Tag: Lake Michigan

Exploring the Coastal Gems of Lake Michigan

Stretching across four Midwestern states, the 1,600-mile shoreline of Lake Michigan is an expansive playground for beachgoers seeking white sand, rolling dunes, and iconic Great Lakes views. Unique among its fellow Great Lakes for being entirely within the United States, Lake Michigan borders Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and Wisconsin. While the lake’s cool waters rarely climb above 73 degrees Fahrenheit, the scenery and outdoor activities more than compensate for the brisk swim, according to this travel blog article from Travel + Leisure. From serene boardwalk strolls to adrenaline-pumping dune climbs, Lake Michigan’s beach destinations offer something for every kind of
traveler.

On Michigan’s eastern shore lies Holland State Park, a picturesque blend of soft sand and Dutch-American culture. The park’s dual beaches and accessible boardwalks offer close views of the striking Big Red Lighthouse, a 19th-century beacon that’s among Michigan’s most photographed landmarks. North of Holland, Tunnel Park offers a literal passage through the dunes, while Kirk Park features trails, bluffs, and even an off-leash
beach area for dogs.

Adventure and relaxation converge at Silver Lake State Park, which stretches across 3,000 acres of beach, dunes, and forest. In addition to a tranquil swimming area and scenic trails, the park is home to a 450-acre off-road vehicle area, the only one of its kind east of the Mississippi. Nearby, Mac Wood's Dune Rides offers thrilling guided dune tours. Visitors can also climb the Little Sable Point Lighthouse for panoramic views of the shoreline.

A crown jewel of the region, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore spans more than 70,000 acres and boasts the largest freshwater dune system on the planet. With seven public beaches, including Platte Point Beach, and several scenic overlooks, this park is ideal for hiking, photography, and quiet contemplation. Certain areas allow for beach fires, and several beaches are open to leashed pets, though seasonal restrictions are in place to protect the habitat of endangered piping plovers.

Among Lake Michigan’s beloved inland destinations, Ludington State Park offers not one, but two lakeside beaches—one on Lake Michigan and another on Hamlin Lake. In addition to its iconic Big Sable Point Lighthouse, the park includes dunes, marshes, and forestland. Nearby Stearns Park features accessible amenities and free Wi-Fi, while Buttersville Park offers a pet-friendly beach and campgrounds.

Further south, Silver Beach County Park in St. Joseph, Michigan, invites visitors to enjoy volleyball, kayak rentals, and postcard-worthy views of North Pier lighthouses. The park’s location at the mouth of the St. Joseph River adds to its allure. With beach wheelchairs available in summer and amenities like outdoor showers and picnic areas, Silver Beach makes accessibility and comfort a priority.

In Illinois, Rosewood Beach in Highland Park has been transformed by a restoration project into a modern lakefront retreat. With a boardwalk, glass-walled interpretive center, and a designated swimming area, it’s a serene getaway just north of Chicago. Nearby Moraine Park features walking trails, a sculpture garden, and a dog-friendly atmosphere.

On Wisconsin’s western shore, North Beach in Racine spans 50 acres with live music, volleyball courts, and a long walking path along the Lake Michigan Pathway. The beach includes wheelchair mats to improve access, and while pets are prohibited on the sand, the beach remains a popular summer hangout.

In Indiana, Indiana Dunes National Park features nine beaches along the southern edge of the lake and more than 50 miles of hiking trails. West Beach is a standout for its showers and seasonal lifeguards, while the Dune Succession Trail and Lake View Beach offer top-notch scenery, especially at sunset.

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What Beaches to Visit along Lake Michigan

The eastern shore of Lake Michigan, which stretches from Wisconsin to northern Illinois, contains some of the most beautiful and serene beaches you’ll find in the entire Upper Peninsula, and with this detailed travel guide from Travel + Leisure, you’ll be sure to enjoy miles of uninterrupted white sand beaches to your heart’s content.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Empire, Michigan

The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore consists of miles of sandy beaches, lush forests, crystal clear inland lakes, unique flora, unforgettable fauna, and mesmerizing bluffs that tower some 450 feet about Lake Michigan itself. This is truly a place that needs to be seen to be believed. There are more than 60 miles of hiking trails within the park, including several that provide access to some of the most beautiful sights in all of Michigan.

Located on the northeastern shore of Lake Michigan, this National Lakeshore encompasses a total of 71,187 acres of a diverse array of landscapes, including both the North and South Manitou Islands. Both islands, which are accessible by ferry, feature otherworldly sand dune formations, 10 miles of pebble beaches, and a beautiful grove of old-growth white cedars that date as far back as over 500 years ago.

The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore became the 50th National Park area with a designated Wilderness area in 2014 on the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act. The wilderness area of this National Lakeshore encompasses 32,557 acres that are both open for recreation, but it is also protected forever. The most famous feature of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is undoubtedly its namesake sand dunes, which are among the tallest on Earth. These dunes were formed over thousands of years as the wind blew sand up against the North Country Trail, and they make for an unforgettable sight on your next vacation.

Warren Dunes State Park in Sawyer, Michigan

Located only 20 miles away from the Indiana border and acting as one of the most picturesque and peaceful gateways to Southwest Michigan, Warren Dunes State Park is a breathtakingly beautiful state park that offers an abundance of activities for people of all ages, as this State Park has everything from popular hiking trails to relaxing swimming areas.

The massive dunes that are found at this State Park are one of its most engaging attractions, as visitors of the park are often seen climbing up the dunes and sand boarding down their slopes. Outside of the towering sand dunes, the beach at Warren Dunes State Park is one of the other more popular attractions at this park. Additionally, if you love hiking or biking, then you will definitely enjoy exploring some of the hiking trails available, or you can pursue theseveral picnic areas throughout the park where you can sit down with friends and family while enjoying a meal together. If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life then Warren Dunes State Park is definitely worth checking out!

 Holland State Park in Holland, Michigan

Simply stated, Holland State Park is the perfect place to spend a day in Michigan this summer, as it’s less than an hour from Ann Arbor, Traverse City, and Grand Rapids, making it an excellent spot for at least a Michigan day trip. The park has so many different activities that it can keep you busy all day long; for instance, you can swim at the beach or rent a canoe or kayak to paddle around the lake. There are also bike trails throughout the park that wind through the woods and along the lakeshore.

One of the greatest attractions at Holland State Park is Tunnel Park, which is a concrete tunnel that literally cuts through a sand dune and provides easy access to Lake Michigan for swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking activities.

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