Onekema Spring, Onekema, MI

## Overview Onekama Spring is a free-flowing public drinking spring located along Portage Point Drive in the small lakeside village of Onekama, Michigan, in Manistee County. This charming roadside spring features a roughly three-foot-tall stone basin with a top water fountain for quick sips and a larger bottom spigot designed for filling gallon jugs and larger containers. The spring runs continuously year-round, making it a convenient stop for locals and travelers exploring the scenic M-22 corridor along Lake Michigan's northwestern shoreline. Onekama — whose name is derived from the Ojibwe word meaning "portage" — sits between Portage Lake and Lake Michigan, and the surrounding area has long been valued for its clean, naturally filtered groundwater. Visitors have historically used this spring as a drinking water source, and many report that the water tastes fresh and clean. The spring is unmarked with no official signage, so it can be easy to miss if you're not looking for it. ## Directions 1. Head north on **M-22** and pass through the village of Onekama. 2. Continue onto **Portage Point Drive** heading northwest. 3. Travel approximately **½ mile** along Portage Point Drive. 4. Watch for the spring on your **right-hand side** — look for a stone basin set near the road. 5. There is no dedicated parking lot; visitors park along the roadside. The approximate address is **3452 Portage Point Drive, Onekama, MI 49675**. **GPS Coordinates:** 44.379398, -86.235481 ## What to Expect Onekama Spring is a simple, no-frills roadside spring that flows 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The centerpiece is a stone bowl roughly three feet tall. On top, a small fountain provides a quick drink, while a larger spigot at the base makes it easy to fill jugs, bottles, and other containers. There are no signs marking the spring, so keep a close eye on the right side of the road as you drive along Portage Point Drive. Parking is informal — pull off onto the roadside shoulder. The spring is freely accessible at no cost. The area around Onekama is a popular summer destination thanks to Portage Lake and nearby Lake Michigan beaches, so combining a spring visit with a day of exploring the M-22 scenic highway is a natural fit. In winter, the road remains passable, though conditions can vary — the spring continues to flow year-round regardless of season.