Apple Canyon Lake

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Nestled in the heart of Jo Daviess county, Apple Canyon Lake features an exceptionally breath-taking 450 acre private lake community surrounded by 2700 acres of hills, valleys, and woods.
Apple Canyon Lake is situated a few miles from the Illinois-Wisconsin border, approx. 35 miles East of the Illinois-Iowa border, approx. 85 miles North from the Quad Cities, and approx 3 hours from Chicago.
Apple Canyon Lake has several bays with no-wake areas, paddle boating, cruising, stocked lake for fishing, large beach area, outdoor pool, 9-holes of golf, and a 13-mile trail system!

The Property Owners Association is a not-for-profit Illinois Corporation managed by a nine member Board of Directors (elected by property owners).  Numerous volunteer committees serve in such areas as architectural control, conservation, budget, publicity, recreation, golf and legislative action. 


Apple Canyon Lake is the ideal setting for your dreamed-about vacation, recreation or retirement property or home.  Our private lake came to be in 1969, by  constructing a dam across Hells Branch stream, resulting in 450 acres of sparkling waters with 15 miles of shoreline and reaching depths of up to 70 feet.  Because of our unique greenway system, nearly 75% of the shoreline will remain undeveloped.  This greenway assures much of the lakeshore will always be accessible to property owners regardless of where in the development their property is located. 

Apple Canyon Lake has something for everyone. It has several bays, designated no-wake areas, which are ideal for canoeing, paddle boating, swimming, fishing, cruising and picnicking on your pontoon boat.  Whether you have a speedboat or a sailboat, you will enjoy the main body of the lake.  For your recreational needs, a full-service Marina and sales center operate seven days a week in season.  The lake is stocked on a regular basis resulting in some of the areas best fishing in Illinois.  The lake has a large beach pavillion, changing facilities and restrooms. For those who prefer relaxing by the pool, an outdoor swimming pool is located at the clubhouse.  For land lovers, Apple Canyon lake offers a challenging 9-hole Golf Course, two tennis courts and a 13 mile trail system.  Snowmobiling and cross-country skiing are also popular activies.

There is also a lakefront restaurant open seven days a week, in season, for lunch and dinner.  The Association clubhouse is a popular gathering place for numerous activities and events through out the year.  For campers, there is a campground with both improved and unimproved sites, restrooms, showers, laundry and vending facilities.  At the campground, there are bocce courts, horseshoe pits, and a playground for all to enjoy.