Top 10 Bodies of Water in Michigan, United States

September 6, 2021 Misti Hsu

Think you need an ocean for a beach? Think again. There are miles and miles of sandy lakefront beaches in Michigan (thanks to the four Great Lakes that border it). The west coast of Michigan has especially nice beaches—try a rental in Muskegon, Grand Haven or Saugatuck. You won’t need a car when visiting Mackinac Island. In fact, they’re not allowed—this lovely Victorian resort town is pedestrian-only.
Restaurants in Michigan

1. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Headquarters on Sand Point Rd Between Munising and Grand Marais, Munising, MI 49862 +1 906-387-3700 http://www.nps.gov/piro/index.htm
Excellent
87%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2,081 reviews

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Park located on the shoreline of Lake Superior encompassing cliffs, dunes, waterfalls and lakes.

Reviewed By 211charissek - Troy, United States

To actually see the pictured rocks you must either rent kayaks to get close up and personal, or take the boat tour.The double tiered boat gives you sensational views of the magnificent turquoise, orange, brown, copper, pink colors within the stones sculpted and worn by the seas of Lake Superior. The backdrop of the turquoise water is reminiscent of the pacific ocean and is a sight to behold.

2. Presque Isle River

Ontonagon, MI +1 906-885-5275 http://www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/details.aspx?type=SPRK&id=426
Excellent
92%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 158 reviews

Presque Isle River

Waterfalls and a multilevel boardwalk make this river at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park worth seeing.

Reviewed By MadDogTraveler - Valparaiso, United States

Walking the trails along the river was beautiful. There are areas where waterfalls form. You can even hike to where it dumps into lake superior, which was really cool to see.

3. Au Sable River

MI
Excellent
91%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 11 reviews

Au Sable River

This 180-mile river in the Lower Peninsula is famed for its trout fishing.

4. Crystal Lake

Frankfort, MI
Excellent
85%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 100 reviews

Crystal Lake

Reviewed By 182gregoryf

We have been vacationing every summer at Crystal Lake for at least 10 years. It is a beautiful place. Frankfort Michigan is a hopping little tourist town during the summer. If you need big shopping, you will be disappointed. This is geared for casual dining, t-shirts, and art galleries/book stores. A lovely sandy beach and Lake Michigan is at the end of Main St. Public access to Crystal Lake is the next town over, Beulah, MI. Best to rent a cottage on Crystal Lake and start your own summer traditions.

5. Chapel Rock and Beach

about 5 miles north to the end of Chapel Road, Munising, MI http://www.nps.gov/piro/planyourvisit/scenicsites.htm#CP_JUMP_78679
Excellent
86%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 153 reviews

Chapel Rock and Beach

Reviewed By LM4U2 - St. George, United States

20 miles east from Munising, with the last 5 miles on dirt road. A couple small parts of the road are rough, but we went slow in a compact car and had no problems. We did the long loop to Chapel Falls, Chapel Rock, Chapel Beach, the Lakeshore Trail with stunning overviews of the Pictured Rocks, then the Mosquito Falls trail. My GPS read 11.8 miles, but much of the route is flat. It took us 6.5 hours including a long lunch break and a leisurely pace. There are ways to shorten the loop, but you would miss something very special if you did so. If you have the legs for it, and you are doing the scenic cruise, get the most out of Pictured Rocks National Loop by completing this loop! Trails are marked but in some spots it is tricky to find the trail.

6. Lake of the Clouds

107th Engineers Memorial Highway, Ontonagon, MI
Excellent
88%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 270 reviews

Lake of the Clouds

Reviewed By GitchSup - Duluth, United States

What a beautiful way to spend a fall afternoon! Even though we were not at the leaf peak yet there were some trees in the valley that had started to turn scarlet and yellow, it was stunning. The price per vehicle to get into the Lake of the Clouds lot is $9.00 and well worth it for all the natural beauty. The overlook is breathtaking and there are a lot of different views of the lake. The trail is a loop that is pretty short and handicapped accessible and an easy walk for all ages and abilities. Be sure to bring a camera, the view is something you will want memories of for sure.

7. Tahquamenon Falls

Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Paradise, MI http://www.michigan.org/property/tahquamenon-falls-state-park
Excellent
80%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 288 reviews

Tahquamenon Falls

Reviewed By Piranha44 - Holt, United States

Been wanting to visit for a long time. We were able to see the lower falls from the state park and the upper falls from the private viewing area through the tahquamenom river boat tour. The views are outstanding from both areas. This is a must see when in the area.

8. Kitch-Iti-Kipi (The Big Spring)

Palms Book State Park, Manistique, MI 49854 +1 906-341-2290 http://cityofmanistique.org/big-springs-kitch-iti-kipi
Excellent
83%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 535 reviews

Kitch-Iti-Kipi (The Big Spring)

Reviewed By romanekj - Lansing, United States

Palms Book State Park’s Kitch-iti-kipi is Michigan’s largest spring. Kitch-iti-kipi is an Ojibwa word said to have many meanings, including The Great Water, The Blue Sky I See, and The Roaring Bubbling Spring. Kitch-iti-kipi is 200’ in diameter, 42′ deep and delivers 16,000 gallons of crystal clear water per minute. The water stays at 45 degrees year round. You can ride the observation raft for a beautiful view across the spring. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the floating dock was closed for a long time but, since people kept breaking the locks, it was opened very recently. Looking down the center of the raft, you can see the bubbling spring doing its work. Large trout seemed to be everywhere, but no fishing is allowed. A must see!!! #puremichigan #summer2020 #nofilter

9. Torch Lake

Alden, MI
Excellent
91%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 11 reviews

Torch Lake

Reviewed By 551erinb - Mansfield, United States

Don’t expect much here. Very little public access or beach area. Mostly rocks. Still beautiful water to relax beside.

10. Lake Michigan

http://www.michigan.org
Excellent
72%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 32 reviews

Lake Michigan

The shores of this Great Lake are home to summer resorts and sweeping views.

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.