How to Have the Best Beaver Island Vacation

This article first appeared in Traverse Northern Michigan. Find this story and more when you explore our digital issue library. Want Traverse delivered to your door or inbox monthly? View our print subscription and digital subscription options.

Michigan loves its islands. Isle Royale with its moose and wolves, the Manitous’ Robinson Crusoe vibe, and Mackinac, that refined queen-bee of them all. Beaver? Think of it as a frog prince whose rugged allure and quirky, unpolished charm awaits discovery.

Our fairytale analogy has some authenticity; once upon a time, Beaver Island had a king. James Strang crowned himself after establishing a Mormon colony in the 19th century. Later, this island became the second stop after Ellis for waves of Irish immigrants. The proof is in the local phone book filled with pages of Gallaghers, McDonoughs and Gillespies—making Beaver the Great Lakes’ Emerald Isle.

What to do here is spelled out in miles of sandy shoreline, a water trail that encircles the island waiting to be paddled, seven inland lakes churning with panfish, two historic lighthouses and miles of dirt roads (pavement on this island runs out five miles outside of the town of St. James) that can take any pounding your fat tires want to give them.

But may as well downshift to the Beaver Island pace. Drivers take a moment to wave at each other as they pass, facetime means chatting with the cashier at McDonough’s Market and listening to the tales of the islander on the barstool next to you might be the best island history lesson, ever. Read on, Great Lakes traveler…

How to Get to Beaver Island

Getting to and from the island is part of the Beaver escape. On a beautiful day, the two-hour ferry ride across Lake Michigan between Charlevoix and the island feels like a Caribbean cruise. The plane ride is a 10-minute hop with heavenly aerial views that, on a clear day, stretch all the way to the Upper Peninsula. Our suggestion? Unless the round-trip rate is a deal breaker, treat yourself to the boat one way and plane the other so you get the full, top-to-bottom Beaver Island experience.

The plane and ferry both depart from the Lake Michigan resort town of Charlevoix. Traverse City’s Cherry Capital Airport, 50 miles south of Charlevoix, is serviced by American, Delta and United airlines. Charlevoix has abundant lodging options near the ferry and airport. Stay across the street from the ferry at the historic Weathervane Terrace Inn & Suites and watch boats putting through the drawbridge on their way to and from Lake Michigan and Round Lake.

Transportation Companies to Help Plan Your Trip: 

• Beaver Island Boat Company
• Fresh Air Aviation
• Island Airways

➥ Tip // Travel light. Casual clothes only, but don’t forget a warm jacket—the weather can bring anything from summer sunshine to nasty gales. Save the fuss of transporting cars, bikes and boats and rent them on the island.

Read Next: Island Airways is a Way of Life, and a Lifeline, to Beaver Island

Where to Rent a Car, Bike, Kayak & More

You can take your car over on the ferry, or rent one when you get on the island. Note, there is limited space on the boat, and many dates book up quickly.

• Rent a Car: Duffy’s Rentals, Gordon’s Rentals, Burton Rentals
• Rent Bikes, Kayaks, Paddleboards: Beaver Island’s seven inland lakes shine like little mirrors in the wilderness. Happy Paddle can put you in a kayak or paddleboard in a jiffy (delivers anywhere on the island).
• Fishing Guide: Go flats-style fishing (smallmouth bass, carp) with Indigo Guide Service. Find fishing bait and tackle at Power’s Do It Best Hardware.
• Charter Fish: Get out on the Big Lake and bring back big fish with Captain Bob Turner and Kelly Day Charters.

➥ Tip // Get the low-down on island happenings at the Beaver Island Community Center on Main Street. This is also where you’ll get wifi and where to shoot pool and play other games on a rainy day.

Read Next: Vision Quest: World-Class Carp Fishing on Beaver Island

Things to Do on Beaver Island

Lake Michigan’s largest and most remote inhabited isle is waiting with lazy beach walks, fascinating history lessons and so much more.

Beaver Island Head Light Adventure

Getting to this lonesome and lovely light tower, circa 1858, means taking on approximately 20 miles of the gravel East Side Drive. Whether by bike or car, it’s worth the trek that passes stunning Lake Michigan shoreline. Once at the lighthouse, climb the 46 wrought iron steps for a stunning view that takes in several of the other islands of the Beaver Island Archipelago. You’ll also notice the beautiful beach below the lighthouse. Once you are out of the tower, go ahead and follow the wooden steps down to the beach.

Mosey Around Paradise Bay

Strolling along this exquisite bay is a postcard-sized adventure. Beaver Island Harbor Light at the bay’s northern tip is a worthy destination. The diminutive tower (only 41 feet) has been welcoming boats to the island since 1870. The lighthouse also goes by the name Whiskey Point Light, called so because of a trading post located here in the island’s pioneer days where the currency was alcohol.

Catch the Sunrise

Fill a thermos with coffee and make your way through the morning darkness to Kilty’s Point on the island’s east side. Access the beach at Wagner campground. Celebrate the new day with first footprints in the fresh sand.

Then Catch the Sunset & Northern Lights

Pick up provisions at McDonough’s Market and prepare for a sunset bliss-out at the public beach on Donegal Bay, located on the island’s northwest tip. The sparkling performance of the Milky Way is courtesy of civilization-free dark skies. (The Beaver Island State Wildlife Research Area was certified as Michigan’s first International Dark Sky Sanctuary in 2024!) Linger a bit, and with luck the aurora borealis will come out to play.

➥ Tip // Give a call to Lori Taylor-Blitz, director of the Beaver Island Historical Society to make sure the light tower is unlocked. Also, ask her about purchasing a copy of Child of the Sea by Elizabeth Whitney Williams at the Mormon Print Shop (the historical society’s headquarters) gift shop. The author’s account of growing up at the lighthouse makes the perfect beach read here.

Read Next: 10 Things to Do on Beaver Island

Where to Eat & Drink on Beaver Island

Reserve a table at the Beaver Island Lodge for an intimate dinner of regional specialties paired with a stellar view of Lake Michigan. 

The local watering hole since 1935, Shamrock Bar & Restaurant has an outdoor patio that overlooks Paradise Bay making it, well, paradise if the weather cooperates. Celebrate the fact that you are a hundred percent surrounded by Lake Michigan and gorge on whitefish & chips. 

Your breakfast, lunch, pizza and to-go sandwich headquarters is Dalwhinnie Bakery & Deli next to McDonough’s Market where the bread is baked fresh every-day and the sausage is house-made. 

Patrick McGinnity’s nano-brewery and taproom Whiskey Point Brewing Co. serves beer, wine, hard cider and soft drinks all made at his establishment. Make sure to ask him about his tomato and jalapeño wine—a new twist on a good ol’ bloody Mary. About perfect for a fall brunch on a Lake Michigan island, we’d say. 

Beaver Island Lodging & Camping

Island accommodations run the gamut from rustic to simply sweet—and all are uber-restful. Most establishments will pick guests up at the ferry dock or airport, so make sure to ask when you make your reservation.

The island has two campgrounds, both are no reservation, first-come/first served, rustic/primitive. St. James Township Campground ($20 per night, no electricity; $30 with electricity) has views of neighboring Squaw, Whiskey and Garden islands. Bill Wagner Campground ($10 per night) on East Side Road offers a front-row seat on the sunrise.

Beaver Island Lodge is a gracious resort hotel with 14 rooms all equipped with kitchenettes (one with a full kitchen). The lodge has a private Lake Michigan beach. 

Located near the beach and the ferry, the family-friendly Emerald Isle Inn offers studio units and two-bedroom suites. 

Meditative types will want to check in to The Brothers’ Place, a rambling white clapboard inn that was once the retreat for the Christian Brothers religious order. Rooms are simple and most have shared bathrooms. This peaceful oasis closes in early September. 

➥ Tip // Home and cabin rentals abound on the island. Find them on VRBO, Airbnb and HomeAway. But better yet, contact Sheri Richards at Richards Rental Management Services for the local’s scoop on the best vacay rental for you. 

Read Next: Go Glamping in Northern Michigan at Beaver Island Retreat