By: Baylie Bullington, Visit Escanaba 

Here is a guide to finding your next sandy spot by the waves. From hidden beaches to ones featuring a lighthouse, the Bays’ de Noc has it all. You can find easily accessible places with a variety of facilities and amenities or beaches that require a little hike to meet its shores. With plenty of coastline in the Bays de Noc area, you’re bound to find your next favorite spot. A bit of imagination and you might mistake yourself for being at a tropical resort minus the crowds, mediocre food, and saltwater. Anyways, we love spending our days off at Bays de Noc beaches, and I think you will too.

ESCANABA MUNICIPAL BEACH: ESCANABA, MI

This beach is definitely one of the more popular beaches in Delta County. Its popularity might have to do with its in-town location with a park and a marina nearby. There are plenty of shorelines here, and it is just steps away from the parking lot. This beach offers a lifeguard on duty with a portion of the water sectioned off for the kiddos to swim safely. There is also a bathhouse facility right off the beach. Although this is a popular beach, you can usually find less traffic to the left of the main shoreline. With this beach being close to local amenities, it’s a perfect spot for a short visit or a place to spend the entire day.

Quick Overview:

• Easy Access

• In Town 

• Popular Beach

• Lots of Shorelines

• Lifeguard On-Duty

• Bathhouse Facility

• Nearby Park, Lighthouse and Marina 

Directions

GLADSTONE BEACH: GLADSTONE, MI

   Another hot spot on the list, also located near town and amenities. The Gladstone Beach is probably one of the longest beaches on this list with plenty of room to lounge. This beach offers a lifeguard on duty and has a bathhouse facility. Also easy to access with parking just a few feet from the sand. There is more than just a beach to see, with a park, marina, and lighthouse nearby.

Quick Overview:

• Easy Access
• In Town
• Lots of Shoreline
• Popular Beach
• Lifeguard On-Duty
• Bathhouse Facility
• Nearby Park, Lighthouse and Marina 

Directions

PORTAGE POINT BEACH: ESCANABA, MI

   Visitors looking to unwind and get-away won’t be disappointed when visiting Portage Point Beach. This is another under the radar beach that actually has a humble amount of natural shoreline. There is a short hike to get there, but the trail is wide and well worth the walk with plenty of wildlife to see along the way. The parking lot is easily accessible and is a short drive from Escanaba. 

Quick Overview:

• Easy Access
• Short Hike
• Not in Town
• Lots of Shoreline
• Moderately Secluded Beach
• No Lifeguard On-Duty
• No Bathhouse Facility

Directions

INDIAN POINT BEACH: NAHMA, MI

   This beach is often overlooked and doesn’t offer as much sandy shoreline as the others on this list, but it is still a perfect place to reconnect with nature. There is a lot of greenery on this shoreline, so it’s a beautiful place to set-up your camping chairs and sunbathe. This is another moderately secluded beach not far from the parking lot. It’s not uncommon to be the only visitor at this beach. Shoreline is dependent on the year. 

Quick Overview:

• Easy Access
• Not in Town
• Moderately Secluded Beach
• Moderate Amount of Shoreline
• No Lifeguard On-Duty
• No Bathhouse Facility

Directions

SAC BAY PARK BEACH: GARDEN, MI

    Sac Bay Beach, located near Garden, offers a quaint spot to enjoy the sun. The shoreline is dependent on the year, but it is usually pretty modest. However, this is a great place to swim for the kiddos.  It is a bit of a drive, so pack water and a snack. But no hike necessary its just steps from the parking lot.

Quick Overview:

• Easy Access
• Not in Town
• Fairly Secluded Beach
• Modest Amount of Shoreline
• No Lifeguard On-Duty
• No Bathhouse Facility
• Located in a Park

Directions

PORTAGE BAY CAMPGROUND BEACH: GARDEN, MI

    One of my favorites and certainly overlooked is Portage Bay Beach. Located in Portage Bay State Forest Campground, it is a bit of drive from Garden but simply gorgeous. Just steps from your campsite, this bay is well-protected from the wind, and there is a ton of shoreline here. Once you hit the dirt road you’ll feel like your really getting away from the rest of the world.

Quick Overview:

• Easy Access
• Not in Town
• Fairly Secluded Beach
• Lots of Shoreline
• No Lifeguard On-Duty
• Located in Campground

Directions