Population23,431 (2020 Census)
Lakeside Villages Meet Wooded Trails and Waterways
Antrim County, MichiganAntrim County invites you to explore the Chain of Lakes, village shops and wooded trails in northern Michigan. Start in Bellaire for a riverfront park or a meal, head to Elk Rapids for a movie and waterfront browsing, or visit the farm markets around Central Lake. Between outings, this guide connects residents and visitors with school districts, public libraries, county offices and transportation services, with regional hospital locations clearly identified.
Antrim County at a Glance
Population23,431 (2020 Census)
County SeatBellaire
Largest MunicipalityMancelona Township (4,311; 2020 population within county)
Established1840 (created); renamed Antrim in 1843
ZIP Codes16 ZIP codes wholly or partly within the county
Total Area601.8 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesUS-31, US-131, M-32, M-66 and M-88
Area Codes231 and 989
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
Discover Antrim County
Antrim County
Established in 1840 under an earlier name and renamed Antrim in 1843, the county grew around forests, waterways and small settlements. Bellaire’s history includes lumbering and a contested decision to move county offices from Elk Rapids. Those village centers remain useful places to begin exploring the county today. The landscape connects inland lakes, river corridors and the shore of Grand Traverse Bay, while local history resources offer a closer look at how government, commerce and community life developed here.
Everyday life connects village centers with the surrounding countryside. Public schools and libraries serve communities including Bellaire, Central Lake, Elk Rapids and Mancelona, while county offices help with records, property questions and public services. Residents can arrange county transportation or explore eligible senior medical rides. Farm markets, neighborhood shops and outdoor spaces add places to gather, but service boundaries matter: confirm your school district, utility provider and transportation arrangements using your own street address.
What Shapes Us
Connected Waterways
The Chain of Lakes Water Trail provides a starting point for planning a paddle, with mapped access sites and route information across connected local waters.
Village Life
Bellaire, Elk Rapids and Central Lake bring together local restaurants, shops and community spaces, offering different stops for a day spent exploring the county.
Woodland Outings
Grass River’s boardwalks and Glacial Hills’ trail network offer different outdoor experiences, from observing wetlands to choosing a wooded walking or mountain biking route.
Find your own pace between the lakes and trails.
Around Antrim County
Around Antrim County
Places, landscapes and community stories
CLPS District News
Make your meal matter!
Tuesday, October 27th 4pm-8pmJoin Culver's in supporting the Central Lake/Ellsworth Cheer Team, as 10% of all sales (excluding…
Read the Story Oct 9, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Antrim County
Stories from every corner of Antrim County.
Make your meal matter!
Tuesday, October 27th 4pm-8pmJoin Culver's in supporting the Central Lake/Ellsworth Cheer Team, as 10% of all sales (excluding…
Oct 9, 2026 • 2 min read
Haunted Corn Maze!
Oct. 24$5 per personKid friendly 5:30pm-7:00pm, Scary 7-8:30pmSupports the Central Lake Junior Class Prom Fundraiser5833 Shooks Rd. Central…
Oct 9, 2026 • 2 min read
MS/HS Friday Raffle Winners!
Congratulations to our MSHS Friday Raffle winners: Jace Clark, Sawyer Roggenbeck, Braden Shafer, and Shepherd Cassio (not pictured).…
Oct 9, 2026 • 2 min read
Elementary Friday Winners!
Front Row: Miles McDonald, Jeremiah Hall, Jameson Todd, Ella WilsonBack Row: Vincent Valantas, Sanji Stephens, Brayden Hoffman, Kyah…
Oct 9, 2026 • 2 min read
Senior Class Fundraiser
Time capsule on the court Senior Class FundraiserPurchase a square for $10 or more per squareWrite a message,…
Oct 8, 2026 • 2 min read
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Find the right local resource
Use these resources to connect with public offices, essential services and community organizations in Antrim County. Visit the linked provider for current details before making a trip.
County Government
Board of Commissioners — County board information and public meetings.
Clerk — County records and clerk services.
Register of Deeds — Recorded property documents.
Treasurer — County tax and payment information.
Equalization — Property assessment resources.
Planning & Zoning — Planning information; confirm the responsible local zoning authority.
Schools and Education
School boundaries do not follow village or postal boundaries. Confirm the district serving your address.
Alba Public School — District information and family resources.
Bellaire Public Schools — District schools and enrollment information.
Central Lake Public Schools — District calendars, schools and family information.
Elk Rapids Schools — District schools, programs and enrollment.
Ellsworth Community School — School and family resources.
Mancelona Public Schools — District information and school contacts.
Regional Hospitals
These are regional facilities identified for county residents. For an emergency, call 911.
Charlevoix Hospital — Charlevoix, outside Antrim County.
Otsego Memorial Hospital — Gaylord, outside Antrim County.
Kalkaska Memorial Health Center — Kalkaska, outside Antrim County.
Munson Medical Center — Traverse City, outside Antrim County.
McLaren Northern Michigan — Petoskey, outside Antrim County.
Public Safety
Sheriff — County law enforcement information.
Road Patrol — Patrol services and county policing information.
Marine/Snow Patrol — Boating and snowmobile patrol information.
Animal Control — Animal-control services and reporting guidance.
Bellaire Police Department — Village police contact information; use 911 for emergencies.
Emergency Services
Antrim County 911 Dispatch — Emergency police, fire and ambulance response: call 911.
County Emergency Services — Local preparedness and emergency-management information.
Emergency Operations Center — County coordination during major incidents.
North Country Community Mental Health — Regional behavioral health access and crisis-service information.
Health Department of Northwest Michigan — Public health notices and emergency-preparedness information.
Regional State Parks
These regional state parks are outside Antrim County. Check current access notices and entry requirements with the DNR.
Fisherman’s Island State Park — Charlevoix County. Check the DNR closure notice before traveling; vehicle and campground access have been affected by construction.
Young State Park — Near Boyne City in Charlevoix County; park and camping information.
Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park — Grand Traverse County. The DNR lists the campground closed through the 2026 season, with the day-use area open.
Trails and Nature Walks
Grass River Natural Area — Trail maps, wetland boardwalks and access information.
Glacial Hills Pathway and Natural Area — Walking and mountain biking routes; check trail conditions.
Elk Rapids Day Park — County waterfront park with foot trails and picnic areas.
Walk of Art — Outdoor sculpture trail within Elk Rapids Day Park.
Chain of Lakes Water Trail — A water trail for paddlers, with route and launch planning resources.
Utilities
Service is address-dependent. Confirm availability with the provider or municipality before arranging a connection.
Consumers Energy — Account and service information for customers in its coverage area.
Great Lakes Energy — Electric cooperative account and service information.
DTE Energy — Gas account and service information where available.
Bellaire water and sewer — Village utility information.
Elk Rapids village services — Contact the village for local water and sewer service information.
Public Libraries
Use the library website to confirm card eligibility, program registration and current hours.
Alden District Library — Alden; collections and community programs.
Bellaire Public Library — Bellaire; library and family programs.
Central Lake District Library — Central Lake; library services and events.
Elk Rapids District Library — Elk Rapids; collections, programs and the Island House setting.
Mancelona Township Library — Mancelona; library information and borrowing eligibility.
Courts and Legal Resources
13th Circuit Court — Use the county court page for the circuit court’s current website and contacts.
86th District Court — Use the county court page for district court information.
Probate Court and Family Division — County probate and family court information.
Michigan Indigent Defense — County information about appointed defense services.
Prosecuting Attorney — Prosecutor’s office information and victim resources.
Driver and Vehicle Services
Official statewide services available to county residents.
Michigan Secretary of State — license and ID renewal — Review renewal options and documents.
Michigan Secretary of State — vehicle tabs — Renew vehicle registration.
Michigan Secretary of State — titles and registration — Prepare for a vehicle transfer.
Michigan Secretary of State — address changes — Update your address with the department.
Michigan Secretary of State — disability parking — Find placard application and renewal information.
Michigan self-service stations — Find a nearby kiosk and check supported transactions.
Transportation
Antrim County Transportation — County ride scheduling and service information; 231-533-8644.
Senior medical transportation — Commission on Aging transportation information; confirm eligibility and advance arrangements.
Antrim County Road Commission — County road information and maintenance contacts.
Antrim County Airport — Local general aviation information; not presented as scheduled airline service.
MDOT Mi Drive — Road construction and travel conditions.
Postal Services
Official USPS tools for local mailing and delivery needs.
USPS Post Office locator — Search your town or ZIP for nearby offices and services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Confirm the mailing ZIP for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold.
USPS Change of Address — Use the official postal address-change service.
USPS PO Boxes — Find and manage a post office box.
USPS package pickup — Check and schedule an eligible pickup.
Veterans Resources
Official statewide services available to county residents.
Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency — Connect with state benefits assistance and local support.
Michigan Veterans Trust Fund — Review emergency-assistance options and eligibility.
VA health care enrollment — Find enrollment guidance.
Veterans education benefits — Explore federal and state education programs.
Veteran Readiness and Employment — Learn about employment and rehabilitation support.
Veterans burial benefits — Find benefit and memorial planning resources.
Antrim County Veterans Affairs — Local help connecting veterans and dependents with benefits.
Employment and Training
Official statewide services available to county residents.
Michigan Works! — Find the workforce agency serving your area.
Michigan Rehabilitation Services — Employment support for eligible people with disabilities.
Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency — Claims, account help and program information.
Michigan Reconnect — Check eligibility for community college tuition support.
Veterans Employment Services — Career assistance for eligible veterans.
Workforce education and training — Explore state training programs and pathways.
Antrim County employment opportunities — Current county job postings and application information.
Make yourself at home
Practical answers for residents and visitors
County Questions
Know Before You Go
Find answers to common questions about exploring and living in Antrim County.
Start with Richardi Park, just north of downtown beside the Intermediate River. The village lists a playground, beach, courts and picnic space. Pavilion and gazebo reservations are separate from a casual park visit.
Use the trail map for Grass River Natural Area. Its boardwalks and accessible routes offer a different experience from hilly woodland trails. Check the posted pet restrictions: dogs are allowed only on designated trails, not on the boardwalk routes.
Yes. Glacial Hills describes the Pine Tree route from the Eckhardt trailhead as its flattest novice route. Consult the current map and condition notices before starting, and share the trails courteously with other users.
Start with Paddle Antrim’s Chain of Lakes Water Trail for route and access information. Choose a trip suited to your experience, check weather and water conditions, and confirm your launch and return arrangements before setting out.
Check Elk Rapids Cinema for the current films and ratings, or browse the program calendar at Elk Rapids District Library. Movie availability and library registration requirements vary, so plan from the current listings.
Visit King Orchards, which lists an M-88 farm and market near Central Lake and a US-31 fruit stop in Kewadin. The farm explains that orchard admission is free and picked fruit is paid for separately. Check current crop availability and seasonal market hours.
Try Haystacks in Elk Rapids for clothing, My Michigan Roots for Michigan-themed apparel, or Adams Madams in Central Lake for clothing and gifts. Contact each shop for its current hours before making a special trip.
Consider Short’s Bellaire Pub in Bellaire, Pearl’s New Orleans Kitchen in Elk Rapids, and The Blue Pelican in Central Lake. Their own websites provide current menus and dining information.
Yes. King Orchards lists free orchard admission, with fruit purchases extra. Art Rapids advertises seasonal free concerts, and Elk Rapids Cinema lists free Monday classic-film screenings. Check current event schedules; these offers do not make every activity at those venues free.
Contact Antrim County Transportation about service and reservations. Eligible older residents can also review Commission on Aging medical transportation. Confirm your pickup address, destination and required notice before relying on a ride.
Start with the county’s school district page, which includes a district map and links to local and neighboring districts. Confirm your street address directly with the district; a mailing town alone does not establish enrollment eligibility.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Make a day of itExplore places to eat, shop and spend time together.
Kids’ Fun
- Richardi Park — Bellaire; playground and park outing.
- Grass River Natural Area — Bellaire area; nature exploration and boardwalks.
- Elk Rapids Cinema — Elk Rapids; choose an age-appropriate current film.
Restaurants
- Short’s Bellaire Pub — Bellaire; pub dining.
- Pearl’s New Orleans Kitchen — Elk Rapids; Cajun and Creole cooking.
- The Blue Pelican — Central Lake; restaurant and inn.
Shopping & Retail
- Wildflower Soapworks — Elk Rapids; handmade soap and body care.
- King Orchards — Central Lake and Kewadin; fruit and farm-market shopping.
- Adams Madams — Central Lake; gifts, books and home decor.
Clothing & Boutiques
- Haystacks — Elk Rapids — Elk Rapids location; clothing and accessories.
- My Michigan Roots — Elk Rapids; Michigan-themed apparel.
- Adams Madams — Central Lake; clothing and jewelry.
Outdoor Fun
- Glacial Hills — Bellaire area; walking and mountain biking trails.
- Grass River Natural Area — Wetland boardwalks and nature trails.
- Chain of Lakes Water Trail — Plan a paddling route using the official access information.
Free Things To Do
- King Orchards — orchard visit — Free orchard admission; fruit and other purchases cost extra.
- Art Rapids — seasonal concerts — Free concerts when scheduled; consult the current calendar.
- Elk Rapids Cinema — Monday classics — Free classic-film screenings when scheduled; regular showings are ticketed.
Your next local discovery starts here.Explore the listings