Some people dismiss Michigan as a midwestern flyover, but oh, how wrong those people are. Though it might not have ocean coast, Michigan boasts more than 3,000 miles of shoreline, including the shores of its multiple lake islands. This means tons of amazing beaches!
Top Beaches in Michigan
Michigan Beaches
Little Presque Isle Beach
Although it doesn’t share the popularity and development of Presque Isle Park, Little Presque Isle is sometimes known to locals as the “crown jewel of Lake Superior.” The pristine, untouched, soft-sand beaches are just the start; the area also offers stunning shoreline cliffs, lush forest cover, and unique dunes, swales, and more. The visible rock formations here often date back as far as 2.3 billion years!
Things to do near Little Presque Isle Beach
Just outside the popular UP destination of Marquette, Little Presque Isle Beach is within easy reach of plenty of fun and interesting diversions. We highly recommend checking out the Marquette Harbor Lighthouse, which was originally constructed in 1853 and is open seasonally for tours. Here are some local RV parks to consider!
Sand Point Beach
Another picturesque point along the Superior Lakeshore, Sand Point Beach offers the family friendly, festival atmosphere you expect out of a classic summer beach day. Soft sands and shallow waters make this beach perfect for young visitors, and developed amenities like restrooms and picnic tables make it easy to while away a day in comfort. Known for its epic sunsets and breathtaking scenery, this beach is also the launch point for the boat tours of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, with the Pictured Rock Lakeshore Park Headquarters immediately adjacent to the beach itself.
Things to do near Sand Point Beach
The cruises along the lakeshore are well worth taking, since these beautiful and unique geological formations are best seen from the waterside. Most of them start in the town of Munising, which offers many other tourist-directed amenities and resources.
Mackinac Island State Park
Honestly, Mackinac Island State Park is a worthy destination, even if you have no intention of setting foot on its beach. Known for its walk-down-memory-lane car-free existence, where horse-drawn carriages and bicycles provide the fastest modes of transportation, this island is a must-see for everyone who makes their way to the state of Michigan. That said, we do recommend dropping by the beach, whose limestone bluffs and vast lake views make for a one-of-a-kind Michigan beach experience.
Things to do near Mackinac Island State Park
There are many points of interest to explore, such as Eagle Point Cave and Sunset Rock. Along the island’s southern shore, where the ferries come in, you’ll find more developed amenities, including a Catholic church and the The Original Mackinac Island Butterfly House and Insect World.
Cheboygan State Park Beach
Cheboygan State Park offers 1,250 acres of beautiful preserved countryside, not to mention scenic, sandy beachfront along Duncan Bay. The beach’s soft sands are matched by shaded forest canopy, making it a great spot for those who want to spend time by the water but don’t want to be blasted by the sun the entire time. What’s more, the rest of the park is criss-crossed with hiking trails and also offers developed amenities like playgrounds, cabins, boat ramps, and more.
Things to do near Cheboygan State Park Beach
As its name suggests, this state park is just outside of the town of Cheboygan, which offers a variety of area parks and green spaces. If you’re looking for a different kind of nearby lakefront experience, Aloha State Park is only 20 minutes south.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
It’s not often a lakeshore is stunning and significant enough to be reified and preserved by the national park system itself — but that’s exactly the case at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. With more than 60 miles of shoreline and sand dunes to explore, this park is epic in every sense of the word, and also offers a variety of challenging hikes, including dune climbs, along with the expansive views of Lake Michigan. There are also multiple beach access points to discover in the park.
Things to do near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Less than an hour’s drive from Traverse City, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is within easy reach of many urban landscapes, both big and small, and all the resources they have on offer for tourists and residents alike.
Harbor Beach
Another east-coast Michigan must-see, Harbor Beach’s strand of sandy waterfront is surrounded by small-town amenities and developments that make this a hidden gem. There’s easy access to a beautiful lake pier off of which to view the local surroundings, including the Harbor Beach Lighthouse, as well as a well-appointed marina and plenty of fishing opportunities.
Things to do near Harbor Beach
Harbor Beach Lighthouse is open for tours, though it’s recommended to book ahead of time. The town is also home to cultural attractions like the Frank Murphy Memorial Museum and the Grice House Museum, along with its eateries, shops, and other must-sees.
Silver Lake Sand Dunes
Silver Lake Sand Dunes is a stretch of shimmering golden dunes located in the greater preserved area of Silver Lake State Park. Although they’re off the beaten path, these dunes offer an otherworldly and wholly untouched kind of beach front, and, for many visitors, a new perspective on this part of the midwest. For those who grow tired of wandering along the dunes under their own power, rides on dune buggies are locally available. The park also offers a special section set aside expressly for off-road vehicles.
Things to do near Silver Lake Sand Dunes
While Muskegon is the biggest local city in the area, there are plenty of smaller communities surrounding this preserve that also have plenty to offer. Muskegon State Park is also worth checking out.
Grand Haven City Beach
Grand Haven City Beach is easily one of the most beautiful and easily accessible waterfronts in all of Michigan. Located inside the larger preserve of Grand Haven State Park, which features wooded hiking trails and even a small wintertime ski bowl, this beach is known for its soft sands and surprisingly surfable waters. It’s also a great place to try out kiteboarding,. Although Grand Haven City Beach isn’t pet friendly, Grand Haven Dog Beach is minutes away and the perfect place to play and splash with your furry family member.
Things to do near Grand Haven City Beach
Other nearby preserved green spaces, such as Hofma Preserve and Rosy Mound Natural Area, are well worth visiting and exploring.
The Best Michigan Beaches for RVers
Petoskey State Park
Petoskey State Park is surrounded by varying water habitats and offers visitors an excellent opportunity to get familiar with these different ecosystems. It also features a mile-long stretch of sandy bay beach. Wooded hiking trails run through the park’s 300+ acres, which also feature kayak rentals and other awesome amenities. Hang out on your towel on the sand while the kids splash in the gentle, shallow waves, or take a long, ambling walk along the shoreline.
Why This Beach is Perfect for RVers
This state park offers onsite camping, making it easy to park your (small) home-on-wheels in the middle of the action.
Things to do near Petoskey State Park
Because of the collection of inland lakes immediately adjacent to the park, this beach is surrounded by preserves and green spaces that all have their own charms to offer. To name just a few, consider checking out Spring Lake Park, South Round Lake Nature Preserve, and the Fochtman Nature Preserve.
Caseville Beach
Tucked onto the “thumb” of Michigan’s mitten, Cassville Beach is backed up to a lovely local county park and offers an inviting stretch of sand with shallow, calm waters and excellent sunsetting potential. During the summer, live concerts are regularly held in this scenic outdoor venue, and many nearby restaurants make it easy to spend a day, a weekend, or longer enjoying the relaxing shoreline and beautiful sights in comfort.
Why This Beach is Perfect For RVers
The aforementioned county park next to this beach actually offers RV campsites, so you can make yourself perfectly at home during your visit.
Things to do near Caseville Beach
Small but mighty, nearby Sleeper State Park is well worth your visit, what with its miles of hiking trails through scenic dune forests and seasonally available campsites.
Planning an RV Trip to Michigan
During your time in Michigan, be sure to check out the best state parks in the area. You’ll allow ant to book stays at some of the top 10 campgrounds in the Upper Peninsula, as well as in the state as a whole. Lastly, make sure to visit the biggest cities in the state from Detroit to Sault Ste. Marie.
