Discover Benzie County: Coast, Dunes, and Culture

Benzie County combines the scenic Lake Michigan coastline with inland lakes such as Crystal Lake and Platte Lake, as well as rivers that flow westward into Lake Michigan. This allows you to shape your trip in many different ways: with beaches, dunes, and viewpoints, with hiking trails and water activities, or with cultural discoveries in places such as Frankfort and Benzonia. When choosing a vacation rental, it is worthwhile to first determine your preferred focus.

Coast, Beaches, and Panoramic Views

Elberta Dunes South was protected in 2010. The area includes glacial moraines, high dunes, untouched forests, and an approximately quarter-mile-long sandy beach on Lake Michigan. A hiking trail leads to expansive views of the lake and the surrounding Betsie Valley. Elberta Beach also offers space for time by the water: The beach extends approximately half a mile south from the Elberta Pier. Public access is via the Beach Parking Area at the end of Bye Road. On-site facilities include an expanded parking area, a pavilion, improved ADA accessibility, and flush toilets.

Frankfort Beach combines access to the water and park facilities with proximity to downtown Frankfort. Inspiration Point, also called Arcadia Overlook, offers views of Lake Michigan and the surrounding topography. Hiking, snowshoeing, and birdwatching are possible in Arcadia Dunes. The Overlook Trail is universally accessible and leads to a viewpoint on Lake Michigan. When planning your trip, you can therefore choose between beaches, viewpoints, and nature experiences without spending every day in the same way.

Waterfront Trails and Active Excursions

The Betsie Valley Trail is a 22-mile-long trail. It follows the former railroad line of the Ann Arbor Railroad from Frankfort to Mesick. The route thus provides its own access to the landscape and is a concrete point of reference for anyone who wants to combine their trip with a longer trail excursion. The Betsie River Access Site is also located on the Betsie River at Homestead Dam. This access point is popular with kayakers and for salmon and steelhead fishing.

The Betsie River itself is located in Benzie County and complements the picture of a region where the coast, lakes, and flowing waters belong together. When choosing a vacation rental or vacation home, you can therefore consider whether you would prefer to plan a stay focused on beach days, nature trails, or changing activities. The destinations mentioned represent different travel ideas; they do not imply specific distances between the individual places.

Maritime Heritage and Regional Culture

The first beacon at Point Betsie Lighthouse began guiding and warning ships in 1858. The Frankfort Lighthouse is a symbol of the maritime heritage of the city of Frankfort. Frankfort is also home to the Oliver Art Center, which has been located since 2011 in the renovated U.S. Coast Guard Station at the mouth of Betsie Bay. The Coast Guard Station building dates from 1934. The Oliver Art Center hosts approximately ten exhibitions each year, including special exhibitions.

Benzonia also offers a historic point of interest: the Benzie Area Historical Museum is housed in a Congregational Church building constructed in 1886. Michigan Legacy Art Park is located in a densely wooded, 30-acre preserve. When “Thelma’s Cradle” was created, 2,800 feet of Lake Michigan shoreline was dedicated to the public. Alongside nature and water, these places give your trip additional themes to consider when choosing your accommodation.

Places to Consider When Planning Your Trip

As places directly within the county, you can also include Honor and Thompsonville in your further search. If you would like to combine different landscapes and cultural offerings, it is best to choose your vacation rental according to your preferred travel rhythm: the focus can be on beaches and the lake, trails and viewpoints, or historical and artistic impressions. Another regional point of reference is Crystal Mountain Resort in the heart of Benzie County.

For your broader search, you can also find Barry County, Osceola County, Shiawassee County, Berrien, Isabella and Grand Traverse.

For the broader travel overview: Michigan.