Bayfront Park
Petoskey, MI
Bayfront Park is a former industrial site in Petoskey, now a linear park with about 7,800 feet of public shoreline on Little Traverse Bay. It's not a designated swim beach, but locals walk the shore, fish, hunt stones, and jump off the breakwater on hot days. The Bear River runs through the park to the bay.
Great for walking and stone hunting, though it's not a swimming beach.
How we score beachesHike the Bear River Valley trail from the park, then walk the shore back toward the marina.
Several lots throughout the park.
Paved paths run the length of the park; the shoreline itself is rocky.
Summer evenings are busy with walkers and anglers. In winter, the park is a good spot to watch ice build on the bay.
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