Best Family-Friendly Beaches in the Traverse City Area
One of Traverse City’s main draws is its many beaches with their pristine, turquoise water. Below you’ll find a round up of some of the best family beaches in the Traverse City area and beyond.
East Bay Park
220 E Bay Blvd S, Traverse City, MI
The water is warm and shallow at this beach on the base of East Grand Traverse Bay, making it ideal for splashing around with your littles. Amenities include restrooms, a playground, and lifeguards during the summer months.
Clinch Park Beach
111 E Grandview Pkwy, Traverse City, MI
Minutes from downtown shopping and restaurants in Traverse City you’ll find of the areas most populated beaches. Facilities include a picnic pavilion, new restrooms, a kids’ splash pad, and nearby rentals for kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards. There’s no parking at the beach itself, but you can get there via the pedestrian underpass along Cass Street. Located on the north side of West Grandview Parkway at the foot of Cass Street.
Bryant Park
1101 Peninsula Dr, Traverse City, MI 49686
Bryant Park is on West Grand Traverse Bay at the base of Old Mission Peninsula, close to downtown Traverse City. Features include a kids playground, picnic tables, restrooms, grills, and a shady area under tall pines to take a break from the sun.
Old Mission Peninsula Park
At the very tip of Old Mission Peninsula, you’ll find a dog-friendly beach with warm, shallow waters great for wading and rock hunting. The park is also home to the Old Mission Point Lighthouse which is open for tours beginning May 1st.
Haserot Beach
Old Mission Rd, Traverse City, MI, 49686
This quiet park on Old Mission Peninsula is located about 20 miles north of downtown Traverse City and amenities include a playground, picnic area, restrooms and a boat launch.
Suttons Bay Beach
416 Front St, Suttons Bay, MI, 49682
Located on the west arm of Grand Traverse Bay, 15 miles north of Traverse City, the Suttons Bay Beach is calm beach with picnic facilities, a playground, and restrooms. You’ll find the Suttons Bay Library right next door and on Tuesdays at 10:30 in the summer, their free storytime comes outside, giving your little ones a chance to circle up and take a break from their sandcastles.
Empire Village Beach Park
10484 Niagara Street, Empire, MI
Family friendly Empire Beach features a playground, grilling equipment, fire rings, and an historic lighthouse. This beautiful section of beach with views of the Empire Bluffs was named one of the top 21 beaches in the world by National Geographic because of it’s “pure fresh water and 450-foot bluffs mean eyes-open swimming and vast views over Lake Michigan.” It is located 22 miles west of Traverse City on M22 with on-site parking available for a small fee.
Good Harbor Beach
Good Harbor Trail, Glen Arbor, MI
Good Harbor Beach, is a pristine beach along Good Harbor Bay, which was listed as one of CNN’s “10 Secret Beaches Worth Discovering.” The beach delivers clear views out to the Manitou Islands and has a long sandy beach with a stream (just try keeping the kids away) running from the woods into Lake Michigan minutes away. A Park Pass is required.
Leelanau State Park
15310 N. Lighthouse Point Road, Northport
Leelanau State Park is located at the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula and is home to the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum, and a trail system (also known as Cathead Bay trails), a picnic area with a pavilion and a woodland-themed playground features two slides, a log balance beam, a crow’s nest, and trapeze rings.
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