Chimney Corners Resort

Think of summer in northern Michigan. The slam of a screen door. Children giggling as they run to the beach. The smell of last night’s bonfire still hanging in the air. These are the sensations that stay with you. This is what you’ll find at Chimney Corners Resort, on the shores of Crystal Lake, in Frankfort.

Built in 1935 as a family lodge, Chimney Corners Resort—named for the four chimneys in the main lodge—has been family owned and operated over its entire existence. Maybe that’s why guests seem to return here, year after year, over several generations. “Family. It’s why people come here. It’s an easy place to reconnect with each other,” explains co-owner, Mary Rogers, who runs the resort with her husband, Jim. “There are no TVs or phones in the rooms. (Except for cell phones). We did add WiFi, but for the most part, we make our own entertainment.”

What the property may lack in “digital amenities”, it more than makes up for in comfort, beauty, and a welcome warmth that permeates everything. Families have several choices of exceptional lodging—from roomy beachfront cottages with screened porches and sunny decks to secluded, woodsy cottages that emphasize privacy and personal comfort. The property also offers lakeside apartments and rooms in the historic lodge. Whatever you choose, you’ll have the perfect “launching point” for your northern Michigan adventure.

When it comes to family recreation, guests get a lot of help from Mother Nature. The shimmering waters of Crystal Lake offer a host of leisure time activities. Guests can enjoy kayaking, canoeing, and paddle boarding. The beach is the perfect setting for sunset strolls, rockhounding, or simply soaking in the sun and scenery.

With all the activity, you certainly work up an appetite. Fortunately, Rock’s Landing is right here. Once a simple snack bar, the restaurant has blossomed over the past several years into one of the area’s premier eateries. Specializing in intimate dinners and amazing lake views (it’s just steps from the beach), the restaurant also features a hugely popular Wednesday night barbecue, featuring the best ribs this side of Memphis.

After a soul-satisfying meal, lace up your shoes for a hike along the property’s trails. Stop to smell the wildflowers, but mind the bees! After you’re done, grab your swimsuits and beach towels off the clothesline for a refreshing evening dip. After that, it’s a beach bonfire, s’mores, and songs (acoustic guitar is optional). All in all, it’s a memorable time… one you’ll long remember and long to return to next summer.