Percy Johnson County Park
Washington Island, WI
Percy Johnson County Park is a small sandy beach on the east side of Washington Island, facing open Lake Michigan. The water stays shallow a long way out, which makes it a good spot for small kids to wade. It's quiet and secluded, and a favorite place on the island to watch the sun come up.
A quiet, shallow sunrise beach, though it's small and far from the ferry dock.
How we score beachesSet an alarm for sunrise. The beach faces due east, and you'll likely be the only one there.
A small lot at the end of the road.
A short walk from the lot to the sand.
The shallows warm up faster than the island's deeper north-shore water by late July. Early mornings are calm and cool even in summer.
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
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Warren Dunes State Park
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