Explore The Great Outdoors
Frankfort serves as a charming gateway to outdoor adventures in Northern Michigan. Nearby, the Betsie Valley Trail offers excellent biking and walking opportunities, while beach hikes at Frankfort Beach provide sandy shoreline walks—especially beautiful at sunset. The panoramic Old Baldy Trail at Arcadia Dunes and the quiet forested paths of Green Point Dunes also offer easy access to stunning Lake Michigan views. It’s a short drive North to explore Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
Hike
Arcadia Dunes / “Old Baldy” Trail scenic 3-mile loop through forest and open dune, with a steep final climb to panoramic views of Lake Michigan. Moderately challenging and well worth the effort.
Green Point Dunes Nature Preserve offers a quiet, scenic hike through hardwood forest and towering dunes, ending in stunning Lake Michigan views. It’s a beautiful but not the easiest hike.
Arcadia Marsh Nature Preserve A ½‑mile accessible boardwalk through a protected Great Lakes coastal marsh. Ideal for birding and wildlife viewing—best at dusk and dawn, but active all day.
Frankfort Beach & Pier features sugar-sand shores and a scenic pier leading to the iconic lighthouse — a perfect spot for catching breathtaking Lake Michigan sunsets. Stroll the beach or take a walk out on the pier for panoramic views.
Sleeping Bear Dunes
- Sleeping Bear Point Trail – Our favorite hike for sweeping lake and island views. Moderate effort, high reward.
- Treat Farm – A peaceful hike through forest and field to a dramatic Lake Michigan overlook. Several of our listing photos are from this hike.
- Empire Bluff Trail – 1.5-mile roundtrip hike to a wooden platform above Lake Michigan. Beautiful at sunset.
- Pyramid Point Trail – A short, steep 0.6-mile trail to a dramatic bluff. One of the park’s most iconic photo ops.
- Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive – Enjoy spectacular views of Lake Michigan, undulating sand dunes, and the forest canopy.
- The Dune Climb – If you’re traveling with kids, this is a must-do. It’s steep, sandy, and fun.
- Port Oneida Historic District – Preserved 19th-century farming community with barns, trails, and scenic byways. A glimpse into Leelanau’s past.
Beaches and Swimming
Frankfort Beach & Pier
Sugar-sand beach and iconic pier with spectacular sunset views. We recommend spending the entire day there. You can get lunch from East Shore To Go or take a break from the sand and walk downtown Frankfort for lunch or dinner. We highly recommend dashing to the beach to catch the sunset. Lake Michigan does not have swimmer’s itch but it may have rip currents on windy days—check warnings at the pier.
Elberta Beach
A quieter beach alternative to Frankfort, with new restrooms. This is a great place to get away from the crowds at Frankfort. Poison ivy is present near the dunes—stay on marked trails.
Empire Beach
A family-friendly beach with a playground, picnic area, and two swimming options, Lake Michigan or the much warmer South Bar. It’s right in the village of Empire with easy parking, restrooms, and a good swimming area. Small entry fee during the summer season.
Mouth of the Platte River
A unique spot where the Platte River flows into Lake Michigan. Great for tubing or floating, with scenic views and shallow wading areas. Parking available at Platte River Point.
Esch Beach
Also known as Otter Creek, this quiet beach is less developed, with a peaceful creek flowing into Lake Michigan. Popular with locals and photographers. No amenities—pack in and out.
Point Betsie Beach
Located next to the historic lighthouse, this beach offers stunning views. Rocky shoreline, so bring water shoes. Limited parking and no public restrooms, but worth it for the rocks, photo ops and sunsets.
Float a River
River Tubing & Kayaking
Tubing or kayaking down the Platte River or Betsie River is a relaxing way to explore northern Michigan’s forests, wetlands, and wildlife. The Platte River is calm and shallow—ideal for families and beginners—while the Betsie River is narrower with a quicker current, better suited for paddlers with some experience.
Honor Trading Post (Platte River)
Rentals for tubes, kayaks, and canoes with shuttle drop-off/pick-up options.
🌐 honortradingpost.com
📞 (231) 325-2323
Riverside Canoe Trips (Platte River)
Offers tubes, kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards. Shuttle service available.
📍Located on M-22 at the river launch.
🌐 riversidecanoetrips.com
📞 (231) 325-5622
Betsie River Canoes and Campground (Betsie River)
Canoes and kayak rentals for upper stretches of the Betsie. Scenic, wooded route with wildlife.
🌐 betsierivercanoes.com
📞 (231) 378-2006
River Outfitters of Michigan
Mobile kayak delivery for the Betsie River and inland lakes.
🌐 riveroutfittersofmichigan.com
📞 (231) 651-9099
Bike
Bike Rental – Coastline Cycles Downtown Frankfort fulfills all your cycling needs. Rent a cruiser or E-bike to enjoy a ride on the 22-mile Betsie Valley Trail.
Betsie Valley Trail
A 22-mile rail trail from Frankfort through Elberta and Beulah. Coastline Cycles in Frankfort offers cruiser, mountain, and e-bike rentals. Stop along your way at Railroad Point for a swim!
Mountain Biking – Arcadia Dunes / Dry Hill Trails
Singletrack loops ranging from beginner to intermediate, with flowy climbs and wooded descents. Start at St. Pierre Trailhead off M-22.
Mountain Biking – Palmer Woods
Palmer Woods Forest Reserve near Glen Arbor, Michigan, offers over 17 miles of professionally built mountain biking trails through hardwood forests. Designed for intermediate riders but accessible to beginners, the flow-style singletrack features berms, rollers, and optional jumps, with well-marked loops.