Frankfort and Benzie County: Lake Michigan's Hidden Southern Shore

The County That Rewards Slower Travel

Benzie County sits south of Sleeping Bear Dunes and north of Manistee on Lake Michigan's eastern shore. It is smaller and quieter than the Traverse City orbit to the north, and therein lies its appeal. Frankfort, the county seat and lakefront anchor, is a town of 1,200 with a disproportionate concentration of good restaurants, a serious arts community, and direct beach access on a stretch of Lake Michigan that draws some of the best surfers in the Midwest when the fall storms arrive.

Frankfort Beach and Harbor

Frankfort's Lake Michigan beach is an excellent swimming beach in summer with a well-maintained pier that extends into the lake alongside the Betsie River channel. The pier walk is a Frankfort institution — early morning fog, freighters on the horizon, and the lighthouse at the end. The harbor hosts a modest marina and charter fishing operation targeting salmon and lake trout in season.

Crystal Lake

Crystal Lake east of Frankfort, near Beulah, is one of the clearest lakes in Michigan — the standard of clarity against which other Northern Michigan lakes are measured. Public access at the Crystal Lake Township park provides beach access and a boat launch. In summer, the lake's transparency makes it exceptional for snorkeling; the visibility in 15 feet of water rivals tropical saltwater destinations. The surrounding resort communities of Crystal Beach and Beulah have been serving summer visitors since the 1880s.

Stormcloud Brewing

Stormcloud Brewing in downtown Frankfort is a genuine destination — a Belgian-inspired craft brewery making saisons, witbiers, and farmhouse ales with exceptional consistency. The taproom is designed with the same care as the beer: reclaimed wood, good acoustics, and a patio that fills on summer evenings. Their Rainmaker Pale Ale is the everyday beer; the seasonal Belgian releases are what serious beer people come for. Check Frankfort events for Stormcloud tap release events and outdoor concerts.

Betsie Valley Trail

The Betsie Valley Rail Trail runs 22 miles through Benzie County from Frankfort east to Thompsonville, crossing rivers, farmland, and the edges of the Manistee National Forest. The trail is paved and suitable for all ages; the section through the Betsie River floodplain is particularly scenic. In winter, the trail grooms for cross-country skiing when snow conditions permit.

Benzie County Arts Scene

The Benzie Area Creative Arts (BACA) gallery in Frankfort is the organizational hub of a surprisingly robust arts community. Member artists work in ceramics, painting, printmaking, and fiber arts, with gallery exhibitions rotating monthly. The surrounding area attracts artists drawn by the landscape and the affordability compared to the Traverse City market — studios and galleries are scattered through the county's small towns and rural areas.