First Street Beach
Manistee, MI
First Street Beach sits inside Manistee's Douglas Park at the mouth of the Manistee River, where the north pier runs out to the red Manistee pierhead light. The park has a playground, a boat launch, showers, picnic areas, and food vendors in summer. It's the beach most locals mean when they say they're going to the lighthouse.
Lighthouse, pier, and good facilities in one place, though the summer dog ban frustrates a lot of locals.
How we score beachesWalk the pier out to the light at sunset. Stay off it when waves are washing over the end.
A city lot at Douglas Park serves the beach and boat launch.
Paved areas lead from the lot to the playground and a short walk onto sand.
Dogs are not allowed on the beach from Memorial Day to Labor Day; leashed dogs are welcome the rest of the year.
Summer weekends are busy with boaters and swimmers. After Labor Day the dog walkers come back, and the pier becomes a fishing spot.
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