Spend the End of Your Summer at Detroit's Nearby Underrated Beaches

Michigan ’s thousands of inland lakes are often overlooked in favour of the massive Great Lakes surround the nation . And while the Lakes are hunky-dory and good in their own right , retreat to one of these lesser - known destination is how you could escape the summertime crowds at the busy beaches . If you ’re looking to spend a day on the sand or a lazy afternoon on a gravy boat , these are some of the best place for the stark , relaxing beach day in relative solitude .

Huron River chain of lakes

Hamburg & other locationsThis eight - land mile connection has nine lakes : Big Portage , Little Portage , Baseline , Zukey , Strawberry , Whitewood , Gallagher , Ore , and Tamarack . Running from Washtenaw County to Livingston County , the lakes are connected by canal ; if you ’re feel adventurous , you could rent a kayak and make your way through all of them in one day . Otherwise , post up on the banks of Strawberry Lake or dock your boat atZukey Lake Tavernand savour lunch on the lakefront .

Pinckney Recreation Area

PickneySpanning Washtenaw County and Livingston county , this 11,000 - acre ballpark has more than a few lake to choose from on its preserve . For a sequestered spot , visitPickerel Lake . It was once believe an unofficial au naturel beach , though skinny dipping these twenty-four hour period should be done at your own hazard . Still , with no motors allowed on the lake and a sandlike bottom in a natural setting free of building , this isolated post could be your own personal Walden . If you want to take your boat out for a spin and skip the swimming , guide out toCrooked Lake , a swim - gratuitous zone .

Irish Hills

BrooklynThe Irish Hills is a quaint pickup divided between Jackson County and Lenawee County . nickname for the Irish immigrant who settle there , the orbit incorporates several towns include Brooklyn , Napoleon , and Onsted . With more than 50 lake within a 15 mile radius , this is a select swim and boating destination . learn out the tranquil waters ofWampler ’s LakeinHayes State Parkor head to Jackson to visitVineyard Lake . If swimming and fishing are n’t your matter , there are wheel lanes and camping grounds in the orbit so you could enjoy the lush scenery of the hills .

Camp Dearborn

MilfordWhile it ’s owned by the city of Dearborn , this camp is actually site in the city of Milford . The 626 - acre park has several ponds and lake , include a half - mile swim beach . Spend the weekend camping , play a game of golf game , rent a boat paddle boat , or do some fishing . This is a bully place to host a weekend with protagonist or to throw that oddment - of - summertime party .

Lakeside Beach

Port HuronOK , OK , we know we say no Great Lakes , but this Lake Huron enclave just an hour from Detroit is n’t the overrun landmark you ’d think it is . Lying along the southerly end of Lake Huron , there are a couple of public spot , but with flaxen beaches perfect for act volleyball , Lakeside Beachis an idyllic spot for sunbathing and swim . Lighthouse Beachnearby is for the swimmers looking to get in a workout . But be thrifty : the current is strong here and no lifeguard is on responsibility .

Ocqueoc Falls

OcqueocThis isn’ttechnicallya beach but it ’s by all odds worth your meter . Tucked off in northerly Michigan ’s Presque Isle County , Ocqueoc Fallsis the only publically owned waterfall in the lower peninsula . This is a small bit of a wage increase from Detroit , so tamp down the cooler with a picnic lunch and charge up your playlist with road trip strain . The well part ? you may step right into the rapids . Pick up a waterproof phone case so you may snarl some selfies of you brook in the surrender .

Petoskey State Park

Petoskey - Bay ViewAt the northerly tip of the state is the 303 - Akko Petoskey State Park , named after the state stone . There is a mile - long sand beach along Little Traverse Bay . This is a fantastic spot for a beach weekend ; pass the day on the water and check out the night life in Harbor Springs or Petoskey .

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Little Traverse Bay