The Best Affordable Michigan Beach You’ve Never Heard Of

Families in southeast Michigan who have trekked to the Upper Peninsula will tell you: the long, long drive is absolutely worth it. Tucked along Lake Superior’s coast, in a region most downstaters only dream about each summer, lies a hidden gem that’s both stunning and surprisingly gentle on the wallet. We’re talking about Twelvemile Beach – a pristine stretch of sand in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore that was recently crowned the most affordable beach destination in the entire country. If you’re looking for an unforgettable Up North getaway that won’t break the bank, this low-cost Michigan beach should top your summer travel list.

Want a full list of the best U.P. waterfalls? Check out our Michigan's Ultimate Waterfall Road Trip

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Facebook

The Most Affordable Beach in the U.S. – Right Here in Michigan

It might shock you, but according to a 2024 travel study, the nation’s best budget beach isn’t in Florida or California, it’s on Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Twelvemile Beach earned the top spot thanks to rock-bottom lodging and dining costs. On average, a six-night stay for two in the area runs only about $464 (total!) for hotels, with local meals around $20 each, and even craft beers about $7.50. In other words, you can treat the family to a week-long beach vacation here for the cost of a weekend somewhere else. This unbeatable value, combined with world-class natural beauty, makes Twelvemile Beach a no-brainer for families and adventurers alike.

Even Travel + Leisure took note, reporting how Twelvemile Beach “offers unparalleled value” for spring and summer trips. Think about it: you’ll enjoy all the sun, sand, and shoreline fun without the sky-high prices (or the crowds) of more famous coastal hotspots. For Metro Detroiters watching their budget, it’s like the travel gods delivered a gift in our own backyard. And affordability doesn’t mean skimping on experience; this beach delivers million-dollar views for next to nothing.

What to Expect at Twelvemile Beach

So, what is Twelvemile Beach actually like? In a word: breathtaking. As the name suggests, it’s a 12-mile stretch of soft, sandy shoreline along Lake Superior’s southern coast. Think clear freshwater waves lapping the beach, sugar-colored dunes, and a forested backdrop that feels wild and untouched. It’s part of the federally protected Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, meaning it’s preserved for its natural beauty and never overdeveloped.

At the east end of the beach is a day-use and picnic area, perfect for lunch by the water or relaxing with a blanket and a good book. Families love the quiet vibe, and kids can spend hours digging in the sand, skipping stones, or spotting birds along the shore. Just be aware: Lake Superior stays chilly, even in summer, refreshing on hot days, but something to prepare younger swimmers for.

Want to wake up to those lake views? Consider camping right above the beach. The Twelvemile Beach Campground offers 37 rustic sites perched atop the dunes. Each includes a picnic table, tent pad, and fire ring, no electric or water hookups, but you will have vault toilets and a nearby artesian well. These first-come, first-served campsites are perfect for disconnecting, recharging, and watching the sun rise right over Lake Superior.

Check out more budget-friendly beach escapes across Michigan.

Fun Family Adventures Around Twelvemile Beach

One of the best things about Twelvemile Beach is how many low-cost, family-friendly activities surround it. Here’s a roundup of nearby things to do that both kids and adults will love:

Grand Marais Historical Society, Facebook

Pickle Barrel House Museum (Grand Marais)

Address: Lake Avenue & Randolph Street, Grand Marais, MI 49839

Located at Lake Avenue and Randolph Street in downtown Grand Marais, this whimsical little house was originally built for the creator of the “Teenie Weenies” cartoon from the Chicago Tribune. Today it serves as a volunteer-run museum that offers a quick, quirky stop for families. Kids will love the giant pickle-shaped architecture, and there are a few interactive exhibits inside. Right next door? A cozy tavern serving burgers, pizza, and kid-friendly meals.

Waterfall Tour Across Pictured Rocks

Address: Various locations across Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (Munising to Grand Marais)

Downstaters may not think of waterfalls when they think “Michigan,” but the Upper Peninsula has dozens of stunning falls—and several are close to Twelvemile Beach.

Some favorites:

Miners Falls – a tall, thundering waterfall accessible via a short wooded trail.
Munising Falls – an easy, paved path leads to this peaceful waterfall, great for little ones.
Sable Falls – just west of Grand Marais, and includes a staircase to a breathtaking view.

Each one is a perfect quick stop on your way to or from the beach and adds a little adventure to your trip.

Shipwreck Boat Tour (Munising)

Address: Glass Bottom Shipwreck Tours | 1204 Commercial St, Munising, MI 49862

Lake Superior has claimed more than a few vessels in its day, and now you can see the remains of real shipwrecks on a family-friendly glass-bottom boat tour.

Tours include:

Views of two shipwrecks (the Bermuda and Herman H. Hettler)

Rock formations around Grand Island
The historic East Channel Lighthouse
Multicolored cliffs along the shoreline

Kids love the novelty of seeing the sunken ships beneath their feet, while adults enjoy the scenery and storytelling.

Dog Sledding Summer Tour (Husky Haven Sled Dogs – Shingleton)

Address: E17769 Nugent Lake Rd, Shingleton, MI 49884

While sled rides only happen in the winter, Husky Haven Sled Dogs offers a summer experience that’s just as memorable, especially for curious kids. Families can visit the kennel to meet the dogs, learn how a sled is built, and see how the team works. It’s a fun, hands-on experience that blends education, animal interaction, and U.P. culture.

If you return in winter, they offer full sledding tours with 8 to 10-mile runs through the woods, plus a kennel tour and mushing history lesson.

Au Sable Light Station Hike

Address (Trailhead): Hurricane River Campground | H58, Grand Marais, MI 49839

Take a scenic 1.5-mile walk from the Hurricane River day-use area to the Au Sable Light Station, a historic red-brick lighthouse that’s been guiding ships since the 1800s. The flat trail is easy enough for most kids and offers peekaboo lake views and shoreline access along the way.

During summer, you may be able to tour the lighthouse tower and learn about maritime history. Even if the tower isn’t open, the walk and setting are worth it, especially with a picnic lunch.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Facebook

Grand Sable Dunes & Log Slide Overlook

Address: Log Slide Overlook, Grand Sable Dunes | H58, Grand Marais, MI 49839

One of the most iconic stops in Pictured Rocks, the Log Slide Overlook sits just west of Grand Marais and offers a sweeping view over hundreds of feet of golden dunes rolling into Lake Superior.

Fun fact: loggers once used this giant sand slope to “slide” timber down to the lake. Brave kids and teens might attempt the run down (and slow, sandy climb back up!). Bring a camera, the views here are postcard-worthy.

Archie’s Bay West Diner (Grand Marais)

Address: E21825 Veteran St, Grand Marais, MI 49839

It’s rare to find a truly vintage diner experience, but Archie’s Bay West Diner delivers, and then some. This 1950s-style diner features teal bar stools, shiny aluminum, and vinyl booths, serving up comfort food and retro vibes.

Menu highlights:

Kid-favorite pizzas and ice cream scoops
Classic diner breakfasts with tall stacks of pancakes and hot coffee
Burgers, omelets, and hearty Midwest favorites

It’s the kind of spot where you’ll want to linger just a little longer, and maybe snap a photo or two.

Here’s our favorite road trip route. Read Our Best Road Trips from Detroit: Weekend Getaways Worth the Drive

Why Twelvemile Beach Should Top Your Summer Bucket List

Twelvemile Beach offers more than just affordability. It offers freedom to unplug, explore, and spend quality time surrounded by Michigan’s most breathtaking natural scenery. From beachfront camping and crystal-clear waters to nearby adventures like waterfalls, shipwrecks, and sled dogs, this corner of the Upper Peninsula is built for memory-making.

And while it may be a haul from Metro Detroit, that’s part of the magic. You’ll cross the Mackinac Bridge, pass into another world of pine forests and quiet roads, and wind up on the shores of a Great Lake that still feels wild and untouched.

So pack the car. Download your maps. And head north, because the best beach vacation in America might just be waiting for you right here in Michigan.

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THINKING OF MOVING TO Metro Detroit, OR LOOKING TO RELOCATE IN THE AREA? VIEW A LIST OF CURRENT HOMES FOR SALE BELOW.
Metro Detroit Homes for Sale

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$10,900,000

834 Southfield Rd, Birmingham city
4 Beds 9 Baths 13,408 SqFt Residential MLS® # 20250026118

$8,999,000

1057 Arlington St, Birmingham city
7 Beds 10 Baths 12,290 SqFt Residential MLS® # 20240038727

$8,750,000

5140 Turtle Point Drive, Northfield township
12 Beds 14 Baths 53,364 SqFt Residential MLS® # 81025017639

$7,999,000

6560 Red Maple Ln, Bloomfield charter township
6 Beds 9 Baths 10,209 SqFt Residential MLS® # 20250017597

$7,500,000

592 Lakeside Dr, Birmingham city
6 Beds 9 Baths 8,990 SqFt Residential MLS® # 20250031657

$7,000,000

1771 Balmoral Dr, Detroit city
15 Beds 15 Baths 24,000 SqFt Residential MLS® # 20250011435

$6,999,000

1551 Lakeside Dr, Birmingham city
6 Beds 9 Baths 10,138 SqFt Residential MLS® # 20250003867

$6,990,000

26565 Scenic, Franklin village
6 Beds 14 Baths 21,861 SqFt Residential MLS® # 20250031142

$6,250,000
↓ $200,000
911 S Main Street, Ann Arbor city
0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Multifamily MLS® # 81025028850

$6,000,000
↑ $20,000
24400 Johns Road, Lyon charter township
5 Beds 8 Baths 13,000 SqFt Residential MLS® # 81024034016

$5,800,000

5300 Sheldon Rd, Oakland charter township
6 Beds 8 Baths 9,128 SqFt Residential MLS® # 58050185289

$5,750,000
↓ $245,000
1286 Gray Fox Crt, Marion township
5 Beds 6 Baths 7,996 SqFt Residential MLS® # 20250011995

$4,990,000

2623 Turtle Shores, Bloomfield charter township
1 Bed 2 Baths 2,268 SqFt Residential MLS® # 216010273

$4,980,000
↓ $500,000
2255 Webb St, Detroit city
212 Beds 156 Baths 150,689 SqFt Multifamily MLS® # 58050172514

$4,800,000

21400 W 7 Mile Rd, Detroit city
88 Beds 64 Baths 50,478 SqFt Multifamily MLS® # 58050188303

$4,500,000

307 Windy Crest Drive, Ann Arbor charter township
5 Beds 7 Baths 9,113 SqFt Residential MLS® # 81025041263

$4,450,000

5350 Brewster Rd, Oakland charter township
6 Beds 9 Baths 13,151 SqFt Residential MLS® # 58050179868

$4,300,000

803 Canterbury Crs, Bloomfield Hills city
5 Beds 8 Baths 8,097 SqFt Residential MLS® # 20250024490

$3,999,000

611 Watkins St, Birmingham city
5 Beds 7 Baths 6,049 SqFt Residential MLS® # 20250028619

$3,999,000

17965 Beck Rd, Northville township
7 Beds 10 Baths 10,980 SqFt Residential MLS® # 20250013814

$3,950,000

38371 Huron Pointe Dr, Harrison charter township
4 Beds 7 Baths 7,598 SqFt Residential MLS® # 58050185325

$3,900,000

362 Keswick Rd, Bloomfield Hills city
5 Beds 8 Baths 8,429 SqFt Residential MLS® # 20250030381

$3,500,000

3397 W Silver Lake Rd, Fenton city
5 Beds 7 Baths 8,240 SqFt Residential MLS® # 20250012540

$3,499,999
↓ $250,001
3371 Noble Road, Addison township
3 Beds 3 Baths 2,400 SqFt Residential MLS® # 72024063022

$3,475,000

12700 Shaffer Rd, Springfield charter township
4 Beds 4 Baths 5,019 SqFt Residential MLS® # 20250025947

$3,390,000
↓ $400,000
10399 Lakeshore Dr E, Goodrich village
8 Beds 13 Baths 17,000 SqFt Residential MLS® # 20250018190

$3,300,000

2330 Fairway Dr, Birmingham city
5 Beds 8 Baths 6,011 SqFt Residential MLS® # 20250032234

$3,300,000

21140 Chubb Road, Lyon charter township
4 Beds 4 Baths 8,700 SqFt Residential MLS® # 81024025647

$3,299,000

4349 Island View Drive, Fenton charter township
5 Beds 6 Baths 7,236 SqFt Residential MLS® # 81025043114

$3,290,000
↓ $160,000
4795 Gallagher Rd, Oakland charter township
4 Beds 4 Baths 5,699 SqFt Residential MLS® # 58050169311

$3,200,000
↓ $500,000
273 Ridge Rd, Grosse Pointe Farms city
7 Beds 7 Baths 8,836 SqFt Residential MLS® # 58050184780

$3,100,000
↓ $300,000
105 Lake Shore Rd, Grosse Pointe Farms city
8 Beds 9 Baths 11,419 SqFt Residential MLS® # 58050168139

$3,100,000

369 N Old Woodward Avenue Building: 369 Unit: 307 Modifier: 307, Birmingham city
1 Bed 2 Baths 2,115 SqFt Condominium MLS® # 81024003871

$3,000,000

17455 Iris Cir, Clinton charter township
5 Beds 9 Baths 13,149 SqFt Residential MLS® # 58050190493

$2,999,999

605 Lake Shore Rd, Village of Grosse Pointe Shores city
6 Beds 7 Baths 6,800 SqFt Residential MLS® # 58050189674

$2,999,000
↓ $500,000
10173 Carmer Rd, Tyrone township
4 Beds 5 Baths 6,108 SqFt Residential MLS® # 20250026764

$2,999,000

2101 33 Mile Rd, Bruce township
5 Beds 7 Baths 11,944 SqFt Residential MLS® # 20240047876

$2,998,500
↓ $101,500
19259 Maybury Meadow Court, Northville township
5 Beds 8 Baths 7,300 SqFt Residential MLS® # 81024059035

$2,988,000

1723 Birmingham Blvd, Birmingham city
4 Beds 5 Baths 4,728 SqFt Residential MLS® # 20250024636

$2,978,000
↓ $222,000
5980 Cherry Hill Road, Superior charter township
4 Beds 5 Baths 3,981 SqFt Residential MLS® # 81025024087

$2,950,000

121 W Kingsley Unit: 502, Ann Arbor city
2 Beds 3 Baths 2,587 SqFt Condominium MLS® # 81025039249

$2,858,000

408 Longshore Drive Unit: Unit A, Ann Arbor city
4 Beds 4 Baths 4,689 SqFt Condominium MLS® # 81025002353

New

$2,850,000

1735 Heron Ridge Drive, Bloomfield charter township
5 Beds 8 Baths 8,210 SqFt Residential MLS® # 81025052769

$2,850,000

67773 Quail Ridge Dr, Washington township
4 Beds 7 Baths 7,702 SqFt Residential MLS® # 58050188084

$2,806,000

408 Longshore Drive Unit: C, Ann Arbor city
4 Beds 4 Baths 3,245 SqFt Condominium MLS® # 81024059696

$2,800,000

8207 Schaefer, Detroit city
44 Beds 44 Baths 28,406 SqFt Multifamily MLS® # 58050188314

$2,760,000

369 N Old Woodward Avenue Building: Bldg#: Unit: 301 Modifier: 301, Birmingham city
3 Beds 3 Baths 3,510 SqFt Condominium MLS® # 81024001004

$2,700,000

5133 Howard Lake Rd, Addison township
2 Beds 1 Bath 805 SqFt Residential MLS® # 214128980

The Perna Team and Michael Perna are the best real estate agents in Metro Detroit and Ann Arbor. The Perna Team and Michael Perna have been hired as a real estate agent by hundreds of home owners to sell their homes in Metro Detroit and Ann Arbor.

The Perna Team were great to work with, and we’d absolutely recommend them to anyone buying a home in Metro Detroit. I even asked for a few of her business cards in case I run into someone who needs a realtor. Thanks again for everything!

Posted by Michael Perna on July 9th, 2025