[diamondgirl45]

Ok, so this is our first weekend here in Michigan and a long weekend at that! I would like to take my kids to a beach and want to know where is the best (and closest) sandy beach around Utica. Also, are you allowed to take dogs to beaches? Thanks for your help!

[B-bear]

Probably either Metro Beach over by Mt. Clemens or maybe even Stony Creek up by Shelby Twp. I've never been to the beach at Stony Creek so I have no idea what it's like. As for Metro Beach, a lot of people go there but I'm not sure I would step foot in the water unless I was on fire. It is always getting shut down due to the water containing too much bacteria. I grew up on Lake Michigan so I am sort of a beach snob when it comes to what is a good beach and what is not. I wouldn't call any beach in Metro Detroit good. You could always take a drive up the coast of Lake Huron. Lots of nice beaches there and not too far.

[diamondgirl45]

We went to the metro lake last summer when we were visiting. It was ok, but I was hoping for something nicer. I have crossed the bridge at Port Huron, but don't know where to go for beaches up there.

[B-bear]

Just north of Port Huron there is Lakeport State Park Beach and if you go further north than that there is Lexington County Park which has a beach. I bet if you do a search on Google or something you could get a lot more details. For instance, I'm not sure if the beach at Lakeport requires you to be camping there to use it.

[B-bear]

Lexington Michigan parks beach harbor lake pier

Here's some info

[*Danielle*]

Stony Creek Metropark right on 26 mile. Super close to Utica.

[Blue Grass Fever]

Originally Posted by diamondgirl45

Ok, so this is our first weekend here in Michigan and a long weekend at that! I would like to take my kids to a beach and want to know where is the best (and closest) sandy beach around Utica. Also, are you allowed to take dogs to beaches? Thanks for your help!

Speaking of beaches and dogs, they have a really good one just for dogs and a beautiful beach to go along with it, but it's on the other side of the state south of Muskegon.

We've taken our danes there a few times.


Well, since you're around Utica, (two hour drive) i'd say west of Port Austin (one of 'em, Port Cresent State Park and others west of there..) would be the place to go. Not so sure of whether or not they allow dogs.

[Blue Grass Fever]

Originally Posted by diamondgirl45

Also, are you allowed to take dogs to beaches? Thanks for your help!

The dog beach i was referring to in post #8 is this - Norman F. Kruse Park - City of Muskegon

Special Characteristics: Park has about one mile of Lake Michigan Beach. The large sand dunes are in good shape, but some areas need additional dune grass planting. This is the major picnic area with 4 picnic shelters and an accessible ramp to the beach and into the dunes. A dog beach was created on the beach along the northern part of the park

[kimba01]

Doesn't Lake St. Clair have any good beaches? That's pretty close and the lake is nice. Port Huron is nice too. I love watching the freighters.

[diamondgirl45]

Originally Posted by kimba01

Doesn't Lake St. Clair have any good beaches? That's pretty close and the lake is nice. Port Huron is nice too. I love watching the freighters.

I am not sure about beaches. I was there last summer and all we saw was a pier and a wall around the lake. But then we only went to one area.