You’ll Want to Visit These 7 Beaches for the Most Beautiful Michigan Sea Glass

The Great Lakes State is surrounded by the largest freshwater system in the world, and it boasts the largest number of lighthouses in the United States. These are just a couple of the draws to our state's beautiful beaches. In fact, there are many incredible reasons to see Michigan beaches, and while you’re visiting them, I think you will love one of my favorite pastimes: collecting beach glass. Hunting for smooth, colorful glass along the shoreline is a relaxing hobby that lets you take a beautiful souvenir home from your travels. Unfortunately, not all of our shoreline is conducive to finding these little treasures. You have to know where the sea glass beaches in Michigan are located. Not to worry: We've got you covered. Let’s take a look at the seven best places to find sea glass on Michigan beaches.

1. Silver Beach - St. Joseph

St. Joseph is a darling city in southwest Michigan with Silver Beach being a popular place to comb for beach glass. The best times of year to look for beach glass are during spring, winter, and fall, though you can find it year-round. Visiting the beach after a powerful storm or after the snow melts will also increase your chances of finding some beach glass.

2. Christmas Cove Beach - Northport

A small and underrated beach that is worth visiting is Christmas Cove at the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula on Grand Traverse Bay. If you’re a beginner or new to searching for beach glass, come at sunrise or sunset, when you can spot the beach glass more easily. The sun will be lower in the sky and will help illuminate the shiny glass, which makes it easier to see.

3. Tunnel Park - Holland

Holland is well known for Big Red, which is one of the most photographed lighthouses in the country. The lighthouse is located at Holland State Park, which is the busiest beach in Ottawa County. Instead, visit Tunnel Park, which is a smaller beach and not as popular with tourists. A great place to find beach glass is to walk from Tunnel Park to Holland State Park along the shore. You’ll pass by gorgeous lakefront cottages and be able to pick up beach glass along the way.

4. Mackinac Island

Take a ferry to Mackinac Island and rent a bike to cycle around the perimeter of the island to scope out rocky beaches. There are no cars on the island to worry about, so you can easily pull your bike over when you spot a bit of shoreline that looks promising.

5. Warren Dunes State Park - Sawyer

Beach glass has been found in all colors of the rainbow at Warren Dunes State Park in Sawyer. There are many towns located within Harbor Country in Southwest Michigan, and all of the beaches are known as places for finding beach glass. Cherry Beach and Weko Beach are two other fruitful places to check out on your quest for beach glass.

6. Bayfront Park- Petoskey

Not too far from Mackinac Island and the northernmost tip of the mitten, you'll find the lovely town of Petoskey, Michigan, which is known for the unique Petoskey stones. When you’re searching for beach glass or Petoskey stones, keep in mind that sections of pebbles are the best places to sift through. When the waves push sea glass on the shore, it can easily get caught in the patches of pebbles instead of on a smooth, sandy surface.

7. Lakeport State Park - Lakeport

All of the places mentioned so far have been on the west side of Michigan. Lakeport State Park is located north of Detroit on the east side of the state. You can walk the serene shores of Lake Huron and gather some pastel beach glass to add to your collection.

These beaches in Michigan may be visited the most in the summer, but when it comes to finding beach glass, your best bet is to visit during the off-season. I'm always a big fan of visiting places during shoulder seasons. Fewer crowds, lower prices, and in this case, the chance to go beachcombing for sea glass without much competition.