And the Best Beach in Michigan award goes to…
Heading into summer, readers of USA Today were asked once again to choose their favorite beach in Michigan. In creating the 10 best beaches in Michigan list, the paper notes that a panel of “experts” chooses the slate of nominees for best beach and then the poll is given to readers for a few weeks. Once the tally is recorded, the top ten of the best beaches are announced.
For 2024, the list has a few standards. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore among the frequent vote getters. Hoffmaster has seen its large share of votes, as well.
Representing for Southwest Michigan, coming in at No. 3 is Silver Beach County Park in St. Joseph. At No. 5 is South Beach in beautiful South Haven. Coming in at No. 7 is Oval Beach in Saugatuck.
Here’s what the authors said about each of our area winners:
Silver Beach County Park, St. Joseph (No. 3)
Silver Beach invites visitors to participate in plenty of family-friendly fun with its sandy beaches, playgrounds, and scenic waterfront promenade overlooking the shores of Lake Michigan. Featuring swimming, beach volleyball, and kayak/paddleboard rentals, this beach offers something for everyone to enjoy. There are concessions here, and visitors have access to grills and picnic tables in the shaded areas.
South Beach, South Haven (No. 5)
South Beach an ADA-accessible beach in South Haven, has everything you’d need for a day of fun in the sun: grills, a picnic area, playground, restrooms, and views of the red South Haven lighthouse. Visitors who become hungry after a day of fun in the sun can grab a bite to eat at the concession stand.
Oval Beach, Saugatuck (No. 7)
With its soft sandy shores, rolling dunes, and stunning views of Lake Michigan, Oval Beach is a truly serene escape for beach lovers seeking tranquility and natural beauty. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities, from sunbathing and swimming to hiking through scenic trails. It’s also fun for guests of all ages to go sailing along the coast and admire the breathtaking scenery.
Here’s the full list in order of “best” chosen by the readers. Clearly, those on Lake Michigan dominated (only Copper Harbor and East Tawas are elsewhere). Congratulations to the winners!
- First Street Beach, Manistee
- Stearns Park, Ludington
- Silver Beach County Park, St. Joseph
- Hunter’s Point Park, Copper Harbor
- South Beach, South Haven
- Pere Marquette Park, Muskegon
- Oval Beach, Saugatuck
- P.J. Hoffmaster State Park, Muskegon
- Tawas Point State Park, East Tawas
- Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Empire
