This is cottage #4 of 5 two-bedroom waterfront cottages on 265' of frontage on Upper Herring Lake, newly remodeled in 2021, new kitchen, new everything, central AC, Kayaks, SUP.
1,2 & 3 are 15' from the water, 4 & 5 are setback about 75' from the lake but have clear views.
https://www.vrbo.com/2913627 #1
https://www.vrbo.com/2872448 #2
https://www.vrbo.com/2820357 #3
https://www.vrbo.com/2888113 #4
https://www.vrbo.com/2888168 #5
Right on the water, very quiet. Comes with 4 shared tandem kayaks, 4 kiddo kayaks, 4 paddleboards, propane grill, dock, picnic tables, fire ring, swim raft and lily pad. 7 miles to Frankfort and 8 to Beulah. All linens provided except beach towels; beds made.
60' of sandy beach at the dock area, and a seawall protects the rest of the shore.
Beds are queen, and a double/twin bunk, plus a roll away twin bed.
Beautiful views from picture windows and private screened in porch overlooking the water. Close to Crystal Mountain, Arcadia Bluffs, Baldy and Elberta Dunes, Green Point Nature Trail, Fruithaven Nature Trail, Arcadia Marsh Preserve, and Upper Herring Lake Nature Preserve which encompasses half the shoreline of Upper Herring Lake.
Cherry orchard and rolling hill across Herron Rd.
Free wifi, new smart TV. Gorgeous sunsets. Upper Herring Lake is quiet and pristine, half the shoreline is a nature preserve. Very dark at night, thousands of stars.
RESTAURANTS
Watervale Inn, since 1917
On Lower Herring Lake, 1244 Watervale Rd, Arcadia. Breakfast served from 8-10 a.m. Dinner seatings at 6 & 7:15. Reservations, frontdesk@watervaleinn.com, 231-352-9083. No credit cards. Checks, cash & Venmo fine. Outdoor BBQ on the terrace on Tuesday evenings 6-7:30, $16, all inclusive. Park by the tennis courts.
Stormcloud Brewery, Sandwiches, pizza, salads, munchies too. Outdoor patio. Live music. 303 Main St. Frankfort next to Garden theater.
Roadhouse Mexican, Benzonia
Cherry Hut, Local landmark, great sandwiches, burgers, shakes, pies. 20 minutes north.
Popano’s Pizza, 334 Main St Frankfort. Very limited seating. Second location in Beulah.
Lighthouse Café, Breakfast and lunch, Elberta.
Cabbage Shed, Very casual, on Lake Betsie. Open stage nights for musicians. Elberta.
Vita Bella, Fusion, Birch & Maple, Dos Arboles, Main St, Frankfort.
Petals & Perks Coffee, Frankfort.
Crescent Bakery & Coffee, Frankfort.
L’Chayim Delicatessen, Frankfort.
Ice Cream, The Scoop, Kilwin’s and Cool Spot, Frankfort, Ice House in Arcadia.
MOVIES
Garden Theater 301 Main St Frankfort, completely restored, next to Stormcloud Brewery.
Cherry Bowl Drive-In Theater 9812 Honor Hwy (M-31), Honor.
16 FREE THINGS TO DO
1. Crystal Lake Alpaca Farm, 4907 River Rd, Frankfort.
2. Sunsets on Lake Michigan at Frankfort (swings, volleyball), Elberta, Watervale or Pt. Betsie Beaches.
3. Basketball, Skateboard & Tennis Park, 7th St & Sky Pl, Frankfort.
4. Gwen Frostic’s Wood Block Nature Prints, nature preserve, world renowned stationary, 5140 River Rd, Frankfort.
5. Green Point Nature Preserve Hike, zig zag down the shaded trail to Lake Michigan. Hardy hikers can continue north along the beach to the Elberta breakwater. Pic below.
Another great beach for stone hunting is at the end of Grace Rd in Elberta, secluded beach and parking.
6. Walk to the Frankfort Lighthouse on the Frankfort Breakwater (calm days). Jump off near a ladder on hot days.
7. Kayaking, canoeing or paddle boarding.
8. Upper Herring Nature Preserve boardwalk hike.
9. Arcadia Marsh Nature Preserve boardwalk hike.
10. Gravity Hill, position your car on Putney Rd, church on your left, facing Joyfield Rd, about 100 yards from Joyfield & Putney intersection. Stop sign ahead should be visible over your dashboard but not the metal post. Turn off the car and glide uphill. Works with a bike too. Numerous articles online. 7018 Putney Rd, Arcadia.
11. Platte River State Salmon Hatchery, 15210 US-31 Beulah. Largest fish hatchery east of the Mississippi. Cherry Hut is on the way.
12. Kids waterfront parks, one in Elberta and one in Frankfort with mineral water fountain. Both close to fishing piers.
13. Historical Museums, 3340 Lake St, Arcadia, and 6941 Traverse Ave, Benzonia.
14. 4 1/2 Mile Walk on the Lake Michigan beach to Elberta.
Start at the end of Watervale Rd, go over the dune and turn right (north) all the way to Elberta Beach. Requires crossing the outlet, usually about a foot deep, 20’ wide, or get dropped off at the outlet by boat. Meet your party or park a car at Elberta Beach 4.5 miles to the north, next to the breakwater. This hike is best done in the morning when the beach is in the shade.
15. Concerts in the Park, summer nights, Thursday in Beulah on Crystal Lake, Sunday 6:30-8 in Frankfort, Mineral Springs Park.
16. Sleeping Bear Dunes. Free if you park in picnic area about a quarter mile away, 8751 W. Dayfarm Rd, Empire, or $20 at ranger station.
MORE RECREATION
Airplane Sightseeing Rides Orchard Beach Aviation, 2323 Airport Rd, Manistee, MI. (231) 723-8095.
Rockin R Ranch, horseback riding, Bear Lake, MI. 231-864-3539
Cognition Science & Discovery (Kids), Beulah, MI.
Crystal Falls Mini Golf & Ice Cream, Benzonia, MI.
Furnace Street Bar & Distillery, overlooking Frankfort Harbor, Elberta, in the former Trick Dog building.
Fantail Farm, Horse drawn wagon and sleigh rides, 231-930-7216, Benzonia.
Michigan Legacy Art Park (& Hike), Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville, MI.
Riverside canoe or kayak trips on the Betsie River
5042 Scenic Hwy, Honor, MI 49640, 231-325-5622
Betsie Valley Trail (Rails to Trails)
The Betsie Valley Trail is 22 miles long and extends from Frankfort through Elberta and Beulah to Thompsonville. Bike rentals in Frankfort, 231-399-0329.
Point Betsie Lighthouse tours, Frankfort, MI. (231)-352-7644,
FISHING
Great fishing can be had right off your dock on Upper and Lower Herring Lake. Please catch and release, especially on Lower and Upper Herring Lakes. For fishermen who like to cast near Lake Michigan, both Frankfort and Elberta have fishing piers on Lake Betsie, which is essentially Frankfort Harbor. It is known for salmon, brown trout, steelhead, smallmouth bass, and catfish.
On calm days, locals like to fish from the north and south cement breakwater piers that reach way out into Lake Michigan.
The Frankfort Tackle Box on Main St has bait, tackle, licenses and great advice. For salmon, lake trout and steelhead charters, I recommend Power Trip or Tiny Bubbles.
GOLF
Crystal Mountain
Top golf school in the state, driving range. 36 holes of scenic north woods golf with 4 distinct nines. 800-YOUR-MTN or 800-968-7686.
Pinecroft Golf Course
Views of beautiful Crystal Lake, driving Range, pro shop and snack bar. Reservations 231-882-9100.
Champion Hill
Located in the highlands of Benzie County with distant views of Lake Michigan, Platte Lake, and Crystal Lake. 501 N Marshall Rd Beulah 49617 231-882-9200
Arcadia Bluffs
Four-star golf course on Lake Michigan. Just south of Arcadia. 14710 Northwood Hwy, Arcadia MI. Bagpipers at sunset at the restaurant bar and terrace. 800-494-8666, restaurant 231-889-3009.
Frankfort Golf Club
9 hole public course. 1857 Golf Ln, Frankfort.
231-352-4101
BOAT RENTALS
Crystal Lake Adventure Sports
Main St Beulah & Frankfort. 231-399-0329 or 231-882-2527.
MacDonald Marine - 231-352-7970
Crystal Lake Marina – 231-882-7058
