Mackinaw City Municipal Beach
Mackinaw City, MI
Mackinaw City Municipal Beach sits about four miles west of town on Lake Michigan, in two sections locals call First Beach and Second Beach. It trades the fudge-shop bustle of downtown for a plain, sandy Lake Michigan shore, with the towers of the Mackinac Bridge visible to the east on clear days.
A calm escape from the downtown crowds with a bridge view, though the Straits water is cold even in August.
How we score beachesIf one section has a crowd, drive a minute to the other. Locals just call them First Beach and Second Beach.
Parking at each beach section.
A short walk from parking to the sand.
Water in the Straits of Mackinac mixes cold Lake Huron and Lake Michigan water, so it stays brisk; late July and August are the only real swim weeks.
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