Miners Beach
Munising, MI
Miners Beach is a long, sandy beach in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, east of Miners Castle. The sandstone cliffs start at the eastern end of the beach, and Miners River runs into the lake nearby. It's one of the few places in the lakeshore where you can drive right to a big sandy beach.
A big sandy beach with Pictured Rocks cliffs in view, though it's popular.
How we score beachesWalk east along the beach to the start of the cliffs. The colors are best in late afternoon light.
A National Lakeshore entrance pass is required; the lot fills on summer weekends.
A short path leads from the lot to the beach.
Leashed dogs (6 foot leash) are allowed.
The water stays cold all summer. Fall color and the cliffs make September and early October beautiful.
More Great Lakes beaches

Sleeping Bear Dunes Beach
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Freshwater Lake Michigan surf below towering sand dunes, some over 400 feet tall, with water clear enough to rival a coastline and a hike back up the dune to burn it off.
New Buffalo City Beach
New Buffalo, MI · Great Lakes
New Buffalo City Beach is the first real Lake Michigan beach you hit crossing from Indiana, a wide stretch of sand at the end of Whittaker Street beside the harbor and the Galien River channel. Chicago weekenders fill it in summer. The town's shops and restaurants are a five minute walk back up the street.
Warren Dunes State Park
Sawyer, MI · Great Lakes
Warren Dunes State Park in Sawyer has roughly three miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and some of the tallest dunes in southwest Michigan. Tower Hill rises about 260 feet above the lake, and climbing it and running back down is a rite of passage. On a hot July Saturday the beach feels like a small city.
