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

Sort by:

$1,250,000

1840 Tapadera Drive, Lodi township
5 Beds 4 Baths 4,068 SqFt Residential MLS® # 81025050513

$1,250,000

588 Green Road, Ann Arbor city
4 Beds 4 Baths 3,646 SqFt Residential MLS® # 81025039059

$1,250,000
↓ $150,000
4944 Scio Church Road, Scio township
5 Beds 3 Baths 3,788 SqFt Residential MLS® # 81025035742

$1,250,000
↓ $45,000
290 Shelby Court, York charter township
4 Beds 6 Baths 6,429 SqFt Residential MLS® # 81025006058

$1,249,900
↓ $25,100
4115 Elmhurst Avenue, Royal Oak city
4 Beds 6 Baths 4,637 SqFt Residential MLS® # 81025047304

$1,249,900
↓ $50,000
37337 Lakeshore Dr, Harrison charter township
3 Beds 2 Baths 1,854 SqFt Residential MLS® # 20250029821

$1,249,000

61784 Bunker Hill Dr, Washington township
3 Beds 5 Baths 6,502 SqFt Residential MLS® # 58050190343

$1,249,000
↓ $146,000
530 N Division Street Unit: Unit A, Ann Arbor city
4 Beds 4 Baths 1,997 SqFt Condominium MLS® # 81025037368

$1,245,400

115 Arden Park Boulevard, Detroit city
6 Beds 7 Baths 8,173 SqFt Residential MLS® # 81025039352

$1,230,000
↓ $120,000
64164 Campground Rd, Washington township
4 Beds 5 Baths 7,304 SqFt Residential MLS® # 58050180513

$1,230,000
↓ $50,000
000 Knights Bridge Rd, Addison township
4 Beds 4 Baths 3,397 SqFt Residential MLS® # 20240056642

$1,225,000

N/A, Scio township
1 Bed 2 Baths 800 SqFt Residential MLS® # 81025029630

$1,200,000

19199 Lahser Rd, Detroit city
24 Beds 18 Baths 15,845 SqFt Multifamily MLS® # 58050188317

$1,200,000

15211 Fenkell St, Detroit city
20 Beds 20 Baths 10,800 SqFt Multifamily MLS® # 58050188297

$1,200,000

5750 South Ridge, Wayne city
3 Beds 3 Baths 1,750 SqFt Residential MLS® # 20250027013

$1,200,000

3595 E Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor city
3 Beds 3 Baths 2,486 SqFt Residential MLS® # 81025042458

$1,200,000

441 S Ashley Street Unit: 405, Ann Arbor city
3 Beds 2 Baths 1,665 SqFt Condominium MLS® # 81025000692

$1,200,000

512 Fernhurst Crt, Orion charter township
2 Beds 2 Baths 981 SqFt Residential MLS® # 20221055222

$1,200,000

820 W Baltimore St, Detroit city
4 Beds 4 Baths 4,159 SqFt Residential MLS® # 20250000860

$1,200,000
↓ $490,000
46351 W Main Street, Northville township
2 Beds 2 Baths 1,574 SqFt Residential MLS® # 81025022588

$1,200,000

23831 John R Rd, Hazel Park city
0 Beds 5 Baths 5,425 SqFt Multifamily MLS® # 20250022739

$1,199,900

60 Timber Ridge Court, York charter township
5 Beds 4 Baths 6,477 SqFt Residential MLS® # 81025019371

$1,199,000
↓ $51,000
3093 Overridge Drive, Ann Arbor city
4 Beds 3 Baths 3,144 SqFt Residential MLS® # 81025043691

$1,199,000
↓ $51,000
5971 Barclay Drive, Genoa township
5 Beds 5 Baths 5,513 SqFt Residential MLS® # 81025038487

$1,199,000
↓ $91,000
5011 Rockaway Lane, Village of Clarkston city
5 Beds 6 Baths 6,797 SqFt Residential MLS® # 81025029041

$1,199,000

1833 N Washington Ave, Royal Oak city
4 Beds 5 Baths 4,045 SqFt Residential MLS® # 20250037529

$1,199,000
↓ $51,000
29135 Scotten St, Farmington Hills city
4 Beds 4 Baths 3,829 SqFt Residential MLS® # 20250020254

$1,198,000
↓ $41,000
2735 Blue Bird Lane, Highland charter township
4 Beds 3 Baths 2,430 SqFt Residential MLS® # 81025004721

$1,187,535

4775 Curtis Rd, Superior charter township
4 Beds 5 Baths 4,593 SqFt Residential MLS® # 20250008254

$1,185,001
↑ $1
2673 Pine Bluffs Ct, Highland charter township
4 Beds 4 Baths 3,800 SqFt Residential MLS® # 20240033950

$1,179,000

11762 Encore Dr, Shelby charter township
4 Beds 4 Baths 4,000 SqFt Residential MLS® # 58050175239

$1,175,000

877 Quarry Dr, Rochester Hills city
4 Beds 5 Baths 5,365 SqFt Residential MLS® # 58050174664

$1,169,000
↑ $1,168,999
614 S 7th Street, Ann Arbor city
4 Beds 4 Baths 3,482 SqFt Residential MLS® # 81025049933

$1,169,000
↑ $69,000
3960 Harvest Creek Crt, Oakland charter township
4 Beds 4 Baths 6,160 SqFt Residential MLS® # 20250031556

$1,164,243
↑ $9,385
7331 Mulberry Dr, Washington township
4 Beds 4 Baths 3,433 SqFt Residential MLS® # 58050189199

$1,160,000

9470 Pontiac Lake Rd, White Lake charter township
0 Beds 15 Baths 2,700 SqFt Multifamily MLS® # 20240009340

$1,159,000

6411 Lapham Court, Salem township
5 Beds 6 Baths 5,887 SqFt Residential MLS® # 81025050821

$1,150,000
↓ $100,000
1928 Lorraine Place, Ann Arbor city
4 Beds 6 Baths 3,677 SqFt Residential MLS® # 81025044234

$1,150,000
↓ $50,000
209 N Seventh Street, Ann Arbor city
5 Beds 4 Baths 2,701 SqFt Residential MLS® # 81025031502

$1,149,900

3829 Waldenwood Drive, Ann Arbor city
6 Beds 5 Baths 3,470 SqFt Residential MLS® # 81025045732

$1,135,000

1704 Shadford Road, Ann Arbor city
4 Beds 3 Baths 2,454 SqFt Residential MLS® # 81025049417

$1,125,000
↓ $125,000
3401 Michigan Ave, Detroit city
2 Beds 2 Baths 3,000 SqFt Residential MLS® # 20250028849

$1,114,995

3440 Maple Ridge Dr, Ann Arbor charter township
4 Beds 4 Baths 3,904 SqFt Residential MLS® # 20250031963

$1,100,000

63240 Indian Hills Dr, Washington township
4 Beds 3 Baths 4,145 SqFt Residential MLS® # 58050189927

$1,100,000
↓ $100,000
438 State Park Rd Rd, Groveland township
4 Beds 4 Baths 4,142 SqFt Residential MLS® # 58050188557

$1,100,000
↓ $74,000
32830 Jefferson Ave, St. Clair Shores city
5 Beds 3 Baths 4,763 SqFt Residential MLS® # 20250022356

$1,100,000

93 Merriweather Rd, Grosse Pointe Farms city
6 Beds 5 Baths 5,200 SqFt Residential MLS® # 58050180494

$1,100,000
↓ $85,000
2316 Brockman Boulevard, Ann Arbor city
4 Beds 4 Baths 2,612 SqFt Residential MLS® # 81025024043

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