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About Beaver Island

About Us

       "Beaver Harbor" 

This 53 sq. mile island in upper Lake Michigan has a year-round population of about 600, making it the most remote inhabited island in the Great Lakes. A beautiful , peaceful island, located between the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan, where people can relax and enjoy untouched nature. Tourism is limited here since it takes a spirit of adventure to seek this island out. It has been said that due to the residents' independence, isolation and respect for nature and the traditions of Beaver Island, that time here has slowed down.                                   

Beaver Island has been blessed with many of nature's wonders. Our forests are             extensive and varied. Hardwoods, including oak, beech, maple and birch, dominate the western half of the island. The eastern half is mostly pine, spruce, cedar and balsam, with large areas of juniper ground cover. Beaver Island has 7 inland lakes, of which three have excellent fishing. Our game species include whitetail deer, grouse, snowshoe hare, black & grey squirrel, fox, raccoon, coyote, woodcock, beaver, a variety of duck, as well as geese and wild turkey. The non-game species are too numerous to mention here. There are quite a few log homesteads from the 1800's, long since abandoned, leaving lovely flowering shrubs and apple trees. Many of our animal and birds depend on this bounty for food and cover.

                                                                                                              Island amenities include two airports, four hotels, a bed & breakfast, numerous weekly cottage rentals, 2 public campgrounds, a 9-hole golf course, two marinas (one with fuel), 3 restaurants, 2 grocery stores, a gas station with convenience store, bike and boat rentals, several gift shops and art galleries, marine and historical museums, a hardware and building supply store, 3 car rental providers, a public library, three churches, two tennis courts, a baseball diamond, K-12 school, CMU Biological station, post office, chamber of commerce, fire and EMS department as well as health center, deputy sheriff's station,  County transit service, and boat charters to outer Islands of Beaver Archipelago.

Just as nature abounds here, so do the activities of quiet enjoyment and exploration.

       Countless weeks of relaxing recreation is available, with nearly a hundred miles of scenic roads for biking and sightseeing, and innumerable old trails to hike. Kayaking & canoeing, fishing & hunting, beach combing & bird-watching, and even cross-country skiing & scuba-diving are excellent here. There is nearly 20 sq. miles of state land, including forests and shoreline to explore, as well as two lighthouses.                      

There are many geological features of interest, such as sand dunes, some of which are so old that they have become covered with mature forests. There are rocky as well as sandy beaches, and dramatic bluffs nearly a hundred feet high left from ancient receding water levels. Large deposits of clay have been discovered, along with some peat bogs, and we have some rich farmland, although there is little farming done here today.            

The history & heritage of Beaver Island is rich as well as diverse, from the indigenous native Americans, then French fur traders, the missionary Bishop Baraga, Irish descent fisherman & farmers, the Morman followers & "King Strang", the return of the Irish after the Mormans, steamship, timber & sawmill era, commercial fishing, to the present vacation home and resort era.

Although remote, Beaver Island is reliably accessed by two airlines and a ferry, which depart from Charlevoix. Many also come to the island via private boats and planes.

Of course, feel free to contact us by phone or e-mail, and we will be happy to advise you as to the most convenient method of travel for your trip to beautiful Beaver Island!

(231) 448-3031         biproperty@gtlakes.com