The Best Beaches On Lake Michigans Eastern Shore

Michigan is so proud of its position at the heart of the Great Lakes that it claims the nicknames of the “Great Lakes State” and the “Water Wonderland.” Undoubtedly, some of the best things about Michigan are its coastlines, including the stunning sandy beaches along the eastern shore of its namesake lake. Here are our choices for the most beautiful beaches in West Michigan.

Oval Beach

Part of the fun of Oval Beach is getting to it from the city of Saugatuck. So, ditch the car, and take the famous Saugatuck Chain Ferry over the Kalamazoo before trekking up and down the fun Mt. Baldhead Park Trail. Once you’re there, Oval has a beautiful stretch of sand as well as restrooms and a small food stand. It has been recognized as one of the country’s top beaches by everyone from Condé Nast Traveler and National Geographic to MTV.

Grand Haven State Park

Glen Haven Beach

The Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore is one of America’s most incredible areas of outstanding natural beauty, and its 35 miles (56.3 kilometers) of coastline include many sand dunes and beaches. Glen Haven Beach lies next to the Cannery Boat Museum near Glen Arbor and offers views of the Manitou Islands and the remaining pilings from the old Glen Haven dock as well as beautiful golden sand.

5th Avenue Beach

North of where the Manistee River meets Lake Michigan, the soft sandy 5th Avenue Beach has a relatively new public beach house as well as all the facilities you want and free parking. There is also the Manistee North Pier for fishing and a picturesque lighthouse at the end, and it’s one of the few universally accessible beaches thanks to a new decked path.

Esch Road Beach

South of the Sleeping Bear Dunes visitor center and the town of Empire, the Esch Road Beach is located at the mouth of Otter Creek, offering a quieter but equally beautiful alternative to those on the national lakeshore. It has a wildflower-covered bank, and the creek is perfect for wading in the summer. Parking is free along the access road, and there are bathroom facilities.

Saugatuck Dunes State Park

A few miles north of Saugatuck and Oval Beach is the more secluded Saugatuck Dunes State Park, which has two and a half miles (four kilometers) of shoreline and freshwater coastal dunes over 200 feet (60.9 meters) tall. Hike through the dunes, which are steep in places and rolling in others, or just relax on the sandy beach, which is accessed via a short hike, two-thirds of a mile, from the picnic and parking area.

Hall Beach

In the small town of Leland on the Leelanau Peninsula, Hall Beach, or “Van’s Beach” as it is also known, is a short sandy shore but a favorite spot for locals to relax during the day or to watch a sunset at night. Located south of the Leland River, there’s a small parking lot and access to the beach from the trailhead on Cedar St.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.