WHY HERE & FUN LAKE CHARLEVOIX FACTS

Why Rent from Summertime Rentals?

• Pride in product and service you can only get by dedicated hands-on business owner operators and staff that love what they do!  

• Best and newest equipment rentals with the most diverse offerings. Can you say water trampoline rentals? 

• Only Lake Charlevoix marina whose focus is on rentals, watersports, and boating fun!

• We have our own in-house gas dock, boat ramp, ship store, service and storage facility, and are the local Bennington luxury pontoon and tritoon dealer.  We can serve you better!

• You start and end your Lake Charlevoix journey on the best part of Lake Charlevoix, on the South Arm! 

• We want everyone to come and enjoy what Lake Charlevoix has to offer and so we have something for everyone and every budget.  You’ll find we are not only the best option but the best value on Lake Charlevoix!  

Why we love the South Arm of Lake Charlevoix!

• It’s more relaxed and we mean more than just the vibe…this is the calmer, quieter, and naturally protected part of Lake Charlevoix.  Unlike the West & East Arm of the main body, it’s rarely ever too rough here.

• The water and the air temperature are simply warmer than the rest of the lake.  The water alone will be 5-10 degrees warmer.

• It has the best areas for watersports - tubing, water skiing, and wake boarding.

• The north end of the South Arm consists of the Ironton Narrows.  Here you’ll find:

  • Landing Restaurant – the hot spot boating destination for dockside dining!

  • Ironton Ferry – Charming and nostalgic 4 car cable guided barge ferry.

  • One mile stretch of no wake zone where you enter relaxed and watch the boats go by slowly. 

• It contains Lake Charlevoix’s one island…Holy Island.  

• The largest house on Lake Charlevoix is located on the South Arm’s eastern shores… It’s red and green and you can’t miss it boating just south of Holy Island.

• Elm Pointe Park – beautiful beach and picnic area at the historic Porter House estate.

• Summertime Rentals & the South Arm Marina – Only marina focused on boating and watersports fun complete with gas dock, ship store, and the very best in boat, jet-ski, and watersports rentals.  We are a mile between two great beaches and the best place to start and end your journey on Lake Charlevoix!   The South Arm Marina is the last historic mom & pop style marina offering the best in customer service and your local Bennington dealer.

• Tourist Park – large beautiful beach and campground with over 80 sites.

• The Boat House on Lake Charlevoix – picture perfect newly renovated event and wedding venue.

• Joining Jordan pedestrian walkway – art lined walking path over the Jordan River from the City Marina/Memorial Park to Sportsman’s Park.  Take in the natural beauty and wildlife of the Jordan River estuary along this walk.

• East Jordan City Marina & Downtown East Jordan.  East Jordan may not be developed or nearly as touristy as Charlevoix and Boyne City but that’s part of the charm.  You’re sure to meet the locals and some of the nicest people in East Jordan.  Be sure to stop at the South Arm Café for a great breakfast, Foundry Craft Grillery for “Dammm Good Food, and the Maple Tree for a maple creamy (maple syrup derived ice cream) and maple syrup, and an exhibit at the Jordan River Arts Council.  

• The best fishing is on the South Arm.  Stop in Tom’s Bait & Tackle in East Jordan to get the latest fishing updates.

• The best kayaking is on the South Arm along the west side.  You can even kayak the estuary at the mouth of the Jordan River or take trip down the Jordan River into Lake Charlevoix.  Stop in Jordan Valley Outfitters for Jordan River kayaking excursions or Summertime Rentals to kayak the South Arm along the west side.

• More likely to see bald eagles and other wildlife on the South Arm.

• The South Arm is Lake Charlevoix’s best kept secret that is becoming not-so-secret.  

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Some Lake Charlevoix Fun Facts and Insights:

• Lake Charlevoix was previously known as Pine Lake until 1926.

• Lake Charlevoix consists of the West Arm, East Arm, and the South Arm.  The South Arm is the only part that is commonly referred to or mentioned as an “Arm”, whereas, the East Arm and West Arm are commonly referred to as the “main body” of Lake Charlevoix. 

• Lake Charlevoix is Michigan’s third largest inland lake by area at 17,200 acres behind Houghton Lake at 20,075 acres (maximum 21ft deep) and Torch Lake at 18,722 acres (maximum 285ft deep).   Lake Charlevoix has a max depth of 122ft on the main body and 58ft on the South Arm. 

• Lake Charlevoix may be the third largest inland lake but it has a longer shoreline at 56 miles versus Torch Lake’s 40.8 miles and Houghton Lake’s 30 miles.  You can easily spend the day cruising around Lake Charlevoix.

• One thing that makes Lake Charlevoix unique is boating here is truly a mode of transportation.  One can boat to the three different cities of Charlevoix, Boyne City, and East Jordan, stop at the shopper’s dock and walk into town, grab a bite to eat, ice cream, shop, etc.  There’s also the Landing Restaurant in Ironton offering dockside dining.

• One can also boat from Lake Charlevoix to anywhere in the world since Lake Charlevoix connects to Round Lake (the harbor you see when you’re in downtown Charlevoix) and then to the Pine River Channel underneath the Charlevoix Drawbridge and out to Lake Michigan.

• Lake Charlevoix has a lot of variety in size of boats.  You’ll see smaller boats and larger boats alike with up to 60-80ft being a common occurrence but more so on the main body of the lake.  Occasionally, you’ll see yachts as large as 200ft plus!

• Round Lake and Charlevoix is home to the Beaver Island Ferry and a US Coast Guard Station. 

• Lake Charlevoix has several public beaches including 

  • West Arm: Ferry Beach, Depot Beach

  • East Arm: Young State Park, Whiting Park, Peninsula Beach

  • South Arm: Elm Point Beach, Tourist Park​