[Sillypups]

Going to Dayton, OH in July/Aug a couple days. Thought we would take I-75 & drive North into Michigan.

What is Lake Erie like ? Is it a sand beach ? Is it a rock beach ? If a rock beach what do the rocks look like ???

What about Lake Michigan ? Is it a rock beach ? If so what type of rocks is it ?

Thanks in advance...

[Tricia819]

I suppose there may be parts of them that are rocky, but for the most part the Great Lakes beaches are sandy.

[Briolat21]

From Dayton - you're looking at about 2 hours to Toledo, OH -- straight up I-75. There you can access lake Erie - but I don't really know the beach scene in Toledo. I'm more familiar with Sandusky (about 1.5 hours East of Toledo) - where Cedar Point amusement park is -- it is a sandy shore line.

Lake Michigan is a good ways further from Dayton - as you'll have to cross the width of Michigan as well as go the vertical distance. My guess is if you cut diagonally across Indiana and come out in the Dunes of N.W. Indiana or S.W. Michigan you're probably looking at 4+ hours. Lake Michigan (on the Michigan side) is generally a very sandy shore line -- hence the dunes.

I'm all for touristing up to MI -- but if you're only in Dayton for a day or two - your trips up to the Great lakes will take a majority of your time. Might be better to wait until you'd have a little more time for travel? Unless of course this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If you haven't seen the great lakes and this is your chance - you definitely should visit them.

[michmoldman]

Lake Michigan has some of the nicest beaches in the U.S...but the water is a bit cold.

[dragon_fly_12]

Different lakes, different coastlines. Some have rocks, some have beaches.


If you're headed up 75, hit up Maumee State Park just outside of Toledo.

[alleyyooper]

I swear half the people just can't read that come to forums. First I can only tell you about one beach ON LAKE EIRE and it is old information.
Sterling state park had a sandy beach when I was there on a long week end fishing trip in the mid 80's.
I never heard of a lake Eire on the west side of the state that was part of the great lake chain of lakes.

Also don't believe a word all great lake beaches are sandy. The Michigan state park beach at Port Huron is one of the most miserable rocky beachs I have ever had the displeasure of visiting. Much better to cross the bridge and got to the beach at Port Ewards Ont. Canada.

Al

[northstar22]

Lake Michigan has plenty of nice, sandy beaches. One of my favorites is South Haven, about 45 minutes west of Kalamazoo. White sand beaches, blue-green waters and a great historic town. South Haven has two beaches intown, known locally as "North Beach" and "South Beach." South Beach is right by downtown and has the lighthouses and little touristy shops, but it's PACKED during the summer with tourists from Illinois and college kids from WMU. North Beach is a little quieter, but still pretty crowded. My favorite beach there is the one off Dyckman Ave. Tourists seem to avoid it so it remains quiet and serene, with few people, mostly locals. Besides the beach, you can also eat at the town's restaurants or explore its shops. South Haven is definitely worth the four-hour drive from Dayton.

Originally Posted by alleyyooper

Much better to cross the bridge and got to the beach at Port Ewards Ont. Canada.

Al

You can't just cross into Canada anymore -- now you have to show a passport to get cleared through by Canadian border patrol. Not only that, you have to wait for them to wave you through the border, which can take over an hour in some cases -- and you'd have to do it all over again on the way back. I like Canada, but I think it's more trouble than what it would be worth for such a brief trip.

[alleyyooper]

"I like Canada, but I think it's more trouble than what it would be worth for such a brief trip."

But spending your time driving across the state to lake Michigan is OK. Rather than go to a nice beach on lake Erie like the OP asked about. Also if you live in Michigan you can get the drivers licence that allows you to cross the border no problem.
I am sure the OP didn't want to cross the border either. I was just explaining the stoney beach in Port Huron could be delt with.

Al

[Briolat21]

Originally Posted by Sillypups

Going to Dayton, OH in July/Aug a couple days. Thought we would take I-75 & drive North into Michigan.

What is Lake Erie like ? Is it a sand beach ? Is it a rock beach ? If a rock beach what do the rocks look like ???

What about Lake Michigan ? Is it a rock beach ? If so what type of rocks is it ?

Thanks in advance...

Not sure what the problem is -- the OP asked about both Lake Erie, and lake Michigan.

I suggested that the drive to Lake Michigan could be a little much if they're only going to be in Ohio for a couple of days.

In addition to that -- the beach at Port Huron (which is kinda awful) - is on neither Lake Erie, nor Lake Michigan -- and therefore really not part of what the OP was asking about at all.

I'm sure there are parts of Erie that are sandy (near Sandusky), I know a good bit of Lake Michigan (on the Michigan side) is sandy. On the Chicago side of Lake Michigan, it can get rocky.

OP - good luck, just remember to plan enough time for your excursions.

[Sillypups]

We will be driving from Dayton up to lake Erie then west to lake Michigan.
Then west from there headed home .

Just thought we would check out the lakes going home a different way.

Where would the best lighthouses be ?

Thanks for the info so far...I really appreciate it.