Michigan Beach Vacations

Situated in eastern Michigan, Cheboygan State Park offers more than just sand, water, and sun. It’s a great choice for a family picnic, or just to stretch out and relax. Enjoy the terrific views of a historic lighthouse, or hike on the numerous trails that surround this beach.

Both locals and visitors flock to the Upper Peninsula town of Manistique for the stunning views of Lake Michigan. From the comfort of your beach chair, gaze at views of the calming waters and the iconic Manistique Lighthouse. Turning inland, browse the souvenir shops in town, stroll around the Seul Choix Point Lighthouse, or wander along the boardwalk.

Over one million travelers visit Warren Dunes State Park annually to experience its giant rolling dunes. If you love landscape photography, then the dunes here make the perfect subject. Climbing up the slopes and sandboarding your way back down is another popular activity here. Make sure to climb Tower Hill for some fantastic views of Lake Michigan and the areas beyond.

Situated next to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, dog-friendly Empire Beach is a favorite destination of both locals and visitors. Besides a variety of aquatic activities, you can also enjoy some hiking or birdwatching. For added adventure, take the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive through the surrounding forest and sand dunes for some spectacular views of the region.

Open throughout the year, this park in St. Joseph makes a convenient location for family time on the beach. In addition to spectacular views and sand dunes, this beach on Lake Michigan offers activity options including picnicking, accessing the North Pier, and swimming. Features like public restrooms, the bathing area, and a pavilion make this a great option for summer fun.

The expansive shoreline along Michigan's many lakes, featuring a mix of dunes, forests, marshes, savannas, and tallgrass prairie, provide ideal habitats for a vast diversity of aquatic life. Long Lake, Lake St Clair, and Saginaw Bay are some excellent spots for fishing. Yellow perch, walleye, bass, and pike are some of the varieties you'll find in local waters.

Watching the sun go down over the horizon is a must for summer in Michigan. No matter where you see it, the experience is breathtaking. Head to Sunset Park in Petoskey or Caseville County Park for stellar views at sundown. Climb the Sleeping Bear Dunes to capture this amazing spectacle from an elevated perspective.

Grab some buckets and shovels for some family treasure hunting on the shoreline. Relax and move along at your own pace; there's no itinerary to follow here. Wade through the water before you as you try your luck at finding some charms on the beach. You might encounter artisans and jewelry makers searching for Petoskey stones, beach glass, horn coral, and Leland blue stone.

Your Michigan beach vacation isn't complete without some time on a boat. No matter where you're visiting, Michigan's many lakeside communities offer excursions of all types. Explore the magnificent shorelines, with diverse flora and fauna, gorgeous waters, and breathtaking geological features. Or take a tour covering the history of the Great Lakes, with opportunities to see lighthouses, canals, and even shipwrecks.

Boasting two peninsulas surrounded by large freshwater lakes, Michigan is a birdwatcher's paradise. The numerous waterways, combined with the most extensive forest system in the U.S., provide a diverse habitat with more than 420 species of birds. Some of the most popular birding spots include the Seney National Wildlife Refuge, the Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area and the Whitefish Point Bird Observatory.