Michigan beach vacation spots
There’s nothing like a Michigan beach vacation to bring you back to your roots.
Michigan has some of the most stunning beaches in the country. From the dunes of Sleeping Bear to the shores of Lake Michigan, there’s no shortage of beautiful beaches in Michigan.
The sand is soft and warm on your feet, the sun so bright it makes your eyes hurt. The waves crash over the beach and then recede, leaving behind a cool breeze that makes you feel alive. You can walk for miles, exploring the beautiful landscape, until your feet get tired and you need to stop for lunch at one of the local restaurants.
If you’re looking for a more active vacation, we’ve got that too: kayaking and canoeing are popular activities at all our beaches, and our state parks offer plenty of opportunities to camp and hike as well.
Whatever your needs are, Michigan is ready with an unforgettable experience on its beautiful beaches—you just have to get here!
Michigan beach vacation spots
Grand Haven, MI
West Michigan beaches are renown for their beauty and fun beach town vibe, and Grand Haven is no different.
Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, Grand Haven offers not one but two spectacular beaches in its downtown area.
Both Grand Haven City Beach and Grand Haven State Park – with a wide range of amenities to keep you comfortable all day long – are within walking distance to the Grand Haven Pier and two red lighthouses.
Grand Haven is a dog-friendly town: most stores in the downtown area offer water bowls for a refreshing treat for your pet, and wide, paved pathways offer easy access to the Lake Michigan shoreline for users of mobility devices.
A Michigan beach town destination not far from bustling Grand Rapids, MI, the Grand Haven’s cute downtown area is chock-full of fun during the busy summer months.
Try a deli sandwich from the Toasted Pickle and enjoy!
IF YOU GO: Use the Travel Guide to Grand Haven for more information about this charming Michigan beach town.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Beaches
Named one of the most beautiful places in the United States, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake Shore is located along 35 miles of stunning Lake Michigan shoreline. You’ll find many public beaches nestled in among the dunes; use our Guide to the Best Beaches in Sleeping Bear Dunes for our favorite beaches in the park.
Think clear, azure blue water and soft sugar sand beaches for relaxing, endless hiking and biking trails perfect for exploring, and sand dunes towering 450 feet.
Accessibility to the Lake Michigan shoreline is available through the use of the park’s free Track Wheelchairs.
From most point along the shoreline, you can gaze out the Manitou Islands in the distance.
There’s access via passenger ferry to North Manitou Island and South Manitou Island in the nearby town of Leland.
In addition to Lake Michigan, the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore has some of the most beautiful and clear inland lakes in the entire country: Crystal Lake, Glen Lake, Platte Lake, and Lake Leelanau are all located nearby.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake Shore is a perfect spot for families of all ages; you’ll love the pristine shoreline and lush landscapes as well as the surrounding beach towns of Frankfort, Empire, Glen Arbor, and Leland.
IF YOU GO: Don’t miss Art’s Tavern in Glen Arbor, home of the best burger in northern Michigan.
Lexington, MI
Set on the sandy shores of Lake Huron, the quietly quaint town of Lexington is a great spot to relax and unwind all summer long.
Within walking distance of downtown Lake Huron, the beach at Lexington State Harbor offers a walkable pier that reaches out into the sparkling blue waters as well as a playground and restroom facilities.
Downtown Lexington has a comfortable and low-key resort-town feel.
Filled with affordable restaurants, ice cream shops, and cute boutiques, Lexington is an easy drive from the metro Detroit area.
Drive north along Lake Huron’s coast on M-25 and you’ll find roadside parks with quiet, secluded beaches and sweeping vistas of Lake Huron.
Head farther north to the Lake Huron harbor towns of Port Sanilac and Harbor Beach and take time to explore these uniquely peaceful and picturesque pure Michigan towns.
IF YOU GO: Take some time to stop at the scenic overlooks along M-25 along the area. Use the Guide to Lexington MI to discover the best beaches in the area.
Port Crescent State Park
Just north of Caseville at the tip of Michigan’s Thumb, you’ll find some of the only sand dunes on Lake Huron.
Beautiful Port Crescent State Park, set on the shores of Saginaw Bay, is home to three miles of sandy shoreline with trails, including wooden boardwalk for users of wheelchairs and other mobility devices.
On sunny summer days, you’ll find families, couples, and other beach goers quietly enjoying the clear, shallow water of Lake Huron.
The rolling landscape of Port Crescent State Park is also home to campgrounds and a dark sky preserve: Lake Huron is the perfect backdrop for watching the wide, starry sky on the beach and listening to the waves gently lapping onto the shore.
With the nearby towns of Caseville and Port Austin providing options for lodging, dining, shopping, and a variety of other activities, Port Crescent State Park is one of Michigan’s best beach destinations.
IF YOU GO: The beaches here are some of the most underrated in the state. Read MORE about the beautiful Caseville and Port Austin Beaches.
Warren Dunes State Park
With more than one million visitors every year, naturally beautiful Warren Dunes State Park, just north of New Buffalo, is one of Michigan’s most popular state parks.
Set in southwest Michigan on the shores of sparkling blue Lake Michigan, Warren Dunes State Park beach offers almost 2,000 acres of recreational opportunity for all ages and abilities.
The park offers the use of two beach wheelchairs to access the shoreline.
Tower Hill, one of the largest sand dunes, is perfect for climbing to enjoy the scenic views of Lake Michigan, and the pet-friendly shoreline is a great spot to bring dogs.
Warren Dunes State Park is a full-service state park with many amenities: both campsites and cabins rentals are available.
The nearby towns of St. Joseph and New Buffalo, are both some of Michigan’s most popular beach towns, and located along the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail, too.
IF YOU GO: Read our Guide to New Buffalo, MI for more vacation info and things to do in this top Michigan beach town.
Hoffmaster State Park Beach
With three miles of sandy coastline along Lake Michigan and miles of wonderful hiking trails, P. J. Hoffmaster State Park is a beach-goers delight. Towering dunes slope down into the clear blue water of Lake Michigan, and the Gillette Nature Center provides information on the surrounding flora and fauna.
Take in the panoramic views of this naturally beautiful stretch of west Michigan coastline from the observation deck, and explore the numerous hiking trails.
You might even be lucky enough to catch sight of migrating songbirds including sparrows, warblers, and thrushes: P. J. Hoffmaster State Park is truly a birdwatcher’s paradise.
Located just five miles north of Grand Haven, this ADA – accessible state park offers everything needed for a great day at the beach, including a wide, sandy beach, restrooms, camping, grills, picnic tables, picnic shelter, volleyball, and more.
PRO-TIP: After you’ve explored P. J. Hoffmaster State Park beach, travel a few miles farther north to find Pere Marquette beach in Muskegon. This fun park is busy all summer long; it’s natural beauty continues all fall and summer long as well.
Oscoda Beach Park
This simply lovely park in the city of Oscoda is truly a gem on the shores of Lake Huron.
The wide, sandy beach is set just a block away from cute downtown Oscoda – making it an easy walk for an ice cream cone or other treat.
In addition to being completely wheelchair accessible down to the shoreline, you can also stroll along the short boardwalk to the pier along the lakefront to the paved pier- a favorite spot for fishermen of all ages and abilities.
Oscoda Beach Park is a best-kept secret among Michigan’s Great Lakes beaches, offering many fun and family-friendly activities such as a Splash Pad, a playground, picnic area, skateboard park, basketball court, pavilion, grills, benches, and a bathhouse.
There is also a band shell under the tall trees for summer concerts and events.
You’ll love the abundance of accommodations in the area: there are many cottages available to rent along the shoreline and in surrounding areas.
PRO-TIP: Tawas Point State Park is a shore drive down the Lake Huron coast from Oscoda. With it’s iconic lighthouse and proximity to downtown East Tawas, this is another great spot for a Michigan beach vacation.
IF YOU GO: there’s a cute, walkable downtown area just steps from the beach, where you can grab an ice cream cone and other treats. Find more in our Oscoda Vacation Travel Guide.
Empire Beach
You’ll find Empire Beach just a few blocks from downtown Empire, MI, right in the heart of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
The stunning natural beauty of the area attracts large crowds of both tourists and locals, and there’s always plenty of room to stretch out and enjoy the sand.
One of the prettiest beaches along the Lake Michigan coastline, Empire Beach is dog friendly.
It is also very family-friendly: there is plenty of parking just steps from the beach and a children’s play structure for climbing – making it a perfect spot to enjoy a day relaxing on the sand with your children and pets.
The Michigan beach town of Empire is a great starting point to explore Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and you can visit a variety of beaches in the area – both active and secluded.
Some of the nearby popular beach spots include Esch Road Beach, Peterson Beach, Platte River Point, and Good Harbor Bay Beach.
PRO-TIP: One of out favorite resorts in Michigan, The Homestead, is right up the road from this spot.
Mich-E-Ke-Wis Park
Set on the shores of Lake Huron in Alpena, this pretty park is a must-stop if you’re in the area.
It’s the location along the Thunder Bay coastline that allows the clear waters to warm quickly under the hot sun, making it a perfect spot to splash and play in the gentle surf.
Swimming and sunbathing are only some of the fun activities in store at Mich-E-Ke-Wis Park: you’ll find a splash pad, youth/women’s ball fields, playground equipment, a BMX bike park, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, picnic area, beach, off-street parking, and an enclosed park shelter building which is used for social events.
The paved pathway along the shoreline allows for accessibility for those using wheelchairs and other mobility devices.
Mich-E-K-Wis is dog-friendly: leashed dogs are allowed, and there are many cottage and cabin rentals close by if you’re seeking accommodations.
PRO-TIP: This is only one of many beautiful beaches along this scenic stretch of Lake Huron coastline. Use our Guide to Alpena Beaches for more beaches worth visiting.
IF YOU GO: This is one of the top Lake Huron beach towns, especially if you love outdoors activities like hiking, biking, kayaking and paddle boarding. You can find more in our guide to the Best Things to Do in Alpena MI.
Tiscornia Beach
This 16-acre park in St. Joseph is the perfect spot for a beach day with family and friends.
Set on the shores of Lake Michigan, family-friendly Tiscornia Beach is one of the most popular beaches in southwest Michigan.
The resort town of St. Joseph is one of Michigan’s most popular vacation destinations. Known as the “Riviera of the Midwest,” St. Joseph has consistently been named as one of the best family-friendly beaches in the country.
With a wide, paved ADA-accessible sidewalk to the beach, uses of wheelchairs and other mobility devices can access the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Tiscornia Beach is a true beach-goer’s paradise, with a variety of amenities.
Be sure and visit the North Pier Lighthouse and walkway: it’s a perfect spot for fishing and watching sunsets.
IF YOU GO: St. Joseph Michigan is a perfect spot for family vacation, romantic getaway or even just a quick road trip. Find more about this fun beach town in our Best Things to Do in St. Joseph MI.
Rogers City
Also known as the “Nautical City,” the quaint little town of Rogers City is set along the shores of Lake Huron.
Its sparkling blue waters and silky sand beaches draw visitors from all over. Nearby 40 Mile Point Lighthouse and P. H. Hoeft State Park are must-sees if you’re in the area.
Rogers City is also an outdoor enthusiast’s nirvana: fishermen flock to the area (also called the “Salmon Capital of Michigan”), and bikers can explore the Huron Sunrise Trail.
This bike trail travels through Rogers City and up the Lake Huron coastline, offering ten miles of spectacular views.
Lakeside Park in downtown Rogers City features 10 acres bordering Lake Huron featuring the Rogers City Marina; a swimming beach with volleyball courts; playgrounds; basketball courts; and a large pavilion.
Saugatuck Dunes State Park
This gorgeous, secluded strip of beach along Lake Michigan features three miles of stunning shoreline.
Located in the busy little beach town of Saugatuck, this beach includes dunes that rise 200 feet before sloping down to the clear freshwater of Lake Michigan.
Spend the day sunbathing and splashing in the surf or explore the 13 miles of hiking trails over the sandy hills; the family-friendly park also attracts nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers alike.
If you visit Saugatuck Dunes State Park, be sure and plan to spend time in the beach town of Saugatuck.
The town is chock-full of souvenir shops, upscale boutiques, art galleries, bakeries, and restaurants.
Try ordering take-out food and meandering down to the marina, and grab a picnic table under the shade to watch the boats come in.
Silver Lake Sand Dunes
Set between the beach towns of Ludington and Muskegon, Silver Lake State Park features 3,000 acres along more than four miles of the Lake Michigan shoreline and the only sand dunes open to Off-Road Vehicles (ORV ‘s) east of the Mississippi.
This family-friendly state park is ADA-accessible and features a wide swimming beach as well as hiking trails and fishing.
If you visit, be aware that although it is a long walk to the Lake Michigan beach, off-road vehicles are available for rent and you can drive straight over the dunes and onto the beach.
PRO-TIP: Make sure you visit the beaches of Ludington’s Stearns Park, where you can splash along the wide open Lake Michigan shoreline.
South Beach South Haven
The gorgeous little beach town of South Haven is a vacation paradise, and the lovely South Beach park just adds to the allure of the area.
This family-friendly beach park on the shores of Lake Michigan in the southwest corner of the state is one of the area’s most-visited beaches: visitors flock to wide, soft sand beaches and clear blue waters year after year.
Walk along the South Beach Pier that juts out into the water or rent a paddleboard from the vendors on the beach.
The wide, paved pathways allow access for users of wheelchairs and other mobility devices. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the nearby skateboard park and splash pad.
If you visit, be sure and head toward the beach at dusk to watch a beautiful Lake Michigan sunset. Additionally, you can find other great beaches in our post on the best beaches in the South Haven area.
Frankfort
Simply beautiful Frankfort is the gateway to the Sleeping Bear Dunes, surrounded by gentle sand bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan.
Pristine beaches and breathtaking sunsets are hallmarks of this area.
Stand on sandy bluffs and look out over Lake Michigan: you can’t help but feel like you’re in the Caribbean when you see the contrast of the white sand against the azure-colored water.
Lake Michigan Beach, just steps from downtown Frankfort is a highlight of the area.
You’ll find loads of comfortable benches (and even swings) along the beach, perfect for catching a Lake Michigan sunset.
Frankfort is the quintessential Michigan beach town, complete with T-shirt shops, cafes and boutiques for meandering.
Frankfort even has its own brewery, the popular Stormcloud Brewing Company.
Walk along the pier to the Frankfort North Breakwater Lighthouse and then take a drive about 10 minutes north to the iconic Point Betsie Light.
Charlevoix
They call it “Charlevoix the Beautiful” and it certainly lives up to its name: pretty baskets spilling over with flowers line the streets and the scent of freshly-made fudge and other sweet treats waft out of the shops.
At this Lake Michigan beach, you’ll find Charlevoix’s South Pier Lighthouse as well as a playground, snack shack, restrooms, trails, stand up paddleboard rentals, picnic pavilion, and everything else needed for a family-friendly day at the beach.
Spend time exploring the Lake Michigan shoreline and watch for Petoskey Stones, the fossilized coral pieces that are Michigan’s state stone and a great collector’s item.
You can find a guide to all of the beautiful beaches of Charlevoix, including Fisherman’s Island State Park and Mt. McSauba,
Upper Peninsula Beaches
McCarty’s Cove
This much-loved beach spot is one a favorite of Marquette, MI locals and tourists alike.
It’s Michigan’s Upper Peninsula at its best: where else can you bask on the sandy shores of Lake Superior while gazing at a picturesque red lighthouse in the distance?
Located not far from downtown Marquette, you’ll find hiking and biking trails, a wide, sandy beach with a lifeguard, volleyball, picnic benches and more.
While you’re there, spend some time exploring downtown Marquette.
The largest city in the U.P., Marquette is an outdoor paradise with fun downtown featuring a breweries, boutiques and more.
