Frankfort Beach: Enjoy the Lake Michigan Beach and Beautiful Views

Northern Michigan is known for its sandy beaches and the stunning views on M-22. Frankfort is one of the best cities to visit for families as it offers a wide variety of things to do. Located just south of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Frankfort has a charming downtown full of shops and restaurants. It is also home to the Frankfort Beach, one of the most popular spots in town for relaxation and recreation. We’ve visited this beach many times to see the lighthouse or a sunset, and earlier this year we took the time to stroll north along the beach at the base of the towering sand dunes. Here’s a look at our visit(s) and some reasons why you should include this beach on any M-22 getaway.

The beach is known for its soft sand that is perfect for beach activities, or just sitting and soaking up the sun. The water here is perfect for swimming and you might even catch people surfing if conditions are right. There are benches and swings here, and the beach meets up with the north breakwater. Walking out on the north breakwater is a popular activity when conditions allow. At the end of the breakwater is the Frankfort North Breakwater Light, a 67 foot tall tower that has stood there since 1932.

It is possible to walk the beach to the north when water levels are low. This path puts you at the base of towering sand dunes much like ones at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. We loved this peaceful walk that gets you away from the crowds at the beach while also offering stunning scenery. Unlike the dunes at Arcadia or Sleeping Bear these dunes are not for climbing, and signs are posted asking visitors to stay off of them to prevent erosion.

If you love Lake Michigan you’ll love this beach. It’s one of many reasons why Frankfort is a popular summer destination for the entire family. As a warning, know that the parking lot here is not very big and it fills up fast when the weather is nice. Street parking is available throughout downtown and it is a short walk from there to the beach. We’ll let the pictures do the talking to finish things off here: