9 Best Places to Paddle Board in Lake Michigan

Discover the beauty of the Midwest as you glide along the tranquil waters of the Great Lakes.

Venture into the best places to paddle board in Lake Michigan, surrounded by gorgeous shorelines and serene landscapes.

Embark on an unforgettable adventure and explore the freshwater haven by paddle board. Ready to dive in?

Map

Planning Your Paddle in Lake Michigan

Season figures are averages of the daily maximum temperature in the ERA5 climate archive for 2019 to 2024. Every spot below can carry its own rules on top of these.

Season: average daily highs clear 59 °F from May through September. July is the warmest month, averaging 76 °F, and outside that window a wetsuit is what separates a short session from a comfortable one.
Rules and licences: The US Coast Guard treats a paddleboard as a vessel as soon as you leave the immediate swimming or surfing area. From that point a wearable life jacket for every person on board is required, together with a sound signal, and a white light after dark. Individual states add their own rules on top, so check the state boating agency before a longer trip.

Where to Paddle Board in Lake Michigan

Please note: While we strive for accuracy, always verify details before paddling. If you spot an error or if you're a local official wanting to make a correction, please comment below. Thanks!

#1 Chicago

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: North Avenue Beach (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Generally calm, can be windy
☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer and Early Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Various fish species, birds
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Chicago skyline, Navy Pier
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Use caution in windy conditions, cold water can be a risk, follow local regulations

Chicago, the Windy City, offers paddleboarders a unique experience on the shores of Lake Michigan. North Avenue Beach provides stunning views of the skyline as you glide along the calm waters.

Always be aware of changing weather conditions and respect local rules for a safe and enjoyable paddleboarding session.

#2 Grand Haven Beach

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Grand Haven City Beach (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Moderate waves, occasional wind
☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer and Early Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Local fish species, seagulls
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Grand Haven Lighthouse, sand dunes
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Use caution in moderate waves, respect restricted areas

Grand Haven Beach, located in western Michigan, is a popular destination for paddleboarders.

The wide-open Lake Michigan shoreline is perfect for both beginners and experienced paddlers. Enjoy the iconic lighthouse and expansive sand dunes as a stunning backdrop for your adventure.

#3 Muskegon Lake

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Harbour Towne Beach (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm, protected from wind
☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer and Early Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Various fish species, birds
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Muskegon South Pierhead Light, marinas
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Avoid boating areas, follow local regulations

Muskegon Lake, connected to Lake Michigan by a channel, offers a more serene paddling experience.

The protected waters make for an ideal location for beginners and those looking for calmer conditions. Soak up the peaceful views and admire the historic Muskegon South Pierhead Light.

#4 Silver Beach

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Silver Beach County Park (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Gentle waves, occasional wind
☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer and Early Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Local fish species, seagulls
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: St. Joseph North Pier Lighthouse, sand dunes
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Use caution in moderate waves, respect local regulations

Silver Beach, in St. Joseph, Michigan, is a scenic shoreline that attracts paddleboarding enthusiasts. The expanse of soft sand and gentle Lake Michigan waves provide an ideal spot for a leisurely paddle.

The beautiful St. Joseph North Pier Lighthouse, visible from the beach, adds to the charm of this location.

#5 Petoskey State Park

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Petoskey State Park Beach (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm to moderate waves, occasional wind
☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer and Early Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Birds, various fish species
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Little Traverse Bay, sand dunes
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Follow park regulations, watch for swimmers

Petoskey State Park, located near Little Traverse Bay in northern Michigan, offers a lush, picturesque setting for paddleboarding.

The sandy beach and calm to moderate waves make it a perfect spot for all skill levels. As you glide across the water, take in the beautiful shoreline and rolling sand dunes.

#6 Holland State Park

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Holland State Park Beach (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Moderate waves, occasional wind
☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer and Early Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Various fish species, seagulls
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Big Red Lighthouse, sand dunes
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Follow park regulations, use caution in moderate waves

Holland State Park, on the sandy shores of Lake Michigan, offers paddleboarders a great spot to explore the water.

The park’s wide sandy beach, tall dunes, and the iconic Big Red Lighthouse provide scenic views as you enjoy the lake’s refreshing waters. While the waves can be moderate, Holland State Park is a beautiful spot for all skill levels to paddleboard.

#7 Door County

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Ephraim Beach (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm to moderate waves, occasional wind
☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer and Early Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Birds, various fish species
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Peninsula State Park, Eagle Bluff Lighthouse
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Follow local regulations, use caution in moderate waves

Door County, located in Wisconsin along the eastern shoreline of Lake Michigan, offers numerous charming spots for paddleboarding. One such location is Ephraim Beach, where the serene waters and picturesque shoreline provide a delightful backdrop.

Enjoy the stunning views of Peninsula State Park and Eagle Bluff Lighthouse as you paddle along the coast.

#8 Saugatuck Dunes State Park

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Saugatuck Dunes State Park Beach (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Moderate waves, occasional wind
☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer and Early Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Various fish species, birds
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Sand dunes, wooded hiking trails
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Follow park regulations, use caution in moderate waves

Saugatuck Dunes State Park, in western Michigan, offers a secluded spot for paddleboarding aficionados. The park’s remote sandy beach, surrounded by magnificent dunes and wooded areas, creates a serene atmosphere.

While the waves can be moderate, the peaceful setting and picturesque landscape make this a fantastic place for paddleboarding.

#9 Traverse City

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: West End Beach (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm to moderate waves, occasional wind
☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer and Early Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Various fish species, birds
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Grand Traverse Bay, Old Mission Peninsula
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Follow local regulations, use caution in moderate waves

Traverse City, situated along the shores of Lake Michigan in Northern Michigan, is a popular destination for paddleboarding.

West End Beach is a preferred spot to access the waters of Grand Traverse Bay, offering stunning views of Old Mission Peninsula. Enjoy the beautiful landscape as you paddle along the calm to moderate waves of Lake Michigan.

Lake Michigan behaves like an inland sea, with sandbars, rip currents and sudden chop. Isle Royale is the wildest of the Great Lakes trips, the Minnesota lake district the quiet one and Ohio the southern shore.

What to Take With You

Whatever the water here looks like, the same short list comes along. Each box below shows the model that currently sits at number one in our own test of that category.

Onyx MoveVent Dynamic Paddle Vest

Life jacket

Check price

Typefoam, paddle cut
ApprovalUSCG and Transport Canada

Rules differ from state to state and from country to country, but on open water this is the piece that gets checked, and the one that counts when the wind turns while you are still a long way out.

Every model we tested: 10 Best Life Vests for Paddle Boarding

NRS Quick-Release SUP Leash

Waist leash

Check price

Cordcoiled, stretches to 9 ft
Swivelstwo in-line

A leash keeps the board within reach after a fall, and a board that drifts off is the start of most rescues. On moving water use a quick release belt rather than an ankle cuff.

Every model we tested: The 9 Best SUP Waist Leashes

Pelican Marine Waterproof Phone Pouch

Phone case