Traverse City Beaches and Parks

Want to feel the sand between your toes and the cool, calm waters of Lake Michigan lapping at your heels? Spend some time at one of the best beaches Traverse City has to offer! Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel wants to help you find all the hidden gems and places where you can relax and enjoy Michigan’s coast during your time in Traverse City.  

Traverse City Beaches Near Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel:

Bayside Park

Distance from Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel:4.1 miles (6-min drive)

Parking Address: 5705 Munson Ave, Williamsburg, MI 49690

Hours of Operation: Open 24 hours a day

Bayside Park is tucked away on the East Bay Arm of Grand Traverse Bay. This beach is located closest to Turtle Creek and offers many amenities, including:

• Bathrooms
• Handicap Accessible paths
• Free parking
• Benches
• Grills
• Swing set
• Playground area

Elk Rapids Sandbar

Distance from Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel: 11.1 miles (16-min drive)

Parking Address: River St., Elk Rapids, 49629 Parking available off River Rd near Veteran’s Memorial Park.

Hours of Operation: Dawn to dusk (daylight hours only)

Elk Rapids Sandbar is a great place for the whole family! This beach is located near Veteran’s Memorial Park which provides:

• Indoor bathrooms
• Play equipment
• Swings
• Tennis courts
• Basketball courts

Maple Bay Natural Area

Distance from Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel: 6.8 miles (11-min drive)

Parking Address: US-31, Williamsburg, MI 49690 – To access the beach you must turn down a gravel drive on the west side of U.S. 31, pass Maple Bay Farm, and arrive at the parking area atop a bluff where the flat land meets the forest. Follow the trail to the beach (it’s about 1/3 of a mile at a steep slope.)

Hours of Operation: Dawn to dusk (daylight hours only)

Maple Bay Natural Area is a part of the Grand Traverse County Nature Reserve. The beach is a part of the natural area, which also includes hiking trails and dune swale complexes.

Hunting is allowed in this area seasonally. For local rules and regulations contact the Grand Traverse County Parks Department at (231) 922-4818. Pets are welcome but must remain on a leash.

Sayler Park

Distance from Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel: 5.6 miles (10-min drive)

Parking Address: 5923 Yuba Park Rd, Williamsburg, MI 49690

Hours of Operation: 7:00 am to 10:00 pm

Sayler Park is open to the public and has 3 rentable “shelter” spaces that will give you access to the following amenities:

• Horseshoe pit*
• Covered awning*
• Volleyball net
• Playground equipment
• 2 charcoal grills
• Modern and clean restrooms

*Note that a small rental fee will be required for guaranteed access to some amenities, as these are rented through the park system and may not be readily available.

Beaches near Traverse City, Michigan

Bryant Park

Distance from Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel: 10.1 miles (17-min drive)

Parking Address: 1101 Peninsula Dr, Traverse City, MI 49686

Hours of Operation: 7:00 am to 10:00 pm

Bryant Park is a long stretch of sandy beach adjacent to free parking at the base of Old Mission Peninsula. This beach is ADA-compliant and offers a host of amenities, including:

• A picnic area
• Playground
• Restrooms
• Charcoal grills
• Lifeguards (from mid-June to August)

It also offers some of the best sunset views near the downtown area.

Clinch Park Beach

Distance from Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel: 11.3 miles (20-min drive)

Parking Address: 111 E Grandview Pkwy, Traverse City, MI 49684

Hours of Operation: 8:00 am – 11:00 pm

Clinch Park is a two-mile stretch of beach on West Grand Traverse Bay. This park offers deeper swimming areas than those found on East Grand Traverse Bay. This park is the closest beach to downtown Traverse City and has a lot to offer, including:

• Picnic tables
• Bike racks
• TART trail access
• Lifeguards (mid-June to August)
• Snack bar
• Restrooms
• Adjacent to the Clinch Park Marina for easy access to boats

This park is open year-round and is pet friendly.

East Bay Park

Distance from Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel: 9.5 miles (16-min drive)

Parking Address: 220 E Bay Blvd S, Traverse City, MI 49686

Hours of Operation: 7:00 am – 11:00 pm

East Bay Park is tucked into the East Arm of Grand Traverse Bay. With shallow swimming waters, a playground, and being close to food and downtown attractions, this beach is great for kiddos. There are also public restrooms and picnic facilities available.

Gens Park

Distance from Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel: 6.4 miles (10-min drive)

Parking Address: 2263 Munson Ave, Traverse City, MI 49686

Hours of Operation: Monday – Thursday 7:00 am to 5:30 pm

Gens Park provides ample paved parking off US 31 near Holiday Rd. This beach is located on East Bay with a boardwalk to the beach and a nice deck area for picnics and grilling. This is a seasonal park that is typically closed from October 31 to May 1.

Traverse City State Park Beach

Distance from Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel: 7.8 miles (12-min drive)

Parking address: 1265 N US Highway 31 N

Hours of Operation: 8:00 am – 10:00 pm

The Traverse City State Park Beach is the park connected with Keith J. Charters State Park Campground. There’s a bridge between the campground and the beach that makes crossing the highway easy and safe! This beach comes equipped with:

• Playground equipment
• Charcoal grills
• Bathhouse with flushable toilets
• Great sunset views

Sunset Park Beach

Distance from Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel: 10.6 miles (18-min drive)

Parking Address: 635 E Front St, Traverse City, MI 49686

Hours of Operation: 7:00 am – 10:00 pm

Sunset Park Beach is located just off Sunset Park on West Bay. This little park is close to all the fun Traverse City has to offer. Amenities at this beach location include playground equipment, picnic areas, and local family sandcastle contests during the Cherry Festival.

West End Beach

Distance from Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel: 12 miles (22-min drive)

Parking Address: 716 W Grandview Pkwy. Traverse City, MI 49684

Hours of Operation: Open 24 hours a day

West End Beach is nearby the warehouse district of Traverse City. This beach boasts sand volleyball courts, picnic areas, and proximity to many food options in downtown Traverse City. Amenities also include ample parking and clean restrooms. This beach offers some of the best sunset views in town!

Northern Michigan Beaches Surrounding Traverse City

Good Harbor Bay Beach

Distance from Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel: 31.9 miles (48-min drive)

Parking Address: Good Harbor Trl, Glen Arbor, MI, 49636

Hours of Operation: Daylight hours only.

Good Harbor Bay Beach is located in Leelanau County and is a part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. This beach offers a sandy beachfront on Lake Michigan. Amenities include bathrooms and plenty of parking. Views of Pyramid Point and Whaleback sand dune are breathtaking.

Haserot Beach

Distance from Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel: 26.4miles (40-min drive)

Parking Address: Old Mission Rd. Traverse City, MI 49686. Follow Swaney Rd until it turns into Old Mission Rd. parking will be available on the west side of the road.

Hours of Operation: Daylight hours only

Haserot Beach is a neat area near homes on Old Mission Peninsula. On-site amenities include:

• Playground equipment
• Handicap toilets
• Swimming area with shallow waters
• On-site and nearby off-street parking
• Basketball court

Suttons Bay Beach

Distance from Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel: 27.8 miles (42-min drive)

Parking Address: 416 Front St, Suttons Bay, MI 49682

Hours of Operation: 6:00 am – 8:00 pm

The Suttons Bay Beach is about 15 minutes north of Traverse City on M-22. Located off the village of Suttons Bay, this beach offers a fun spot for summertime play! Amenities include picnic facilities, a playground, and restrooms.

Book Your Stay in Traverse City

A stay at Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel means fun on the casino floor, comfort in your room, and ideal proximity to some of the best beaches in Traverse City, Michigan.

Call us at 800-922-2946 or and start packing for your summer beach getaway!