Crystal Lake is a 9,854-acre lake in Benzie County, about 8 miles long and 2.5 miles wide, with an average depth of 70 feet and clear blue water.
We rent MasterCraft wakesurf boats, Sea-Doo jet skis and water toys on Crystal Lake, and everything is ready for you at the lake. Add a captained charter with lessons for every level.
It sits just inland from Lake Michigan near Frankfort and Beulah, and around the Civil War it was called Cap Lake for the whitecaps that roll across it in the wind.
Boat, jet ski and water toy rentals at Crystal Lake
Your rentals are waiting for you at Crystal Lake, so there's no truck, no trailer and no towing to worry about.
- Wakesurf and ski boat rentals – MasterCraft boats seating 12 to 18, set up for a full day of surfing, skiing and tubing on Crystal Lake.
- Sea-Doo jet ski rentals – quick, easy-to-ride watercraft for exploring every cove of Crystal Lake.
- Boat tours & private charters – relax while an experienced driver-instructor handles the boat, with wakesurf, wakeboard and ski lessons for every level.
- Water toys and towables – tubes, lily pads and paddle boards for kids and grown-ups alike.
Book Now or call or text 1-888-594-6610 – we answer 7 a.m.–10 p.m. every day.
Crystal Lake at a glance
| Location | Beulah and Frankfort |
|---|---|
| Size | About 9,854 acres |
| Length | About 8 miles |
| Avg depth | About 70 feet |
| Max depth | About 165 feet |
| Neighbor | Sleeping Bear Dunes |
Best things to do on Crystal Lake
- Wakesurfing – calm coves on still mornings.
- Water skiing and tubing – long stretches of open water.
- Jet skiing – open water and quiet bays.
- Swimming stops – clear water over sandy shallows.
Where to launch at Crystal Lake
- Public access sites – ramps at Beulah and around the lake.
Afternoon wind can bring whitecaps, so plan surf sessions for the morning. Your rental from us is ready at the lake.
Tips for a great day on Crystal Lake
- Mornings are calmest for surfing.
- Michigan requires an observer besides the driver when towing.
- Jet skis can't run between sunset and 8 a.m. in Michigan.
Michigan boating rules to know
- Every boat needs a wearable life jacket for each person on board. Children under 6 must wear one on the open deck whenever the boat is underway, and everyone on a jet ski or being towed must wear one.
- Towing a skier, wakeboarder or tuber requires an observer besides the driver, and the person being towed must wear a life jacket. Towing isn't allowed from one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise.
- Jet skis can't be operated between sunset and 8 a.m., must stay at slow-no-wake speed within 200 feet of a Great Lakes shoreline, and the engine cut-off lanyard must be attached to the driver.
- Stay at slow-no-wake speed within 100 feet of docks, rafts, swimming areas, moored boats and people in the water, and in shallow water near shore. Many inland lakes also have local slow-no-wake hours, so follow the posted rules at the launch.
Map of Crystal Lake
Crystal Lake rental & boating FAQ
What can I rent at Crystal Lake?
Wakesurf boats, Sea-Doo jet skis, water toys, and private charters with a driver-instructor — everything for a full day on the water.
Do I need a truck to tow the boat?
No. Your boat or jet skis are ready for you at Crystal Lake, so there's no towing.
Where is Crystal Lake?
In Benzie County near Beulah and Frankfort, about 25 miles southwest of Traverse City.
Can you jet ski on Crystal Lake?
Yes. Jet skiing, waterskiing, wakeboarding and wakesurfing are all popular on Crystal Lake.
How big is Crystal Lake?
About 9,854 acres, Michigan's ninth-largest inland lake.
Does Crystal Lake get windy?
It can. It was once called Cap Lake for its whitecaps, so mornings are usually calmest.