How to Take a Beach-Filled Great Lakes Road Trip From Chicago

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Photo courtesy Turner Travel

Because of its epic surfing scene, Sheboygan is sometimes called the “Malibu of the Midwest.” But this north-of-Milwaukee city is more like Malibu’s grittier, heavy-metal-er, raised-in-the-trenches older sibling. Surfers take to the waves here from August to April (yep, over winter) and scout out 25 mph winds caressing the shores of Lake Michigan’s fresh water, which makes human bodies less buoyant. Wetsuits are not optional.

The beaches in warmer weather are the main draw for anyone who isn’t a dedicated surfer. Nab a spot on the sands of Sheboygan’s North Beach, or stroll the coast along Kohler-Andrae State Park. At the latter, there are 2.5 miles of sand to wander, plus dunes and wood-plank trails for exploring. Summer is conveniently when Lake Michigan is at its calmest, so this area is great for swimming, too. And if you push your visit to autumn, you could get the best of both worlds: still-warm temps and the beginnings of Sheboygan’s best spectator sport.

Marquette/Munising, Michigan

Photo: Jacqueline Kehoe

From Sheboygan, head north to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the wild, unkempt half of Michigan’s mitten. Marquette, the UP’s largest town, sits on a treasure trove of beachy possibilities. From downtown, a multi-use path winds to McCarty’s Cove (and its historic lighthouse) and more public beaches before hitting Presque Isle Park. By this point, the beaches have turned to sheer, volcanic cliffs, like in the popular Black Rocks area. They either make for fabulous views or fabulous cliff-jumping, depending on your constitution.

About 45 minutes from Marquette lies Munising, aka the gateway to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. While this spot is known for its sea cliffs and turquoise waters — and the kayaking that can be done among them — it also has some of Lake Superior’s best beaches. Sand Point Beach is the most family friendly, as the waters tend to stay warm and calm. Miners Beach throws cliffs and waterfall access into the mix, and Twelvemile Beach is, yes, just as long as you think it is.

And when in the Upper Peninsula, only one item is best-suited for a picnic: the pasty. Scottish in origin, this “bread pocket” of meat and veggies is a local tradition and delicacy.

Empire, Michigan

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Photo: Jacqueline Kehoe

Crossing over the famous Mackinac Bridge, head down to Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, passing the vineyards around Traverse City to the tallest dunes in the Great Lakes region: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

Though serene and gentle spots certainly exist in and around this protected area, conquering the Dune Climb gets you beach access like none other: A 284-foot-high, nearly 50-degree sandy slope falls to the blue shores of Lake Michigan. You can walk, slide, tumble, or roll down, but the only way up is on foot (and there’s a hefty fine for those who can’t make it back without help from the officials). At the base, a long strip of sand with 180-degree views is the perfect reward.

If you prefer your beach access without a major climb (more rescues happen here than you’d think), scope out spots like Empire Beach or Sleeping Bear Dunes Beach. Though less dramatic, they’re just as beautiful, and you probably won’t get stuck.

St. Joseph, Michigan

Photo: Josh Nowicki

The coastal appeal here is a bit gentler than the extreme surfing, cliff jumping, and dune climbing of the other stops: birding.

St. Joseph, Michigan, (and Berrien County at large) offers a bunch of beachy reasons to bust out the binoculars. At spots like Silver Beach, Warren Dunes State Park, Grand Mere State Park, and Tiscornia Beach Park, you could set eyes on snowy owls, purple sandpipers, and summer tanagers, plus your standard list of loons, grebes, terns, warblers, and waterfowl galore, depending on the season.

For migrating species, the time to be here is spring and fall. Of course, there’s rarely a bad time to wander St. Joe’s empty sands, swim in the blue waters, scout out barely marked dune trails, and test your luck on whose wings you’ll spot.

No luck with birds? Shift your focus to the sand—southwest Michigan is known for beachy fossils known as crinoids.

Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana

Photo: Jon Lauriat/Shutterstock

You can’t head back to Chicago without stopping at one of the nation’s newest national parks: Indiana Dunes National Park. Though this is yet another spot known for its sandy heights, some 15 miles of gentle beaches sprawl out here, too, like the beloved West Beach and Indiana Dunes State Park Beach. Both lead to great hikes and great views up the sand — just avoid any run-ins with prickly pear cactus.

After lolling on the shores, grab your parks passport stamp at the visitor center in Porter. Then it’s a quick one-hour journey back to Chicago where you can end your trip, appropriately, in the country’s most overlooked beach city.