The Seven Best Beaches in Michigan: (2023)

Best Beaches in Michigan in 2023:

1. Sand Dunes Beach 

Sand Dunes Beach is in plain sight, overlooked by nearly every vehicle whizzing by on US 2 in the Upper Peninsula. Only about 20 miles or so west of the bridge, this beach actually includes an entire stretch of US 2 from the Google Maps markers of Sand Dunes Beach all the way to the tiny town of Brevort.

Most people drive this route on a strict itinerary headed somewhere like Marquette or Pictured Rocks. But man, if you’ve never pulled off to the side of the highway and spent a few unplanned hours on the most beautiful beach in Michigan, you’re missing out. 

2. Fisherman’s Island State Park 

You’ve probably heard of Petoskey Stones. What about Charlevoix stones? Fisherman’s Island State Park is my favorite pebble-filled beach and one of the most underrated state parks in Michigan. If you’re a rock hunter/stone collector, this beach is for you. It’s nearly guaranteed you’ll find a few treasures hidden along the beach. The area is also nestled into a small cove along Lake Michigan, which can sometimes create the perfect oasis on a windy day. 

3. Grand Marais 

Part of me doesn’t want anyone to know about Grand Marais, but I simply can’t publish a list of the best beaches in Michigan without including it. This area is one of my favorite secrets of Michigan. 

My parents would take us up to this tiny little town in the summers while I was growing up. In the 20+ years since then, it really hasn’t changed. Although Lake Superior is cold year-round for a swim, it doesn’t mean the beaches aren’t great. Head a few miles west of town to visit Big Sable Dunes, another incredible location that is almost always missed by visitors. I brought two friends here for a bridal shoot in the middle of August last summer and had all this to ourselves. 

4. Little Girl’s Point

This hidden beach is so far northwest it nearly borders Wisconsin along Lake Superior. However, it’s the perfect addition to a trip north to visit the Porcupine Mountains. Little Girls County Park also offers a few scenic car camping slots right on the banks of Lake Superior. The beach isn’t so much sandy as it is rocky, but it’s filled with driftwood and other welcomed gifts from the big lake. 

5. Stearns Park, Ludington 

Although typically one of the more crowded beaches in the summer, Ludington has it all: soft sand, epic sunsets, lighthouses, a skatepark, and one of the state’s best ice cream shops within walking distance of the shore. 

The beach is also one of the widest and flattest on the western shoreline, which means that even on crowded days, there is typically room for everyone to spread out and soak up the sun. The break wall of the lighthouse keeps it calm for kids to enjoy the shallow swimming waters. Don’t forget to talk a walk on the pier all the way out to the lighthouse! 

6. Warren Dunes State Park

There are a lot of people in Michigan that think you have to drive “Up North” to find large sand dunes. I know I thought that for a long time. Warren Dunes is another place that can get pretty crowded in the summer (easy driving distance from Chicago), but it’s the best place to see sand dunes south of Ludington. 

This is also one of those beaches that is fantastic to visit in the off-season. We once visited in November and had the entire place to ourselves. It’s also where my husband Josh took a viral image of a superior mirage, which was the Chicago skyline reflecting upside-down. We were convinced it was aliens! 

7. Mcgraw County Park 

My husband grew up in Imlay City, Michigan, which is often known as the gateway to Michigan’s Thumb. When we first started dating, I had never visited beaches on the east of Michigan. 

Don’t diss the east side–there are some pretty incredible shorelines hidden over there. Lexington, Tawas, Caseville…I could go on. However, I chose Mcgraw County Park because it’s a tiny little roadside park that doesn’t look like much…but the beach is one of the hidden little areas that remind us why we should always make time to stop and explore. 

Help Keep our Michigan Beaches Clean! 

As a travel blogger and Michigan blogger, I love to share these locations and my love for my home state. With that being said, I understand my words also create actions. If you visit one of these beaches, leave them as you found them. Here are a few rules to live by: 

1. Leave no trace - and no, this isn’t just a saying. It means something, and that something is really, really important. If you visit a beach, pick up your cans, cigarette buts, plastic silverware, etc.
2. Call out people who don’t. It’s a simple saying that goes, “if you see something, say something.” 
3. Bring a plastic bag. Even if you didn’t leave the trash, I always like to bring a bag to pick up microplastics and any other additional trash I see while visiting. It’s one of the easiest ways to help keep our beaches clean! 

These beaches will only stay the best beaches in Michigan if we take care of them together. Thank you for helping keep them clean and beautiful for future generations!