Bay City State Park
Bay City, MI
Bay City State Park sits on Saginaw Bay north of Bay City, with more than 1,000 feet of swimming beach and a boardwalk along the sand. Behind it lies Tobico Marsh, one of the largest freshwater coastal wetlands left on the Great Lakes. The Saginaw Bay Visitor Center has exhibits on the bay's wildlife.
Warm, shallow water and a great marsh next door, though the bay's water quality is hit or miss.
How we score beachesClimb the observation towers at Tobico Marsh for waterbirds, especially in spring and fall migration.
A Michigan Recreation Passport (or nonresident pass) is required.
A boardwalk runs along the beach, making it easy to get close to the water.
Saginaw Bay is shallow and warms quickly in summer. Check posted water-quality advisories after heavy rain, which are common on the bay.
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