Beaches & Parks

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There are so many beaches & parks to discover along the West Michigan coast.

What could be more enjoyable than a day at West Michigan beaches & parks? It’s so relaxing to lie on the soft, warm sand with the golden sun overhead. And with over a dozen parks in the area, you’ve got the perfect place to picnic, let the kids play, and appreciate the fantastic views that we’re so blessed to have.

Stearns Park Beach

At the end of Ludington Avenue is Stearns Park Beach with 2,500 feet of sandy shoreline. Here you can enjoy a large, grassy area with abundant picnic tables and grills…and parking is always free. Stearns Park Beach also features the North Breakwater Lighthouse, miniature golf course, shuffleboard, playground and skate park. Concessions and restrooms are open daily in the summer.

Ludington State Park

Explore the sugar sand shoreline at the Ludington State Park Beach just north of town. Nearly seven miles long, a portion of this beach is outside the gate, so a State Park permit is not needed. Within the park are the warm, shallow waters of Hamlin Lake Beach. For your convenience, playgrounds, concession stands and restroom facilities are available at the Hamlin Lake Beach as well as at the beach along the Lake Michigan shoreline.

Buttersville & Summit Park Beaches

Located high on a bluff between Lake Michigan and Pere Marquette Lake, Buttersville Park has perhaps the greatest view of all the parks. Located off South Lakeshore Drive, you’ll find a picnic area with grills, playground, restrooms, and a pavilion. Steps lead down to the expansive Lake Michigan beach, with a view of the Ludington North Breakwater Lighthouse in the distance. If you’re looking for another great view, visit Summit Park on South Lakeshore Drive, past the Ludington Pumped Storage Plant. This park has picnic tables that overlook Lake Michigan, grills, and beach access.

Oceana County Beaches

All along the lakeshore, you’ll find safe public beaches including the Charles Mears Beach in Pentwater. The north and south Pierhead Lights are inside the park as well as 175 paved campsite lots. Visit the Silver Lake Sand Dunes in Mears for wild adventures on the dunes and fun in the water.

Ludington Parks

Named after a longtime city commissioner, Copeyon Park is located on south Washington Avenue, just past the bridge. Situated on the east shore of Pere Marquette Lake, Copeyon Park offers picnic tables (including an area with windscreens facing the lake), grills, playground, and a launching site. This is a nice park for viewing the Port of Ludington, and a good spot for fishing. Right on Ludington Avenue between Lewis and Gaylord Streets is Rotary Park, (formerly known as City Park). Within this shady, grassy area are benches, picnic tables, the Rotary Band Shell and restrooms. In the summertime, art fairs and Movies in the Park are held here.Waterfront Park, between the two downtown marinas, boasts paved walkways, pristine landscaping, a great playground–plus tables and benches throughout. An amphitheater provides a nice place for summer concerts, with restrooms in the back. At the corner of North Washington and Sherman within Ludington’s city limits, you’ll find the very pretty Memorial Tree Park, featuring benches that overlook Lincoln Lake. Nestled among the trees, you can enjoy a meal or snack at one of the picnic tables and kids can play on the swings. Just off Old US-31, Sutton’s Landing is a charming park along the Pere Marquette River. A unique feature of this park is the handicapped accessible riverwalk, with a wooden ramp that leads down to the river, perfect for fishing or launching a canoe.

Hamlin Lake Parks

South Bayou Park is close to many resorts, and has picnic tables, swings, and a boat launch. Head to South Bayou Park with a cup of coffee and watch the gorgeous sunrise over Hamlin Lake. Long Skinny Park is just that…a long, skinny park that runs along S. Lakeshore Drive. You can park here and fish, plus there’s a picnic table where you can enjoy lunch or dinner right by the water’s edge. There are two parks on Upper Hamlin Lake. Victory Township Park features picnic tables, grills, and a pavilion. A nice feature of this park is the fact it is right on the water, so you can sit by the lake’s edge and soak in the beautiful scenery. Wilson Hill Park on Barnhart Road is quite the popular place. You can enjoy a picnic at one of the tables under a covered pavilion, grills are available for use, plus there’s a playground and boat launch.

Scottville Riverside Park

Scottville Riverside Park is unique for its location–30 acres along the Pere Marquette River. In addition to camping, this park offers picnic tables, grills, a shelter with stone fireplace, and a playground. This beautiful park is the venue for many summer activities, such as the West Michigan Old Engine Club Tractor Pull and the annual Rubber Duck Race.

Learn About Rip Currents

Rip currents–strong, narrow channels of water that flow out from shore, can be dangerous to even the strongest swimmer. They can occur at any Lake Michigan beach at any time. To escape a rip current, swim parallel to shore. Enjoy our beautiful beaches, but respect the power of the water and always swim with caution.

Scroll below for more articles about Activities & Attractions in the West Michigan area.

West Michigan Activities & Attractions

Manistee’s Riverwalk

The Manistee Riverwalk follows the Manistee River from Jones Street, under the US-31 bridge, behind downtown, and ends at First Street beach.

Enjoy the Beauty of the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness between Ludington & Manistee

Along the Lake Michigan shoreline between Ludington and Manistee, you’ll find natural splendor- the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness area.

The Vogue Theatre in Manistee

The historical Vogue Theatre in Manistee, renovated as a modern-day movie theater, shows current movies, classic films, and family movies.

Mason County Cultural Trails

A site to behold along Lake Michigan, these structures with a rich history give both a sense of safety and a beautiful site.

Grand Traverse Lighthouse

The Grand Traverse Lighthouse is situated at the end of the Leelanau Peninsula within, about eight miles north of the town of Northport.

Pere Marquette River Wildlife & Hunting

The Pere Marquette River area is rich with wildlife, offering great outdoors hunting and fishing opportunities.