Beaches

Located at the meeting point of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, St. Ignace is a haven for those looking to enjoy Michigan’s freshwater. From lounging on the beach with a book and some sunscreen and diving into the clear water to skipping stones and digging in the sand, there is a beach experience for everyone.

Classic Beach Experience

If you’re looking for a classic sandy beach moment, ideal for lounging on a towel and building sandcastles, head west on US-2. The northern coast of Lake Michigan is lined with dunes that can be accessed directly from the road or from one of many roadside parks and campsites. During peak summer, when air and water temperatures near annual highs in the mid-70s and 60s, respectively, you’ll likely see cars parked along either side of US-2. These folks are stopping to make use of the easy access to Lake Michigan and to set up for a day at the dunes. This is an easy, quick beach option, but it requires extreme caution. US-2 is a busy highway where the speed limit is 65 miles per hour. When exiting your car, be wary of vehicles passing by, and try to avoid parking on the northern side of the road so you don’t have to cross the street. It is important to note that some areas of the dunes are protected, and human activity is prohibited to prevent erosion, protect native dune grass and piping plover nests, among other precautions.

Looking for something a bit more private? Lake Michigan Campground is 20-minutes west of St. Ignace, about halfway to Brevort. You might miss the turn off for Road 3109 if you’re not looking closely, but if you pull off into this wooded camp area, you’ll find parking, picnic tables, pit toilets, and stairs down to the beach. Whether you’re stopping just for the view or for a day-long excursion, you won’t be disappointed by the vista.

Those looking to stay right downtown will enjoy Kiwanis Beach, which offers easy access to Moran Bay. Here you’ll have the same sandy beach but with the bonus of proximity to food and ice cream as well as views of ferry traffic and Mackinac Island.

Rock Hunters

For those interested in searching for rocks and skipping stones, Colonial Michilimackinac Historic State Park, just south of the Mackinac Bridge, is the place to be. If you’re planning to wade into the water, you should bring shoes you can wear into the water, because the rocky terrain will not be kind to your feet. On a calm day, though, the selection for stone skipping can’t be beat. Mackinac Island is also known for its rocky beaches, especially at British Landing, about four miles around the Island. Here you can skip stones directly at the Mackinac Bridge. When you get tired, lay a towel down and nestle into the stones while keeping your eyes peeled for an interesting find.

Safe, Smart Swimming

Warning! The Great Lakes are as powerful as they are beautiful. Unlike inland lakes, Lake Huron and Lake Michigan have strong rip currents and, depending on weather conditions, pounding waves. It is important to track water and weather conditions and keep in mind personal abilities and comfort level in water. Many beaches have a flag system indicating swimming conditions; when a green flag is flying, conditions are ideal for swimming. A yellow flag indicates high-risk conditions, and a red flag means conditions are too dangerous for anyone to be in the water. Safe, smart swimming is important no matter the conditions.