50 Best Beaches on Lake Michigan & Inland Lakes for Families

There is nothing more “Pure Michigan” or pure family than a day digging your toes into the sand! Waves lapping, toes in the sand, sun kissing your skin, kids giggling as they topple their latest sandcastle – there is nothing quite like an afternoon at the beach.

Michigan beaches are everywhere. Many of the best beaches on Lake Michigan are right here in Southwest Michigan.

Slather on the sunscreen and prepare to get sand in your toes this summer with our updated guide to the best beaches in Michigan – we’re sure you’ll find some close to you and those worth the drive.

Lake Michigan Beaches

Not all Great Lakes are alike.

Sure, they’re all magnificent, but Lake Michigan has the endless sandy shoreline. Lake Michigan is the ultimate umbrella-pitching, laying out in the sun, swimming for hours beach mecca. Plan your next sandy adventure on these best beaches on Lake Michigan, listed by location.

Lake Michigan Beaches: Southwest

Rocky Gap County Park, Benton Township
1100 Rocky Gap Rd, Benton Harbor, MI 49022
Overlooking Lake Michigan from a bluff in Benton Township, Rocky Gap County Park provides a wonderful place to enjoy the expansive shoreline.

The lower park has a sandy beach and the upper park has an overlook platform with spectacular views of the lake. Note: No lifeguards on duty at this park. Free beach.

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Hagar Park Beach, Hagar Township
5440 M-63, Coloma, Michigan 49038
Follow the wooden walkway and descend the stairs to the beach. Kids can play on the playground, and there’s plenty of shade in the picnic area. Note: Port-a-johns only at this beach. Free beach.

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Roadside Park Beach, Hagar Township
6930 Bluestar Highway, Coloma, Michigan 49038
Located on Blue Star Highway just south of Van Buren County line. This beach park is a natural dune park that offers a roadside gravel parking lot. Note: Port-a-johns only at this beach. Free beach.

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Van Buren State Beach & Dunes, South Haven
23960 Ruggles Rd, South Haven, MI 49090
The focal point of Van Buren State Park is its high dune formations and one mile of sandy beach. The beach has modern restroom buildings and a picnic shelter area. Note: the beach is a bit of a walk from the parking lot.

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Grand Mere State Park, Stevensville
7337 Thornton Dr, Stevensville, MI 49127
Grand Mere has over one mile of coastline for sunbathing and swimming. Grand Mere has acres of wetlands, woods, sand dunes, and beach. The beach has very little in the way of amenities. Dogs on a leash are allowed within the beach and swimming area.

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Deerlick Creek Beach, South Haven
76773 13th Ave, South Haven, MI 49090
Free parking and it is the perfect beach for our furry dog friends who like to take a swim. They have a portable bathroom. Free beach.

Lake Michigan Beaches: Saugatuck

Saugatuck Dunes State Park
6575 138th Ave, Holland, MI 49423
A perfect destination for families looking for a more rustic and secluded beach. You will need to hike at least 0.6 miles over a sandy trail to reach the beach.

The beach has two-and-a-half miles of shoreline including dunes over 200 feet tall. The facilities are limited to a picnic shelter, tables, and portable toilets.

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Oval Beach
690 Perryman St, Saugatuck, MI 49453
One of the best beaches on Lake Michigan, Oval Beach is perfect for families with kids of all ages. This toddler-friendly beach has bathrooms nearby and stairs that make it easy to lug all your beach equipment to and from the parking lot.

Oval Beach offers concessions, modern bathroom facilities with showers, lifeguards, a swing set area and picnic tables. Parking is right next to the beach so it’s easy in and out.

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Pier Cove Beach
2290 Lakeshore Dr, Fennville, MI 49408
Expect limited parking at this free beach and there are no bathrooms. On the plus side, limited parking means limited crowds. Parents also love the shallow waters created by a small cove at this beach, perfect for little ones to play safely.

This little beach has a shallow creek for wading and smooth stones for skipping. Be wary on the stairs, though, as poison ivy has been spotted frequently along here.

Lake Michigan Beaches: Grand Haven

Grand Haven has two of the best beaches on Lake Michigan and is a very popular destination.

Not only does it have loads of perfectly wonderful sandy shoreline, but you can also walk the 1.5-mile boardwalk starting at cute shops downtown all the way to the Grand Haven pier and its iconic red lighthouse. Along the walk, you’ll pass restaurants, food vendors (hello Pronto Pups!), marinas, charter fishing boats, and parks.

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Grand Haven City Beach
S Harbor Dr, Grand Haven, MI 49417

Parents love the location of Grand Haven City Beach and its proximity to restaurants and the other perks of Grand Haven. There is limited free parking at this beach. Because of its popularity, it’s often quite busy on the weekends.

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Grand Haven State Park
1001 Harbor Avenue, Grand Haven MI, 49417

This beach is a favorite for many families. The state parks facilities include bathrooms, beach house, playground, picnic areas, food concessions, and 48 acres of fun! Why is this one of the best beaches on Lake Michigan?

The huge sandy beach, the pier and lighthouse, fun along the boardwalk, and a cute downtown all go into the mix. Wondering what to expect? Check their real-time weather conditions before you head out.

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North Beach Park
18775 N Shore Dr, Ferrysburg, MI 49409

One of the best beaches for kids and a favorite of locals since it’s less crowded than the state park, North Beach Park features a dune deck with scenic lake views. The beach is a just-right size. Position yourself correctly and you can walk to get to the lake and have the playground visible from where you’re sitting on the beach.

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Rosy Mound Natural Area
13925 Lakeshore Ave, Grand Haven, MI 49417

This is a great adventure for families with older kids who can handle a hike! Prepare for a 0.7 mile hiking trail from the parking area to the Lake Michigan shoreline that includes 1,000 feet of stairs up and down the dunes. This beach does offer restrooms, picnic areas, and grills near the parking area.

Lake Michigan Beaches: Holland

Holland State Park
2215 Ottawa Beach Rd, Holland, MI 49424

With ramps from the parking lot to the shoreline, it’s perfect for strollers and wagons. This is a popular beach with facilities that include restrooms, beach house, food concessions, picnic areas, playground, sand volleyball courts, and boat launch.

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Tunnel Park
66 N. Lakeshore Ave, Holland, MI 49424

Another one of the best beaches in Michigan for kids, this family favorite has a unique tunnel through a dune, a playground complete with a dune climb, and dune stairway with scenic views of Lake Michigan. Expect to find bathrooms, picnic shelters, grills, playground, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, and vending machines at this beach.

Lake Michigan Beaches: Muskegon

Duck Lake State Park
3560 Memorial Dr, Muskegon, MI 49445

Perfect for families with kids of all ages, this day-use park includes a picnic area, beach house, and boat launch.

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Kruse Park
3205 W Sherman Blvd, Muskegon, MI 49441

This beach includes four picnic shelters and an accessible ramp to the beach and into the dunes. It also has a specific area for the family dog to enjoy the beach so even the fur babies can get in on the fun!

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Muskegon State Park
3560 Memorial Dr, North Muskegon, MI 49445

This beach has two miles of shoreline to explore. Expect to find restrooms, a beach house, a picnic area, a playground, and a boat launch. This Lake Michigan beach is breathtakingly beautiful and well worth the drive.

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Pioneer County Park
1563 N Scenic Dr, Muskegon, MI 49445

Also a popular camping location, Pioneer Park has over 2,000 feet of shoreline and deck overlooks. There is also a lodge available to rent for group gatherings.

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P.J. Hoffmaster State Park
6585 Lake Harbor Rd, Norton Shores, MI 49441

With three miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, several hiking trails, and Gillette Sand Dune Visitor Center, this beach is a nature lover’s dream. You will also find bathrooms/bathhouse, plenty of parking, and an observation deck at this beach.

It is also connected to a family-friendly campground so you can make a long weekend exploring.

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Pere Marquette Beach
3510 Channel Dr, Muskegon, MI 49441
 A popular beach that is worth the drive. The beach includes a 200-foot handicap-accessible walkway on the beach making traveling through the sand easier on all.

The beach facilities also include a snack bar, beach house, restrooms, playground, picnic area, and sand volleyball courts. We consider this one of the best beaches in Michigan for its beauty and because it is often less busy than some of the neighboring big beaches in Holland or Grand Haven.

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Lake Harbor Beach
4635 Lake Harbor Rd, Norton Shores, MI 49441
This beach offers variety with access to Lake Michigan, Mona Lake Channel, and Mona Lake. Families can access this park by foot, bike, car or boat.

Lake Michigan Beaches: Northern MI

Charles Mears State Park
400 W Lowell St, Pentwater, MI 49449
Worth every minute of the drive, this beach is located near the quaint town of Pentwater and includes beach house, bathrooms, playground, picnic area, a wide pier, lighthouse, and a dune that is fondly referred to as “Old Baldy” by the locals.

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Ludington State Park
8800 M-116, Ludington, MI 49431

Among the best beaches in Michigan, Ludington State Park offers scenic vistas of sand dunes and mile upon mile of shoreline. With calm waters, playground, picnic shelter, restrooms, and concessions, it’s also one of the best beaches for kids.

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Stearns Park Beach
420 N Lakeshore Dr, Ludington, MI 49431

Also known as Ludington City Beach, the city‘s largest beach offers free parking and Wi-fi. The lighthouse is a popular spot, with a surrounding area ripe for exploration.

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Empire Beach Village Park
10484 Niagara St, Empire, MI 49630
Empire Beach, with its big playground right on the sandy shores of Lake Michigan, makes this a great place to stop and play, swim, and picnic. There is a small fee for parking.

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Platte Point Beach
Lake Michigan Rd, Honor, MI 49640
This beach in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is where the Platte River meets Lake Michigan. This beach is a favorite – you can swim in the river if Lake Michigan is too cold or windy.

The beach is sandy in many places and rocky in others. Multiple parking lots here confuse visitors – if you’re in a National Park lot, you will need your vehicle pass. If you’re in the  Lake Township Park parking lot (where the canoes get picked up) then you need to pay the daily parking fee.

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Petoskey State Park
2475 M-119, Petoskey, MI 49770
Petoskey State Park is where many people go to look for Petoskey stones. Finding a treasure here is hard for that reason – but it’s not impossible. Get up early, look at the wet stones, and especially go after a storm has tossed the beach.

If you’re just looking for a great place to spend your beach day, this is also a good choice. An expansive sandy beach for laying out is what you’ll find here. Restrooms are modern but older.

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Traverse City State Park
1132 US-31, Traverse City, MI 49686
The beach at Traverse City State Park is long and sandy and is located on the East arm of Grand Traverse Bay. There’s a small playground right on the beach, as well as older modern restrooms.

If you’re camping at the state park you access the beach by a pedestrian overpass. There’s not a lot of shade here. If you’re interested in food, pack a picnic or visit one of the many nearby restaurants – this park is located in a busy tourist section of town.

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Clinch Park, Traverse City
111 E Grandview Pkwy, Traverse City, MI, 49684

Clinch Park is located just across the street from Downtown Traverse City. SUP rentals, concessions, and a splash pad make this a popular destination for visitors and locals alike. The sandy beach is buffered by green grass and a line of shade trees.

The water is calmer here than at other Lake Michigan beaches because this beach is on West Grand Traverse Bay, buffered to the north by Old Mission Peninsula and to the south by Leelanau Peninsula.

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Elk Rapids Memorial Park
920 S Bay Shore Dr, Elk Rapids, MI 49629
Memorial Park in Elk Rapids is special because it’s where the Elk River meets Lake Michigan. Swim down the river to meet the lake. Choose a spot on the sandy beach or along the river, where kids play for hours.

The park has a nice beachside playground and modern restrooms. Walk down the main street to get ice cream, a slice of pizza, or pop your head into the cute local shops.

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Michigan Beach Park – Charlevoix
95 N Grant St, Charlevoix, MI 49720
Michigan Beach Park in Charlevoix is a splendid Lake Michigan beach. It’s sandy and large and is home to a lovely lighthouse. Just steps away is the downtown neighborhood sporting the Mushroom Houses that so many come to look at.

Walk the channel to get to downtown, where you’ll find ice cream and restaurants. Across the street, the harbor park and splash pad make a fun stop.

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Lake Michigan Beaches: West Olive

Kirk Park
9791 Lakeshore Drive N  West Olive, MI 49460
With 68 acres of sandy beach, this park has bathrooms, a playground, picnic area (including grills), and plenty of dunes to run down.

Inland Beaches

Can’t make it out to the lakeshore? These inland beaches are another fun way to explore the best lakes in Michigan with your family.

Michigan Beaches: Allegan County

Gun Lake Park, Allegan County
2397 Patterson Rd, Wayland, MI 49348
Gun Lake County Park is located on the west shore of beautiful Gun Lake. A sandy beach, a grassy picnic area, easy to access modern restrooms, basketball courts, and a playground are amenities at this county park.

Michigan Beaches: Calhoun County

Willard Beach Park, Battle Creek
50 George B Place, Battle Creek, MI 49015
Willard Beach is Battle Creek’s only property with public lake access. Families can swim in scenic Goguac Lake, or build sandcastles on the groomed beach.

After swimming, enjoy a picnic under the pavilion, explore the playground, or take in a game of volleyball. Restrooms are easy to access, and concessions are available during the beach operating season.

Michigan Beaches: Ionia County

Ionia State Recreation Area
2880 West David Highway, Ionia MI, 48846
Visit the beaches of Sessions Lake in the heart of the Ionia State Recreation Area and be sure to explore all the park has to offer.

Michigan Beaches: Kent County

Millennium Park
1415 Maynard Ave SW, Walker, MI 49534
This amazing park has a six-acre beach and a large enclosed splash pad.

Well worth the fee, your family can enjoy the beach, splash pad, and even boating rentals like paddle boats or SUP. The Van Andel Beach House includes a concession stand, locker and changing rooms, restrooms, and there are picnic tables throughout the plaza. This is one of the best beaches for kids in the Grand Rapids area.

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Myers Lake Park
7350 Hessler Dr NE, Rockford, MI 49341
With shady picnic areas, a nice beach, fishing spots, and a fantastic playground, Myers Lake has it all. It even has bathrooms (with changing areas) that are close to the beach, which is super helpful with little ones! Definitely one of the best beaches for kids on an inland lake.

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Versluis Park
3650 Versluis Park NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525

This park features playground areas, picnic facilities, horseshoes & volleyball, beach and swimming areas with lifeguard stations, a bathhouse, fishing pier, boating, and one mile of paved walking trail. Admission is required to visit this beach area. Another one of the best beaches for kids.

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Wabasis Lake
11220 Springhill Dr, Greenville, MI 48838
Nestled among rolling hills and woods, you’ll find a public beach, a four-lane boat ramp, various sports facilities, shelters and picnic areas available for rent, and trails with many lake views.

Michigan Beaches: Newaygo County

Fremont Lake Park
955 Cottage Grove Ave, Fremont, MI 49412
With a beach area, playground, bathroom facilities, shuffleboard and volleyball courts, and boat launch, Fremont Lake Park makes for a fun day of swimming and water play.

Michigan Beaches: Ottawa County

Grose Park
22200 24th Ave, Casnovia, MI 49318
This small beachfront on Crockery Lake near Casnovia offers a nearby shaded playground as well as bathroom facilities, a fishing dock, plenty of picnic tables and grills, and nature trails to hike.

Things to Do at the Beach

Find Buried Treasure

Grab a metal detector and see what metal treasures you can find beneath the sand on the best beaches on Lake Michigan. You might find some coins, but it’s even more fun to discover other objects and dream about what they are and who lost them. 

Play a Game

From Frisbee to catch, there is a beach game for everyone. 

Try a game of Frisbee golf. Use your Frisbee for a game of Beach Frisbee Golf. Find some objects like one of your beach towels and take turns seeing who can get the Frisbee to land closest to it. Remember to let little ones stand closer to the target.

Have a relay race with your sand shovels and pails. Kids (and adults) grab a shovel and run to get some water in it. Then race it back and dump the water in the pail.

Play a game of beach volleyball. Older kids and adults will enjoy using a real net and volleyball and playing a traditional game. Younger kids can use a beach ball and a towel and count how many times they can volley the ball back and forth without hitting the towel.

Grab a stick and draw a hopscotch board in the sand. Use rocks or shells for markers.

Hit the dollar store before your trip and get some bubbles.

Create a list ahead of time, grab some empty pails and send the kids on a beach treasure hunt. They can search for items like sticks, shells, and feathers that will fit inside their sand pail.

Sand Sculptures Here We Come

Engage in a classic of things to do at the beach: build a sand castle. Gather up shovels, pails and tools in different shapes and sizes and see who can build the best (or biggest or tallest or coolest) sand castle. Find some shells, stones and sticks to decorate your creations. Don’t forget to add a moat! 

For a fun twist, try creating a drip castle. Build a base for your castle and then get fistfuls of really, really wet sand. Turn your sand-filled hand down towards your base and then let some of the mixture in your hand drip down through your fingers. This will make some awesome stalagmite creations.

Fly a Kite

Lake Michigan beaches have a great breeze. Take advantage of the wind and bring along your kites. Take turns to see who can get the kite the highest or keep it in the air the longest – but watch out for fellow beach-goers.

Bury Someone

Who wants to get really sandy? Dig a hole in the sand and have that person sit or lay down in it and cover them with sand. Make sure your volunteer has actually volunteered for the job and don’t bury their head or face. See what kinds of cool designs you can make in the sand on top of and around them.

The Best Beach Days Involve Food

The best beaches on Lake Michigan are also the best places for the yummiest, messiest foods. Load up the coolers and picnic baskets with watermelon, cheese puffs and PB&J sandwiches. Dig in and get messy!

Cozy Up with a Good Book

Some of the best lakes in Michigan have nice shady spots. Bring along a camp chair and your favorite paperback and dive into a great book. There’s nothing quite like reading a great book while the warm breeze gently blows around you and the sounds of kids playing and the waves in the water nearby become background noise. If you decide to read in the sun, don’t forget to reapply sunscreen before you lose track of time.

Make an Evening of It – Catch a Sunset

Arrive later in the day and spend the late afternoon and evening on the beach. Stay to watch a breathtaking sunset over the water.

Build a Collection

Grab an empty sand pail and go for a walk along the beach. Look for interesting shells and rocks to take home for memories of a great day. You could look for different kinds on different days or just always gather your favorites. If you visit one of the Northern Michigan beaches, be sure to search for Petoskey stones.

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