As a native Michigander born in the thumb area, I grew up hearing two schools of thought about our Great Lakes: The east is the rocky side and the west is the beautiful sandy side, but man, the waves and wind over there will getcha.
I feel like we Michiganders tend to stick close by to the nearest Great Lake we were born by (or live near), which means I have spent the majority of my time visiting Lake Huron on the east side of the state. But the beauty of living in or visiting Michigan is that you have all the Great Lakes to choose from.
So for this Memorial Day weekend, as we finally, finally break out of the freezing cold grip that this winter has had on us, we’re facing off with a battle of the Great Lakes: Lake Michigan vs. Lake Huron—which is the better lake to kick off the unofficial start to summer at?
Lake Michigan: So much to love
- Popular beaches: Lundington State Park, Grand Haven, Oval Beach
- Highlights: Sandy shores, sand dunes, sweeping views and sunsets, and lighthouses
- Camping: Grand Haven State Park
- Michigander recommendation: St. Joseph and Benton Harbor
- Best for: Boating and sandy, expansive beaches
First up, let’s discuss Lake Michigan. Lake Michigan runs on the west side of the state and up towards the top of the mitten, where it funnels through the Straits of Mackinaw to meet the waters of Lake Huron. Fun fact: Lake Michigan is the only Great Lake completely confined to the United States, as we share all the other Great Lakes with Canada. The two Great Lakes technically connect, but they are vastly different in topography, weather patterns, and even the sand lining their beaches.
Meagan Francis, a writer, digital storyteller, and Upper Peninsula business owner, who has spent the last 19 years living in St. Joseph, in the southwest corner of the state, says one of her favorite aspects of Lake Michigan and its shorelines is its versatility.
“You can experience dramatic, rugged beauty in places like Garden Peninsula (there are cliffs!) in the U.P., then drive along a scenic stretch between Manistique and St. Ignace that reminds me of the California Coast in places,” she notes. “Then head south for those iconic views from the Mackinac Bridge, sweeping dunes near Traverse City, and vibrant coastal communities in southwest Michigan. It is that range of experiences, all on one lake, that makes it feel so special.”
In addition to living in a Lake Michigan beachtown, Francis also owns a business and property in Manistique, off of highway 2 in the U.P., which has provided her with ample experience living and working along different stretches of the shoreline.
“Lake Michigan has been home to me for quite a long time,” she describes. “I see it nearly every day, so it’s a constant presence.”
Lake Michigan recs:
- For an active, beachy vibe: “If you are looking for a laid-back but still active getaway, I always recommend the St. Joseph and Benton Harbor areas. You get beautiful beaches, great local restaurants, and a cluster of charming towns that are easy to explore in a weekend.”
- For peace and quiet: “If what you really want is quiet and space, head north to the Upper Peninsula along US Highway 2. The stretch of Highway 2 between St. Ignace and Manistique is gorgeous, and the Garden Peninsula and Escanaba area offer something like 200 miles of shoreline! In the U.P., you’re going to find wide, uncrowded beaches where you can walk for miles and feel like you have the shoreline to yourself.”
- For dazzling sunsets: “In the U.P., I really love the beaches around Manistique. They’re so quiet, they feel totally undiscovered, and the lighthouse is gorgeous, especially at sunset! Downstate, I love Weko Beach in Bridgman—it’s small, easy to access, and surrounded by dunes.”
- For hiking: “For a more active adventure, Warren Dunes State Park is hard to beat. The dunes are a workout, but the views of Lake Michigan from the top are worth every sweaty step. In the Upper Peninsula, the Manistique Boardwalk is gorgeous and peaceful. It’s right along the water, surrounded by wildflowers, and there’s great bird watching, plus the lighthouse off in the distance.”
- For boating: Grand Haven and St. Joseph both offer accessible marinas, fishing charters, kayak and boat rentals, and plenty of open waterways.
Lake Huron: Hidden pockets to explore
- Popular beaches: Oscoda, Port Crescent, Caseville, Lexington
- Highlights: Smaller crowds, shallower, calmer waters, laid-back beach towns, sparkling sunrises
- Camping: Port Crescent State Park, Lakeport State Park
- Michigander recommendation: Port Austin
- Best for: Boating, smaller crowds, kayaking
Unlike Francis, I’ve spent my entire life on the east side of Michigan, in the thumb area, primarily surrounded by cornfields and cows, but because it’s Michigan, Lake Huron is less than an hour drive away. On hard days, there is a unique Michigan comfort in knowing that I can hop in my car and drive to the beach if I need a gulp of fresh air.
But back to business: Is Lake Huron better? In my opinion, it certainly can be. It has the reputation for being rocky and somewhat murky and not as glamorous as Lake Michigan, but the key to enjoying Lake Huron is to understand that there are hidden pockets of sandy beaches and warm, shallow waters that rival Lake Michigan, with far fewer crowds. Plus, the rocky areas have a special rugged charm.
Lake Huron even has sand dunes, albeit less towering than the ones you’ll find in Lake Michigan, and one of my favorite parts is the small beach towns that dot the shore. Our favorite Lake Huron hidden gem is Port Austin, located on the tip of the thumb. Because of its location near the Saginaw Bay, the waters are more protected, and the ancient glaciers and sediment that formed the area led to today’s soft, sandy beaches and shallower, calmer water. Caseville, south of Port Austin, has similar vibes, with waters that you can literally wade in for miles, making both locations very family-friendly.
Lake Huron recs:
- For an active, beachy vibe: Visit Caseville for amenities like a beachside restaurant (their shrimp nachos are my favorite!), a coffeehouse, bike rentals, ice cream, and boating. There’s a public county park, but the state park day use is the way to go for more room and beach to walk.
- For peace and quiet: Alpena is a quiet town in the thumb with fewer crowds than the “party” atmosphere of Caseville.
- For dazzling sunrises and sunsets: Port Austin again wins this battle because you can see both the sunrise and sunset, thanks to its location at the tip of the thumb. It’s the best of both worlds!
- For hiking: Francis has traveled to this side of the state, so she offers a Lake Huron recommendation for hiking: “Earlier this year, I hiked the Narnia Trail outside of Cedarville, which takes you along a sheltered bay on the north shore of Lake Huron. It was magical!” she says. Our family also really enjoys Lakeport State Park, which, while the typical rocky east-side beach, is secluded and gorgeous, with hiking trails nearby.
- For boating: “I’ve also kayaked Lake Huron near Cheboygan and loved it,” Francis adds. “It was shallower and felt a little more accessible and calm than my experience with Lake Michigan.” I also recommend, again, Port Austin, which offers kayak and paddleboard rentals—the water is so shallow and calm that you can truly enjoy an entire day on the lake, and they even have paddleboard yoga. We also have family members who love launching personal boats off Lexington’s public access point, with plenty of places near the shore to park and enjoy the shallow waters.
Our final verdict
Francis and I both may have our biases, but the truth is, you can’t go wrong choosing any of Michigan’s Great Lakes to kick off your Memorial Day celebrations. If you’re normally an East Side Michigander, mix things up by meandering over Lake Michigan, and if you’ve stuck up your nose at our East Side in the past, make a point to plan a stop in.
As Francis puts it so succinctly: “Really, I love all the Great Lakes in all their moods. Each has its own personality, and that’s what makes them all truly Great!”
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
