Love this beach. Beautiful and usually uncrowded, also a popular spot to swim and sunbath naked…read more Just cross the creek and look for a remote spot and don't be surprised if you see others relaxing in the nude.

The best secluded beach out there! This was such a refreshing place to go after walking around…read moredowntown Traverse City and seeing SO many people. Great place to go to relax during these times. There is lots of free parking here and a short walk to a beautiful beach. Amazing views, lots of room to spread out, and super soft sand for your feet. Bring some snacks because you will want to stay awhile!

It's a beautiful place to visit, but just be very careful if there are high winds, waves or storms…read morecoming in. This USCG rescue happened Tuesday September 7, 2021: A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew rescued two fishermen who were stranded on the Frankfort Pier in Lake Michigan overnight. UpNorthLive.com reports the two men went out on the pier to go fishing on Tuesday night, but strong wind gusts and high waves rolled in, making it too dangerous to leave the pier. They ended up staying overnight hoping conditions would calm down, but eventually called the Benzie County Sheriff's Office for help. https://www.mlive.com/news/2021/09/fishermen-rescued-by-uscg-helicopter-after-spending-night-stranded-on-lake-michigan-pier.html

One of my all-time favorite spots to pier-jump because one side of the pier is super protected from…read morethe wind and waves, it's plenty deep, you have lots of company, everybody cheers the rest of the group on and so many et ceteras. It doesn't hurt that every time I pier-dive there people are totally wowed by my back dive, even though it really isn't that snazzy a trick (I saw a guy do a gainer flip off there this week -- now THAT'S brave). On our recent visit, the water was Caribbean clear on the calm side of the pier, and we had the best time watching the fish and oohing and aahing at the beautifully rippled sand beneath us. This is also a stellar spot to watch the sunset, to lie down on at night and watch the stars, and it's adjacent to the most awesome beach in Michigan (although glass is prohibited, alcohol isn't, and they even have a dog-run area where pooches can play off-leash). It's all a big bunch of "la" (my favorite joy-word), if you ask me!

This little off-the-beaten-path nature preserve came across my radar thanks to AllTrails app. We…read morewere heading back down south to wrap up our vacation and decided to check this short 2-mile trail out after leaving Sleeping Bear. I'll say that this was one of my favorite trails we hiked (and yes, that includes the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore). It was very, very clean, had beach access, and literally no one was anywhere in sight (aside from a few hikersby), it's a relatively simple trail. Has great views, both at ocean level and also above to give you different perspectives. One of my fave hikes in the area and I would highly, highly recommend checking it out. Use AllTrails app for more hike-related details!

Wonderful beach for dogs to go unleashed!! Great family home in northern Michigan! Park in main…read morebeach area and walk up for dog area.

Great view and nice beach. Very dog friendly and clean. No one was there but a couple people. It's…read morereally kept up a

The most breathtaking lake in the world...sugar sand bottom, crystal clear waters, relatively…read moreunspoiled, and nestled into the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes. I double dog dare you to find a prettier lake. I'm telling you, it just doesn't exist!

The best lake in all of Michigan it's like being in the Bahamas but up north. The water is crazy…read moreclear and blue with sandy beaches amazing sand bars to relax and beautiful scenery all around dunes and big green trees! My all time favorite spot to come too annually.

The water is so shallow you can walk super far out! Not crowded! Peaceful! & Clear water! Be kind…read moreto the locals!

Very nice place to hang out and play or relax. Very clean, lots of amenities. I was impressed by…read moreall the playground toys and equipment. Very nice memorials as well

This is a nice little park with a lovely view and beach space. There are two playground spaces, a…read morelittle lighthouse (possibly just decorative, but it was cute and added to the scenery), basketball and volleyball courts, and a boat launch. Restrooms are available, and there are parking lots (for a fee). Benches and picnic tables are also available. The playground we opted to check out was set right in the sand and was much enjoyed.

We took a trip from traverse city to check out the dunes & this was the closest beach we had found…read more We came in May and there was literally no one there. It was peaceful! Water was clear and we found so many rocks. It had two playgrounds and a shallow side on the opposite side of the lake. Although, the water was shallow enough for my two year old to play in on the actually Lake Michigan side. We loved this beach so much!! Parking is $1 an hour. Bathrooms on site as well

Love this area! Just north of Ludington with way less traffic and completely different adventures!…read moreYou can walk in and camp basically right on the beach here, which is absolutely dreamy and there are just such wonderful hiking trails throughout that offer you challenges and just the most gorgeous sights as well! This spot definitely isn't for everyone and there won't be any "easy" hikes. Nordhouse Dunes makes you work for it, but the payoff is immense and completely worth it! Uninterrupted access to Lake Michigan and stunning vibes - what more could you ask for?! Love Nordhouse Dunes!!

It's crowded but the hike is nice. We were there the first week of September and I was surprised to…read moresee the campground full of campers. I got some great shots with my cannon and my kids enjoyed the hike...it was longer than we thought it would be!

I am hesitant to divulge this location but its too beautiful not to share. This is one of the best…read morefresh water beaches in Michigan, in my opine, you will experience. A hidden gem to most but once you arrive at this location you will be left wondering why it took you so long to figure it out. Enjoy the small inland body of water, North Bar Lake, or cross the dune to Lake Michigan for much grander scenery. You could literally walk a mile down the beach and stake out exclusive real estate. Pack a full cooler and make a day out of it. The gas station as you enter town is the only place to stock up supplies. Get there before 11 am and grab a parking spot as it fills up pretty quick after noon. This simple equation will equal a successful day. The secret is out and I provided an address that gets you to the doorstep. The rest is up to you.

Beautiful lake and beach. Natural beauty part of Sleeping Bear Scenic route. We had a great picnic…read morelunch in the picnic area in the shade. Definitely worth a visit. Can't wait to bring family back.