11 Best Family Beaches in Michigan [for 2023]
Michigan is known for its stunning natural beauty, showcasing various beaches along with its Great Lakes and beautiful rivers. The official state travel itinerary of Michigan features everything from the state’s freshwater shorelines to soft sands and One can marvel at the vast sand dunes with glittering pebbles polished by the water.
The Great Lakes is one of Michigan’s top attractions, where you can enjoy views of the Upper Peninsula’s rocks, waves, and shipwrecks. Or make a trip to remember by exploring the gentle surf, sandy bays, and beach towns of Lower Michigan.
Michigan’s beaches offer something for everyone, with sandy shores and breathtaking views. Whether you’re looking for a quiet day at the beach or an action-packed family adventure. You can pick a great beach getaway for you and your family with our list of the best family beaches in Michigan.
1. Grand Haven State Park Beach
Photo by Moriah Bender on Unsplash
Grand Haven State Park Beach is a picturesque and popular beach for locals and tourists alike. The 48-acre beach is located on the scenic banks of Lake Michigan and the Grand River and boasts stunning views of the Grand Haven Pier and Lighthouse.
This beach is one of the best beaches in the Michigan area for boating and fishing Because the beach is located near the mouth of the Grand River. The beach offers picnic areas, playgrounds, and restrooms, making it a great beach for families.
In addition, the park also has a campground, with sites providing easy access to the beach and other park amenities. The main attractions of Grand Haven State Park Beach are the Grand Haven Pier and Lighthouse, and the pier, which is the most popular for fishing.
One of the best places. In the summertime, the nearby Musical Fountains at Grand Haven Waterfront Stadium hosts a nightly dance show of water and lights that you can enjoy with the whole family.
2. Pere Marquette Beach
Photo by Robin Canfield on Unsplash
Pere Marquette Beach is a stunning natural attraction located on the shores of Lake Michigan in Muskegon, Michigan. This gorgeous beach stretches for approximately 2.5 miles, providing a variety of opportunities for visitors to relax and children to play.
If you like swimming then rest assured as the water here is great for swimming. One can also enjoy a volleyball tournament on this splendid beach. And the most wonderful thing here is you will find that you can enjoy a lot of activities like kayaking and paddleboarding here. Here you find wheelchair-accessible walkways and restrooms among the amenities that make it definitely worth a visit.
3. Sleeping Bear Point Beach
Photo by Matt Boehret on Unsplash
Sleeping Bear Point Beach is located on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan. This pristine beach is known for its golden sands and towering sand dunes and boasts spectacular views of Lake Michigan. National Geographic ranked Sleeping Bear Point Beach as one of the 21 best beaches in the world and Named so for a good reason.
The beach is also very popular among hikers and nature lovers, providing an opportunity to explore the surrounding forests, hills, and dunes. There are many romantic activities that you can indulge in. Which includes snorkeling, birdwatching, kayaking, and your kids can be happy having fun on the sand dunes.
There is ample parking, restrooms nearby, a picnic area on the beach, and the scenic beauty of the lake rewards climbers with breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
4. Twelvemile Beach
Photo by Srikanth Peetha on Unsplash
Michigan is a great option to enjoy a winter family vacation. Plus, you’ll be happy to know that Twelvemile Beach is waiting for you to enjoy the fun and summer days in downtown Munising. As its name suggests, the beach is twelve miles long and is located on Lake Superior.
As far as you look in this long stretch of beach, you will see white sand and sparkling blue water which looks very beautiful. The beach is inside a 73,000-acre federal park, and part of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, where you’ll have the opportunity to see sandstone cliffs.
The highlight of this beach is the free admission to port-a-potties and a campground experience. Parking is located just a short distance away, and you can even have fun with your pet as pets are allowed here.
5. Belle Isle Beach
Photo by KS KYUNG on Unsplash
Belle Isle Beach is Considered one of Michigan’s best beaches for families. A beautiful public beach located on Belle Isle, an island park in the Detroit River. And it has fun for the kids with breathtaking views of the downtown Detroit skyline There are many options available to do so.
It includes a sand volleyball court, picnic areas, a nature zoo, a conservatory, and an aquarium. The highlight of the beach is the nearby Belle Isle Park, which has an aquarium, a conservatory, a museum, and more. Belle Isle Beach is so popular that it can get crowded, so try to arrive as early in the morning as possible to have space for you and your family.
6. Empire Beach
Photo by solitsocial dot com on Unsplash
Empire Beach is part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and attracts locals and tourists alike with its sparkling blue waters, playful waves, and sweeping shoreline. Here you can enjoy swimming, hiking, birdwatching, and nature walks with the whole family. Robert H. Beach on Lake Michigan.
There is also the Manning Memorial Historic Lighthouse which provides stunning views of the surrounding area. This beach is geared towards families and offers toilets, a playground, and picnic facilities at the nearby Village Park. Empire Beach’s highlight is that you can have a fun time here with your pet-friendly dog as this beach is dog friendly.
7. Hoeft State Park Beach
Photo by Josh Collesano on Unsplash
If you’re looking for a great beach for the whole family on Lake Huron in Michigan, Hooft State Park Beach is where your search ends. You’ll find plenty of places to swim and sunbathe. Miles of shoreline and sand dunes that kids will love to climb and slide on.
You can pitch your tent here if you’d like to camp on the beach. The highlight of this beach is the 340-acre wooded park with places to picnic and hike, as well as play horseshoes and volleyball. There is no shortage. If you are into bicycling, there is a bike trail to Rogers City for you.
8. Hunter’s Point Park
Photo by Tom Jur on Unsplash
If you’re looking for a great beach for the whole family on Lake Huron in Michigan, Hooft State Park Beach is where your search ends. You’ll find plenty of places to swim and sunbathe. Miles of shoreline and sand dunes that kids will love to climb and slide on. You can pitch your tent here if you’d like to camp on the beach.
The highlight of this beach is the 340-acre wooded park with places to picnic and hike, as well as play horseshoes and volleyball. There is no shortage. If you are into bicycling, there is a bike trail to Rogers City for you.
9. Van Riper State Park
Photo by Samuel Bordo on Unsplash
Van Riper State Park is located on the Pescheee River and Lake Michigan in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Here you can enjoy boating, hiking, camping, and fishing.
The most special thing about Van Riper State Park is that Water Warrior Island has water slides, climbing walls, a trampoline, and an obstacle course where you can have a lot of fun with your family.
The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including bald eagles, ospreys, and loons, all of which you can keep your eyes peeled for.
10. Saugatuck Dunes State Park Beach
Photo by Jason Brower on Unsplash
Saugatuck Dunes State Park Beach is known for its beautiful sand dunes, forests, and beautiful views of Lake Michigan. This beach is famous for its secluded beach with family activities. A 300-acre natural area, you can take advantage of a variety of exciting activities, including hiking trails and steep slopes, rolling hills, and a picnic area.
For snacks, lunch, or drinks, you do not need to step off the beach as there are excellent restaurants nearby that provide delicious food for your entire family. The highlight of Saugatuck Dunes State Park Beach is that it’s about a two-thirds of a mile walk from the parking area to the beach, so bring your kids with shoes on.
11. Sterling State Park
Photo by Tom Jur on Unsplash
Located on the shores of Lake Erie, Michigan’s only state park covers 1,300 acres. This beach is an excellent area for swimming, boating, and fishing, with an observation deck for an in-depth experience of the wildlife.
There is also a covered pavilion where you can take a break from the scorching sun. Highlights of Sterling State Park include a public boat launch, shoreline fishing, a 256-site campground, restrooms, and picnic areas, just an hour from Detroit, here you can bring the whole family Can enjoy a picnic.
FAQs
1. Are these beaches open year-round?
It depends on the beach. Some beaches may be open year-round, while others may be closed during certain seasons. It’s best to check the specific beach’s website or contact them directly to confirm their hours of operation.
2. Are pets allowed on these beaches?
Again, it depends on the beach. Some beaches may allow pets on a leash, while others may not allow them at all. It’s best to check the specific beach’s website or contact them directly to confirm their pet policies.
3. Are there lifeguards on duty at these beaches?
It depends on the beach. Some beaches may have lifeguards on duty during certain hours, while others may not have any lifeguards at all. It’s best to check the specific beach’s website or contact them directly to confirm their safety measures.