As a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, I always cringe when people refer to it as Notre…read moreDame University. That's kind of a personal peeve--although you'd be surprised at how many really well educated people in academia make this mistake--but it's also kind of ridiculous because (a) I'm normally not a pretentious person and (b) the official name of the school isn't the University of Notre Dame. The official name is the University of Notre Dame du Lac. For those of you whose French is rusty, that means "the University of Our Lady of the Lake." "The Lake"? Which lake? Well, despite the fact that the Golden Dome and Touchdown Jesus and the Grotto are far more famous landmarks, Notre Dame has two lakes at the far north end of campus. I'm not sure whether they were man-made or whether they used to be one lake (which would explain why it's not "Our Lady of the Lakes"), but I'm glad they exist and that there are two of them. This review is of St. Mary's Lake, which is the western one. It's a little bit smaller than St. Joseph's Lake, but the main differences between the lakes are that the terrain around St. Mary's Lake is flatter and has less foliage and that it freezes during the winter. (I'll explain in a future review why St. Joseph's Lake doesn't freeze.) I love this lake. When I first visited Notre Dame in 1993, I walked around it a few times, saw all these students jogging around it, and saw people playing chess at a bench on its north (?) side. Although I wanted to come to Notre Dame for many other reasons, that trip cemented my desire. Besides being spectacular in myriad ways, Notre Dame is a beautiful place. I say this as someone who hates most of its architecture. Despite some of the monstrosities that the university has erected, especially recently, the natural beauty of Northern Indiana shines through, and St. Mary's Lake is a good example of that. When I ended up here in grad school (having officially been denied admission three times so far--I would also be denied a fourth time), I walked around St. Mary's Lake a bunch of times. In fact, I bet I circled the lake more times in September and October 2001 than I did the rest of the time I was at Notre Dame. Grad school is busy, and I found so many other unique campus landmarks that reinforced my connection to this physical place. It's not that I began to dislike St. Mary's Lake; it's that I began to appreciate other things as well. I never did play chess with anyone on that bench, but I did have some pretty amazing conversations with people while walking around the lakes, and it was always fun each spring to watch the ducks and geese showing off their offspring.

Used to fish here when i was little and mom worked on campus. Great memories. Fishing ok. Campus…read morehas changed. More uptight.

I really like this Beach. I visited on a random Friday and there was plenty of space to park. I…read moreappreciate it the cleanliness of the beach, love that there was a ramp going from the walkway to the sand but wish that they had the accessible aisles leading onto the sand like I've seen at other beaches. For a Midwest Beach, the water was very clean. Of course one season is over so there weren't any lifeguards and there was signage explaining that you are swimming at your own risk. I like that there are two restaurants very close by and although I hate porta potties I appreciate that they are an option when the bathroom closes. I'd definitely visit again!

I was here for the lighthouse and the beach, which turned out to be pretty darned awesome. Even on…read morea cool autumn morning, it was a great visit. They were not yet enforcing the parking which is always a bonus. There were a few other people - not many - and the lack of crowds was great too. [Review 20618 overall - 149 in Indiana - 1599 of 2023.]

God Bless Gobles- Tomo Rogic 2009…read more This about sums it up. We ended a weekend of bachelor/bachelorette festivities here with some grilling, beer pong, boating, tubing, swimming, laying out and doing everything that Michigan was made for. Five stars mainly because I'm pretty damn terrified of "dark water" and so far, 100% of the times that I've come here, I haven't been eaten by sea life. I'm tempted to deduct a star because spiders also live in Gobles but I have yet to be accosted so 5 stars it shall remain. Baseline lake is great for camping, hiking, various water sports, grilling... and best of all drinking a beer for breakfast is totally acceptable. PS- there's an old hotel/rental condo on the lake that John Dillinger use to vacation at. Fun fact also courtesy of Tomo Rogic.

Nice place to just relax....The lake was nice, clean showers/washrooms. You don't feel cramped.read more

Overall great campground! Wish the full hookups were easier to get. Definitely a campground for…read morefamilies or boaters.

We have been going y shamrock campground since 1997. We have met so many people there. I was taking…read moremy grandkids every fall break and the youth fair every year until my husband couldn't go because he has Alzheimer's. The kids love it. It's a very special place for me and my family.

We camped on the river. Beautiful primitive site for $30. Great location and great to book a spot…read moreone day out. Bathrooms are fine but not great.

I would give a few more stars but i am beyond ticked that the city of Valpo charges admission for a…read morecity park.

Decent facilities needs some updating. Could use a off leash dog area and walking path.read more

This is our favorite local lake to kayak in because it has so many little creeks that connect it to…read moreother local waterways. It's so peaceful to paddle slowly through the reedy sections and connect to the neighboring lake (Howard Lake). Between the lake itself and its adjacent creeks/rivers, you could be busy from dawn to dusk exploring every little cranny. The main lake gets pretty busy with speedboats, though, so be sure to stick to the edges in your kayak and don't bring a tippy one!

I loved this lake growing up, so many amazing memories of my childhood here. Whether picnics,…read morebirthdays or family reunions. Great beach and lots of shade, perfect for young families.

More than 2,000 acres, one of the largest inland deep clear spring fed lake in west Michigan. In…read moreearly summer lake is very transparent Caribbean blue color. It is in Kalamazoo county!!. Love to go boating, sailing, 2 mile long from south to north end. OK, for swimming and we see sometime scuba divers!! You can see around the Island Park lake floor with google map satellite view!!!! Not only they have yacht club, country club but also ice sailing yacht club!! Since 1897!! http://www.gulllakeiyc.org/ This video is surreal, cool to believe some one ice sail in Kalamazoo County!? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYbLGYvqP8E