Things to Do in Frankfort Michigan: The Complete Local Guide

Last Updated: April 2026

Frankfort, Michigan punches well above its size. This small Lake Michigan beach town on the southern edge of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore has world-class salmon and trout fishing, two hidden-gem golf courses with Crystal Lake views, Point Betsie Lighthouse (one of the most photographed spots in the United States), and a Frankfort Beach sunset that I have never once been disappointed by in all the years I’ve been coming here. It sits just off M22 in Benzie County, 40 minutes from Traverse City, and most people drive through on their way to Sleeping Bear without stopping. That’s a mistake.

I make a point to visit Frankfort every year — sometimes twice. It has a personality that’s distinct from every other town on M22: a little more local, a little less curated, with a craft brewery in the middle of downtown and charter fishing boats leaving the harbor before sunrise. When I was putting together a northern Michigan segment for WDIV Detroit, Frankfort was the town that surprised the producers most. Here’s everything worth your time.

Frankfort is located in Benzie County on the southern edge of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, set between Lake Michigan to the west and Crystal Lake to the east. Betsie Lake runs through downtown, connecting to Lake Michigan through the Betsie River channel — which is exactly what makes the harbor so productive for fishing. The town itself is compact and walkable, with a genuine downtown rather than a tourist strip.

Fishing in Frankfort Michigan

Frankfort is one of the premier charter fishing ports on Lake Michigan — and it’s one of the most underrated. The combination of the Betsie River channel, Platte Bay access, and deep Lake Michigan water just offshore makes this harbor productive for multiple species across the full season. Charter boats leave before sunrise and regularly come back with limits of King Salmon, Coho, Lake Trout, and Steelhead. If you’ve never been on a Lake Michigan charter, Frankfort is an excellent place to start — the captains here are experienced, the water is accessible, and the fish are reliably present from May through October.

Fishing Season Calendar

• Spring (May–June): Lake Trout and Steelhead are the primary targets. Lake Trout in 50–150 feet of water near the bottom; Steelhead active near pier heads and river mouths. Best booking window: mid-May.
• Summer (July–August): Chinook (King) Salmon become the primary target, staging in 80–150 feet of water. Lake Trout remain strong. Kings are most active in late July through August — the Benzie Fishing Frenzy event runs August 20–30, which is peak salmon madness season. Book early for August dates.
• Fall (September–October): “The Big Run” — King Salmon stage in Platte Bay and the Betsie River for spawning. Some of the largest fish of the year come in during this window. River fishing on the Betsie opens up for those who want to wade rather than charter.
• Winter: The Betsie and Platte Rivers provide winter steelhead opportunities for dedicated anglers.

Charter Fishing Operators in Frankfort

All three of these are well-reviewed, experienced operations. Book early — August dates fill weeks in advance:

• Intimidator Sport Fishing — Captain Andy Odette, family-owned operation with a “no fish no fee” policy. Highly rated for families and first-timers. Half-day charters. 📞 Book through Tripadvisor or direct inquiry
• Chromeseekers Sportfishing — Captain Dan, extensive Lake Michigan and river experience. Covers Frankfort, Crystal Lake, and Betsie River guide trips. 📞 chromeseekers.com
• Fish Frankfort — Captain Dan Stewart, covers Platte Bay, Crystal Lake charters, and Betsie and Big Manistee River guide trips. King Salmon, Coho, Steelhead, Brown Trout, Walleye. 📞 248-229-7226 | fishfrankfort.com

PRO TIP: August King Salmon charters fill up the fastest. If you’re planning a late-summer fishing trip, book 6–8 weeks in advance. For a first trip, mid-May for lake trout and steelhead is an excellent introduction — less crowded and very productive.

Golf Near Frankfort Michigan

Frankfort’s golf scene is one of the best-kept secrets in northern Michigan. Two sister courses — Pinecroft and Champion Hill — sit just outside town with Crystal Lake views that rival anything in the state, and Arcadia Bluffs (one of Michigan’s most celebrated courses) is 25 minutes north on M22. This area is quietly becoming one of the best golf destinations in the Midwest, and most visitors have no idea.

Pinecroft Golf Course

Built on a former Christmas tree farm, Pinecroft is the more relaxed of the two sister courses — low-key vibe, easy-going pace, and a back porch at the clubhouse with views of Crystal Lake that get better as the afternoon progresses. This is the course you play before dinner, or the one you take a friend who hasn’t played in years. The fairways are firm, the layout is strategic, and the view from the 18th is what brings people back.

• 📍 Crystal Lake area, Frankfort MI | 🌐 crystallakegolf.com

Champion Hill Golf Course

Champion Hill is Pinecroft’s more demanding sister course. Views on every hole — but don’t let them distract you, because this course requires your full attention and some creativity off the tee. It rewards shot-making and penalizes lazy play. If you’re playing both courses in a trip, play Pinecroft in the afternoon and Champion Hill in the morning when you’re fresh.

• 📍 Crystal Lake area, Frankfort MI | 🌐 crystallakegolf.com

Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club

Twenty-five minutes north of Frankfort on M22 in Arcadia, Arcadia Bluffs is one of Michigan’s most celebrated courses — a walking-only links-style course on bluffs above Lake Michigan with views that have been featured in Golf Digest and consistently ranked among the best in the Midwest. It’s a bucket-list round, and it’s worth planning a full day around. Book well in advance — tee times are competitive in summer.

• 📍 14710 Northwood Hwy, Arcadia, MI 49613 | 🌐 arcadiabluffs.com

Beaches in Frankfort Michigan

Frankfort has four distinct beach options within a few miles, each with a different personality. The Lake Michigan beaches here face due west — perfect for sunset watching — and the water has that characteristic northern Michigan clarity.

• Frankfort Beach (Anchor Road Beach) — The main public beach, right in downtown. Full amenities: swimming, restrooms, playground, beach swings, volleyball, and the North Breakwater Lighthouse at the end of the pier. Dog run at the north end. ADA accessible walkway from the road all the way to the pier — one of the best accessible beach setups in northern Michigan.
• Elberta Beach — Directly across Betsie Bay from Frankfort. Quieter, no restrooms, but leashed dogs are allowed on the beach. Good alternative when Frankfort Beach fills up on summer weekends. The bluff views over the bay make it one of the more scenic spots in the area.
• Point Betsie Beach — Located at the Point Betsie Lighthouse, this beach is more about the experience than the amenities. Wide open Lake Michigan shoreline, the lighthouse as a backdrop, and excellent rock hunting for Petoskey stones. No restrooms.
• Crystal Lake Public Beach — Small beach on the south shore of Crystal Lake. The water here is extraordinarily clear and warmer than Lake Michigan — a good choice for families with young kids or anyone who wants calmer water.

Point Betsie Lighthouse

Point Betsie Lighthouse is regularly cited as one of the most photographed spots in the United States — and standing at the shoreline with Lake Michigan behind it, that’s easy to believe. The wide open beach, the crashing waves, and the working lighthouse combine into a scene that feels almost too good to be real. The lighthouse is still operational and serves as an active navigation aid. Tours are available in summer through the Point Betsie Lighthouse organization, and the beach below is a great spot for Petoskey stone hunting.

Point Betsie sits at the beginning of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore — which means this is where the dune scenery starts and where M22 begins earning its scenic reputation. Worth a 30–45 minute stop at minimum. Go at golden hour if you can.

Watch the Lake Michigan Sunset

The Frankfort sunset is not subtle. Head to the beach at Frankfort North Breakwater Lighthouse at dusk and settle in — the sun drops directly into Lake Michigan from here, and the pier and lighthouse frame it in a way that makes every photo look planned. Arrive 30–45 minutes before sunset to claim one of the benches along the beach walkway. Bring a blanket if you’re there in September or October — it cools off fast once the sun drops. Or skip the benches entirely and just find a spot in the sand with a clear horizon. Either way, you’ll remember it.

Eat and Drink in Downtown Frankfort

Downtown Frankfort is small, walkable, and genuinely good — it’s one of those downtowns where the quality-to-size ratio is higher than it has any right to be. A few favorites:

Stormcloud Brewing Company

Located at 303 Main St in the middle of downtown, Stormcloud is the anchor of Frankfort’s food and drink scene. They specialize in handcrafted Belgian ales — the Birdwalker Blonde is my go-to — and the live music schedule and outdoor seating make it easy to spend a few hours here. Good food to go alongside the beer. This is a real brewery, not a tourist operation.

• 📍 303 Main St, Frankfort, MI 49635 | 🌐 stormcloudbrewing.com

L’Chayim Delicatessen

Made-to-order sandwiches that consistently surprise people — not what you’d expect in a small northern Michigan beach town. I grab one and walk to the beach. It’s that kind of place.

• 📍 Downtown Frankfort | 🌐 lchayimdeli.com

Dos Arboles

Mexican dishes with a northern Michigan twist. The nachos and carnitas are the move. A reliable dinner spot when you’ve been on the water or the golf course all day.

• 📍 Downtown Frankfort | 🌐 dosarbolesfrankfort.com

Arts in Frankfort Michigan

Frankfort has a genuinely strong arts community for its size — several galleries and studios worth visiting, and an arts center that runs programming year-round.

• Gwen Frostic Prints — The studio and gallery of the late Michigan artist and naturalist Gwen Frostic, who lived and worked in Benzie County until her death in 2001. Her linoleum block artwork earned her a place in the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame. Visit the studio to see exhibits, purchase notecards, books, and prints. One of those genuinely Michigan experiences.
• Oliver Art Center — The Elizabeth Lane Oliver Center for the Arts in downtown Frankfort. Classes, workshops, and rotating exhibitions throughout the year.
• Ellie Harold Art Studio — Open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Regional landscapes, still lifes, and abstract oil paintings, plus notecards, calendars, and books.

Crystal Mountain Resort

Twenty minutes from Frankfort, Crystal Mountain is worth including in any Frankfort trip, especially for families. In summer and fall: tennis, golf, an outdoor pool, and the Michigan Legacy Art Park — a 30-acre outdoor sculpture park with 40 works of art spread across 1.6 miles of hiking trails, open year-round. Founded in 1995, this is one of the more unusual and quietly impressive experiences in northern Michigan. In winter, Crystal Mountain is one of the best family ski destinations in the Midwest and home to Michigan’s only alpine slide.

• 📍 12500 Crystal Mountain Drive, Thompsonville, MI 49683 | 🌐 crystalmountain.com

Outdoor Activities: Biking, Hiking, and Paddling

Betsie Valley Trail

The Betsie Valley Trail is one of the most scenic biking trails in northwest Michigan, running through the Betsie River valley with river views, wetlands, and forest throughout. Joy2Ride Benzie, a local nonprofit, runs an accessible cycling program that allows individuals who can’t ride a standard bike to enjoy the trail using specially designed wheelchair bikes with volunteer pilots. One of the more thoughtful accessibility programs in Michigan outdoor recreation.

• 🌐 joy2ridebenzie.org

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore — Day Trips from Frankfort

Frankfort sits at the southern gateway to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, making it one of the better base camps for exploring the park. The Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive is about 25 minutes north; Empire Bluff Trail is 20 minutes; and the Dune Climb is 30 minutes. Crystal Lake Golf’s Pinecroft and Champion Hill also make Frankfort a natural golf base for exploring the full M22 corridor.

Getting to Frankfort Michigan

Frankfort is located in Benzie County in northwest Michigan, on the Lake Michigan shore just off M22.

• From Traverse City: 40 minutes southwest via M-72 or US-31 to M-115
• From Grand Rapids: 2.5 hours north via US-131 or US-31 to M-115
• From Detroit: Just over 4 hours via I-75 North to M-115 West
• By air: Fly into Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) in Traverse City and drive 40 minutes west on M-72 to Frankfort

Frankfort Weather

Frankfort is classic northern Michigan: cold and snowy from December through March, and beautifully warm June through September with daytime temperatures typically in the low-to-mid 70s°F. Mornings and evenings run cooler — bring a layer for beach evenings even in July. Fall is crisp and gorgeous; winter is quiet and worth it for skiers and ice fishers who know where to look.

Things to Do in Frankfort Michigan — Frequently Asked Questions

What is Frankfort Michigan known for?

Frankfort is best known for Lake Michigan charter fishing (King Salmon, Lake Trout, Steelhead), Point Betsie Lighthouse (one of the most photographed spots in the US), Crystal Lake, golf at Pinecroft and Champion Hill, and Stormcloud Brewing Company. It also serves as the southern gateway to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

Is Frankfort Michigan good for fishing?

Yes — Frankfort is one of the top charter fishing ports on Lake Michigan. The harbor provides access to Lake Michigan, Betsie River, Platte Bay, and Crystal Lake, making it a multi-species destination throughout the season. King Salmon are the primary summer target (peak: August); Lake Trout and Steelhead are best in May; the Big Run river fishing kicks in September. Book August charters 6–8 weeks in advance.

What golf courses are near Frankfort Michigan?

Pinecroft and Champion Hill are two sister courses just outside Frankfort with Crystal Lake views — Pinecroft is relaxed and scenic; Champion Hill is more challenging. Arcadia Bluffs, 25 minutes north on M22 in Arcadia, is one of Michigan’s most acclaimed courses and a bucket-list round for serious golfers.

Is Point Betsie Lighthouse open for tours?

Yes — Point Betsie Lighthouse offers tours in summer through the Point Betsie Lighthouse preservation organization. Check pointbetsie.org for current tour dates and hours before visiting. The beach and surrounding area are accessible year-round.

Is Frankfort Beach ADA accessible?

Yes — Frankfort Beach has a full accessible walkway that runs from the road all the way to the pier and North Breakwater Lighthouse. It’s one of the best ADA-accessible beach setups in northern Michigan.

How far is Frankfort Michigan from Traverse City?

Frankfort is approximately 40 minutes southwest of Traverse City via M-72 or US-31 to M-115. It’s a natural day trip from Traverse City or a first or last stop on an M22 scenic drive.

Where is the best sunset in Frankfort Michigan?

Frankfort Beach at the North Breakwater Lighthouse pier. The sun drops directly into Lake Michigan from here and the lighthouse frames it perfectly. Arrive 30–45 minutes before sunset to get a bench or a good spot in the sand. Elberta Beach across the bay is a quieter alternative.

What are the best restaurants in Frankfort Michigan?

Stormcloud Brewing Company (303 Main St) for Belgian ales and live music. L’Chayim Delicatessen for excellent made-to-order sandwiches. Dos Arboles for Mexican food. A. Papanos for pizza. The downtown is compact — you can walk all of these in a few minutes.

Is Frankfort Michigan dog friendly?

Yes — Frankfort Beach has a dog run at the north end of the beach. Elberta Beach allows leashed dogs on the beach. The Betsie Valley Trail is dog-friendly for walking and biking. Most downtown shops and Stormcloud’s outdoor areas are dog-welcoming.

Frankfort is on the southern end of M22 — use our full scenic drive guide to plan everything between Manistee and Traverse City, and our Sleeping Bear Dunes guide for the park just north of town.