Lake Huron
Lake · Alpena, Michigan
Lake Huron is the second largest Great Lake by surface area, and Michigan holds its long western shore, known as the Sunrise Side because the sun comes up over the water. US-23 runs the length of it through Port Huron, the Thumb, Port Austin, Bay City, Tawas Point State Park with its long sand spit, Oscoda, Alpena, Rogers City and Mackinaw City. The southern bays are shallow and warm enough for real swimming in summer, while the north end stays cold. Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary at Alpena protects a cluster of shipwrecks, and several lighthouses stand along the coast. It suits families after a beach week, divers, sunrise walkers, freighter watchers and anyone driving the shore slowly. It is long, so pick a stretch rather than trying to see all of it, and watch for rip currents near piers, cold water and sudden wind. Beaches are mostly unguarded, towns are small, and services thin out between Tawas and Alpena, so plan fuel, food and a place to stay before you set out along the coast.
Lake Huron, Alpena, Michigan, 49707, United States
The lake and its public shoreline are open at all hours and in all seasons, with no gate and no closing time. What varies is what sits on the shore: most state park beaches, bathhouses, boat launches and lighthouse tours run from late May to early September, and many museums and boat tours cut back or close in winter. The Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center in Alpena and the sanctuary programs keep their own hours - confirm them before a visit. Swimming and boating are unsupervised at most beaches, and ice makes the shoreline hard to use from about January to March.