Many Michigan residents have likely already ventured to a beach for a beach day, and the Lansing State Journal is wondering which shoreline do beach-goers prefer for their swimming, sunbathing or wading?
Here are 10 popular beaches in Michigan you might find yourself on this summer.
Voting is open now through midnight Thursday, June 18. We’ll announce the winner after polls close.
Voters also have the option to send in their favorite beach in the “other” section of the poll if their personal favorite beach is not included.
Go to the bottom of this story to vote. Refresh your browser if the ballot does not automatically appear.
Here the 10 beaches across Michigan we think are tops:
Muskegon State Park’s beach
Muskegon State Park is located approximately one hour northwest of downtown Grand Rapids in the southwest Lower Peninsula.
The park occupies 3 miles of Lake Michigan’s shores and a mile’s worth of Lake Muskegon. Visitors may enjoy the picnic areas, trails, fishing piers, metal detecting and pet-friendly features and more.
The most popular aspect of the park is the scenic overlook and historical marker, blockhouse built in the 1930s.
Saugatuck’s Oval Beach
Oval beach is located in Saugatuck southwest of Grand Rapids on Lake Michigan. It’s nestled among sand dunes and bordered by the Kalamazoo River.
The beach is named after its convenient oval-shaped parking lot, and has gained popularity though the years as one of the best shorelines in the world, according to the city of Saugatuck.
Charles Mears State Park beach in Pentwater
Charles Mears State Park is located near Pentwater, north of Muskegon, hugging Lake Michigan’s shoreline.
Across the 50-acre park, there is a buoyed swim area, fishing pier, beach house, pet-friendly features, picnic area and metal-detecting.
Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park beach
Keith J Charters Traverse City State Park is located 2 miles from downtown Traverse City in the northwest Lower Peninsula. The park blends rural and urban qualities with a quarter-mile sandy beach on the East Arm Grand Traverse Bay. There is a small beach house and picnic area.
12 Mile Beach at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
12 Mile Beach is a stretch of sandy, rocky shoreline of Lake Superior in the middle of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, located in the central Upper Peninsula, west of Grand Marais. It represents 12 of the 40 miles of Pictured Rocks, a must-stop for tourists exploring the U.P. The beach may be accessed by a set of stairs leading down the dune, according to Lake Superior Circle Tour.
The beach is a popular spot to seek out agates.
U.S. 2 Sand Dunes Beach in the Upper Peninsula
For those looking for a quick plunge, U.S. 2 Sand Dunes Beach is located in Mackinac County, east of Brevort in the southern U.P. The beach spans approximately 1 mile along Lake Michigan’s northern coast.
“It’s a convenient stop whether you’re just passing through or planning to stay a while. While there are no restrooms or other facilities, the serene atmosphere and stunning views more than make up for it. On windy days, the crashing waves add an exhilarating touch to this peaceful retreat,” St. Ignace travel website said.
While there are no amenities available along the stretch, a hot summer day will find dozens of vehicles pulled off the side of the highway where people enjoy the shallow water and sandy beach.
Petoskey State Park beach
Petoskey State Park, is located in the Little Traverse Bay 3 miles northeast of Petoskey and 6 miles from Harbor Springs in the northwest Lower Peninsula. The park offers a mile of sandy shores along Lake Michigan, two campgrounds and hiking trails.
The park is a popular destination for those searching for the famous honeycomb-patterned Petoskey stones and is a great spot to watch for endangered piping plovers in the spring.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is located in the northwest Lower Peninsula covering shores of Lake Michigan across Benzie and Leelanau counties southwest of Glen Arbor.
The park is known for its impressive dunes sloping down to crystal-clear waters and various wildlife. Within the park, the Good Harbor Bay Beach, North Bar Lake Beach and Glen Haven Beach are popular areas to swim, relax and climb sandy mountains.
Ludington State Park beach
Ludington State Park is located between the 5,000-acre Hamlin Lake and 7 miles of Lake Michigan’s shoreline. The park is situated near large sand dunes and the iconic Big Sable Point Lighthouse for a view of Lake Michigan.
Tawas Point State Park beach
Tawas Point State Park is considered the “Cape Cod of the Midwest,” because of its it is similar hooked shape, which forms Tawas Bay along Lake Huron. There are several activities along its 183 acres of shore — biking, picnic areas, fishing, hiking, metal-detecting and more — and it is a popular bird-watching spot for spring/fall bird migrations.
The popular park also features an historic lighthouse.
Cast your vote now
Contact Sarah Moore @ smoore@lsj.com
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: What’s your favorite Michigan beach? Take the LSJ poll
Reporting by Sarah Moore, USA TODAY NETWORK / Lansing State Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Sarah Moore, USA TODAY NETWORK | USA TODAY Network
