With over 3,200 miles of coastline and 11,000 inland lakes, you’re never far from the beach in Michigan. In fact, sandy shores are so ubiquitous in the state that a change of motto may be in order, “If you seek a pleasant beach, look about you.”
We’ve rounded up 14 photos of some very pleasant Michigan beaches. If you have beach photos of your own to share, post them on our Facebook and Twitter pages, we’d love to see them!
You never know what you’ll find on a Michigan beach. It can be anything from the typical wildlife…
Relaxing at the Beach
…to more unexpected visitors…
Good Hart Deer in Lake Michigan
…or maybe even the start of something truly magical.
Au Train Beach - Michigan Beaches
Nothing’s better on a sunny day than a dip in refreshing, clear waters…
Lake Michigan Sunny Day
…taking off the flip flops and going for a barefoot stroll…
Lake Michigan Beach in Ludington
…before settling down into a comfy beach chair…
Grand Haven Beach
…just in time to take in one of those spectacular sunrises or sunsets.
Ludington State Park Beach
Beaches of Sleeping Bear Dunes
Even when the weather is less than ideal, the beach is full of beauty.
Empire Beach Storm
Pictured Rocks - Michigan Beaches
Meinert Park Beach
Grand Haven State Park Beach
It makes us appreciate those perfect summer days even more.
Lake Superior Beach
Douglas Beach
Not enough beach photos for you? See many more on our Flickr page, or check out the other beach posts on our blog. Better yet, plan a trip to a Michigan beach, because nothing’s more Pure Michigan than sand between your toes and the sound of gently lapping waves.
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
I truly love Michigan and its gorgeous beaches- all year long! Which beach is the first one with the gulls?
I live in the thumb, near Lake Huron. I just love it here and I have some beautiful pictures of the sunrises that I try to see as often as I can. I enjoy the pictures you share . I’ve shared some of my own with you too! Thank you!
Now this is one way to make this Michiganger miss her home state. Wow. I’m surrounded by mountain peaks in Colorado, such beauty, but the Big Waters of the Great Lakes call me every summer and make me ache for the beaches, lake and lake towns. Thanks for these perfect photos.
Michigan gets a bad rap in other states.. if only they knew. These are gorgeous pictures, thank you so much for sharing the beauty of Michigan.
The beaches in South Haven are awesome. Deer Lick Creek Beach in South Haven Township is really cool as well. There is a shipwreck in about 5′ of water just to the north of this beach.
Georgous photo’s makes me miss all the summer vacations I use to take years back. I do live blocks from Lake Huron in the thumb of Michigan and I can go to the lake pretty much any day I want. But it isn’t the same as being in northern Michigan or the western side by the dunes and Traverse City etc. The UP has wonderful beaches also such as Empire and Grand Marias.. and Grand Sable.. etc…. makes me ache to want to get up there again someday! Thank you for your photo’s!
I am so thankful for the gorgeous waters of our great state! I do want to get up to the Upper Peninsula soon to see a whole totally different view of our state. I am lucky to live on two beautiful lakes in Michigan; Green Lake in Interlochen and Maceday Lake in Waterford. I love our amazing state and all that it offers to its residents.
Hi Denise! That photo was taken on Ottawa Beach in Holland.
Thanks for all the wonderful shots! You have given me some good ideas for future trips to Manistee-Ludington (hopefully next month).
Michigan’s shoreline and beaches are some of the most beautiful and interesting in America, if not the world. But here’s the added plus…the water is fresh not salt water, sure makes it easier to enjoy. Love Michigan!
I agree, Michigan gets a bad rap, but keep it that way – our beaches would be over run with people – especially in the summer – if everyone knew how absolutely wonderful and beautiful they really are. Thank goodness we are a long way north – build those condos on southern beaches and don’t mess up our Michigan beaches.
These are beautiful photos.
In one of the “Best Beaches” photo’s, the one of AuTrain beach, if you look right under the rainbow there is a beautiful house. We (8 of us “more seasoned” women) rented this house for a week and the views from there are beautiful!!! Such a beautiful picture!!!
too bad it’s missing a picture of Silver Beach in St. Joseph, MI
Could you give me specific information about Lake Superior Beach locations? I passed some very nice beaches where people were swimming, but couldn’t remember where they were the next year I went to the U.P.
I love my Michigan … sigh.
I just wish each of these was labeled with a location so I could plan accordingly!
@ericahollins Erica, the names of the beaches are listed below each photograph. Also, you can view more beaches and their locations here: http://www.michigan.org/things-to-do/outdoors/beaches/default.aspx
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