Benzie County combines a scenic Lake Michigan shoreline with inland lakes such as Crystal Lake and Platte Lake. Rivers flow westward into Lake Michigan. Between dunes, beaches and scenic overlooks, the region is as varied as its maritime history and art. This offers different ways to plan your visit: experience the coastal landscape, explore trails and water access points, or visit historic sites and exhibitions.
Coast, dunes and scenic overlooks
Elberta Dunes South was protected in 2010. The area includes glacial moraines, high dunes, unspoiled forests and a sandy beach about a quarter mile long along Lake Michigan. A hiking trail leads to wide-ranging views of the lake and the surrounding Betsie Valley. For scenic overlooks, Arcadia Dunes also has the Overlook Trail: it is universally accessible and leads to a lookout over Lake Michigan. Inspiration Point, also known as Arcadia Overlook, likewise offers views of Lake Michigan and the surrounding topography.
The beaches differ in their described features and amenities. Elberta Beach stretches about half a mile south from the Elberta Pier. Public access is via the Beach Parking Area at the end of Bye Road. Amenities include an expanded parking lot, a pavilion, improved ADA accessibility and flush toilets. Frankfort Beach offers water access and parking facilities near downtown Frankfort. This information can help you distinguish between specific beach destinations when planning your visit.
Trails, water and activities
The Betsie Valley Trail is 22 miles long and follows the former Ann Arbor Railroad line from Frankfort to Mesick. Check the Michigan DNR’s latest information on the trail’s length and route before setting out. This keeps your plans aligned with the designated route without assuming a particular hiking time or level of difficulty.
At the Betsie River Access Site at Homestead Dam, kayaking and salmon and steelhead fishing come together; the access point is popular with kayakers and anglers. Water levels, access conditions and regulations can change, so it is advisable to check the latest information on these before your visit. Taking the specific access point into account when planning can help you choose an activity more deliberately.
Lighthouses, history and art
The first light at Point Betsie Lighthouse began guiding and warning ships in 1858. The Frankfort Lighthouse, in turn, represents the maritime heritage of the city of Frankfort. Both lighthouse stories give the coast a historical connection, but they are not the same story: Point Betsie is associated with the start of the light, while the Frankfort Lighthouse is regarded as a symbol of the city’s maritime heritage.
In Frankfort, the Oliver Art Center has been housed since 2011 in the renovated U.S. Coast Guard Station at the mouth of Betsie Bay. The building dates from 1934. The Art Center holds about ten exhibitions each year, including special exhibitions. For visitors to cultural sites, the location is shaped not only by its art, but also by the building’s former use and age.
Benzonia and Crystal Mountain also add to the county’s cultural destinations in different ways. The Benzie Area Historical Museum is housed in a Congregational Church building in Benzonia constructed in 1886. The Michigan Legacy Art Park is located in a densely forested, 30-acre protected area. During the creation of “Thelma’s Cradle,” 2,800 feet of Lake Michigan shoreline were dedicated to the public. This historic dedication is a distinct part of the local coastal history and should be understood as such.
If you’re looking for a hotel in Benzie County, first decide which places and themes matter most for your trip.
Discover more destinations: Honor, Thompsonville, Baraga County, Kalamazoo, Ottawa, Lake County, Calhoun, Chippewa County.
For the broader travel overview: Michigan.
