Located on the shores of Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Marquette is a beautiful and quaint city that is home to Northern Michigan University, and the famous Superior Dome. In the summer and early fall, Marquette offers world-class hiking, camping, mountain biking, and water access. Check out our list of the five best beaches in Marquette, Michigan.
- McCarty’s Cove
- Black Rocks
- South Beach
- Hidden Beach
- Little Presque Isle Beach
Marquette Beach Necessities
Summer in Marquette can range from mild (mid-60s) to hot (mid-90s) so be prepared for the weather. In general, Michigan Travel Club recommends a few key items for a beach day:
- Sunscreen: Make sure to use a high quality SPF 15+ sunscreen before hitting the sand and reapply regularly; pay close attention to kids.
- Life preservers: Lake Superior is notorious for its rip tides. Children should be supervised at all times when near water but it’s also a great idea to get younger children used to wearing a USCG-rated youth life preserver.
- Insect repellent: There’s a joke about the mosquito being the Michigan state bird (don’t worry, it’s not), but the bottom line is that both mosquitos and black flies are common at certain times of the year, so toss some reliable sweat resistant insect repellent in your beach bag.
McCarty’s Cove
As one of the most popular beaches in the Upper Peninsula, McCarty’s Cove beach provides wide sandy beaches, an expansive Lake Superior horizon, and inspiring views of the Marquette Harbor Lighthouse. Located right within city limits in Marquette, Michigan, McCarty’s Cove beach offers great facilities and easy access to the Marquette bike path.