Swimming in Lake Michigan
 

We're going to take a trip from Fort Wayne up to Mackinac Island, going along the coast. We want to do some swimming on a beach with sand dunes -- where would people recommend?

Thanks.

Doug

I would go to Silver Lake, which is a good half way point for your trip to Mackinaw Island. Silver Lake has a state park there with dunes, which separates Lake Michigan and Silver Lake. Besides great swimming, there is dune rides, parasailing, fishing and just good fun for everyone. The sunsets are beautiful with the backdrop of the dunes.

Silver Lake is located off the Shelby or Hart exit off US-31, just south of Pentwater. Pentwater is another great small town to explore. Especially if the weather doesn't cooperate!

Better bring your wet suit. The water temperature in mid summer does not get above the 60s

On first glance, I thought you were swimming to Mackinac! Someone did it last year.

A beautiful dunes area that is undeveloped and relatively less known is Sturgeon Bay (north of Cross Village and south of Wilderness State Park. http://windsurfharborsprings.com/sturgeon.html

Turn off US 31 at Petoskey go over to Harbor Springs and then up one of the most beautiful drives in North America, M-119 from Harbor Springs to Corss Village.

Keith

I live in Holland. Last summer water temp hit 72 degrees. Usually does, for 2-3 days a year. More commonly 65-70.
I'd recommend
South Haven/Holland/Grand Haven area, as the more northerly, the colder the water

Warren Dunes has a great beach with 50 foot-high sand dunes, and is very family friendly. It's just over the Michigan/Indiana border. Spend the early afternoon there, and your kids will be nice and tired for the ride north.

get a michigan county map book and drive down any gravel or 2-lane road from the highway to the lake shore. there is always a nice beach, some up on cliffs, some at water's edge. the southern l. mich. beaches are pretty sandy in the water, the northern part can have rocks and stones with sandy beaches.

one of my favorite beaches is also sturgeon bay since i am a rock hunter, but only the beach is sandy.

I grew up going to the Warren Dunes and also to Saugatuck for our beach trips (from Chicago 'burbs). Many happy memories!

Goodness, I guess I am a true northerner! I think Lake Michigan is very comfortable for swimming in June, July & August. (Of course, I have been known to swim in Lake Superior - but only when it is unbearably hot outside.) On a hot summer day, there is nothing that can beat a Lake Michigan beach.

Like others have said, you can just drive west to the shore from just about anywhere and find a place to swim. Lots of parks (state parks, city parks, township parks,etc) but also dead-end roads with lake access. Hoffmaster State Park (near Muskegon) is great - lots of dunes. A little further north, Duck lake is neat - swim in the inland lake or the big lake. The state parks at Muskegon, Grand Haven, Holland, South Haven, Saugatuck are all great. Pentwater is great. Ludington is fantastic. I couldn't pick a favorite. Just be mindful of the flags - red flag indicates the conditions are right for riptides. No lifeguards at Michigan State Parks.

Have fun!

I grew up on Lake Superior and can't imagine doing much swimming there as it is SO COLD!! However, we have been in St. Joseph, MI several times in the summer and the beaches are packed with people and there are many people in the water. Don't know what the temperature was but it must not have been too bad as lots of people were enjoying the water. Good Luck!!

Cali, when I went to college in Sault Ste Marie, I swam in the St. Mary's River, with the water coming out of Lake Superior in May. It isn't something I would look forward to doing again:-)

On the other hand, the water fountains in the Soo all had wonderfully cold water without refrigeration.

Keith

My daughter's orchestra was in Marquette the middle of April. The Marquette school orchestra set up a polar bear swim. At least 50 kids and the directors went in. Some of the kids stayed in for 15-20 minutes. Luckily the day was in the 50's and sunny. Most of us watched from shore and took pictures.

But my family and I have spent time at various beaches along Lake Michigan in July and August. Finding a place with sand dunes sure seems to help the experience.

Keith, you are absolutely correct about the water fountains and even the water at home being really cold when liveing near Lake Superior. I miss that now that I live in CA.

Although it is a bit out of the way from the route from Ft. Wayne to Mackinac island, swimming the beaches at Michigan City is a visit to the best kept secret in Indiana. We spent many summers boating from the harbor at Washington Park and swimming at the beaches there. There is plenty of shore to walk, miles of it, and part of the park area has lifeguards.

Wherever you swim on the Great Lakes, do abide by the riptide warnings. Too many did not and became victoms of their own failure to abide by the safety rules.