Explore America’s Most Underrated Beaches Along the Great Lakes Coastline
Skyline views, secluded sea caves, and rolling sand dunes abound.
The Great Lakes may not overwhelm with the sparkling West Coast magic of Malibu or the rugged East Coast charms of Martha's Vineyard. But as pretty much the entire state of Michigan can attest, you don't need an ocean to find a kick-ass beach. 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. For some of these, pack your passport. For all of them, bring your trunks.
Saugatuck, MI
The main attraction in one of Michigan's best beach towns is easily the immaculate Oval Beach (also lauded by the Chicago Tribune as the finest beach in the Midwest), 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, the excellent Saugatuck Brewing Company. Fill up your growler, hit the beach, repeat as necessary.
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 from the south. Here you’ll find a harbor for small boats, a public fishing dock, a “green roof” picnic area, and a LEED-certified beachouse 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.
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 450ft-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.
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 about this outpost on Lake Huron's Bruce Peninsula. 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.
Ludington, MI
Ludington State Park offers more than just miles of pristine beach. There's also forest, a lake, and a river for those times when you know you're getting too much sun but are too lazy to do a damn thing about it. Luckily at Ludington, options abound: fishing, canoeing, and biking. Although, let's be honest, you're not really thinking about leaving the beach.
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 (don't skip number six), but any beach you stumble across will offer everything you need plus the gentle sounds of waves crashing onto the rocks—giving this local treasure more of an ocean feel, ideal for staring into the waves and contemplating life. Or your next meal.
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 BBQ in the picnic area and make friends. 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.
Madeline Island, WI
The Apostle Islands are both the most beautiful AND the 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, jostles apart, and re-freezes.
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 beaches.
Bridgman, MI
Located about 20 minutes north of the Indiana border, Warren Dunes State Park is where you go to play out your Frank Herbert-inspired fantasies, scaling 240ft-tall dunes 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.
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.