crystal lake

We know someone with a cabin near the lake who was kind enough to let us park our camper on his property for a few days. This was a few years back, but the lake was so blue and pretty. We tend to visit different areas of Michigan on vacation, but after reading all these reviews, I think I will try to get back to this area next year. The guy we know took us out on his pontoon boat and on his jetboat---I got to waterski too. We also did a float down the Platt River while there--had a wonderful time.

I'm almost 69 years old. My family and I have been coming to Crystal Lake since I was eight. Why?For starters, the Lake is beautiful -- about six miles long and two miles wide. Indeed, the water is crystal clear. At one point, it is about half-mile from Lake Michigan and the two make interesting bedfellows. Storms developing on Lake Michigan slide over to CL and because the lake is so long, the display is spectacular.We love the area with CL as the centerpiece and the village of Beulah and city of Frankfort. Beulah is struggling while Frankfort is vibrant. Beulah is on CL; Frankfort on LM. Lots of shops and eateries are in both communities as well as spectacular scenery.CL is great for swimming and fishing. It is not over-run by power boats, or personal watercraft. You'll see lots of slow-moving pontoons and sailboats.The area is family, relaxing, simple -- not high-strung full of beautiful people and beautiful things.It is an area that grows on you and when you drive back home, you know you'll want to return.It's also close to Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore, Crystal Mountain resort (year-around), the overly-popular and over-rated Traverse City. Lots of cottages are available for rental; motels in the immediate area are few and not so hot. How well do I like it? Well, I hope to retire there in a few years.

First time in the area and this lake is crystal, crystal clear!Enjoyed the afternoon on the lake on friends pontoon boat. Very nice August afternoon. Lake was calm and no matter where we went you could see bottom. Water looked clear enough to drink. Since I live near the Saginaw Bay I really loved being on this crystal clear lake. If your in the area its a must see.,

Went sailing and jet skiing in the Lake. Water was clean. We had a great time. We also stayed at a family cabin on the Lake which was nice.

My wife's sister and brother in law have a house on Crystal Lake. It is a very pretty lake - great sleeping with the windows open. Love the sound of the water and rustling leaves. A very pretty spot to visit.

We went wave running a couple of years ago. It was a great experience. The boat ramp made loading and unloading the wave runners very easy. Crystal is a large body of water. The water is crystal clear. The only thing there was not a beach to stop and enjoy with the wave runners.

We drove to this location specifically for this lake without knowing it was primarily not accessible for the general public unless staying for vacation in a rental. We drove around the entire lake looking for an appealing public access point. Unfortunately, the only public access point was for some type of pass holder. An idea for improvement, mark or make some clear parking to enable a small area for public enjoyment of such a lovely spot. It appears that the entire lake is geared more towards those who are vacationing there, which is great unless you are just driving through and want to spend a few hours.

My family has been coming to Crystal Lake for several weeks in the summer for the past 38 years! That shows how much we love this place. It has the most beautiful colors in the lake ranging from crystal clear to deep turquoise. We have stayed in several rental houses over the years - all right on the lake. Our children have enjoyed their summer vacations here and are now bringing their spouses back to enjoy it too! We love to rent a pontoon boat at the marina and take a day trip around this beautiful lake, sometimes stopping to let the kids swim. There are quite a few restaurants nearby and in Frankfort which is only 15 minutes away. It truly is a heavenly place to rest & relax or play!

There is a nice little playground at beach on lake in town. The town is small but worth the hour to walk around. Excellent bagel shop with large sandwiches and reasonable prices. Very large antique store and Winery on hill. Everyone is friendly. We've stayed here a week in beulah on Crystal lake. It's been enjoyable. Also liked the town of Frankford. The playground there is larger and new (2014), lighthouse and bigger downtown area. At Crystal lake, with some rentals, you get your own "Private beach", meaning a 20ft portion of lakefront just for you. Kids loved it!

Riding your bicycle around the lake presents the rider starting at the west end, traveling clockwise, a fairly flat first half, by a more challenging, hilly second half 22-mile route. Scenic, picturesque views of the lake abound as you travel, making stops for viewing a great reason to take a little break as you circumnavigate this clear lake.

Family oriented, mostly private cabins and homes with little public beach, but if you are looking for a getaway thats quiet and beautiful , Crystal may be for you!

Beulah is nice enough to visit, and it does have a prim little beach, one of the few areas where the public can enjoy Crystal Lake. Otherwise, it is pay-to-play and much of it is off limits to all but seasonal cottagers or renters. There would be a nice bicycle trail along part of this lake, a portion of the Benzie Valley Trail, but landowners are opposing paving the public easement.It is merely part of the scenery monopolized by absentee owners who would rather it be their private pond - - - and they act the part, exhibiting the "I've got mine, now go away" attitude.

This Lake is gorgeous. We rented a pontoon for he day and were amazed at how clean this lake is! We are in love!! Need a house on this lake!!

We just returned from our 4th of July vacation to Crystal Lake. I cannot say enough good things about this area. The lake is unbelievably clear and swim able. Beautiful lake homes. We would highly recommend renting a house and spending your next vacation at Crystal Lake and the surrounding areas.

Crystal Lake is a wonderful lake to swim, fish, boat, waterski, or whatever you enjoy. It is a sandy bottom lake with a long shelf so it is ideal for families with young children. It does not get deep in most areas unless you walk out a city block or so!