The Pristine Inland Beaches In Michigan That Will Make You Swear You’re On The Coast

Michigan has shoreline on four of the five great lakes - some of the largest bodies of fresh water in the world - and nobody's going to argue that its dunes and beaches don't rival those of Cape Cod or the Outer Banks. But what about beaches on lakes that are inland from Superior, Michigan, Huron, or Erie? Well, you'll find some pretty amazing inland beaches in Michigan, as well. Lake Michigamme, a 4,200 acre lake on the Upper Peninsula, in particular, has much to offer beach-loving Michiganders.

At more than 4,000 acres, the Upper Peninsula's Lake Michigamme is one of the largest lakes in the state.

It's dotted with islands and surrounded by pristine north woods forest - and it boasts several beaches that may just trick you into thinking you're on the coast.

The best place to experience all that Michigamme has to offer is Van Riper State Park.

It's on the lake's eastern shore, near the town of Champion.

There, you'll find several pristine, freshwater beaches.

The park's strands are broad and, as far as beaches go, quite level, which means they descend gradually into the lake.

They're ideal for all the beachy sorts of things you may want to do, from swimming and splashing to building sand castles, or simply lying in the sun and reading a book.

You'd be forgiven for looking up occasionally and forgetting you weren't on some New England strand of sand.

Of course, Lake Michigamme is ideal for other activities, as well, such as boating, fishing, or quiet exploration by canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard.

The park has all the amenities you'll need for a day at the beach, including a large playground for the little ones.

It also has more than 180 campsites between its modern (143 sites) and rustic (39 sites) campgrounds. There are also a few camper cabins for rent in the park.

Check out YouTuber Wander Dano's tour of Van Riper State Park and its beaches:

If you don't feel like roughing it in a campground, you'll find plenty of rental cabins in the area, some of which are just steps from Lake Michigamme and all of which are relatively close to Van Riper State Park.

Have you hit the beach at Lake Michigamme? Tell us about your favorite inland beaches in Michigan in the comments.