It would probably shock you that it's Michigan. There is no salt in the air, no sticky humidity, no surf crashing. These beaches are freshwater, and the towns as quaint and hospitable as they come. As Kelly Wolgamott, Vice President of Pure Michigan, puts it, “What sets Michigan apart is the sheer variety found across our two peninsulas. You can stand on a towering 400-foot dune on Lake Michigan, catch a tranquil sunrise on Lake Huron, or explore the rugged cliffs of Lake Superior, all in the same state.”
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Michigan Beach Trip Tips
Build your trip around the lakes. Kelly Wolgamott (VP, Pure Michigan) recommends leaning into Michigan’s range across two peninsulas, from Lake Michigan dunes to Lake Huron sunrises and Lake Superior’s rugged shoreline.Wolgamott says late August into early September hits the sweet spot for warm Great Lakes water with fewer crowds, with August typically warmest and June to early July best for clearest water.Wolgamott suggests Escanaba for families, South Haven for couples, Traverse City for friends, and Negwegon State Park for solo travelers, plus other first-time faves like Sleeping Bear Dunes, McCarty’s Cove and Tawas Point.Getty Images
1) Why Michigan beaches are so beautiful
Getty Images
And as someone who has been to almost every beach on this list, my love for Michigan's coastline lies with how truly all-season it is. Sure, summer brings the crowds for typical sunbathing and swimming, but I love them most in fall, especially up at Pictured Rocks. The way the vibrant multi-hued leaves contrast against the Caribbean-blue waters and craggily limestone cliffs create the most awe-inspiring photo opps imaginable.
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2) The best beach towns, according to experts
Saugatuck Douglas Tourism Board
On the Lake Huron side, she likes to start in Port Austin (where the water is warmer most of the season) and is known state-wide for Michigan’s nautical history. For a more classic beach-town feel that rivals New England, she calls New Buffalo “the perfect chaise,” and for something more polished, she recommends the Petoskey area for its “nautical atmosphere” with elevated shopping and dining overlooking Little Traverse Bay.
3) The prettiest beaches in the state
Pure Michigan
Otherwise, you're looking at a very expensive helicopter ride. In the Upper Peninsula, she recommends McCarty’s Cove for an easy sandy entry into Lake Superior, plus a lighthouse backdrop for sunset IG pics. And on Lake Huron, Tawas Point State Park is her pick for shallow, warmer water and standout sunrises. If you are building a longer list, add Chapel Beach at Pictured Rocks, which offers some of the most jaw-dropping views in the entire country, let alone state. Also in Northern Michigan is Torch Lake, another favorite of Wolgamott. "It's the clear choice for those iconic, kaleidoscopic blues you'd typically find in the Caribbean," she says.
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4) New hotels (and renos) worth planning a visit for
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Sure, a beach trip is fun and all, but if the place you go after isn't as beautiful and relaxing as the coastal views, what's even the point? If you find yourself on Mackinac Island, book your stay at The Inn at Stonecliffe, which has been fully renovated, including newly updated cabins. In Traverse City (home of the famed cherry festival), Residence Inn by Marriott Traverse City is now open, with a rooftop bar planned for spring 2026. If your beach stay finds you on one of Michigan's most picturesque smaller lakes (Walloon), stay at the beautifully remastered Hotel Walloon.
5) Best beaches based on travel style
Pure Michigan
For a friends trip, she loves Traverse City, which has bay beaches with a lively downtown and nearby wineries. And for solo travelers who want quiet, she recommends Negwegon State Park on Lake Huron for a more peaceful, wilderness-first beach day.
Related: 23 Best Things To Do in Grand Rapids, Michigan, According to Locals
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