Hotel · Mid-range
Water Street Inn
On Front Street in downtown Boyne City, on Lake Charlevoix
An all-suite condominium hotel on the Lake Charlevoix shore in downtown Boyne City, with kitchens, fireplaces and lake-view balconies.
Lake · Charlevoix & Petoskey
Lake Charlevoix
An all-sports lake of 17,200 acres linking Charlevoix, Boyne City and East Jordan, with town marinas, a channel to Lake Michigan and walleye through the ice.
Photo: My name (Wikimedia Commons user), Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)
Lake Charlevoix is an all-sports lake made for roaming by boat. Ski, tube and cruise between three towns, Charlevoix, Boyne City and East Jordan, and run out through the channel to Lake Michigan. Only two stretches are slow no-wake: the Ironton narrows and the marked zone around the Boyne City marina.
It is big and deep. The Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council lists it as the third-largest lake in the state by surface area, at about 17,200 acres, and it reaches 122 feet deep.
Each town has a city marina: Charlevoix on Round Lake, Boyne City at the east end and East Jordan at the foot of the South Arm. Transient slips at all three are booked through the state system, so reserve ahead for summer weekends. Not a boat owner? Pontoons, ski boats, jet skis, kayaks and paddleboards are rented in Boyne City and near East Jordan.
For a swim, Ferry Beach in Charlevoix has a gradual, sandy swim area that suits small kids, and Young State Park between Charlevoix and Boyne City has a sandy beach. Anglers come for walleye, plus smallmouth bass, perch and pike, and in winter the South Arm usually freezes first and safest for ice fishing.
It helps to know the two basins, which glaciers shaped. The Main Basin runs from Boyne City, where the Boyne River comes in, west to the city of Charlevoix. The narrower, shallower South Arm runs from near Ironton down to East Jordan at the mouth of the Jordan River. That long arm gives the lake about 60 miles of shoreline, unusually long for an inland lake.
The way out to Lake Michigan is through Round Lake and the Pine River Channel at Charlevoix, so the lake’s level rises and falls with Lakes Michigan and Huron. Take care in the channel. The current usually flows outward, but westerly winds can push Lake Michigan water back in, and the current can be strong in either direction.
On the water
Motorboats and rules
Most of the lake has no special limits, but two areas are slow no-wake: the Ironton narrows where the South Arm meets the main basin, and the marked zone around the Boyne City municipal marina. Round Lake in downtown Charlevoix, on the way out to Lake Michigan, is slow no-wake end to end.
Swimming
In Charlevoix, Ferry Beach is the family pick: a sandy swim area that deepens gradually, with a playground, restrooms and pavilions. Depot Beach, also in town, has restrooms, a pavilion and paddleboard rentals. Young State Park near Boyne City has a sandy swimming beach (Recreation Passport required for vehicles). In Boyne City, Peninsula Beach and Tannery Beach are small town beaches, and East Jordan's Tourist Park on North Lake Street has a campground and beach.
Boating
At Charlevoix the lake connects to Round Lake and Lake Michigan, so you can run between the inland lake and the big lake. Marinas, charters and equipment rentals are in the area.
Paddling
Young State Park on the east shore offers paddling and paddlesport rentals, so you can get on the water without bringing your own boat.
Fishing
Walleye are the headline fish. Out of Boyne City, the local catch also includes smallmouth bass, yellow perch, bluegill and rock bass, and in winter pike, cisco and the odd lake trout come through the ice. Check current Michigan DNR rules before fishing.
Fish species
Species include walleye, northern pike, cisco, lake trout, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, bluegill, and rock bass.
Connected waters
Yes, you can reach Lake Michigan by boat: the Pine River Channel runs from the main basin through Round Lake in downtown Charlevoix to the big lake. Because of that link, the lake rises and falls with Lakes Michigan and Huron.
Good to know
Because the lake is open to Lake Michigan, Great Lakes invasive species move in freely. Known invaders include zebra and quagga mussels, round goby, sea lamprey, Eurasian watermilfoil, curly-leaf pondweed and invasive Phragmites. Clean, drain and dry your boat between lakes.
In winter
Lake Charlevoix is a real ice-fishing lake. The South Arm usually freezes first and safest because it is shallower and narrower, and the area around Ironton (15 to 30 feet of water) is known for walleye. Pike are targeted in late January, cisco in February, and lake trout turn up now and then. Young State Park and the mouth of the Boyne River are popular starting points. The main basin can stay open late, so check ice thickness yourself every time.
Public boat launches
Ferry Beach (Charlevoix)
City-run launch with four lanes and a hard-surfaced ramp deep enough for most trailered boats, about 100 trailer spaces and flush toilets. Launch fee. It sits within about two miles of Lake Michigan.
Ironton boating access site
DNR launch near the Ironton narrows with four lanes, a deep hard-surfaced ramp, 43 trailer spaces and a vault toilet. Recreation Passport required.
Dutchman's Bay boating access site
DNR launch on the South Arm with two lanes, a deep hard-surfaced ramp, 35 trailer spaces and a vault toilet. Recreation Passport required.
Boyne City launch
City-run launch with two lanes, 53 trailer spaces and a flush toilet. Launch fee.
Tourist Park (East Jordan)
City-run launch at the head of the South Arm with two lanes, a deep hard-surfaced ramp and 21 trailer spaces. Launch fee.
Young State Park
One-lane hard-surfaced ramp in shallower water, where larger boats may struggle, with four trailer spaces. Recreation Passport required.
Camp Sea-Gull Park
Two-lane launch with nine trailer spaces and a vault toilet.
Marinas
- Charlevoix City Marina
City marina on Round Lake at the foot of East Park in downtown Charlevoix, the gateway between Lake Charlevoix and Lake Michigan. Most of its 77 slips are reservable for short stays through the DNR system; fuel and pump-out come from Ward Brothers' Boats next door.
- F. Grant Moore Municipal Marina (Boyne City)
Boyne City's marina at the east end of the lake, with 42 transient and seasonal slips. The city lists restrooms, showers, a courtesy vehicle and loaner bikes; reservations go through the state system.
East Jordan City Marina
City marina at the south end of the South Arm, listed with seasonal and transient slips, shopping docks, gas and diesel, pump-out and showers.
- Irish Boat Shop (Charlevoix)
Full-service marina on Stover Road listed with slip rentals and dockage, a gas dock, boat storage, repair and service, and a chandlery.
Boat, kayak and paddleboard rentals
- Boyne Watersports
Jet skis, pontoons, tritoons, ski boats, kayaks, paddleboards and pedal boards from One Water Marina in downtown Boyne City, for use on Lake Charlevoix only.
- Summertime Rentals
Jet skis, pontoons, tritoons, fishing boats, kayaks and paddleboards from the South Arm Marina near East Jordan, with waterfront delivery of kayaks and paddleboards.
Listed because their own sites say they rent on this water. Not an endorsement, and we have no ties to them. Check with them for what is available.
Fishing, launching at a state site or parking at a state park? See licenses and passes for what you need before you go.
Anything not listed here is unverified. Do not assume public access across private shoreline. Check the Michigan DNR boating access listings and the current fishing regulations.
Through the seasons
Summer
Summer is the main season. Swim, sail, paddle or cruise between the lake towns of Charlevoix, Boyne City and East Jordan.
Location
Map of Lake Charlevoix
4 places on an OpenStreetMap map
Places to stay near Lake Charlevoix
Lakefront cottages and homes are listed by the local rental managers and booking sites below.
Hotels and inns
Mid-range
The EarlListed by Visit Charlevoix
Budget
Weathervane Terrace Inn and SuitesAAA Approved
Search all hotels in Charlevoix: Booking.com · Expedia · Hotels.com · Google Hotels
We don’t take bookings or earn anything from these links. Rates, availability and any booking problems are handled by the booking site.
More places to stay in Charlevoix
- The Belvedere Bed and Breakfast · A Charlevoix bed and breakfast in a house built in 1887, formerly the Inn at Grey Gables, a walk from downtown, the lakes and the beaches.
- Bridge Street Inn · A bed and breakfast in an 1895 Colonial Revival house that began as an overflow cottage for Charlevoix's Beach Hotel, a short walk from Lake Michigan.
- Visit Charlevoix accommodations and lodging · Visit Charlevoix's directory of B&Bs, hotels, inns, motels and rental homes in and around Charlevoix.
Vacation rentals
- Holiday Vacation Rentals · holidayvacationrental.com
A Harbor Springs area rental manager with homes, condos and cottages around Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Charlevoix and Boyne City.
- Northern Michigan Escapes · northernmichiganescapes.com
A Charlevoix-based vacation rental and property management company serving Charlevoix, Petoskey, Harbor Springs and nearby areas.
Nearby towns
Charlevoix & Petoskey
Charlevoix
For boaters, beachgoers and first-timers: a harbor town where three lakes meet, with a summer drawbridge, a pier lighthouse and Earl Young's stone houses.
About 5 miles away (straight line)
Charlevoix & Petoskey · Small town
Boyne City
For Lake Charlevoix days in any season: a small city with a state park beach, ridge trails above downtown and the National Morel Mushroom Festival each May.
About 9 miles away (straight line)
Charlevoix & Petoskey · Small town
East Jordan
For paddlers and anyone avoiding crowds: the Jordan, Michigan's first designated Natural River, floats into this small city at the south tip of Lake Charlevoix.
About 9 miles away (straight line)
Nearby attractions
Straight-line distances from the map point.
Beach
Ferry Beach
Charlevoix's family beach on Lake Charlevoix: a sandy swim area that deepens gradually, a playground, restrooms, a concession stand and three city pavilions.
About 4 miles away (straight line)
Attraction
Earl Young Mushroom Houses
Charlevoix's curving stone homes by self-taught builder Earl Young. They are private, so you see them from the street on a self-guided tour.
About 5 miles away (straight line)
Lighthouse
Charlevoix South Pier Lighthouse
A red steel pierhead light where Charlevoix's Pine River Channel meets Lake Michigan, beside Michigan Beach and a favorite place to watch the sunset.
About 5 miles away (straight line)
More lakes and rivers nearby
Lake · Charlevoix & Petoskey
Round Lake (Charlevoix)
Charlevoix's slow no-wake downtown harbor between Lake Charlevoix and Lake Michigan, with the city marina, fuel next door and the Channel for trout.
Lake · Charlevoix & Petoskey
Walloon Lake
A deep, clear all-sports lake south of Petoskey with marinas at Walloon Lake village, small township beaches and launches, and ice fishing in winter.
- All-sports
- Swim beach
- Public launch
- Rentals
River · Charlevoix & Petoskey
Jordan River
A cold, clear, motor-free trout river for long floats through the Jordan River Valley, with DNR canoe launches, an East Jordan outfitter and winter steelhead.
- Public launch
- Rentals