Michigan is known for having some of the best beaches in the U.S., thanks to the Great Lakes and all of our incredible inland lakes. As it turns out, one Michigan beach has also been ranked one of the best beaches in the entire world.
I know that seems like a stretch, even for Michigan, but if you think about it, Michigan truly has some of the best freshwater beaches in the world. The state is a rich source of freshwater for the world, so it makes sense that one of the state’s beaches would make the cut.
That beach is Oval Beach in Saugatuck, Michigan. According to Saugatuck.com, Oval Beach is “recognized as one of Condé Nast Traveler’s Top 25 Beaches in the World, National Geographic Traveler’s Top Freshwater Beaches in the USA, and MTV’s Top 5 Beaches in the USA.” That’s a lot of great recognition for just one beach. City-Data.com goes on to discuss some of the beach’s highlights, stating, “Oval beach can best be reached via North America’s only hand-pulled chain ferry boat, which crosses the Kalamazoo River from nearby Saugatuck. A climb of 282 steps then takes visitors to Mount Baldhead, where they are rewarded with a splendid view of the harbor and Lake Michigan. From there, visitors descend onto the grassy coastal sands and the stunning shoreline. Along with the customary beach activities of swimming and sunbathing, visitors can also take a freewheeling ride on the “dune schooner” – a converted pickup truck that traverses some of the towering nearby sand hills.”
The site adds, “The area is vintage, small-town Americas at its best – a combination of scenic, beautiful beaches, 19th-century architecture, and 21st-century shops and activities.” The latest pricing data for Oval Beach says parking is $10/day and $50/season. To ride the chain ferry or Interurban bus, it will cost you $1. Admission is free from Labor Day to Memorial Day.
Read on for a list of the top 50 Michigan areas to buy a house!