Arcadia (Michigan) - township in Manistee County, Michigan

Arcadia is an historic township on the northwestern shore of Northern Michigan. Its moderate climate has made it a popular summer retreat since the 1920s with good beaches, fishing and hiking.

Get in

There are many ways into town. Lake Arcadia is connected to Lake Michigan and offers travelers by boat for a comfortable place to dock and stay a while.

There is a small airport (dead link: January 2023) in Frankfort, about 12 miles (19 km) north of town, for those with their own aircraft.

Most visitors tend to travel in via car and a search on MapQuest or Google maps will show the best route from your home.

Get around

The best way to get around town in Arcadia is either by foot or by bike. The town is quite small and scenic, so unless you have a disability, you will more than likely be compelled to get around without the car. You will, however, need a vehicle to get to the nearest towns (Frankfort, Bear Lake, Onekama, etc.) for groceries and supplies not available in Arcadia.

See

• Arcadia Historical Museum, 3340 Lake Street, +1 231 889-4360. The museum is run by volunteers, features old yearbooks, maps, and photos. It has exhibits dedicated to Henry Starke, Harriet Quimby, and other historical figures of Arcadia's rich past. 2019-11-23

Do

• Golf: Arcadia has two golf courses. The first being the nationally renowned Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course, built in 1999 in the south of the township. The second is the unheralded, yet challenging Chestnut Hills Golf Course which is just west of town. Chestnut Hills is a very charming "mom and pop" owned course. You will enjoy chatting with Doug (owner) and you will occasionally be paid a visit by Elvis, the family dog.

• Camp Arcadia, a Lutheran family retreat center founded in 1922, draws thousands of visitors each year.

• Arcadia Daze: Each year the Arcadia Lions Club sponsors Arcadia Daze, a community celebration and fund raiser that is held the 3rd weekend in July.

• Nature preserves and hiking: The Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy has very nice nature preserves with hiking trails north of town. The Arcadia Dunes: the C.S. Mott Nature Preserve (3,000 acres) (dead link: January 2023), the Upper Herring Lake Nature Preserve (163 acres) (dead link: January 2023), Green Point Dunes Nature Preserve (240 acres) (dead link: January 2023), and the Fruithaven Nature Preserve (176 acres) (dead link: January 2023) provide hikes that range from easy to difficult and all offer views that are breathtaking.

• Beaches on Lake Michigan: The town runs a public beach. Lake Michigan is always a fairly cold water lake, but in late July-August water temperatures are most desirable. Lake Arcadia is an option for swimming, but most opt not to due to its proximity to the bluer, Lake Michigan. There is also a very small public beach on Lake Michigan in the unincorporated community of Pierport, which is 5 miles to the south of Arcadia. Some people choose to swim at the South pier. Clean up after yourself and keep the dogs on a leash and you won't disturb the beauty. Just south of Arcadia, the land is owned by Amway, and they frown upon trespassers.

• Fishing: Lake Arcadia boasts relatively good fishing for a variety of fish. Bluegill, Rock Bass, Perch, Northern Pike, Freshwater Drum, and Smallmouth bass are plentiful year round. There are certain times of year that salmon and trout from Lake Michigan head into Lake Arcadia, too. At one time, Lake Arcadia held the North American record for the largest Brown Trout. It still holds the state record.

There is a public fishing dock in town in addition to an area around the M22 bridge that provide adequate places to fish without a boat. There is a public (free) boat launch and a nicer launch with a dock that charges a nominal fee to launch there. Boat rentals are available at the local campground in town as well as numerous opportunities to go on a charter trip out to Lake Michigan.

Five miles north of town are Upper and Lower Herring lakes. Lower Herring lake has earned the nickname "Walleye Lake", due to its reputation for fantastic walleye fishing

• Gravity Hill: One of the few gravity hills in Michigan is in Arcadia at the intersection of Putney and Joyfield Roads. Park at the bottom of the hill by the white church on Putney road, put the car in neutral and watch your call roll "uphill".

Buy

• Arcadia Marine and Lilly Pad Gift Shop (dead link: January 2023): You can buy Arcadia souvenirs, a fishing license, fishing gear, bait, and boat supplies here. Attached to the gift shop is an ice cream shop that has phenomenal ice cream and home made waffle cones.

Next door to the Arcadia Marine and Lilly Pad Gift Shop is the town's only gas station. Full service gas is still alive here as an attendant will happily pump for you. Inside of the gas station you can purchase chips/snacks, hotdogs, coffee, and select M22 memorabilia.

Eat

• M-22 Cafe (Northwood Cafe). It does an excellent breakfasts & lunches, open from 8AM to 2PM daily and weekends serving dinner until 8PM, with extended hours during the summer. During Arcadia Daze the Arcadia Lions put on a great pancake breakfast, 2019-11-23
• The Marina/GiftShop/Ice Cream Shop. Ice cream and the latest in Arcadia gossip. 2019-11-23

Sleep

• Arcadia Bed and Breakfast, +1 231 889-4394. $109-129 per night, in the heart of Arcadia.
• Pleasant Valley Motel, +1 231 889-4194. Motel rooms, cottages, swimming pool, on M22 in the heart of Arcadia.
• Sunset Valley Motel, +1 231 889-5987. About two miles north of town on M22 at the bottom of Inspiration Point. $50-100 per night, weekly rates available
• The Beach House, +1 231 632-0833. 4-bedroom, 2-bath home on Upper Herring Lake. Sleeps 8.
• The Barn Cottage, +1 231 632-0833. 5-bedroom, 2-bath home on Upper Herring Lake. Sleeps 14. Open Year Round.
• Farm House Cottage, +1 231 632-0833. 4-bedroom, 2-bath home on Upper Herring Lake. Sleeps 14. Open year round.
• School House Cottage, +1 231 632-0833. 4-bedroom, 2-bath home on Upper Herring Lake. Sleeps 14. Open year round.

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