Beaches in Michigan

1. Saugatuck Dunes State Park Beach

The trail to Saugatuck Dunes wasn’t short. It wound through thick trees and loose sand, just long enough to make me question whether I was still heading the right direction. But when the trees parted and the dunes opened to the lake, I knew the walk was part of the magic. The water was bright and endless, the waves soft and rolling.

Saugatuck Dunes State Park Beach is one of the most unique and scenic beaches on Lake Michigan. I think it's the best spot for a mix of adventure and relaxation.

Set within 1,000 acres of protected land, this beach is part of a breathtaking landscape of towering dunes, quiet forests, and winding trails that lead you to the shoreline like a hidden treasure.

The beach itself is wide and natural, with soft golden sand and clear freshwater waves that make it perfect for swimming, sunbathing, or simply taking in the horizon. Because it’s only accessible by foot, the beach feels wonderfully uncrowded and peaceful.

Located just minutes from the artsy town of Saugatuck, this park delivers one of the best and most unique Great Lakes experiences. I highly recommend it!

2. Grand Haven State Park Beach

Grand Haven felt like summer break. Not the kind on your calendar, the kind tucked into old photos and childhood memories. The beach was wide and golden, stretched right up to the shadow of the lighthouse. I walked out along the pier, the breeze tugging at my shirt and the scent of sunscreen and lake water thick in the air. I passed couples holding hands, kids with popsicles melting down their arms, and thought, “This place doesn’t try to impress, it just is.”

Located right in the heart of Grand Haven, the park gives you both natural beauty and the energy of a charming beach town. It's one of my favorite spots for a fun and memorable Lake Michigan getaway.

3. Copper Harbor

By the time I reached Copper Harbor, I felt like I’d driven to the edge of the world. The Upper Peninsula does that, peels you away from everything. The beach here wasn’t wide or flashy. It was rugged, kissed by lichen-covered rocks and pine-scented breezes. I stood at the shoreline of Lake Superior and watched the cold, endless water churn under a pewter sky.

Copper Harbor is one of the most unique and remote beach destinations in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and it’s easily one of my favorite spots for a rugged Great Lakes escape.

Perched at the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula, where Lake Superior stretches endlessly to the horizon, Copper Harbor stands out as a place filled with history, wild beauty, and the adventurous spirit of Michigan’s north country.

The beaches here are rocky and dramatic, with crystal-clear water, colorful stones, and an untamed feel that makes them perfect for exploring, photography, kayaking, or simply breathing in the fresh Superior air.

Because of its location, Copper Harbor feels like the edge of the world, making it one of the best and most unique places to experience the raw beauty of Lake Superior, and absolutely one of my favorite Michigan getaways for pure adventure.

4. North Manitou Island

There’s no quick stop at North Manitou. You have to want it, catch the ferry, leave the mainland behind, and commit to being off-grid for a bit. I remember stepping onto the island and hearing… nothing. No engines, no chatter, just trees creaking and the wind moving through dune grass. By the time I reached the beach, I felt like I had peeled off the modern world and set it gently aside.

North Manitou Island is one of the most unique and secluded destinations on Lake Michigan, and it’s easily one of my favorite places for an off-the-grid beach adventure.

As part of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, this island is a protected wilderness where time seems to slow down.

Accessible only by ferry, it stands out as a place where unspoiled dunes, quiet forests, and freshwater shoreline create an unforgettable natural escape.

The beaches here are wild and pristine, with soft sand, rolling dunes, and crystal-clear water. The feeling of remoteness makes it perfect for camping, hiking, swimming, or simply experiencing Lake Michigan in its purest form.

Because there are no cars, roads, or modern development, North Manitou Island feels like stepping into another world. I think it's one of the best and most unique outdoor experiences in the state, and absolutely one of my favorite Michigan getaways for solitude and adventure.

5. Orchard Beach State Park

I arrived at Orchard Beach just before golden hour. The sun was low, painting the sky in that saturated peach you can’t quite capture. The beach itself sits below a bluff, you park above and take a stairway down, and the moment you turn around to face the lake, it’s all sky and shimmer. I remember thinking, “This might be the best seat for a sunset in the whole state.”

For me, Orchard Beach State Park is one of the best Lake Michigan destinations because it combines natural beauty with a unique elevated setting.

The sand was soft and scattered with stones, perfect for skipping. A few families lingered, their kids chasing gulls and the last warm waves. I took off my shoes and let the lake rush over my toes, cold and clean, then found a spot to sit and just… watch.

Afterward, I drove a few minutes into Manistee and ate at Bluefish Kitchen + Bar. I ordered the lake trout with lemon herb butter. It smelled like citrus and thyme, tasted like it had been swimming just that morning. The skin was crisp, the inside flaked perfectly. Paired with roasted vegetables and a view of the river, it felt like the evening didn’t end, it just softened into night.

6. Rogers City

Located in northeast Michigan, Rogers City offers one of the best and most unique blends of natural beauty and small-town hospitality. It's one of my favorite places to slow down and enjoy Lake Huron’s charm.

I pulled into Rogers City on a quiet weekday afternoon, not expecting much beyond a short walk. But the beach surprised me, broad and open, with pale sand that gave way to the kind of gently lapping waves that seem to speak in whispers. There were just a handful of people around, most of them reading, walking, or letting the breeze carry their thoughts somewhere far off.

I followed the paved trail that runs alongside the beach, pausing to admire the pier and the lake freighters in the distance. The water was a startling shade of blue, almost Caribbean in the sunlight, and I found myself standing still longer than I expected, thinking, “I didn’t know serenity came in this shade.”

Lunch came from The Painted Lady Cafe, just a few minutes inland. I had a pressed turkey and havarti sandwich on sourdough, warm and melty with a zing of cranberry aioli. It smelled like toasted bread and rosemary, and tasted like something a friend would make just for you. I took it back to the beach and ate it under a shade tree, with the breeze tugging at my napkin.

7. Manistique

Manistique is one of the most unique and welcoming small towns on Lake Michigan’s Upper Peninsula shoreline.

With its beautiful boardwalk, lighthouse, and access to both beach and forest, Manistique stands out as more than just a lakeshore. It’s a place where small-town charm meets the rugged beauty of Michigan’s north country.

The beach area along Lake Michigan offers soft sand, calm waters, and a peaceful vibe that makes it perfect for swimming, strolling, or watching the waves roll in. The scenic boardwalk stretches for over a mile along the shoreline, connecting the town to the iconic East Breakwater Lighthouse.

Honestly, Manistique felt like a secret. I felt like I’d stumbled into something locals wisely kept quiet. (But I'm happy to share it with you!)

I walked along the boardwalk, its wooden planks worn smooth by years of foot traffic and lake air. The breeze smelled like pine and lake salt. As I sat near the shore, toes in the cool sand, I thought, “This is where you come to exhale.”

I grabbed dinner at Three Seasons Cafe, a cozy local spot with the kind of friendly service that makes you feel like you’ve been coming for years. I had their whitefish sandwich, lightly breaded with dill-spiked tartar on the side. It smelled clean and fresh, and the fish flaked apart with every bite, simple, honest, and perfect after a beach day.

8. Silver Lake Sand Dunes

It felt like I was stepping onto another planet. The Silver Lake Sand Dunes rose and dipped like an inland Sahara, only instead of camels and mirages, there was the cool blue stretch of Lake Michigan waiting on the other side. I climbed barefoot, my feet sinking deep into the warm sand, and when I reached the top and saw the lake in the distance, I actually laughed. "How is this real?"

Located near Mears, Silver Lake Sand Dunes delivers one of the best and most unique experiences in Michigan, absolutely one of my favorite places for both relaxation and adventure in the same trip.

Kids tumbled down the dunes. A couple zipped by on ORVs. Somewhere below, people picnicked near the water’s edge. I found a quiet ridge and sat for a while, watching the sand sparkle like crushed shell under the sun.

I stopped at The Fox Barn Market & Winery afterward for lunch. I had a grilled veggie panini with basil pesto. It smelled like garlic and summer, and the ciabatta had just enough crunch to hold it all together. I ate it outside under a covered porch, the sound of gravel crunching under tires as dune riders came and went. The contrast between all that motion and the stillness I’d just come from felt perfect.

9. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is one of the most unique and breathtaking places in Michigan, and it’s easily one of my favorite spots for a truly unforgettable Great Lakes adventure.

Stretching for 35 miles along Lake Michigan, this park includes towering dunes, lush forests, hidden lakes, and dramatic overlooks that showcase the very best of Michigan’s natural beauty.

The beaches here are wide and pristine, with soft golden sand and the deep blue waters of Lake Michigan rolling onto shore. It’s perfect if you want to go swimming, hiking down to the water, or simply relax while surrounded by some of the most scenic views in the Midwest.

For me, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is one of the best Great Lakes experiences because it combines natural wonder with a unique variety of landscapes. It’s awe-inspiring, memorable, and absolutely one of my favorite places in all of Michigan.

Conclusion: What Fresh Water Taught Me

Michigan’s beaches are some of the most unique and best-kept treasures in the Midwest. Exploring them with my husband and son has given me countless favorite memories.

From the towering dunes of Sleeping Bear and Silver Lake to the remote wilds of North Manitou and Copper Harbor, every shoreline tells its own story.

Whether it’s the charm of small towns like Manistique and Rogers City or the sweeping drama of Lake Michigan’s golden sand, there’s a beach here for every kind of traveler.

What I love most is the variety. I think that no two Michigan beaches feel the same. Some are lively and full of energy, others are quiet and secluded, but all of them share that unmistakable Great Lakes spirit.

For me, visiting these beaches is about history, nature, adventure, and connection. That’s why Michigan’s beaches will always be some of my favorite places to return to, again and again.

Hi, I'm Ema. Ready to plan your next weekend getaway? Let me help. I have 30 years of experience, over 400,000 social media followers, and my work as a travel expert has been mentioned on abc6 Morning Show, Best of the Web, USAToday, and many other outlets. When I'm not traveling around the USA, I live in Austin, TX with my husband and son. Click for more.

 

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