Searching for sandy shores with breathtaking views, a laid-back spot to hang with friends, family-friendly inland lakes? Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore has a beach for you and yours.
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4 Must-Visit Sleeping Bear Dunes Beaches
- Esch Road Beach: AKA Otter Creek Beach, this sandy shore is near the mouth of Otter Creek, which gently empties into Lake Michigan. The creek’s shallow water is ideal for splash-happy kids and great for little adventurers who want to wade upriver and into the belly of the forest. Find plenty of sand to park the cooler and beach chairs. From Empire, drive south on M-22 and turn right onto Esch Road. Paved and unpaved parking, basic facilities.
- Peterson Road Beach: Splitting Esch Road and Platte River Point, Peterson Road beach offers plenty of sand, a grandstand of beach grass and a bounty of elbow room. Just east of Platte River Campground, turn off M-22 onto the unpaved (and narrow) Peterson Road and follow it to Lake Michigan. Unpaved parking, basic facilities, short walk to the beach.
- Platte River Point Beach: Find this beauty down the road from the Platte River Campground at the mouth of the Platte River. This finish line for Platte River tubers and rowers means a bustling parking lot, but you’re a short walk away from bathing in the shallows of the river or taking a plunge into Lake Michigan. Perfect for kids, and views of the Empire Bluffs certainly don’t hurt. Take Lake Michigan Road off M-22 near Platte Lake; drive straight to Lake Michigan. Paved parking, picnic tables, basic facilities.
- Tiesma Road Beach: Trek to Tiesma if you are seeking seclusion. The beach is along the same strip of shoreline as Platte River Point and Peterson Road, yet it is unmarked and under the radar. From Platte River Campground, take Lake Michigan Road north, turn right on Isle View Drive and drive till the road ends. Short walk to the beach through soft sand. No facilities, dirt road parking.
A Complete Guide to Beaches at Sleeping Bear Dunes
The beaches here are truly magnificent: gentle waves of sapphire-blue water, golden sand between your toes, a kite-catching breeze. By boat or by car, there’s no beating these Northern Michigan gems.
Sleeping Bear Beaches, North to South Along M-22:
Good Harbor Beach
The Copacabana of Sleeping Bear Dunes. A big, long beach that can accommodate the crowds that flock to it. Views of North Manitou Island, huge swathes of soft sand and a softly-sloping, kid-friendly beach; perfect for a sunset bonfire. Take either County Rd 669 (Bohemian Rd) or 651 (Good Harbor Trail) from M-22 near north corner of the Dunes parkland. Paved parking, picnic tables, basic facilities.
Port Oneida Beach
Access this beach from a stairway descending the steep dunes. The nearest beach to the Pyramid Point hike and Bay View trail; gravel road access means fewer people, but expect more people with the addition of the stairs. From Glen Arbor, drive east 4 miles to Port Oneida Road, then take a soft left on Lane Road. No facilities, dirt road parking, short walk down steps.
Glen Haven Beach
After visiting the historic village of Glen Haven hit the beach near the Cannery Boathouse Museum. Park at the museum and enjoy not being a dockworker in the early 20th century and views of the Manitou Islands. The beach can also be accessed via the Sleeping Bear Point Trail. From Glen Arbor, drive west on M-109, then turn right onto Glen Haven Road. Facilities nearby, paved parking.
Photo by Taylor Brown
Glen Lake Picnic Area at Dune Climb
Hit up this public access to Little Glen Lake to cool off after the Dune Climb. Located kitty-corner from the Dune Climb HQ, the site is a picnic mecca, and a good spot to launch a kayak or canoe for an evening cruise; sand is a tad rocky, the beach is mostly grass. Find the Dune Climb on M-109; parking lot for the beach is .5 miles north. Nearby facilities, paved parking, picnic tables, short walk.
North Bar Lake
Cool off in Lake Michigan after basking in the warm water of North Bar Lake—a small inland lake that drains into Lake Michigan. The creek between North Bar and Lake Michigan was made for skimboarding, sand dams, and general splashing around. From Voice Road north of Empire, take N. Bar Lake Road to Larahr Road—park and shuffle along the boardwalk to bliss. Unpaved parking, basic facilities, medium walk.
Esch Road Beach
Esch Road Beach AKA Otter Creek Beach: the beach is near the mouth of Otter Creek, which gently empties into Lake Michigan. The creek’s shallow water is ideal for splash-happy kids; great for little adventurers to wade up-river and into the belly of the forest. Plenty of sand to park the cooler and beach chairs. From Empire, drive south on M-22; turn right onto Esch Road. Paved and unpaved parking, basic facilities.
Photo by Mae Stier
Peterson Road Beach
Splitting Esch Road and Platte River Point, Peterson Road beach offers vistas of dunes to the north; lots of sand and a grandstand of beach grass, but quite private—Peterson Road is unpaved. Just east of Platte River Campground, turn off M-22 onto Peterson Road and follow to Lake Michigan. Unpaved parking, basic facilities, short walk.
Tiesma Road Beach
Trek to Tiesma for the most seclusion; the beach is along the same strip of shoreline as Platte River Point and Peterson Road, yet the beach is unmarked and under the radar. From Platte River Campground, take Lake Michigan Road north, turn right on Isle View Drive, and drive till the road ends. No facilities, dirt road parking, short walk.
Platte River Point Beach
Down the road from the Platte River Campground at the mouth of the Platte River. This finish line for Platte River tubers and rowers means a bustling parking lot, but you’re a short walk away from bathing in the shallows of the river or taking a plunge in the depths of Lake Michigan. Perfect for kids, and views of the Empire Bluffs certainly don’t hurt. Take Lake Michigan Road off M-22 near Platte Lake; drive straight to Lake Michigan. Paved parking, picnic tables, basic facilities.
Nearby Municipal Beaches
Empire Village Beach
Boasting a covered picnic pavilion, playground equipment and a pedestrian-friendly village, Empire’s beach is a hub for families making a day of it. A straight shot from Traverse City makes getting there easy: from TC, drive west on M-72 to Empire, turn right onto M-22, then a quick left on Niagara, and drive to the water. Basic facilities, picnic tables, paved parking.
Lake Street Beach in Glen Arbor
Plop the towel down on either side of the boat launch for a quick sun by Glen Arbor’s Le Bear Resort. Head over to nearby Art’s Tavern for a quick, classic bite and some weird taxidermy or relax in the backyard at Glen Arbor Wines. Take Lake Street north in Glen Arbor. Roadside parking, no facilities.
Old Settler’s Picnic Area near Glen Arbor
At the southeast corner of Big Glen Lake, the Old Settler’s Picnic Area is just that: the place where the first residents of the Glen Arbor area would kick back on a Sunday evening to watch the sun set. With a gazebo, canoe launch, playground equipment, barbecues and picnic tables, the spot’s perfect for a family afternoon or a post-meal lounge after dinner at eateries La Becasse or Funistrada. From Glen Arbor, drive south on M-22 over the Glen Lake narrows, then turn left on County Rd 675; 1500 feet past La Becasse. Basic facilities, paved parking, picnic tables.
Frankfort/Elberta Public Beaches
South of the Sleeping Bear Dunes Lakeshore sit the twin towns of Frankfort and Elberta. Separated by the Betsie River, the two towns each have massive sandy beaches with natural dunes nearby. Elberta’s is markedly less crowded, as it a bit less accessible. For Frankfort, take M-22 from Empire, and drive west on Main to the water—paved parking, no facilities. For Elberta, continue south on M-22, turn left on Frankfort Avenue, continue on to Furnace Avenue, then Bye Street—dirt road parking, no facilities.