Bishop Lake allows swimming by a picnic area, but there is no real sand area. Amenities include boat rentals, a concession stand, and volleyball court.
Chilson Pond has a big lawn with a wetland-type swimming area containing marshy, brown water. Fishing is allowed and the area has a concession stand, volleyball court, boat rental, and a play ground.
The Kent Lake beach area has a large lawn and sprawling sand area with rough, dirt-like sand. The swimming area is large with warm water, and canoes can be rented along with paddleboats, rowboats, and bicycles.
The Spring Mill Pond area has a more scrubby lawn area with a frontage that is not as well maintained by the city. The water is somewhat brown, but the area has a large concession stand and boat rental.
Island Lake Recreation area is small and narrow on a small, man-made pond. Fresh water is pumped into it to make a current and is very clear.
There is a shallow, roped-off swimming area manned by lifeguards and a floating dock where it gets deeper. The sand on the beach front is coarse.
The area has a large concession stand and boat rental, with a boat launch also available. Independence Oaks County Park area is on a relatively small pond area on Proud Lake.
It is man made with trucked-in sand, and the area has a small island for fishing that is reachable by wading in the pond. Campers and boaters have a separate, small beach with a boat ramp.
Situated on Belle Isle, an island on the Detroit River by downtown Detroit, the shore is a mile-and-a-half long and provides a great view of summer activities along the Detroit River. The sand is coarse, but gives way to cleaner sand by the shore.
The water is not that clear, but it can be swum in. Despite being quite small, the area boasts not only a concession stand and slide, but several other attractions on the island.
The area also hosts jazz concerts on some evening throughout the summer. It has soft sand and the swimming area is roped off and patrolled by life guards.
It also has a concession stand with terrace, slide, large play-scape, mini golf, bike rental, camping, and three rentable islands. Heron Lake has a large, long beach and the water is fed with natural springs.
The area is often crowded with young adults and towels as far as the eyes can see. Although spring fed, the water has a brownish green tinge.
In addition to a concession stand and boat rental, the area has a volleyball court. Wildwood Lake is much quieter and more remote with more shade trees.
The Holly Recreation area is somewhat removed from the park entrance and has a large meadow leading up to the shore that is used for special events, such as a hot-air balloon launching. The shore itself is 800-feet long with a large area of gravely, dirt-like sand.
More shade can be found for picnics nearby, and the area has a large concession stand offering food and merchandise. There is also a play structure, volleyball court, and boat rental.
Seven Lakes State Park is a good family beach with special events. Lake Orion at the Bald Mountain Recreation area has a large, sandy area with an adjacent grass area on a nearby hill.
The pond is clear, shallow, and good for small children. Bald Mountain Recreation Area is more of a swimming hole than a beach.
The area is not really conducive for large, holiday crowds. It has a lawn and life guards and a concession area with a large, outdoor deck and wooden play structure.
The Metamora-Hedley Recreation Area is located at the tip of a long, narrow pond. Some of the beach front faces a camp area directly across the pond's narrow width, but a section of the beach faces down the length water.
The beach front has a large lawn with little shade, a fine-sand beach and a narrow swimming area. Floating islands and boats can be rented, and there is a concession stand and fishing pier nearby as well.
Chilson Pond has a big lawn with a wetland-type swimming area containing marshy, brown water. Fishing is allowed and the area has a concession stand, volleyball court, boat rental, and a play ground.
The Kent Lake beach area has a large lawn and sprawling sand area with rough, dirt-like sand. The swimming area is large with warm water, and canoes can be rented along with paddleboats, rowboats, and bicycles.
The Spring Mill Pond area has a more scrubby lawn area with a frontage that is not as well maintained by the city. The water is somewhat brown, but the area has a large concession stand and boat rental.
Island Lake Recreation area is small and narrow on a small, man-made pond. Fresh water is pumped into it to make a current and is very clear.
There is a shallow, roped-off swimming area manned by lifeguards and a floating dock where it gets deeper. The sand on the beach front is coarse.
The area has a large concession stand and boat rental, with a boat launch also available. Independence Oaks County Park area is on a relatively small pond area on Proud Lake.
It is man made with trucked-in sand, and the area has a small island for fishing that is reachable by wading in the pond. Campers and boaters have a separate, small beach with a boat ramp.
Situated on Belle Isle, an island on the Detroit River by downtown Detroit, the shore is a mile-and-a-half long and provides a great view of summer activities along the Detroit River. The sand is coarse, but gives way to cleaner sand by the shore.
The water is not that clear, but it can be swum in. Despite being quite small, the area boasts not only a concession stand and slide, but several other attractions on the island.
The area also hosts jazz concerts on some evening throughout the summer. It has soft sand and the swimming area is roped off and patrolled by life guards.
It also has a concession stand with terrace, slide, large play-scape, mini golf, bike rental, camping, and three rentable islands. Heron Lake has a large, long beach and the water is fed with natural springs.
The area is often crowded with young adults and towels as far as the eyes can see. Although spring fed, the water has a brownish green tinge.
In addition to a concession stand and boat rental, the area has a volleyball court. Wildwood Lake is much quieter and more remote with more shade trees.
The Holly Recreation area is somewhat removed from the park entrance and has a large meadow leading up to the shore that is used for special events, such as a hot-air balloon launching. The shore itself is 800-feet long with a large area of gravely, dirt-like sand.
More shade can be found for picnics nearby, and the area has a large concession stand offering food and merchandise. There is also a play structure, volleyball court, and boat rental.
Seven Lakes State Park is a good family beach with special events. Lake Orion at the Bald Mountain Recreation area has a large, sandy area with an adjacent grass area on a nearby hill.
The pond is clear, shallow, and good for small children. Bald Mountain Recreation Area is more of a swimming hole than a beach.
The area is not really conducive for large, holiday crowds. It has a lawn and life guards and a concession area with a large, outdoor deck and wooden play structure.
The Metamora-Hedley Recreation Area is located at the tip of a long, narrow pond. Some of the beach front faces a camp area directly across the pond's narrow width, but a section of the beach faces down the length water.
The beach front has a large lawn with little shade, a fine-sand beach and a narrow swimming area. Floating islands and boats can be rented, and there is a concession stand and fishing pier nearby as well.
Choosing Vacation Beaches In Michigan