Best Beaches to Visit in Northern Michigan

Apr 10

Everyone loves summertime in Northern Michigan (just ask Kid Rock)! One of the many reasons why is thanks to our beaches that line the shores of Lake Michigan. They’ve got soft sand, waves big enough for wind sports, and cute little beach towns. In fact they’re so great, that people flock here in the summertime like mad. For us locals, or anyone looking for a relaxing beach day, it’s not exactly the picturesque day we’d hoped for when the beach we’re on is packed full of people. I live in Traverse City, and I typically avoid the beaches here in town all summer long. That’s because people are so close to you that they’ll kick sand on your towel. It’s a great place if you're looking for a crowd to join a pick-up beach volleyball game, but not so much a great place if you’re looking for the beautiful beach day you see on brochures.

It’s taken me almost four years of living here to find the best beaches around where I can take my book, a football, or my dog, and find myself a peaceful day on the beach. To save you the trouble, I’ve put together this guide of all my favorites! Keep in mind, I live in Traverse City in the Northwest portion of the lower peninsula, so all of the beaches I mention are within a realistic driving distance from here. They typically aren’t too crowded, the sand is nice, and you can comfortably set up your spot in the sand with some space. There’s lots more beautiful beaches on Lake Huron on the East side of the state, but I need to do some more exploring that way before I can write about it. For now, enjoy these little gems and let’s get ready for summer!

Deepwater Point in Williamsburg (44.777040, -85.503359): if I’m trying to drive to the closest beach nearby that won’t be very full, this is it. It’s a spot only locals know about (in fact, many of them don’t), and it’s hard to find unless someone’s told you about it. At the coordinates I’ve posted there’s a tiny parking area that can hold maybe three or four cars on the corner of the road. You park your car and it’s a short, five minute walk through the woods to the beach on the other side. The beach sits on East Bay and there’s tons of shallow spots so you can hang out in the warmer waters, take your dog to play, or just relax in the sand. If you’re in Traverse City and want to hang out at the beach without the crowds of downtown, this is the place.
Leelanau State Park in Northport (45.173160, -85.574098): not the crowded, busy tourist parking lot with the lighthouse. If you put Leelanau State Park into any map service, that’s where it’ll take you. Instead, head to the coordinates I posted. It’ll take you to the hiking trailhead for the park. From here, you can hike to the beach (a little over a mile) on the Lake Michigan Trail (there’s a trail going to the right and to the left from the parking lot; take the trail to the left for the quickest way to the beach). It is a bit of a walk, so I wouldn’t recommend carrying heavy coolers or a lot of gear. But if you’re like me and you only need a tiny cooler and your towel or small backpack for the day, this is a good one. Not only is the hike beautiful, but it takes you out to some small sand dunes and tons of open space so you can set up your spot on the beach anywhere you’d like. It’s always beautiful out here, and never too crowded, even on some of the busiest days of the summer.
Petobego Beach near Elk Rapids (44.853105, -85.434206): this place isn’t really in any town, it’s more-so between Elk Rapids and Acme. Once you find the trailhead, it’s really well-marked, but finding it can be tricky. You’ll find it at the coordinates I posted, on the East side of 31 among some tall grass. Once you’re on the trail, it’s a beautiful walk a little over a mile to the beach. The beach has a lot of sandy area to run around or just soak up some sun. There’s shallow pools of water also that get quite warm, as well as the waves of East Bay. It’s another place you won’t find anyone who isn’t a local, and there’s hardly ever many people here. I’ve been here even on Fourth of July, one of the busiest beach days of the year up here, and there were maybe three boats total that had anchored at the large beach.

Elberta Beach near Frankfort (44.626848, -86.242732): just south of Frankfort, a super busy beach town in the summer (also with a beautiful beach and volleyball courts), is Elberta Beach. While the Frankfort beach is right downtown close to shops and food, has volleyball courts and the pier, Elberta Beach is right across the channel that goes into Betsie Lake and is way less crowded. It’s beyond beautiful. The beach goes on forever and you can have all the space you want. It’s also a popular place to watch a sunset as there’s a lookout overtop of the area, and you can have beach bonfires here. It might be the most beautiful place I’ve watched a sunset all summer. Plus, being so close to Frankfort, you can hop right on over into The Cool Spot for some ice cream when your beach day is done. No hiking involved to get to this one, so bring your coolers!
Good Harbor Bay in Cedar (44.938429, -85.861722): another gorgeous beach you can drive right up to without the hike. It’s a little cove area more protected from the wind than some other Lake Michigan favorites. You can have beach bonfires here and set up your spot anywhere along the shoreline. It’s less busy than other beaches in the area, but you’ll most likely have company here if you come in the summer. Nonetheless, the water’s warm, the sand is soft, and you’ll still have tons of space to play some beach football or get a tan.
North Bar Beach near Empire (44.843589, -86.062141): I’m not sure how this one isn’t more busy, but I’m thankful it’s not. North Bar Lake is super cool. It’s right on the inside of a dune, and on the other side of the dune is Lake Michigan. You can literally stand right between the two and have your pick of the calm, still water of the inland lake, or the waves of the Great Lake. It’s a popular sunset spot and only a short walk from the parking lot, so you can bring coolers if you’d like. It’s a great place to spend the day and very close to Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive if you’re not feeling like spending the entire day in the sun. Finish the day with a quick stop only eight miles away at the Pine Cone in Glen Arbor for ice cream.
Thoreson Beach near Glen Arbor (44.93122, 85.96472): head to the coordinates on South Sunset Shores Drive where there’s a little loop at the end of the road you can park. You’ll be able to walk about fifty feet to the beach right on Lake Michigan. Despite being in a very popular area near Sleeping Bear Dunes, I’ve only ever seen one other car here the several times I’ve been here. It’s probably one of the most best-kept secrets if you’re looking for a quiet beach day. The sand is beautiful, it’s always clean as there’s hardly ever any people, and it’s very close to Empire and Glen Arbor if you want anything from town. Although to be honest, you probably won’t even want to go into town after enjoying a secluded day on the beach out here.
Esch Beach just South of Empire (44.76362, 86.07575): ahh my favorite dog beach! This might be the most populated beach on my list, but that’s because it’s awesome and dog-friendly. Just about everyone here comes to bring their furry friend! There’s a lot of shoreline so you can walk far away from other people and dogs if that’s what you prefer, but this isn’t the best place if you’re looking for complete solitude. If you’re hoping for a day that’s less dog-filled, Otter Creek Beach is directly south of Esch Beach (and reached from the same parking lot) and dogs are not allowed here. So head to the water and decide which side you want to be on for the day!

Other Honorable Mentions:

Haserot Beach in Traverse City (44.96103, 85.48530): near the NorthEast end of Old Mission Peninsula you’ll find this beach typically visited by the locals. It’s smaller compared to other beaches on the list and generally has more people, but if you’re looking for a place close to Traverse City without visiting the busy beaches right downtown, this is a nice option.
Port Oneida in Maple City (44.94709, 85.94704): right at the end of the street you’ll see a small pathway to the Port Oneida Beach. It’s a beautiful beach with lots of shoreline, but it’s gotten busier over the last few years because you can find it in a Google search. You’ll still have absolutely no problem finding your own plot in the sand here to comfortably set up your space and enjoy the lake, but you’ll likely have company.
Sutton’s Bay Beach (44.97718, 85.64893): this is the busiest beach on the list, which is why it’s only an honorable mention. It’s pretty busy compared to the others, but still less busy than the beaches in town in Traverse City. Even a lot of Traverse City locals will go to Greilickville Harbor Park which is on the way to Sutton’s Bay, but a lot closer. Not many locals or tourists will treck further to Sutton’s Bay for a beach. Sutton’s Bay has a beautiful downtown with lots of food and shop options, and I highly recommend going if you’re looking for more to do on your beach day than just hang out at the lakefront.

I hope these recommendations help you enjoy some of my favorite places on Lake Michigan!

Happy summer days,

Brooke