The Most Beautiful Beaches Along the Great Lakes
The largest freshwater system in the world is also home to some of America’s most beautiful stretches of beach.
In case you didn’t know, the Great Lakes and its connecting rivers and channels take the crown for the largest freshwater system in the world. In addition to this impressive title, the lakes themselves are truly stunning with soft sand and bright blue waters. Hell, the Great Lakes coastline is nearly twice as long as America's Atlantic coastline, making a formidable playground in the middle of the continent. Our point being? The Great Lakes are really, well, great. For some of these lakeside beaches, pack your passport. For all of them, bring your swimsuit and an adventurous attitude.
Madeline Island, WI
The Apostle Islands are both the most beautiful andthe most underrated attraction in all of Wisconsin (sorry, Mars Cheese Castle, we still love you). So when you get tired of kayaking through ridiculous sea caves, island-hopping, or hiking through serene backcountry, it's time to pack the beach bag and plop it at Big Bay State Park on Madeline Island (accessible via a 20-minute ferry ride from the town of Bayfield). Wintertime bonus adventure: walking along the massive ice chunks that form when the top of Lake Superior freezes solid.
Grand Haven, MI
For water lovers seeking idyllic sandy shores on Lake Michigan, Grand Haven State Park is a less-crowded alternative to its popular neighbors. The 48-acre park sits along a half-mile of Lake Michigan shoreline, which provides an ideal place for lounging, splashing around, and spotting views of the Grand Haven pier plus two nearby lighthouses. When you’ve had your fill of beach hanging, you can rest easy at the campground or overnight lodge, fish off the boardwalk, or take the trolley to local shops and restaurants like Unicorn Tavern or Lakeside Eats.
Holland, MI
The most used park in the Michigan state park system offers soft white sand on a wide, busy beach that's big enough for you to scratch out your own quiet space. Stroll along the surf, toss the Frisbee around, or set up the barbecue in the picnic area. The dunes lining the shore are suitable for wandering off to find some solitude or getting a gull's-eye view of the sunset over Lake Michigan. The beach is whatever you make it, kid.
Porter, IN
Indiana Dunes is a sleeper hit when it comes to National Parks, but it actually has more biodiversity than its famous fellow, Yellowstone. Beyond massive sand dunes, you’ll find 15 miles of stunning lakeshore, divided into popular beaches, like West Beach, Porter Beach, and Dunbar Beach. Over at Lakeview Beach, you can fire up the grill and enjoy a lakeside BBQ. And don’t forget your four-legged friend—dogs are invited to roam around on most of these beaches.
Chicago, IL
It’s not often you get to enjoy the sun and sand with a cityscape overhead. Margaret T Burroughs Beach, often referred to as 31st Street Beach, offers impressive views of the Chicago skyline. Here you’ll find a harbor for small boats, a public fishing dock, a “green roof” picnic area, and a beach house filled with concessions. Rent some jet skis, kayaks, or paddle boards at nearby Chicago Water Sport Rentals for some aquatic adventures, or simply laze around and snap some pics—the beach is WiFi-enabled, too.
Saugatuck, MI
The main attraction in one of Michigan's best beach towns is easily the immaculate Oval Beach, where you can rent kayaks, sailboats, and even do a little sport fishing. The beach may not be as isolated as others, but it'll keep you busy, with sand dunes and paddleboat rides also vying for your attention at this Hamptons-style retreat. Not to mention, in nearby Douglas, there’s the excellent Saugatuck Brewing Company. Fill up your growler, hit the beach, repeat as necessary.
Duluth, MN
Sandwiched between Lake Superior and Duluth Harbor in one of the Midwest's most underrated cities, this seven-mile sand dune is the world's longest freshwater sandbar and a popular spot for kite flying, beach partying, and when the waves kick up, even surfing. The beach, skinny though it is, abounds with wildlife and, in the peak of the summer, scantily clad sunbathers. So yeah, it's kind of like Miami Beach. Only it's Minnesota. So maybe Miami Beach crossed with Winnipeg.
Erie, PA
This Midwest gem juts out into Lake Erie on a stunning, arching peninsula surrounding Presque Island Bay and, in addition to historic lighthouses and 34 miles of trails, offers 13 beaches to choose from. They are all numbered and everyone has their favorite, but any beach you stumble across will offer everything you need. Plus the gentle sounds of waves crashing onto the rocks give this local treasure more of an ocean feel, ideal for staring into the waves and contemplating life.
Sauble Beach, Ontario
The motto of the town that shares its name with this beach is "Live Life Slow," which tells you pretty much everything you need to know. At seven miles long, it's one of the world’s longest freshwater beaches—with shallow, warm waters colored a near-Caribbean turquoise. The well-maintained beach offers soft sand and glorious sunsets while the town sparkles with a cool California vibe. Despite being in, you know, the bottom of Canada.
Empire, MI
One of the most beautiful places in America has all the usual lake fun—kayaking, camping, hiking—set against freakishly huge glacial-deposit dunes. Here you can peep a lake sunset from a 450-foot-tall, westerly-facing mountain of sand, or you can stay in the car and take in the scenes from the 7.4-mile Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. Nearby Glen Arbor likewise is full of bars and restaurants with fine lake views, like the romantic waterside eatery Blu. The best way to spend the day? Post up at one the several sunny, bluff-side beaches that line this glorious 35-mile stretch of Michigan coastline (like the secluded Peterson Road Beach) and just chill.
Bridgman, MI
Located about 20 minutes north of the Indiana border, Warren Dunes State Park is where you go to play out your Dune-inspired fantasies, scaling 240-foot-tall sandy hills and proclaiming that, yes, he who controls the spice controls Southeast Michigan. After you tucker out, sink into a lawn chair and space out in the sand, under a blank sky, surrounded by quiet nature trails. If you're thirsty, the boozy town of Sawyer is just down the road.