Nature preserve
Green Point Dunes Nature Preserve
A 242-acre land conservancy preserve south of Elberta, with a trail of nearly three miles round trip through forest and meadow to Lake Michigan views.
About 1 miles away (straight line)
Lake · Benzie & Sleeping Bear
Lower Herring Lake
A small, clear, all-sports lake by the Lake Michigan shore south of Frankfort, with a DNR launch, sandy shores, smallmouth and walleye, and sunset paddles.
Lower Herring Lake is a small, clear evening lake. It has no local speed or hour limits, so all boating is allowed under state law, but most people come to put in a kayak at the DNR launch, look for wildlife along the sandy shores and stay out for the sunset. Anglers come for smallmouth bass and walleye.
It sits in Blaine Township in southern Benzie County, between Upper Herring Lake and the Lake Michigan shore, south of Frankfort and Elberta. Herring Creek connects and feeds the two Herring Lakes.
The water is very clear, and there are plenty of chances to see wildlife. The Benzie Conservation District rates it among the region’s top sunset spots and has run guided paddles from the DNR boat launch at the end of Elberta Resort Road, which is your public way onto the lake.
Make it a two-lake day. Upper Herring Lake, with its land conservancy nature preserve, is just to the east.
On the water
Motorboats and rules
No local speed, hour or horsepower limits apply on Lower Herring Lake, so state boating law is the rule.
Public access
The way in is the DNR boat launch at the end of Elberta Resort Road, where the Benzie Conservation District has run guided paddles.
Paddling
Put in at the DNR boat launch at the end of Elberta Resort Road. The Benzie Conservation District has run guided summer sunset paddles from there.
Fishing
Lower Herring Lake is good water for smallmouth bass and walleye. Check current Michigan DNR rules before fishing.
Public boat launches
Lower Herring Lake boating access site
One lane that takes any trailerable boat, a pier and paved parking for 6 trailers. You need a Recreation Passport.
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
Come in the evening. The Benzie Conservation District rates the lake among the area's top places to watch a sunset and has held summer evening paddles here.
Location
Map of Lower Herring Lake
1 place on an OpenStreetMap map
Places to stay near Lower Herring Lake
Lakefront cottages and homes are listed by the local rental managers and booking sites below.
Hotels and inns
Mid-range
The Hotel FrankfortListed by the Benzie County Chamber of Commerce
Search all hotels in Frankfort: 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 Frankfort
- Benzie County places to stay (Traverse City Tourism) · The county visitor site's list of hotels, resorts, cabins and other lodging across Benzie County, including the Frankfort and Beulah areas.
Vacation rentals
- Agape Vacation Rentals · agapevacationrentals.com
A Beulah-based rental manager with homes and cottages around Crystal Lake, Beulah and Frankfort, plus other parts of Michigan.
- Northland Vacation Rentals · northlandvacationrentals.com
A Traverse City rental company tied to Century 21 Northland, with cottages and homes in places such as Frankfort and Glen Arbor.
- Visit Up North Vacation Rentals · visitupnorth.com
A Traverse City rental company with homes, cottages and condos across Leelanau, Glen Arbor, the Benzie area and nearby Arcadia and Bear Lake.
Nearby attractions
Straight-line distances from the map point.
Nature preserve
Arcadia Dunes: The C.S. Mott Nature Preserve
3,927 acres of dunes, forest and grassland on Lake Michigan, with more than 15 miles of trails and an accessible path to a lake overlook.
About 3 miles away (straight line)
Attraction
Arcadia Overlook
A state scenic turnout on M-22 north of Arcadia, with a lower viewing platform by the lot and stairs up to a high deck over Lake Michigan.
About 3 miles away (straight line)
More lakes and rivers nearby
Lake · Benzie & Sleeping Bear
Upper Herring Lake
A quiet 540-acre lake south of Frankfort, all-sports but shallow, for kayaking along a conservancy preserve and fishing for walleye to bluegill.
- All-sports
- Public launch
Lake · Benzie & Sleeping Bear
Betsie Lake
Frankfort's no-wake harbor at the mouth of the Betsie River, with marinas on both shores, a big city launch and a short run to Lake Michigan.
- Public launch
Lake · Ludington & Manistee
Arcadia Lake
A small harbor lake at Arcadia with a township marina, a kayak put-in and a channel to Lake Michigan. Ski and tube outside the no-wake north end.
- All-sports
- Public launch