Petoskey State Park
Petoskey, MI
Petoskey State Park has a mile-long sand beach at the back of Little Traverse Bay between Petoskey and Harbor Springs. Boardwalks cross the wooded dunes to the water, and the sand is sprinkled with small colorful pebbles and the fossil coral the town is named for. The Old Baldy trail climbs a dune behind the campground.
A long, pretty beach with stones everywhere, though the campground keeps it busy in summer.
How we score beachesLook for Petoskey stones in the shallow water rather than on dry sand. The hexagon pattern only shows when they're wet.
A Michigan Recreation Passport (or nonresident pass) is required.
Boardwalks lead from the lot over the dunes to the beach.
Little Traverse Bay warms slowly, so mid July through August is the swim window. Spring after ice-out is the best time for Petoskey stones.
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