Lake Michigan Beach
Charlevoix, MI
Lake Michigan Beach is Charlevoix's main city beach, reached by walking along the Pine River Channel from downtown out to the red South Pier Light. It's free to enter and free to park. Petoskey stones turn up along the waterline, especially early in the season.
Free, close to town, and good for stones, though it's busy in summer.
How we score beachesWalk out along the channel from downtown to watch the drawbridge open for boats, then keep going to the beach.
Free parking at the beach; spots fill on summer weekends.
A walkway follows the channel to the beach and pier.
Spring is prime Petoskey stone season, after the ice churns up fresh stones. July and August bring swimmers and boat traffic through the channel.
More Great Lakes beaches
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