Michigan is the home to almost 1,600 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. These hidden gem beaches are sandy and provide the perfect escape. Michigan residents and visitors flock to the west side of the state during the summer months to relax at the beach and swim in the lakes.
This leads us to pose the question west coast best coast? East coast beast coast? But, why no one is talking about the mid-west beaches? We feel that Lake Michigan is the ultimate hidden gem of the U.S. beach scene. Shhh, don’t tell too many people.
1. Ottawa Beach - Holland, MI
Coming up first on our list is Ottawa Beach located on the western side of Michigan on Lake Michigan. Ottawa Beach is home to hundreds of visitors each year. With its sandy coastline and boardwalk, it’s a hard one to miss. In-state residents can purchase an annual pass for $17, while out-of-state residents can purchase an annual pass for $34. Daily admission is $9.
From the beach, you can view the famous Holland Harbor Lighthouse, which is a sturdy red building erected in 1847 soon after Dutch settlers arrived in the area. Also known as Big Red, it has become an iconic landmark of the city and the topic of many artist’s work.
2. Upper Peninsula
More commonly known as Holland State Park, this beach is located right off the highway and only a short drive alongside local roads. Visitors will park in the north trailhead parking lot, then follow the various trails through the woods and down to the 2.5 mile stretch of public beach. There are 7 different hiking options with the shortest being 1.5 miles and the longest being 5.5 miles. The hike can be done with wagons and small children, but traveling light is encouraged as there are some hills along the way. At the start and finish of the trail there are (rugged) public restrooms and trash cans for use— so be good stewards and stick to those for your disposal needs!
3. Ann Arbor
A football Saturday in Ann Arbor, Michigan is hard to beat. The city comes to life and the streets are lined with food, drinks, and activity. The city is full of trees that change to beautiful colors. Check out our blog post regarding the best places to eat in Ann Arbor and spend the weekend checking out the city. It's truly the best!
4. Ludington State Park - Ludington, MI
Heading north on Highway 31 along the western side of the state you will run into the beach town of Ludington. Situated alongside a quiet beach town lies Ludington State Park which boasts over 5,300 acres of state land containing trails, waterways, beaches, and lighthouses. Visitors can reserve a campsite through the Michigan Department of National Resources website.
For those not wanting to venture into Ludington State Park, there are public beaches available close to the city. One of the more popular beaches is located at Stearns Park & Beach. It is the city's largest beach where visitors can easily park and be steps away from the coastline. Claim your spot on the beach, grab ice cream cone from House of Flavors, and spend the day relaxing in the sun.
5. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - Glen Arbor, MI
Northeast Michigan is home to miles of sandy shoreline that sharply contrasts with the bright blue water Lake Michigan offers. Visitors most often take to Sleeping Bear to experience a unique slice of nature via the Dune Climb, a 3.5 mile roundtrip, in-out-style climb up and down through the dunes, or a more relaxing drive through the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive.
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