Introduction
From the mouth of the St. Lawrence River to Lake Superior, the Great Lakes are a hidden gem for North American beach-goers. You can sail, swim, and just plain enjoy yourself on the beaches of the Great Lakes, which are often less crowded than those in other parts of the world. The water’s not as warm as Hawaii or Florida, but it’s still body temperature (unlike many seas). These lakes don’t have sharks or stinging jellyfish. If a Midwest trip to the US is in your future, don’t miss these 10 amazing beaches around the Great Lakes!
Traverse City, MI
Traverse City Beach is a popular beach destination. The water is clean and clear, and there are many attractions nearby to keep you busy.
The beach itself stretches for almost three miles, so it’s easy to find your own private spot or bring your dog along for the ride. If you want to spend more time at the beach, check out some of these awesome shops:
- The Waterfront Bar & Grill
- Big Fat Catz Coffeehouse & Eatery
Bayfield, WI
For those looking for a quiet beach on Lake Superior, Bayfield may be the place to go. Located in northern Wisconsin, it’s a small town that is popular with tourists and known for its beautiful beaches.
Bayfield has several beautiful beaches including Sand Point Beach and Johnson’s Beach. Sand Point Beach is located at the mouth of Sand Point Lake where it empties into Lake Superior. It features a sandy bottom with many rocks and boulders below water level; however, there are still plenty of places to sit or lie down without having your feet touch any rocks or sandbars—you’re just steps from shore! If you want something closer to shore (but still not too close) then Johnson’s Beach might be more your style because it was built just for jumping off cliffs into the cold waters of Lake Superior!
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park, MI
One of the best beaches in Michigan is the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on the shore of Lake Michigan. The park, which was established in 1970, consists of over 40,000 acres (160 km2) and includes forests, beaches, and dunes. It is part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes Wilderness Area that includes several state parks as well as privately owned land.
Sleeping Bear Dunes is a very popular tourist destination in Michigan with thousands of visitors each year coming from all over the United States and Canada to enjoy its beauty.
Grand Haven, MI
Grand Haven is at the bottom of Lake Michigan. It has a large public beach, with free parking and free WiFi. There’s also a large boardwalk that features shops and restaurants. The boardwalk is lined with palm trees, giving it an exotic feel.
You can rent kayaks at the beach and paddle around to see the coastline in a different way.
There are plenty of places where you can get food as well as souvenirs to take home with you when you leave Grand Haven!
South Haven, MI
South Haven is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan, located on the shores of Lake Michigan. It is the county seat of Van Buren County and has its own public school system (South Haven Public Schools), independent police force and fire department, public library system, city manager’s office and a mayor who serves as both chief executive officer and ceremonial head of state government. The population was 4,859 at the 2000 census; by 2008 it had grown to 5,706 according to U.S Census Bureau estimates based on area boundaries with New Buffalo Township included in this estimate.
St. Joseph, MI
St. Joseph is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the county seat of Berrien County, with a population of just over 22,000 people, making it one of the smaller cities on this list (but remember, there are only 5 beaches).
It has a rich history and culture that can be seen throughout the city’s architecture and local events like St. Joe’s Arts & Crafts Fair held every June
The Beach at Lake Shore Drive offers access to swimming, boating, and fishing activities in addition to its beautiful views
Holland State Park, MI
Holland State Park is a great place to swim, fish, and kayak. The park is located right on Lake Michigan and has a boardwalk that goes over the dunes so visitors can explore the beach. It also has picnic areas where families can enjoy a day by the lake. The park offers restrooms and showers for visitors as well as plenty of parking spaces if you want to bring your car along with you.
The best time to visit Holland State Park is at sunset when you get a breathtaking view of the sun setting behind Lake Michigan’s horizon line. You’ll feel like you’re in heaven watching your favorite sports team win their championship game!
Marquette, MI
Located near the tip of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Marquette is a city with a population of about 20k. It’s most famous for its proximity to Lake Superior, which is one of five Great Lakes, and Black Rocks Beach, where you can enjoy some freshwater swimming in the lake. The sand here is made up of rounded pebbles that are smooth and easy on your feet!
Mackinac Island, MI
Mackinac Island is located in Lake Huron, and it’s a popular tourist destination. There are many things to do on Mackinac Island, including horse and carriage rides through the city streets, or visiting one of the many shops in town. The island is also famous for its fudge!
Mackinac Island has a population of around 1,400 people and is only accessible by ferry or private boat. If you’re looking for an escape from reality and some time away from your busy life back home, consider visiting these amazing beaches of the Great Lakes in Michigan!
Burlington Waterfront Park and Beach in Ontario, Canada
The Burlington Waterfront Park and Beach is one of the best beaches in Ontario, if not Canada. It is located on the shore of Lake Ontario making it a great place to go swimming, sunbathing, and more. The park also has volleyball courts, picnic areas, and even horseback riding trails!
This beach is especially family-friendly with lifeguards on duty throughout most of the summer months (June through August). There are also plenty of accommodations for those with young children including changing stations as well as restrooms available close by so you won’t have to rush back after taking care of the needs of your little one.
The Great Lakes may not be as warm as the ocean but they have their own allure.
The Great Lakes may not be as warm as the ocean, but they have their own allure. They’re home to a number of beautiful beaches that are perfect for swimming and sunbathing.
The Great Lakes contain a massive amount of freshwater—Lake Superior alone holds more than half of all fresh water on Earth. Most people only think about the lakes’ role in providing drinking water, not recreation or travel. But there are plenty of beaches along the coasts where you can take advantage of these gems!
If you’re planning a trip there this summer, here’s what we recommend:
Conclusion
The Great Lakes may not be as warm as the ocean but they have their own allure. There are also many Michigan beaches that are handicap accessible. The sand is clean, the water is refreshing and it’s easy to get to these 10 beautiful beaches.
