Bear Creek Township is a civil township of Emmet County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the township population was 6,542, making it the most populous municipality in Emmet County.

Communities

  • Bay View is an unincorporated community and census-designated place located just east of the city of Petoskey along the shores of Little Traverse Bay. The community's population was 133 at the 2010 census. Bay View uses the 49770 ZIP Code.
  • Conway is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in the northern portion of the township. The majority of the community is located within Little Traverse Township. Of the community's of land area and population of 204, only of land and six residents reside within Bear Creak Township's portion of Conway. Conway has its own post office with the 49722 ZIP Code.
  • The Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians occupies four scattered reservations within Bear Creak Township.
  • The city of Petoskey is immediately adjacent to Bear Creek Township.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which is land and (13.48%) is water. The city of Petoskey is northeast of the township, and the township has a coastline along Little Traverse Bay with which Petoskey State Park is located.

Major highways

  • runs southwest–northeast in the township, exiting to the north toward Mackinaw City
  • runs north–south through the southwest of the township, exiting south into Charlevoix County
  • runs north–south through the north of the township, paralleling Little Traverse Bay and exiting north toward Harbor Springs. The southern terminus of M-119 is located within Bear Creek Township, at a junction with US 31.

Demographics

As of the census