Who says you need to travel to the Caribbean to find gorgeous beaches with soft sand, crystal-clear water, and jaw-dropping views?
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is packed with incredible stretches of shoreline, including hidden spots where you can hunt for colorful gemstones and walk on singing sand.
To experience these amazing places for yourself, follow this dreamy road trip to eight beautiful beaches, each offering something special to discover.
From secret swimming spots and towering dunes to peaceful coves and picture-perfect sunsets, these stops might just make you forget you’re in Michigan!
1. Deer Park Beach
Deer Park Beach is a peaceful spot near the village of Newberry, where you can enjoy the surrounding forest and spend some time away from the crowds.
This place is known for its sandy and gravel-covered shores, colorful rocks, driftwood, and incredible views of Lake Superior, the world’s largest freshwater lake by surface area.
It’s also wheelchair-accessible, with a long wooden ramp that leads down toward the water and benches where you can stop and rest along the way.
For a fun afternoon, try beachcombing, snapping tons of photos, watching the waves roll in, or having a picnic, and maybe even take a swim if you can handle the cold.
2. Sable Beach
A 35-minute drive from Deer Park Beach takes you to Sable Beach, where sandy and rocky shores meet Lake Superior in the stunning Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
To get there, take the quarter-mile Sable Falls Trail from the parking lot, which includes 168 steps down to the waterfall and a few more to reach the beach.
There’s plenty to do here, from swimming on calm summer days and building sandcastles to hunting for colorful agates and Petoskey stones along the shore.
Don’t forget to admire the towering Grand Sable Dunes nearby, which make the whole place look like something straight out of a postcard.
3. Au Train Beach
After exploring Sable Beach, drive about 1 hour and 15 minutes to Au Train Beach, located in Hiawatha National Forest, where the Au Train River meets Lake Superior.
Unlike the rocky shorelines at earlier stops, this one has plenty of soft sand, with paths and railings leading you down from the paved parking lot above.
It’s a great spot to swim, sunbathe, or have a picnic with your family, and if you’re lucky, you might even spot a few daring swimmers jumping from a low bridge into the river.
For something different, rent a kayak or canoe and paddle along the gentle river while enjoying the open scenery, watching for wildlife, or trying your luck at fishing.
4. Lake Michigan Public Beach
If you’re ready to trade Lake Superior for Lake Michigan, drive about an hour to Lake Michigan Public Beach in Thompson, another quiet spot where you can unwind.
Located just off US Highway 2, you’ll find beautiful lake views, gentle waves, soft white sand, and clear water that can feel surprisingly warm in summer.
Spend some time wading or swimming, snapping cool photos of driftwood against the blue horizon, or looking for shorebirds along the water’s edge.
You can also stretch your legs with a stroll along this dog-friendly beach with your pup, enjoying the fresh air before heading to your next stop.
5. Van Cleve Park & Gladstone Beach
Now continue for 45 minutes to Van Cleve Park and Gladstone Beach in Gladstone, with plenty of activities for the whole family along Lake Michigan’s northern shore.
Here, you’ll find a fun water slide, sand volleyball courts, and shallow swimming areas, plus a beach house with public showers and restrooms.
If you’d rather stay dry, explore the park’s walking trails, enjoy a picnic at one of the many tables, or cast a line for walleye and bass from the pier near the lighthouse.
If you’re visiting with little ones, don’t miss Kids Kingdom, a 1,400-square-foot wooden play structure where they can climb while you take a break at the nearby benches.
6. Bailey County Park
Next, drive roughly 50 minutes from Gladstone to Bailey County Park, a peaceful spot near Menominee with incredible views of Green Bay and Lake Michigan.
This small park offers a sandy shoreline, shady trees, and picnic tables, with a secluded setting where you might even have a long stretch of beach all to yourself.
It’s easy to lose track of time here, whether you’re taking a dip, walking beside the water, searching for cool stones, or watching boats pass by as the waves roll in.
If you’re curious about local history, stop by the West Shore Fishing Museum within the park, where you can learn about the area’s fishing past.
7. Agate Beach Park
Your next stop is Agate Beach Park in Toivola, a 3.5-hour drive from Bailey County Park and roughly 25 miles southwest of Houghton along Lake Superior.
This place is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day and is popular for its colorful stones, especially yooperlites and agates with bands of red, orange, and white.
Bring a small bucket and spend your afternoon searching the shoreline for these natural gems, especially after strong waves wash fresh stones onto the beach.
When you’re ready for a break, you’ll find picnic tables, restrooms, and a campground nearby, so you can enjoy a snack and stay longer to watch the sunset.
8. Bete Grise Beach
To wrap up your beach-hopping adventure, drive 1 hour and 20 minutes from Agate Beach Park to Bete Grise Beach on the southern side of the Keweenaw Peninsula.
Unlike Agate’s rocky shoreline, this place is famous for its fine, squeaky sand, which locals call “singing sands” because it makes natural musical sounds when rubbed or pressed.
But that’s not the only reason to visit, as you can also swim in the clear water, wander along the wide shoreline, or enjoy views of the surrounding forested hills.
If you’d rather explore from the water, bring a kayak and paddle around the bay or make your way through the nearby channel for a fun change of pace.
Related Posts
