Best Beaches in Michigan 2025

Your complete guide to the top 98 beaches in Michigan

Michigan offers 98 incredible beaches, from pristine lakeshores to secluded coves. Whether you're looking for family fun, world-class surfing, or peaceful relaxation, we've researched every beach to help you find your perfect destination.

Jump to Beach

  1. Sleeping Bear Dunes Beach
  2. Empire Beach
  3. Frankfort Beach
  4. Holland State Park
  5. Lexington State Beach
  6. Ludington State Park
  7. Saugatuck Dunes
  8. Silver Lake Sand Dunes
  9. Sterling State Park
  10. Torch Lake Sandbar

1. Sleeping Bear Dunes Beach

Sleeping Bear Dunes Beach

Sleeping Bear Dunes, voted "Most Beautiful Place in America" by Good Morning America viewers, offers an otherworldly Lake Michigan beach experience where massive sand dunes rise 450 feet above crystal-blue waters. The legend of a mother bear waiting for her lost cubs, now represented by two islands offshore, gives this place its name and its mystique. The Dune Climb, the park's most popular hike, challenges visitors to scale a 260-foot dune with spectacular views of Glen Lake and Lake Michigan. Empire and Glen Haven beaches offer classic Lake Michigan swimming in waters rivaling Caribbean clarity. The Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive provides easier access to overlooks above the lakeshore. Backcountry camping on the dunes is permitted for those seeking a more immersive experience. The historic villages of Empire and Glen Arbor offer charming shops and restaurants.

Best For: Dune climbing, Scenic drives, Swimming, Camping

Best Time to Visit: July and August for warmest water; fall for stunning foliage

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More Michigan Beaches

Crisp Point Lighthouse Beach • Crystal Lake (Michigan) • Empire Beach • Fort Custer State Recreation Area • Frankfort Beach • Glen Lake • Grand Haven State Park • Grand Haven State Park • Hamlin Lake • Harrisville State Park • Higgins Lake (North State Park) • Hoeft State Park • Hoffmaster State Park • Holland State Park • Holland State Park • Holly State Recreation Area • Houghton Lake • Interlochen State Park • Ionia State Recreation Area • Island Lake State Recreation Area • Jordan River Beach • Lake Charlevoix (Ferry Beach) • Lake Leelanau • Lake Michigan (Good Harbor Bay) • Lake Mitchell • Lexington State Beach • Little Manistee River Beach • Little Presque Isle Beach • Ludington State Park • Ludington State Park • Ludington State Park • Ludington State Park (Hamlin Lake) • Mackinaw City Beach • Manistee River Beach • Miners Beach • Miners Beach (Pictured Rocks) • Mouth of the Two Hearted River • Mullett Lake • Orchard Beach State Park • Otsego Lake State Park • Oval Beach • Pentwater Beach • Pere Marquette River Beach • Petoskey State Park • Petoskey State Park • Petoskey State Park (Round Lake) • Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore • Pinckney State Recreation Area • Pine River Beach • Platte River Beach • Port Austin Beach • Portage Lake (Onekama) • Proud Lake State Recreation Area • Sand Point Beach (Munising) • Saugatuck Dunes • Saugatuck Dunes State Park • Second Sand Beach (L'Anse) • Silver Beach • Silver Lake (MI) • Silver Lake Sand Dunes • Silver Lake Sand Dunes • Sleeping Bear Dunes • Sleeping Bear Dunes • Sleeping Bear Dunes (Platte Point) • Sleeping Bear Dunes Beach • Sleepy Hollow State Park • South Haven Beach • South Haven Beach • St. Joseph Tiscornia Beach • Sterling State Park • Sturgeon River Beach (MI) • Tawas Point Beach • Thunder Bay River Beach • Torch Lake • Torch Lake Sandbar • Traverse City State Park • Tunnel Park Beach • Twelve Mile Beach • Twelvemile Beach • Walloon Lake • Warren Dunes • Warren Dunes State Park • Warren Dunes State Park • Waterloo State Recreation Area • Whitefish Point Beach • Wilderness State Park • Yankee Springs State Recreation Area • Young State Park

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