Best Beaches in Michigan 2026

Your complete guide to the top 135 beaches in Michigan

Michigan offers 135 incredible beaches, from Atlantic and Pacific coastlines 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. Lexington State Beach
  5. Saugatuck Dunes
  6. Silver Lake Sand Dunes
  7. Torch Lake Sandbar
  8. Tunnel Park Beach
  9. Warren Dunes
  10. Au Sable River Beach

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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10. Au Sable River Beach

Au Sable River Beach

Discover the refreshing river waters of Au Sable River Beach in Michigan. Perfect for swimming and outdoor recreation.

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More Michigan Beaches

Bridge View Park • Brighton State Recreation Area • British Landing • Bryant Park • Bryant Park Beach • Burt Lake State Park • Carnelian Beach • Caseville County Park • Chapel Beach • Clear Lake State Park • Clinch Park • Clinch Park Beach • Crisp Point Lighthouse Beach • Crystal Lake (Michigan) • Deer Park Beach • Devil's Kitchen • East Bay Park • Empire Beach • Esch Beach • First Sand Beach • Fort Custer State Recreation Area • Frankfort Beach • Frankfort Public Beach And Playground • Glen Haven Beach • Glen Lake • Good Harbor Bay Beach • Grand Haven City Beach • Grand Marais Public Beach • Great Sand Bay • Greilickville Harbor Park • Hamlin Lake • Hancock Beach • Higgins Lake (North State Park) • Holly State Recreation Area • Houghton Lake • Huron Beach • Ionia State Recreation Area • Island Lake State Recreation Area • Jordan River Beach • Kiwanis Beach • Lake Charlevoix (Ferry Beach) • Lake Huron Beach • Lake Huron Beach Access • Lake Huron Roadside Park • Lake Leelanau • Lake Michigan (Good Harbor Bay) • Lake Michigan Beach • Lake Mitchell • Lake Superior Beach • Lake Superior Overlook • Laketown Beach • Lexington State Beach • Lighthouse Park • Little Manistee River Beach • Little Presque Isle Beach • M.C. Beach • Mackinac Island • Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau • Mackinaw Beach & Bay Inn & Suites • Mackinaw Beach 1 • Mackinaw City Beach • Manistee River Beach • Marquette Park • Miners Beach • Mouth of the Two Hearted River • Mt. Pisgah - Historic Ottawa Beach • Mullett Lake • Orchard Beach State Park • Oscoda Beach Park • Otsego Lake State Park • Ottawa Beach • Oval Beach • Pentwater Beach • Pere Marquette River Beach • Peterson Beach Sleeping Bear Recreation Area • 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 • Sand Point Beach (Munising) • Saugatuck Dunes • Second Sand Beach (L'Anse) • Second Sand Beach Park • Silver Beach • Silver Lake (MI) • Silver Lake Sand Dunes • Silver Lake State Park • Skull Cave • Sleeping Bear Beach • Sleeping Bear Dunes • Sleeping Bear Dunes (Platte Point) • Sleeping Bear Dunes Beach • Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore • Sleeping Bear Dunes Overlook • Sleeping Bear Point Beach • South Haven Beach • South Haven Beach • St. Joseph Tiscornia Beach • Sturgeon River Beach (MI) • Sunset Park Beach • Tawas Point Beach • The Greens Of Mackinac • Thunder Bay River Beach • Torch Lake • Torch Lake Sandbar • Traverse City Beach VB Courts • Traverse City Public Beach • Traverse City State Park Beach • Tunnel Park • Tunnel Park Beach • Twelve Mile Beach • Twelvemile Beach • Volleyball Beach • Walloon Lake • Warren Dunes • Waterloo State Recreation Area • Wawatam Park • Whitefish Point Beach • Window on the Waterfront • Yankee Springs State Recreation Area

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