2014 Map of Frankfort

About this map

Betsie Lake serves as the focal point for the maritime communities of Frankfort and Elberta, where the shoreline meets the expansive waters of Lake Michigan. This 2014 survey captures the coastal geography of Benzie County, defined by the massive inland expanse of Crystal Lake and the preserved northern tracts of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The landscape is a complex network of smaller water bodies like Long Lake, Rush Lake, and Round Lake, which are separated by narrow ridges and points such as Winetka Point. Local history is preserved in sites like Crystal Lake Cem and the Lutheran Cem, while the aviation infrastructure of Frankfort Dow Memorial Field Airport occupies the southern plateau. The map also traces the Crystal Lake Outlet as it flows toward Outlet Bay, illustrating the hydrologic connection between these glacial lakes and the larger Great Lakes system.