If you call Michigan home, you must be among the lucky people on earth. Besides Alaska, Michigan is encompassed by four Great Lakes. It also has various beaches, ponds, and natural vegetation.
If you consider visiting any of the beaches in Michigan, the State has excellent facilities for comfort and relaxation. There is so much you can do outdoors, from the rocky shorelines to the sand dunes.
Here’s a roundup of the best beaches in Michigan, including those that welcome your furry friends.
- Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore — Empire
Known for its huge dunes, Sleeping Bear is a long stretch of sand beach. National Geographic listed it as one of the best beaches to visit in the world.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Sleeping Bear is a place to refresh. Its coastal villages and farmsteads bring you closer to nature. Things to do on the beach include camping, yoga, hiking, biking, kayaking, and birdwatching.
Expert Tip
When hiking, stay away from tree leaves and tall grasses to prevent yourself from ticks. Ensure to take a bath as soon as you get home.
- Cheboygan State Park Beach — Cheboygan
Established in 1962, Cheboygan State Park sits on 1250 acres on Lake Huron’s shores in Michigan.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Cheboygan State Park beach is the perfect place for outdoor activities such as beachcombing, hiking, camping, and exploring the ruins of an 1859 lighthouse.
Expert Tip
The park is pet-friendly, but you must obey best practices to help preserve an endangered species affected by dogs.
- Mackinac Island Beach — Mackinac Island
The beach on Mackinac Island is rugged, secluded, and quite rocky. It holds some moments in history, such as the landing spot of the British troops during the 1812 war to conquer Fort Mackinac.
Why We Recommend This Beach
The historic beach has a lot of great places for picnics, hiking, golf, carriage rides, and shopping. The sunset on the beach is also perfect for picture lovers.
Expert Tip
The Windermere Point is great for stone skipping. If you visit on the 4th of July, you may participate in the yearly W.T. Rabe Stone skipping contest. The spot is also great for kite flying.
- Silver Lake Sand Dunes — Hart
Silver Lake Sand Dunes is spread across 2000 acres on the coastline of Lake Michigan.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Families have been making lots of memories on the Dunes for decades. The location offers remarkable opportunities for shopping, boat riding, swimming, ORV recreation, and much more.
Expert Tip
For a complete family adventure, take the kids to the petting zoo or family adventure park, spend some time at the galleries browsing artistic wares, and move to the family farm to learn a thing or two.
- Tawas Point State Park Beach — East Tawas
Located on Lake Huron, Tawas Point State Park occupies 183 acres at a sand spit end where Twas bay is formed.
Why We Recommend This Beach
The Park is an excellent place for birdwatching. It is also safe for kids because the water is warm and shallow, the waves are gentle, and the guards are attentive.
Expert Tip
If you’re not hurrying to leave, the park has a campground. Also, the lighthouse is open for tours. And if you visit around June, you may catch up on the Tawas Point Celebration featuring traditional craft displays and other historical activities centered around American culture for educational purposes.
- Hunter’s Point Park Beach — Copper Harbor
With a shoreline of about 4800 feet, Hunter’s Point Park is 9.4 acres. It was a copper mining site in the 18th century.
Why We Recommend This Beach
The park is quiet, giving you enough room to relax while watching Lake Superior. It is also great for photography, birdwatching, and studying rock formations.
Expert Tip
Hunter’s Point Park is pet-friendly. You can explore the 1.6-mile-long hiking trail between the parking lot and Copper Harbor Visitor Center.
- Grand Haven City Beach — Grand Haven
Grand Haven City Beach is a large sandy beach that welcomes families, dog owners, and wedding guests at no cost.
Why We Recommend This Beach
The beach has sufficient sandy areas and a playground for building sand castles. Every season has fun activities you can engage in. For instance, hiking and biking are easy during spring. Winter calls for all kinds of snow sports like sled racing and skiing. Fall is appropriate for a charter fishing excursion.
Expert Tip
The beach gets crowded quickly, and parking lots are limited, so do well to arrive on time. You can also camp and participate in one of the numerous celebrations in the Grand Haven Area.
- Warren Dunes Beach — Bridgman
Located along Lake Michigan’s eastern shore, Warren Dunes State Park is about 1952 acres. It is one of the most famous parks in the State and welcomes millions of visitors every year.
Why We Recommend This Beach
The park has sand dunes measuring up to 260 feet above Lake Michigan. This makes it an exciting spot for sandboarding. Gear up for hunting, swimming, picnic, skiing, six mi of hiking, and more.
Expert Tip
The park has two major campgrounds. However, they are usually full between July and August.
- Lakeside Beach — Port Huron
Lakeside Beach is located on Lake Huron’s shores. It has a dedicated swim area, but like an old-fashioned beach, you should swim at your own risk.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Although Lake Huron houses several Michigan beaches, Lakeside Beach stands out, especially during summer. Apart from swimming, kayaking, fishing, and canoeing add to the fun.
Expert Tip
The beach holds summer camps for kids between ages 6 – 12, featuring swim lessons, field trips, arts and crafts, and lots of games. Register in advance to join the waiting list.
- Manistique Beach — Manistique
Manistique is located on the shoreline of Lake Michigan. It is also surrounded by a large expanse of forest land, which is great for recreational activities.
Why We Recommend This Beach
The natural vegetation in Manistique offers a breath of fresh air. The sand on the beach is crystal white, and the water is clear.
Expert Tip
Two hundred feet across Manistique is the 40 feet-deep Kitch-iti-kipi, the largest spring in Michigan. If you’re a history buff, you should tour the lighthouse and Historical Fayette town site.
- Saugatuck Dunes State Park — Holland
Saugatuck Dunes State park covers 1000 acres on Lake Michigan’s shores between Holland and Saugatuck.
Why We Recommend This Beach
The beachfront is suitable for picnics, the natural area spans 300 acres with rolling hills and steep slopes, and there’s a long trail for hiking.
Expert Tip
Saugatuck Dunes State Park is family-friendly. You can grab a quick snack or lunch in nearby restaurants.
- Hoffmaster State Park Beach — Muskegon
Percy James Hoffmaster founded Hoffmaster State Park. The park has three miles of sandy beach along Lake Michigan’s shores.
Why We Recommend This Beach
The beach has two campgrounds, 10 miles of hiking trail, and three miles of trail for skiing during winter. It is also a migration point for birds like wood thrushes, sparrows, raptors, and even the eagle.
Expert Tip
Visit the Gillette Sand Dune Visitor Center to see sand dune ecosystem exhibits, live animals, and several nature programs.
- Oscoda Beach Park — Oscoda
Oscoda Beach Park is referred to as the Jewel of Oscoda. It has various beaches for swimming, fishing, and just sitting in the sun.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Oscoda Beach Park offers various amenities such as bathrooms, a playground, a basketball court, a skate park, a splash pad for kids, charcoal grills, and picnic tables. It is also surrounded by restaurants and shops.
Expert Tip
The park hosts several events such as movie nights, concerts, 4th of July fireworks, and an Arts festival.
- Empire Beach — Empire
Empire Beach is among National Geographic’s top 21 beaches in the world.
Why We Recommend This Beach
With its playground, outdoor grills, and pavilion, Empire beach is a perfect place for families. There’s portable water on site and restrooms. The water is clean and shallow for open swimming.
Expert Tip
For a solemn moment, visit the lighthouse on the beach. It was built to remember Robert Manning, an old resident who loved fishing on the beach.
- South Beach Park — South Haven
South Haven has seven public beaches, but South beach park is the most popular because of its amenities.
Why We Recommend This Beach
South Beach has a big red lighthouse, parking lots, restrooms, play equipment, and concession stands. It also offers amazing views of Lake Michigan, orchards, and wineries.
Expert Tip
The big lighthouse on South Beach is a must-see. You can also experience fine dining in one of the restaurants around the beach.
- Orchard Beach State Park — Manistee
Situated three miles north of Manistee, Orchard Beach State park covers 201 acres on the shoreline of Lake Michigan.
Why We Recommend This Beach
The park offers 2.5 miles of hiking trails, picnic facilities, swimming, and 166 campsites. What the beach lacks in size, it makes up for in beauty, making it an excellent choice for nature lovers.
Expert Tip
The park is pet-friendly, and you can come with your fishing gear for world-class fishing in both the river and lake.
- Copper Harbor
Copper Harbor is located in Keweenaw County, Michigan, at the northern tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula. It has natural surroundings and welcomes tourists all year round.
Why We Recommend This Beach
With its geological, nautical, mining, and cultural history, Copper Harbor is a historical place frozen in time. Explore its 40+ mi trails for mountain biking, take leisurely walks, hike, ski, or watch the birds flying high in the sky.
Expert Tip
Copper Harbor is surrounded by clean and clear water if your vacation bucket list contains getting on the water. So, get ready for kayaking, ice fishing, boating, canoeing, swimming, and scuba diving.
