Soak up some sun, enjoy some family time, and take in some stunning views from these lakeside gems, just a sampling of the many great beaches found in the Great Lakes State.

 

West Coast

  • Elberta Beach, Frankfort: A peaceful, sandy beach with plenty of room to relax and swim, Elberta Beach is a pristine example of Michigan beaches. You can walk for miles, often without anyone else around. There is also a short boardwalk connecting to the southern pier at the mouth of Betsie Bay. Frankfort and the village of Elberta are nearby.

         Get there: Bye Street, Elberta, MI 49628

 

  • Sturgeon Bay Dunes, Carp Lake – Located between Cross Village and Mackinac City in the northwest part of Emmet County, the beach at Sturgeon Bay features three miles of sand and rolling dunes. It’s a beautiful place to spend a day with the family. Bring everything you need so that there is no need to leave.

         Get there: 903 Wilderness Park Drive, Carp Lake, MI 49718

 

  • Pierport Beach, Pierport: This secluded beach is the perfect spot to find some quiet and take in a Lake Michigan sunset. It’s less busy than neighboring beaches yet it’s not too far north from the quaint, historical town of Manistee.

         Get there: Drive to the end of 13 Mile Road in Pierport, MI

 

  • Otter Creek at Esch Road Beach, Empire: This area looks to be the perfect place to film a Hollywood movie. This fun, family friendly beach is wide, sandy, and back dropped by the gorgeous Empire Bluffs. Swim in the creek or take a dip in Lake Michigan. The little town of Empire is just three miles away.

         Get there: Esch Rd, Honor, MI 49640

 

  • Grand Mere State Park, Stevensville: This is the largest state park in Michigan, but you won’t find the beach overcrowded. There’s more than a mile of coastline for swimming, sunbathing, and playing with the dog. The state park has acres of trails and sand dunes to enjoy, too.

         Get there: Thornton Dr, Stevensville, MI 49127

 

  • South Beach, South Haven: This is a popular spot for several reasons. There’s a picnic area, sand volleyball courts, playground, and a pier leading to a red lighthouse (one of the most photographed in Michigan, located at the entrance of the Black River).

         Get there: 1555 Phoenix St, South Haven, MI 49090

 

  • Tunnel Park, Holland: This park gets its name from a tunnel that runs through one of the dunes. It’s located just north of Holland on the shores of Lake Michigan. Enjoy the dunes and a picnic at one of the area shelters.

        Get there: 66 N Lakeshore Dr, Holland, MI 49424

 

East Coast

 

  • Sterling State Park, Monroe: Located not far off I-75, Sterling State Park is the only Michigan state park on Lake Erie. The park boasts a beach that’s a mile long. A recreational passport is required, which can be purchased at the entrance.

         Get there: 2800 State Park Road, Monroe, MI 48162

 

  • Belle Isle Beach, Detroit: The Motor City’s only public beach is located on the island of Belle Isle. It’s rich in history and beauty, the perfect getaway from city life. Yet close enough to – and a part of – the city’s cultural landscape.

         Get there: 2 Inselruhe Avenue, Detroit MI, 48207

 

  • Seagull Point Park, Rogers City: The City’s largest park, Seagull Point, consists of 43 acres and a mile of Lake Huron shoreline. A perfect place to view a sunset, the park features a 1.5-mile bark-surface trail system allowing nature enthusiasts the perfect means to view the unique dune formations, vegetation, and wildlife. Picnic tables, grills, a fire pit, and portable toilet facilities are available in the summer, and an access ramp makes the beach area accessible to most users.

        Get there: Between Forest Ave. and Lake Huron, Rogers City, MI 49779

 

  • Aloha State Park, Cheboygan: The beach is on picturesque Mullett Lake, the center of the Inland Lakes Waterway, connecting to the Indian River and Cheboygan River. Mullett Lake has excellent fishing and plenty of space to boat. The beach at Aloha State Park is pure sand, on the beach and in the water.

        Get there: 4347 3rd St, Cheboygan, MI 49721

 

  • Bird Creek Beach, Port Austin: Here’s a stop at the very tip of the Thumb. Seven acres with a wooden boardwalk, picnic shelters, and a playground. It’s a wide beach, with plenty of room to kick back and have fun.

 

         Get there: of M-25, Port Austin, MI 48467

 

Upper Peninsula

  • American Legion Memorial Park, St. Ignace: From this waterfront park you can enjoy Fourth of July fireworks splendor, illuminating the Mighty Mac. There are picnic tables, a playground, and of course, Lake Huron waters.

         Get there: State Street, St. Ignace, MI 49781

 

  • Mouth of Two-Hearted River, Newberry: Here’s a spot that is out of the way, a local escape. The sandy beach sits on crystal clear Lake Superior, being fed by the tranquil Two-Hearted River.

         Get there: 35 miles NE of Newberry, MI

 

  • Perry’s Landing, Grand Marais: Just a short drive from town is this secluded gem, the perfect place to hunt for lake stones and enjoy the remote wilderness of Lake Superior.

         Get there: 5 miles east ofGrand Marais, MI, on H-58

 

  • Seven Mile Point, Ahmeek: Up on the north shore of the Keweenaw Peninsula, deep in Michigan’s Copper Country, Seven Mile Point is often described as “magical.” It has 2,000 feet of shoreline, including a sand and cobble beach. It’s a great place to go agate picking, swim, and observe many forms of wildlife.

        Get there: Just keep heading north, then west, then north again. Follow M-28W and US-41.

 

How long do you think it would take to visit every single private and public beach in the state? If every inland waterway – 11,000 in total – had a beach to visit and you stayed at each one for 10 minutes, that would be 76 days just visiting inland beaches. If you add the 3288 miles of coastline and island shoreline, say with an accessible beach every 20 miles, you can be beach hopping another 68 days! And that’s without travel time or sleeping. Now wouldn’t that be an adventure?