Bellaire Between Waterways and Local Life

Waterways, a park with a variety of recreational facilities, and events in the downtown area shape Bellaire. When choosing a vacation rental, you can consider which of these aspects of the town you want to shape your trip: time by the water, exercise along a path, or a glimpse of local life. The Chain of Lakes Water Trail and facilities in town offer concrete points of reference.

Waterways and Lake Access

The Chain of Lakes Water Trail is a network more than 100 miles long, with 84 access points. Paddlers can explore Bellaire on this Water Trail. A dam in Bellaire divides the trail into the Upper Chain and the Lower Chain. These two names help with navigation along the waterway and make Bellaire an important reference point within the network.

Bellaire’s Ohio Street Access Site provides boat and paddle access to Lake Bellaire and the Lower Chain of Lakes. The site includes a concrete boat ramp and a dock. If you want to make access to the water a central part of your trip planning, you can consider this specific starting point as well as the larger Water Trail.

Park, Trails, and Nature

North of downtown, Richardi Park lies along the Intermediate River. The park includes a swimming beach, tennis and basketball courts, and a pavilion available for rent. The grounds also include an area for an ice rink. The range of facilities gives the park a different character from the Water Trail, which is accessible from many points: here, several sports and recreational areas are grouped together in one named location.

Another way to spend time outdoors is the 1.5-mile Walking Path in the Village of Bellaire. The path crosses an old railroad bridge and is used by tourists and visitors. Its length and route over the bridge are useful points of reference if you’d like to plan a walk in Bellaire during your trip.

Six miles south of Bellaire, in Antrim County, is the Grass River Natural Area. The nature preserve covers 1,502 acres and surrounds the Grass River. Public guided kayak river tours for adults and teenagers are offered there in summer and fall. This nature experience differs from paddling on the Water Trail in both timing and format: the tours are seasonal and guided, while the trail is an extensive network with numerous access points.

Market, Festival, and History

The Friday Farmers Market in Bellaire offers local produce, baked goods, and crafts. The Flannel Festival takes place downtown every year. Both events offer a glimpse of different aspects of local life: the market showcases produce and handcrafted items, while the festival is an annual event in the heart of Bellaire.

Those interested in the area’s history can find exhibits at the Bellaire Historical Museum on life in Antrim County over the years. Items on display include memorabilia from the logging era. Alongside activities on the water and outdoors, historical insights into life in the region offer another travel interest to choose from.

When choosing your accommodation, you can first decide what you want to focus on during your trip: if paddling is your main interest, the Water Trail and Ohio Street Access Site are specific points of reference; for trails and recreational areas, consider the Walking Path and Richardi Park. The Grass River Natural Area adds a nature preserve and seasonal guided kayak river tours south of Bellaire to these options. The market, festival, and museum offer other ways to experience the area. This way, you can tailor your vacation rental search to the experiences that interest you most in Bellaire.

More Places

More places: Elk Rapids, Kewadin, Mancelona.

For the broader travel overview: Antrim County.