Point Betsie Lighthouse — Attraction in Lake Township

I want to give this lovely place five stars for the beautiful grounds and renovations. Also the docent at the lighthouse and keepers' house was knowledgeable and wonderfully sincere - a real pleasure. The gift shop and interpretive center are nice and well done and the staff person very nice. One of the few oil houses restored and still at the lighthouse site. The movie of the true story of the rescue of a six member crew off the coast is well done, and they use the rescue equipment from the lifesaving station at Sleeping Bear so we were very interested in watching it. It is a compelling story, one you get vested in quickly. So when a male member of the staff comes in five minutes before the end of the movie and tells us we have to leave right now because they're closing, we're all shocked. He very rudely says he's not going to let us see the end of the movie and turns off the TV. Never apologizes, is rude and arrogant because he's "in charge" apparently. We point out we were so close to the end and we want to know the final outcome of one of the crew so he just tells us who dies! - gee thanks dude. With other visitors still wandering around it would be 10-15 minutes before they could close anyway. The movie is on a timer - set that so it ends before closing time! Zero thought to how his action affects our experience of this great place, he completely ruined it for us. Hopefully he'll be gone before he ruins it for too...

SEE BELOW FOR RV TIPS! Very scenic lighthouse! The grounds are well-maintained, and the gift shop sells a variety of items. There are nice clean bathrooms available. You can walk around the grounds for free, and there is a free movie playing on loop in the fog horn building. If you want to go inside the lighthouse/museum, you have to buy a $5 ticket. TIPS FOR VISITING IN A RV: If you are coming in a RV, there is a sign at the highway turn off, which says "RV TURNAROUND LIMITED". The road to the lighthouse is paved and doesn't have overhanging trees, but it has soft sandy shoulders. At the end by the lighthouse is a wider area you could probably turn around in, HOWEVER, you won't know until you get there if there are a bunch of cars parked. Since we were in a 33ft motorhome, and it was a holiday weekend, we decided to park just off the highway right next to the road to the lighthouse. There is an unpaved space that kind of seems like a driveway for a house that is no longer there. It's probably private property, but we didn't have any trouble leaving our motorhome there for about an hour (but don't blame me if you get a ticket!). After that it is about a half mile walk to the lighthouse. We thought about biking it, but you go up and down a bit of a hill and it seemed like more trouble than...

One of those spots in NorMi. Magic, beautiful, space to roam, spots to get away from crowds if you are willing to walk a bit. Nice beach but Rocky so watch your step you tenderfooted tourists you, and be mindful hat ANYONE who wears shoes on a beach looks positively idiotic and kookish. Kick your shoes off, let the sharpest rock in Frankfort make it's world debut at the bottom of your foot and it still won't look as silly or be nearly as painful for you or your family as wearing white (or black) tennies on the beach with calf socks. And while we are on the subject of kookish behavior that could come to an end anytime, please stop asking locals "where a good beach is". As the saying goes if you seek a pleasant peninsula look around you. That's literally the motto of the state. If you find yourself in northern Michigan you can literally Drive in nearly any direction and find a beautiful beach. If all else fails just go to Traverse City and enjoy...