Top Parks & Nature Attractions in Benzie County, MI
Nature & Parks in Benzie County
- Traveler favoritesThings to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
- Traveler rankingHighest rated attractions on Tripadvisor, based on traveler reviews.
Category types
Types of Attractions
Nature & Parks
Traveler rating
Good for
9 places sorted by traveler favorites
Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
Historic Walking Areas • Hiking Trails
Golf Courses • Ski & Snowboard Areas
What travelers are saying
- Chris HGrand Rapids, MI1,194 contributionsA very nice beach that feels like it's the heart of Frankfort. The views are spectacular , especially when storming or 🌇. The sand is pristine and one of my favorite things is the plethora of benches. Normally your lucky for 4 or 5. It feels like there's 80+ here. Watching the large waves crash into the pier creating giant splashes is an awesome sight. The lighthouse at the end of the pier is very nice, nothing spectacular, but a classic none the less. There always seems to be people surfing and sailboarding. Plus people playing with kites.
Overall an easy 5 star review! Would I return? You betcha!Written October 24, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - VlasWhite Lake34 contributionsWell worth the visit. We got on the lake by 9 am on a weekday and it was very calm which made it great to see through the water and see interesting things along the bottom. My favorite is see the sandy shallow water just drop off into the instant deep water...very cool. We were able to see the bottom up to about 13-14 ft. of water according to our Depth finder. We felt its just as clear as Glen Lake, just a slightly different color projected. Big Glen had a color that came closer to matching the Bahamas but Crystal Lake is a beautiful color as well. I will say as the day went on, between the added boats and the winds that picked up, it got very rough out on the water....hence the original name of the lake (cap) for the white caps on the rough waters. The DNR launch is great, if you don't want to walk the steps you can walk up the road. I counted 150 steps which only took me a few minutes to do.Written August 1, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Arlene PGrand Rapids, MI45 contributionsThis is where the Plaate river ends. Right at lake Michigan. It has beautiful and clear waters. It's worth wading and playing in. The kids enjoyed it after rafting down the Plaate. A great reward for all the hard work.Written August 12, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Henry BGrand Rapids, MI529 contributionsWe biked this trail for the first time. From Frankfort almost to Crystal Lake it is paved. Once you cross a 2-lane highway at the end of Crystal Lake it is hard pack. The trail is well maintained with lovely scenery. There are a couple of road crossings, some busier than others, so BE CAREFUL!. Something missing - I didn't see a repair and air station at the trail head.Written June 26, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- MLTMilan, IL35 contributionsNo place like nature to show your kids and friends what Michigan does best to please the tourists. Clean water and fish!Written September 4, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- ajkuiper55Kalamazoo County, MI31 contributionsThis is a worthwhile Hike. Hike wanders by three or four lakes, as well as the Platte River. It is listed at 3.2 miles and took us 1 3/4 hours.Written May 8, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- AndSand76Indiana, PA100 contributionsThis beach is an interesting contrast to the neighboring Frankfort Beach. Arriving mid-morning on an August Wedesday, we found very few people on the beach, which stretches for a long ways. There is lots of sand and water space. More people eventually came, but there was still plenty of space. There were small waves and the water wasn't particularly shallow, but our chidren ages 4 to 8 had a great time for many hours. The sand seemed slightly coarser than at Frankfort. Walking out on the pier provided great views of both beaches, boats coming and going on the Betsie River, water splashing on the rocks, and many fish.Written August 5, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- amarino72Royal Oak, MI42 contributionsTook my two teenage kids here for a ski weekend and this our 4th time at Chrystal Mountain. Stayed on the first floor of the Hamlet room 142 and loved our room! Now it was next to a staff office so be prepared to hear noise early but aside from that no complaints!Written February 18, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Indy-NDSouth Bend, IN3,353 contributionsI stopped at Esch Beach after doing the Treat Farm Trail just to the north. I could see the beach from the top of the dune bluff and then went to the beach and tool pictures of the dune from the beach.
The beach seemed nice. It isn't groomed like a more popular beach would be, so there were more sticks and rock in the sand that you think there would be. Being secluded is part of the charm.
The road in and out and the parking area are pretty awful. I had my car, so I was dodging huge potholes the whole way in and out and in the parking area.Written December 14, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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