Traverse City Beach Guide: Best Beaches in TC (2025)

Traverse City Beach Guide: Best Beaches in TC (1)

About Traverse City Beaches

If you’re looking for the best Traverse City beaches, you’re in luck. The Traverse city beaches are some of the best beaches in Michigan.

Mix warm, sandy bays of bright turquoise waters surrounded by sand dunes with leafy, wooded trails leading to the top of Old Mission Peninsula and a vibrant, busy, mid-size city…and you’ll find Traverse City, Michigan.

It’s a perfect combination: a true outdoor paradise that’s pure Michigan fun for everyone. And yes, the Traverse City beaches are amazing.

We’re sharing the best beaches in the area, as well as important information on ADA-accessible beaches and dog-friendly beaches, too.

Read on to discover everything you want to know about the best beaches in Traverse City.

Traverse City Beach Guide: Best Beaches in TC (2)

Things to Do in Traverse City

There are lots to do in Traverse City in addition to visiting the beaches. From outdoors activities like hiking and biking to shopping, dining, and exploring the top-rated wineries and breweries, there’s something for everyone here.

You’ll find lots of things to do in Traverse City with children, too. There are great museums and parks to explore, too.

Traverse City is also home to one of the top indoor waterparks in Michigan, Great Wolf Lodge, a popular destination for families during spring break and throughout the year.

Traverse City Beach Guide: Best Beaches in TC (3)

Best Traverse City Beaches

Whether you’re looking for a quiet, more secluded beach, or one brimming with activity, youre to find your perfect beach in Traverse City.

The multitude of beautiful beaches in the area offer opportunities for just about every type of watersport, from kayaking and paddle boarding to sailing and kitesurfing.

Relaxing on the sand, walking the scenic beaches and building sandcastles…there really is something for everyone in Traverse City.

Use The Traverse City Beach Map

Traverse City Beach Guide: Best Beaches in TC (4)

List of Traverse City Beaches

Bayside Park

Beach, Swimming, Baseball, Soccer Field, Pickle Ball Court, Tennis Courts, Basketball Courts,
Volleyball Court, Horseshoe Pits, Pavilion, Grills, Picnic Tables, Hiking Trails, Playground

Bryant Park Beach

ADA Accessible, Beach, Swimming, Picnic Area, Playground, Restrooms, Grills, Lifeguards

Christmas Cove Beach

Beach, Swimming, Picnic Tables

Clinch Park Beach

ADA Accessible, Beach, Swimming, Picnic Tables, Bike Racks, TART Trail Access, Lifeguards, Snack Bar, Restrooms

East Bay Park

Beach, Swimming, Shady Picnic Area, Shallow Water, Lifeguards, Playground, Restrooms

Hall Beach

Beach, Swimming, Dog-Friendly

Haserot Beach Park

Beach, Swimming, Restrooms, Picnic Facilities, Playground, Boat Launch

Leelanau State Park

Beach, Swimming, Picnic Tables Restrooms, Lifeguards

Peterson Park Beach

Beach, Swimming, Viewing Platform, Pavilion, Playground Equipment, Picnic Tables, Grills, Volleyball Area, Paved Parking Lot

Sayler Park Beach

Beach, Swimming, Picnic Tables, Playground

Suttons Bay Beach

Beach, Swimming, Playground Equipment, Volleyball Nets, Picnic Facilities, Restrooms

Traverse City State Park Beach

Beach, Swimming, Picnic Area, Playground, Restrooms


West End Beach

Beach, Swimming, Dog-Friendly, Restrooms, Volleyball

Traverse City Beach Guide: Best Beaches in TC (5)

ADA and Wheelchair Accessible Beaches

Taylor Park in Long Lake Township

The inland lakes – freshwater, of course – in northwest Michigan are just as stunning as the Great Lakes. Most offer crystal-clear water and a sandy bottom, and Long Lake is no exception.

Located about 6 miles west of Traverse City, Long Lake is handicap accessible and a truly beautiful place to spend a beach day in a naturally forested setting. A Mobi-Mat allows wheelchair accessibility to the water’s edge, and the park also offers a picnic area and dock.

Bryant Park on West Grand Traverse Bay

Tall, shady pines and the sparkling turquoise waters of Lake Michigan provide a stunning backdrop for Bryant Park. Located at the base of Old Mission Peninsula, this popular park offers a beach pathway to the water, as well as ADA-accessible restrooms, picnic tables and grills.

Clinch Park

Clinch Park may be the quintessential Traverse City Park with 1500 feet of Grand Traverse West Bay footage right in the heart of city. A new ADAWALK walkway system at the park includes a wheelchair beach transfer station that allows access down to the sand, or water.

Picnic tables, a snack bar and restrooms are also available at this perfect little beach spot!

Traverse City Beach Guide: Best Beaches in TC (6)

Dog-Friendly Beaches in Traverse City

Traverse City
Bowers Harbor Beach
LEASHED DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH BUT NOT IN DESIGNATED SWIMMING AREAS
231-922-4480

Bryant Park
LEASHED DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH BUT NOT IN DESIGNATED SWIMMING AREAS
231-922-4480

Clinch Park Beach
LEASHED DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH BUT NOT IN DESIGNATED SWIMMING AREAS
231-922-4903

East Bay Park Beach
LEASHED DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH BUT NOT IN DESIGNATED SWIMMING AREAS
231-922-4480

Haserot Beach
LEASHED DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
231-223-7322

Old Mission Lighthouse Park Beach
LEASHED DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
231-223-7897

West End Beach
LEASHED DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH BUT NOT IN DESIGNATED SWIMMING AREAS
231-922-4480

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Traverse City Beach Guide: Best Beaches in TC (2025)

FAQs

What town has the best beach in Traverse City? ›

Best Beaches in the Traverse City Region
  • Glen Haven Beach.
  • Haserot Beach Park.
  • Frankfort Public Beach.
  • Esch Road Beach.
  • East Bay Beach.
  • Empire Public Beach.
  • Suttons Bay Beach.
  • Clinch Park Beach.

What beach has the clearest water in Michigan? ›

Copper Harbor. With around 100 full-time residents, Copper Harbor appeals to visitors who love small-town charm. But this destination offers more than just an intimate atmosphere. Here, travelers have access to the clearest water of all the Great Lakes.

What lake is Traverse City on? ›

Located along the coast of Lake Michigan, Traverse City is home to award winning wineries, restaurants, the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and six historic lighthouses.

Where are the best secluded beaches in Traverse City? ›

Least Crowded Beaches in Traverse City

Good Harbor Bay Beach and North Bar Lake are perfect for those looking for a more secluded beach experience. Good Harbor Bay Beach, tucked away in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, offers a tranquil setting with its sandy beach and panoramic vistas.

What happened to the Traverse City beach bums? ›

Declining attendance led to the team being sold at the conclusion of the 2018 season to owners of the West Michigan Whitecaps. The franchise left the Frontier League to join the summer collegiate baseball Northwoods League, and the team's name was changed to the Traverse City Pit Spitters.

What beach in Michigan looks like the Caribbean? ›

Torch Lake lives up to its nickname as Michigan's very own Caribbean. Its striking turquoise hues and bright sandy shores evoke visions of far-off tropical islands.

What beach in Michigan has white sand? ›

Warren Dunes State Park Has The Whitest, Most Pristine Sand In Michigan. Warren Dunes State Park in Michigan offers stunning white sand beaches, breathtaking views, and a variety of outdoor activities.

What is the cleanest lake to swim in Michigan? ›

Lake Huron, the second-largest of the Great Lakes, tops the list for its pristine turquoise waters, unparalleled shoreline sunrises, numerous lakeside parks, gorgeous beaches, and historic lighthouses. French explorers proclaimed it La Mer Douce, “the freshwater sea.”

Why is Traverse City so popular? ›

Traverse City, Michigan is known as the Cherry Capital of the World, and for a good reason. The area produces over 75% of the tart cherries grown in the United States, making it a top destination for cherry lovers.

Is Traverse City Democrat or Republican? ›

Traverse City leans Democratic while the rest of the county leans Republican. In the 2022 Michigan gubernatorial election, Democrat Gretchen Whitmer received 27,396 votes (52.38%), making it the first time a Democratic gubernatorial candidate has carried the county since 1986.

Who is the largest employer in Traverse City? ›

biggest companies in Traverse City, MI
  1. Munson Healthcare. Zippia Score 3.7. ...
  2. Hospitality West Llc. Zippia Score 3.8. ...
  3. Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District Tbaisd. Zippia Score 3.7. ...
  4. Northwestern Michigan College. Zippia Score 4.2. ...
  5. CEMA. Zippia Score 3.4. ...
  6. Oilgear. Zippia Score 4.4. ...
  7. Hagerty. Zippia Score 4.7. ...
  8. NMCAA.

Is the water clear in Traverse City? ›

Traverse City, nestled along the shores of Lake Michigan and Grand Traverse Bay, is a summer paradise known for its crystal-clear waters, soft sandy beaches, and picturesque landscapes.

How far is Traverse City from the beach? ›

Located about 18 miles north of downtown Traverse City via M-37; off Swaney Road. The water is warm and shallow at this beach on the base of East Grand Traverse Bay, making it ideal for splashing around with little kids.

What is so special about Torch Lake? ›

One of the most unique attractions at Torch Lake is the Torch Lake Sandbar. Located near the southern end of the lake, the sandbar is a shallow area where boats gather, creating a lively and social atmosphere. Visitors can anchor their boats, swim, or enjoy food from floating snack boats that serve the area.

Does Traverse City have a boardwalk? ›

A gently curving public pier stretches 550 feet out across the water, providing universal access to deep water fishing and grand views. At the base of the pier, a boardwalk provides safe and convenient pedestrian passage under busy Grandview Parkway and across the Boardman River to downtown.

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