Benzie County, Michigan: Betsie River Campground, Betsie Valley Trailway, Betsie River, dining, and more

September 2019, Weekend, 2-nights, Campsite 57

Water conditions in Frankfort the weekend of our stay.

Bestie River Campground reservations and check-in

We had hoped to take our boat to Frankfort and stay at Harbor Lights Resort Marina (details in one of my previous Frankfort posts); however, the boating forecast was not good, so we decided to camp instead. Just a couple of days before the weekend, we called, and were able to reserve the last available pull-through campsite at this park to accommodate our 5th wheel. The owner said that the sites along the perimeter against the woods are not large enough for us. I thought the cost was a tad steep; $37 a night for 30 amp with water hookup, and $35 for 20 amp with water. Friends of ours stayed here a couple of years ago, and told us the breaker kept blowing on their 30 amp site. We did not have that problem, although the campground website says the following for 20 amp sites: If ya try to run a toaster, hair dryer, coffee pot and microwave all at the same time while eating pop tarts and watching satelite TV...well ur gonna watch us flip breaker switches. If you can camp without all of the bells and whistles goin' at the same time you will be fine.

We paid one night's deposit when making the reservation, and the balance at check-in. We were allowed to check-in early, as there was no one on our campsite from the night before.

Campsite 57 at Betsie River Campground.

Betsie River Campground site 57

The pull through sites in this campground are set up to face each other (with alternating connection locations), and the fire rings can be placed wherever you want. There were at least six fire burn spots on our site. The alternating hookups are great, if you are camping with others; however, we had hoped for more privacy, since we were camping alone for the first time in several weeks.

Another view of campsite 57 at Betsie River Campground.

You can park facing whichever direction you want, and then move the fire ring, if needed. If we had arrived after our neighbors, we would have parked facing the other way. Even though this would have resulted in our connections being father away, we had enough power cord and hose to park opposite the way we did. Our neighbors arrived after we had set up, and then parked facing us. We thoughtfully moved the fire ring on our site to a different [previous] location away from where they were seated and their truck, and then later they moved their fire ring from near where they had been seated, to the lot line next to ours! 😲 We did not understand why they did not move their truck instead. This made the two fire rings too close for two fires, AND this location was near our bedroom window. Additionally, they complained about being parked under tree branches, which they could have avoided by parking the other way, and their visitors kept parking on our site because they did not have enough room for three or four vehicles. At least this was only for two nights, and we do not always have neighbors like this!

Several campsites around the perimeter of the campground are big enough for our 5th wheel. It looks like they are all only 15 or 20 amp, which is probably why we were told the sites would not accommodate us. Most of the website photos of the sites are not the actual sites, so it is difficult to tell, if you have never been to this campground before.

Bestie River Campground: cabin 25 and campsite 26.
The boat is on the next site; 27, I assume, although the
website map drawing does not quite match this photo.

This campground also offers cabins and trailers for rent, along with canoes and kayaks. There is a bathhouse, fish cleaning station, and dump station. The Betsie Valley Trailway runs directly past the campground, making it easy to get to Frankfort and Elberta (Lake Michigan beaches), Crystal Lake, Betsie River, Beulah, and Benzonia.

Crystal Lake by Mollineaux Rd.

Recreation: beaches, Betsie Valley Trailway, kayaking, biking, hiking

There are sandy public beaches on Lake Michigan on either side of the channel: Elberta on the south side, and Frankfort on the north side. The top photo in this blog post partially shows Frankfort Beach with the volleyball nets and pier. The water in Crystal Lake by Mollineaux Rd. is a tad rocky by shore. All three beaches are accessible via Bestie Valley Trailway, or by car. There is no cost to enter or park.

Bestie Valley Trailway between Elberta and Frankfort September 2019

Betsie Valley Trailway is paved from Frankfort and Elberta to Mollineaux Rd. The trail then turns to crushed limestone. The trail was partially flooded around Elberta and Frankfort, with cones and signs clearly posted.

Bestie River from the trailway just north of River Rd.

The trail runs alongside Betsie River most of the way, and there are several benches. The river was quite busy with fisherman and boaters the weekend of our visit. We observed several people cleaning fish in the campground, as well. We kayaked this river a few years ago, traveling under the bridge on M-22 and out to Betsie Lake. This year, there was not room under the bridge because the water was so high.

Overlooking Crystal Lake from Railroad Point.

Railroad Point Natural Area overlooking Crystal Lake was a new stop for us. This overlook is beautiful! The bike ride to this point from the campground is about 4.5 miles one-way. There is a 1.5 mile hiking trail at the top beyond the overlook.

Treasure Trove prize from BeeDazzled.

Dining and shopping

We participated in the Benzie County Treasure Trove, and I won a beautiful gift pack from BeeDazzled, which is located on River Road between the campground and visitors' center.

Flight at St. Ambrose Cellars; usual cost $10.

Other great finds in the packet included: $2 off a flight at Ambrose Cellars, free slider at Jim's Joint in Honor (everything was delicious!), free slice of cherry pie at Cherry Hut in Beulah (also delicious!), three snack sausages at Port City Smokehouse in Frankfort, and more. The discounts were only good for the weekend of our stay, so unfortunately, we were unable to use them all. We had planned to stop at Iron Fish Distillery to use the $3 off wood fired pizza coupon; however, we ended up leaving the area before they opened on Sunday.

Let me know if you have any questions!