Chimney Corners Resort
Frankfort, Michigan · on Crystal Lake
Verified · 3 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- Yes, see below
- SEASON
- May
About Chimney Corners Resort
Chimney Corners Resort is a family-owned lakefront resort on Crystal Lake near Frankfort, Michigan, operating since 1935 on a former logging-era property. Its private sand beach gives guests a ready-made swimming hole, and Crystal Lake itself is an inviting lake to swim in, with kayak, paddleboard, and rowboat access offered seasonally from May through October.
The resort sits on the shore of Crystal Lake along scenic M-22 in northern Michigan, close to Lake Michigan, Frankfort, and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The property includes early-1900s buildings (Pinebluffs, 1910; Woodsmere, 1912) originally built by the Piqua Handle Company's Rogers family before the resort was established during the Depression era.
Swimming at Chimney Corners Resort
Swimming takes place off a private sand beach directly on Crystal Lake, described by the resort as one of the deepest, clearest lakes in Michigan. There is no lifeguard on duty. Guests can supplement swimming with complimentary styrofoam paddleboards and paid kayak/SUP rentals; lifejackets in multiple sizes are provided.
How to get to this swimming hole
Located at 1602 Crystal Drive in Frankfort, Michigan, directly on M-22 along Crystal Lake.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up, private lakefront resort beach on Crystal Lake; guests walk directly from cottages/lodge to the sand beach (steps from the water per the resort's own cottage descriptions). No hike is required to reach the water.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Sandy 300 ft private beach with gradual lake entry, but there is no lifeguard on duty per the resort's own site, so young swimmers need adult supervision. Lifejackets in multiple sizes are provided by the resort.
Restrooms
Yes
Outdoor showers are located at the beach; restrooms are available inside the resort's lodge/cottage buildings for guests. No public (non-guest) restroom facility was found described, consistent with this being a private guests-only beach.
Water clarity
Clear
The resort's own site describes Crystal Lake as 'one of the deepest, clearest lakes in Michigan,' and the state's official tourism site independently corroborates this with a 'clear/sparkling water' description. No independent visitor confirmation could be retrieved, so this rating rests on official and promotional sources only.
Hours
Resort operates seasonally, May 1 through October 31; no separate daily beach hours found (beach access is for lodging guests only, not a public day-use swim spot)
On the water
Restrictions: No jet skis allowed, per the resort's own site. A boat hoist is available on-site (suggesting small motorized/trailered boats can be moored), but no explicit statement on general motorboat/no-wake rules was found. Beach and lake access here is tied to being a lodging guest at the resort, not open public access.
The resort itself supplies complimentary styrofoam paddleboards and rents kayaks/SUPs/rowboats to guests for a nominal fee (exact prices not published online); lifejackets in multiple sizes provided.
Rentals nearby
Kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, pontoon boats, bikes (e-bikes at the Frankfort Annex location only), plus beach chairs and umbrellas
311A Main Street, Frankfort, MI 49635 (main store), with an additional location in Beulah, MI -- both towns sit on Crystal Lake, a short drive from Chimney Corners Resort · Frankfort (main store): Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm. Beulah store: Mon/Tue/Wed/Fri/Sat 10am-5pm, Thu 10am-4pm, Sun 10am-2pm. Rentals are coordinated through the Frankfort Annex, phone 231-399-0329.
Backstory
Founded in 1935 by Leola and Olin Rogers after the Great Depression ended Olin's work with the Piqua Handle Company, which had logged the property in the early 1900s. Early resort buildings Pinebluffs (1910) and Woodsmere (1912) remain part of the property. Jim and Mollie Rogers took over management in 1949; the Beach Dining Room was added in 1964; current owners Jim Jr. and Mary Gillespie Rogers took over in 1994; Rocks Landing restaurant opened in 2018.
Chimney Corners Resort: FAQ
Does Chimney Corners Resort charge a fee?
Access is via resort lodging/stay (private beach for guests); kayak and SUP rentals carry a nominal fee, paddleboards are complimentary. No separate public swim admission fee found.
Is Chimney Corners Resort kid friendly?
Sandy 300 ft private beach with gradual lake entry, but there is no lifeguard on duty per the resort's own site, so young swimmers need adult supervision. Lifejackets in multiple sizes are provided by the resort.
Do I need to hike to reach Chimney Corners Resort?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Chimney Corners Resort?
No source specifically describes the resort's parking lot type or cost; access is tied to staying at the resort rather than a public day-use lot.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Chimney Corners Resort?
The resort itself supplies complimentary styrofoam paddleboards and rents kayaks/SUPs/rowboats to guests for a nominal fee (exact prices not published online); lifejackets in multiple sizes provided.
When is the best time to visit Chimney Corners Resort?
May through October (the resort's operating season)
What are the rules at Chimney Corners Resort?
Beach access is private and tied to staying at the resort (cottages, apartments, bluff units, or the historic Lodge); it is not a public swimming access point. No lifeguard is on duty. Resort operates seasonally, open May 1 through October 31.
What water body is Chimney Corners Resort on?
Chimney Corners Resort is on Crystal Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
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