Best Michigan Beach (2018)

Popular among families, Pere Marquette Park in Muskegon features a powdery sand beach, as well as a playground, fishing pier and picnic area. It's one of only three nationally certified Clean Beaches on the Great Lakes.
Photo courtesy of AP Photo/The Muskegon Chronicle, Ken Stevens

The 48-acre Grand Haven State Park is home to a beautiful sandy Lake Michigan beach on the west side of the park. Other amenities include a picnic area, boardwalk, playground equipment and 174 campsites. 
Photo courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources

One of the largest beaches in Manistee County, First Street Beach has it all: a designated swimming area, walkable pier, fish cleaning station, playground, picnic area and dedicated dog beach.
Photo courtesy of Dan Perry / Flickr

The main beach in Saugatuck, Oval Beach features a long sweep of shoreline backed by undulating sand dunes. Summertime amenities include a picnic area, concessions and convenient parking.
Photo courtesy of Saugatuck Douglas Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

This ADA-accessible beach in South Haven has everything you'd need for a day of fun in the sun: grills, a picnic area, playground, restrooms and views of the red South Haven lighthouse.
Photo courtesy of South Haven/Van Buren County

A popular family beach, Stearns Park Beach in Ludington has 2,500 feet of sandy beach, as well as a playground, skatepark, grills and picnic tables, volleyball, shuffleboard and mini golf. The beach is a favorite for watching a Lake Michigan sunset.
Photo courtesy of Josh Clark/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Jutting out into Lake Superior in Copper Harbor, Hunter's Point Park features a rather unique red sand beach. The surrounding 9.4-acre park is also excellent for hiking and biking in summer, skiing and snowshoeing in winter.
Photo courtesy of iStock / SteveLagreca

The heavily wooded, 300-acre Hoeft State Park near Rogers City includes an excellent beach on Lake Huron with its own lakefront picnic shelter, all within 100 yards of a modern campground.
Photo courtesy of Ken Wyatt / Wikimedia Commons

PJ Hoffmaster State Park protects 3 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. When not swimming or sunning on the sand, visitors can climb a staircase to the top of a high dune for panoramic views of the dunes and lake.
Photo courtesy of A Healthier Michigan / Flickr

Tawas Point State Park occupies the end of a sand split on Tawas Bay. Known by some as the "Cape Cod of the Midwest," this beach destination boasts warm, shallow water for swimming and camping near the lakeshore.
Photo courtesy of Chris Light / Wikimedia Commons