Little Paw Paw Lake, excluding the cities of Watervliet and Coloma. The population of the CDP was 3,323 at the 2020 census.

From the Wikipedia article Paw Paw Lake, Michigan (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Things to do1

Loma Theater

Cinema and theater · 2.2 mi

221 North Paw Paw Street, Coloma

Open in Google Maps · +1-269-468-5662

Museums and landmarks1

North Watervliet Road – Paw Paw Lake Outlet Bridge

Bridge · National Register of Historic Places · 1.3 mi

Former bridge in Michigan, USA

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Parks, trails and playgrounds7

Paw Paw Lake Golf Course

Golf course · 1.1 mi

4548 Forest Beach Road, Watervliet

Open in Google Maps · +1 269 463 3831

Flaherty Park

Park · 1.8 mi

Open in Google Maps

Forest Beach Park

Park · 0.8 mi

Open in Google Maps

Hayes Park

Park · 1.5 mi

Open in Google Maps

Paw Paw Lake Public Access

Park · 1.3 mi

Open in Google Maps

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Restaurants and cafes4

The Friendly

Restaurant · Burger, American · 2.3 mi

Open in Google Maps

Karma Vista Vineyards & Winery

Brewery and winery · 2.2 mi

Open in Google Maps

Taco Bell

Fast food · Tex-Mex · 2.3 mi

714 South Main Street, Watervliet

08:00-24:00

Open in Google Maps · +1 269-463-8264

Chicken Coop

Fast food · Chicken, Fish · 2.2 mi

Open in Google Maps

History

The area which became the CDP was the site of a tourist area in the early 20th century. An 1894 Chicago newspaper article was the catalyst in making the shore a resort area, and a rail line extension from nearby Coloma in 1896 started the building boom. Pavilions, hotels, and cottages soon followed, with nationally known acts performing at the pavilions. Most of these buildings no longer exist.

From the History section of Paw Paw Lake, Michigan on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where to stay1

Churches and places of worship18

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Shopping1

Gas and EV charging5

Schools, colleges and libraries21

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Healthcare2

Map of Paw Paw Lake

61 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.

Climate by month

20°40°60°80°January: 2.5 in of rainFebruary: 1.9 in of rainMarch: 2.3 in of rainApril: 3.8 in of rainMay: 3.9 in of rainJune: 3.6 in of rainJuly: 3.3 in of rainAugust: 3.9 in of rainSeptember: 3.4 in of rainOctober: 4.4 in of rainNovember: 3.0 in of rainDecember: 2.3 in of rainJanuary: 33°FFebruary: 36°FMarch: 47°FApril: 59°FMay: 70°FJune: 80°FJuly: 83°FAugust: 81°FSeptember: 76°FOctober: 63°FNovember: 49°FDecember: 38°FJanuary: 20°FFebruary: 21°FMarch: 28°FApril: 37°FMay: 47°FJune: 57°FJuly: 62°FAugust: 60°FSeptember: 54°FOctober: 44°FNovember: 34°FDecember: 25°FJFMAMJJASOND
Average high Average low Rain
Monthly table
MonthHighLowRainSnow
Jan33°F20°F2.5 in29.5 in
Feb36°F21°F1.9 in18.8 in
Mar47°F28°F2.3 in7.7 in
Apr59°F37°F3.8 in1.1 in
May70°F47°F3.9 in0.0 in
Jun80°F57°F3.6 in0.0 in
Jul83°F62°F3.3 in0.0 in
Aug81°F60°F3.9 in0.0 in
Sep76°F54°F3.4 in0.0 in
Oct63°F44°F4.4 in0.2 in
Nov49°F34°F3.0 in3.8 in
Dec38°F25°F2.3 in16.6 in

U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Benton Harbor Ap (10 mi away), NOAA NCEI.

People and cost of living

$67,674median household income
$191,700median home value
$1,164median monthly rent
39.0median age
26.1%of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher
74.8%of homes are owner-occupied
30.6 minaverage commute
Age of residents
Under 1819%18 to 3425%35 to 6432%65 and over24%

American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.

Disaster history

Berrien County has had 5 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for biologicals.

  • 2020-03-27: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
  • 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
  • 2005-09-07: Hurricane Katrina Evacuation (Hurricane)
  • 2004-06-30: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding (Severe Storm)
  • 2001-01-10: Snow (Snowstorm)

OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.

Getting there and nearby towns

Southwest Michigan Regional Airport (BEH) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 9 miles away.

  • Coloma 2 mi southwest, about 4 min by car
  • Hartford 6 mi east, about 9 min by car
  • Benton Heights 9 mi southwest, about 15 min by car
  • Bangor 11 mi northeast, about 17 min by car
  • Decatur 17 mi southeast, about 27 min by car
  • Berrien Springs 19 mi south, about 30 min by car
  • Lawton 22 mi east, about 36 min by car
  • Bridgman 24 mi southwest, about 39 min by car
  • Mattawan 25 mi east, about 40 min by car
  • Niles 26 mi south, about 42 min by car

Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.

Reviews, tips and questions

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Sources and licences

Photo credits

Page built October 30, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us or suggest a place.