9 Beaches in Michigan
Searching for the best beaches in Michigan for your next day trip or vacation? Well, you are in the right place! When most people think of Michigan, they picture the giant Great Lakes bodies of water. But this area is also home to hundreds of miles of freshwater coastline, soft sandy shores, and lakeside towns which we visited on our recent four week road trip.
What I loved most was how affordable these beach vacations were compare to many beaches on the East or West Coast. In addition, sunsets are absolutely incredible over the Great Lakes. The night sky is incredible too so don't forget to look up once the sun sets. You can reach some of my favorite Michigan beaches pretty easily but others are truly remote and off the beaten path.
With affordable lodging and plenty of natural beauty, I think that Michigan is perfect for a budget-friendly summer beach vacation. Here are the most unique local beaches, and I hope you love them too.
- Best Beaches on the Western Lower Peninsula (Lake Michigan coast)
- - #1. Saugatuck Dunes State Park Beach
- - #2. Grand Haven State Park Beach
- - #3. Orchard Beach State Park
- - #4. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
- - #5. North Manitou Island
- - #6. Silver Lake Sand Dunes
- The Beaches of Michigan's Upper Peninsula
- - #7. Copper Harbor
- - #8. Manistique Beach
- Michigan's Eastern Lower Peninsula (Lake Huron coast)
- - #9. Rogers City Beach
Best Beaches on the Western Lower Peninsula (Lake Michigan coast)
The Western Lower Peninsula is home to some of the most diverse and scenic beaches in the Midwest. You can explore it for a weekend or a week. We always come back for more.
Saugatuck Dunes State Park Beach
Saugatuck Dunes State Park Beach was big...really big! The kind of place where you look across the water and forget you’re on a lake.
We drove about three hours from Detroit to Saugatuck (900 residents), a small town named for a Potawatomi word that means the "mouth of the river". This refers to the town's location at the mouth of the Kalamazoo River where it enters Lake Michigan.
You can spend your days walking through the dunes, swimming if you go in June, July and August, and watching the sunsets over Lake Michigan every evening.
I think that Saugatuck Dunes State Park Beach is one of the best beaches in Michigan. Why? The whole place is super interesting with its mix of heaps of sand and water. We stopped for dinner steaks at Bowdies Chophouse and checked into The Dunes Resort overnight.
I loved this area for a longer vacation because there's so much beyond the beach that you'll never be bored. We stopped at Pennyroyal Café for great pancakes and coffee next morning. Next day, we rode the historic Saugatuck Chain Ferry across to Oval Beach. Later, for lunch, we enjoyed Wally’s for hearty pub food. In addition, after lunch my son loved Kilwins Ice Cream downtown for ice cream and fudge, which is especially great if you have a kid like me.
Grand Haven State Park Beach
Situated right at the edge of downtown Grand Haven (population 11,000) is one of my favorite beaches in Michigan! Chris and I both absolutely love the Grand Haven State Park Beach, and have been many times. You can reach it in just 30 minutes from the airport in Grand Rapids if you are flying in.
We started the day walking along the pier and admired the red lighthouse. If you are hungry when you arrive, you can eat a Pronto Pup corn dog from the boardwalk stand (or go for a sit-down breakfast at Morning Star Café).
The beach itself was wide and just like in Saugatuck, I for a moment forgot we weren't anywhere near the ocean. I absolutely loved sitting near the shoreline for ours.
Downtown Grand Haven is just a short walk away. You'll find shops, ice cream stands, and casual cafés when you need your coffee or a mail. You can return in time for the sunset in the afternoon and take heaps of photos.
We based ourselves at Looking Glass Beachfront Inn for two days and enjoyed this awesome mile-long beach. Plus we watched the nightly Grand Haven Musical Fountain show which was a highlight.
What I loved best:
Standing on the pier at sunset.
Orchard Beach State Park
When I visited Orchard Beach State Park in Northern Michigan, I was completely charmed by how this underrated gem gave us some of the best Lake Michigan views and such fantastic nature.
You'll find Orchard Beach State Park just 3 miles north of the city of Manistee on around 200 acres of land. I recommend wearing comfortable shoes so that you can explore 3.5 miles of trails that lead you through peaceful old-growth forests. I have to warn you that unfortunately erosion prevents direct beach access to this beach. But in fact, that's part of the reason we love it here because it's far more peaceful that any other Michigan beach vacation.
We drove just under 90 minutes on a day trip from Traverse City. After enjoying the trails, lunch was fresh fish at Bluefish Kitchen + Bar . We also loved our stop at House of Flavors for ice cream after.
If you want to spend the night, the park’s campground has sites with stunning lake views. If camping isn’t your style, Manistee has various accommodations choices.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
When I first stood on the shore at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, I couldn’t believe such a spectacular spot existed in the middle of the Midwest! The color of the water is so uniquely blue like you can see in the photo. The views are breathtaking, and I thought it was the absolute best place to cool off on a hot summer day.
You can hike on massive dunes, relax on quiet beaches, explore inland lakes, and even visit nearby towns like Glen Arbor and Empire. Sleeping Bear Point Lighthouse is must-visit as well.
We enjoyed learning that this area is named after an Ojibwe (Anishinaabe) legend about a mother bear and her cubs. The dunes to represent the mother bear and the North and South Manitou islands her two cubs.
We drove only about 45 minutes from Traverse City. However, if you don't feel like driving, you can join a tour with a local guide that will take you on a day trip from Traverse City.
Local tip: I have to warn you that parking fills up quickly on summer weekends. The other reason to arrive early is that the dunes get just too hot to enjoy after about 11am.
Spending the night in the area is easy and affordable with some advanced planning. There is camping at Platte River Campground or DH Day Campground which keep you close to nature but reservations are a must.
North Manitou Island
This was the wild heart of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. I was completely won over by the beaches here! This remote Lake Michigan island feels completely untouched. I loved that sandy beaches, heaps of dunes, and dense forests exist without cars.
In fact, you need to know that North Manitou is managed as wilderness, which means there are no amenities or shops on the island. For me, the payoff is worth it because you get miles of quiet shoreline, but it's not for everyone.
Local tip: There are no hotels or rentals on North Manitou Island, and you need a backcountry permit for wilderness camping. Leland and nearby towns offer inns and rentals on the mainland which is more comfortable for most people.
You can go on a day trip but be sure to bring everything you need (food, water, sunscreen). The ferry takes about 1.5 hours one way from Leland Harbor, but only runs seasonally from May through October. Also, many people are surprised to learn that no pets are permitted on the island.
Silver Lake Sand Dunes
Not as well known as Sleeping Bear Dunes but no less fascinating, Silver Lake Sand Dunes is located near is Mears, Michigan (population of just 330 people). In fact, I thought that Silver Lake Sand Dunes was a hidden gem and a less crowded part of Lake Michigan coastline which we loved. And...yes, you can swim here and it's great. Just head for the 1,000-foot sandy beach (you can't miss it!). In addition to the designated swim area, there's you can enjoy boating and fishing here.
We based ourselves at Silver Sands Hotel & Resort (from $98 / night) for five care-free days. For food, you can enjoy pizza at Silver Lake Chicken Shack, lakeside views at Silver Lake Pizza Factory, or grab ice cream cones at Whippy Dip.
For me, Silver Lake Sand Dunes is one of the best beaches in Michigan because it's peaceful and unique!
Local tip: as far as I know, this is the only place in Michigan where you can drive dune buggies right on the sand. Half off the dunes are reserved for off-roading, while the other half are only for hiking and enjoying nature.
The Beaches of Michigan's Upper Peninsula
I love that Michigan’s Upper Peninsula offers a completely different beach experience. We found it rugged, remote, and wild.
Copper Harbor Beach
This Upper Peninsula beach is one of my absolute favorites in The Great Lakes State ! Why? First off, by the time we reached this place, I felt like we’d driven to the edge of the world which was totally unique. The Upper Peninsula does that, teleports you away. Secondly, I loved that the beach felt so natural. First thing you'll notice is that the beach isn't wide or polished. It's just like nature made it.
A quick note before visiting: unlike sandy stretches farther south, for me, Copper Harbor’s beach is more about scenery and tranquility. The beach is a mix of pebbles, rock, and sand. I loved combining relaxing on the beach with a trip into town which has small shops and a harborfront.
Regarding overnight accommodations here, Bella Vista Motel has affordable accommodations, but many visitors camp at nearby Fort Wilkins Historic State Park.
Copper Harbor has a handful of dining options. The Harbor Haus is actually famous for its lakeside dining and nightly Alpenhorn welcome for boats. I liked Mariner North for hearty pub fare and Tamarack Inn for a classic breakfast if you wake up hungry after an active day.
While the beach is ideal for peaceful walks and cooling off in Lake Superior, you can also hike along Brockway Mountain Drive to enjoy the views, kayak along the rocky coast, or take a ferry to Isle Royale National Park for a wilderness side trip. Fort Wilkins offers history and hiking. I heard that mountain biking trails here draw outdoor enthusiasts from all over the Midwest.
What I loved best:
Grabbing coffee or a picnic snack at Jamsen’s Fish Market & Bakery before heading out for the day was my personal highlight.
Manistique Beach
What made this place one of my favorite Michigan beaches on our road trip is soft sand, gentle waves, and a peaceful atmosphere. You'll find Manistique Beach along the northern shore of Lake Michigan.
We started with coffee and pastries at Cedar Street Café and enjoyed the small downtown area. For most of the day, we relaxed on the sand, and strolled along the beach and boardwalk. When we got hungry, had lunch at Clyde’s Drive-In (I had a classic burger). We returned to the shore to admire the sunset.
A cool side trip you can take is to Kitch-iti-kipi (the Big Spring) at Palms Book State Park about 20 minutes by car. The crystal-clear spring is totally unforgettable.
Local tip: Manistique Beach is actually part of a larger lakeshore park system, so you’ll find playgrounds, picnic areas, and a paved boardwalk here too. You can easily turn a day trip here into a weekend getaway with lodging options that include Gray Wolf Lodge, and Quality Inn & Suites.
What I loved best:
My personal highlight was strolling to the East Breakwater Light at sunset.
Best Beaches on the Eastern Lower Peninsula (Lake Huron coast)
Along the shores of Lake Huron, the Eastern Lower Peninsula offers quieter beaches that are awesome for exploring.
Rogers City Beach
Friends told us about this hidden gem on Lake Huron near Alpena so we made a trip here from Detroit in about four hours. We stopped for late breakfast at The Painted Lady Café, then headed to the shoreline.
The beach here is wide and rocky. We stayed through sunset, which was spectacular.
To spend the night, the town offers a handful of motels, lakeside cabins, and vacation rentals. Many visitors also choose to camp at Hoeft State Park which is very affordable but you need to book ahead in the summer.
What I loved best:
For me, Rogers City beach is one of the best beaches in Michigan. My personal highlights were walking along the shoreline boardwalk, and swimming in Lake Huron’s clear water.
Booking Checklist
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
2. Book Your Hotel - I use Booking.com or Expedia, depending on my destination.
3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
5. If you are planning to visit more than three national parks in the next 12 months, we've found that buying the America the Beautiful Pass is cost effective.
