ADA Accessible Beaches on Lake Huron, Michigan’s Sunrise Coast

Last Updated: April 2026

I grew up on Lake Huron. I’ve been playing on its shores since before I could walk, and I still think it’s one of the most underappreciated stretches of Great Lakes shoreline in the entire state. So when it comes to knowing which Lake Huron beaches are genuinely accessible — not just technically compliant, but actually enjoyable for visitors using wheelchairs or mobility aids — I feel like I’m on home turf.

This guide covers the best ADA and wheelchair accessible beaches along Michigan’s Lake Huron shoreline, organized south to north along the Sunrise Coast. Whether you’re planning a day trip from Metro Detroit or a full week along the Thumb and beyond, you’ll find everything you need to plan a trip that works for your whole group.

Accessibility information is something I try to include throughout every destination post on this site — because it should be part of every beach conversation. This post goes deeper on Lake Huron specifically. For a full statewide overview, visit our complete guide to ADA accessible beaches in Michigan.

Planning an Accessible Lake Huron Beach Trip: What to Know First

Lake Huron’s shoreline runs nearly 700 miles along Michigan’s eastern edge, from Port Huron at the base of the Thumb all the way up to the Straits of Mackinac. The good news for accessibility travelers: this coastline has some of the flattest, most walkable beach terrain in the state. Lake Huron beaches tend to be wide and gently sloped with shallower water than Lake Michigan — which makes them naturally easier to navigate, even before the accessibility infrastructure kicks in.

Most beach wheelchairs and track chairs at Michigan state parks are available Memorial Day through Labor Day, though a few locations offer year-round access. Always call ahead to confirm availability, especially for summer weekends. Hours and seasonal policies can change — don’t assume.

Locations marked with * have a beach wheelchair or track chair available to borrow free of charge. All details confirmed from official sources — confirm directly with each location before your visit as hours and availability can change seasonally.

Accessible Lake Huron Beaches: South to North Along the Sunrise Coast

Lighthouse Beach and Lakeside Beach — Port Huron*

Lighthouse Beach: 2900 Conger Street, Port Huron, MI 48060
Lakeside Beach: 3670 Gratiot Avenue, Port Huron, MI 48059
Port Huron is where Lake Huron begins — literally, at the foot of the Blue Water Bridge — and the city has put real effort into accessibility. Both Lighthouse Beach and Lakeside Beach have access mats to the water’s edge. Lakeside Beach also has an accessible splash pad, which makes it a strong option for families. A free beach wheelchair is available; call ahead to reserve at 810-385-3019. Parking fees apply at both beaches.

Lakeport State Park — Lakeport

Address: 7605 Lakeshore Road, Lakeport, MI 48059
On the Blue Thumb Coast just south of Port Huron, Lakeport State Park has a clean, accessible walkway to the Lake Huron waterfront. This is a quiet park — not as busy as the Thumb’s resort towns — and that can be a real advantage if you’re looking for a calmer visit with plenty of room to move around.

Lexington State Harbor and Waterfront Park

Address:  7311 Huron Ave, Lexington, MI 48450
The beach in Lexington is located right downtown in Waterfront Park. It is easily accessible with a mobility mat leading to the sandy beach which gently slopes to the water. There is also a long, paved pier that stretches into Lake Huron. Lexington has a small and navigable downtown that is fun to explore – it’s one of my favorite Lake Huron beach towns.

Caseville County Park — Caseville*

Address: 6598 Main Street, Caseville, MI 48725
Right in the heart of downtown Caseville, this busy resort-town beach has a barrier-free walkway from the parking lot toward the waterfront. If you’ve never been to Caseville, it’s one of those Lake Huron towns that punches above its weight — good restaurants, a fun pier, and a sandy beach that gets genuinely warm water by mid-July. The county park makes a good accessible base for exploring the town. The full Thumb Coast guide has more on what’s nearby.

Albert E. Sleeper State Park* — Caseville

Address: 6573 State Park Road, Caseville, MI 48725
Just outside of Caseville, Sleeper State Park sits on 723 acres of forest, wetlands, and half a mile of Lake Huron beach on Saginaw Bay. There’s an accessible walkway and a beach wheelchair available. The water here is famously warm by Great Lakes standards — the shallow Saginaw Bay heats up faster than open Lake Huron — which makes this a particularly pleasant accessible swim destination in summer. Confirm chair availability at 989-856-4411.

Port Crescent State Park — Port Austin

Address: 1775 Port Austin Road, Port Austin, MI 48467
Of all the Lake Huron beaches I’ve visited over the years, Port Crescent is the one I keep coming back to. Three miles of undeveloped shoreline at the tip of the Thumb, with the kind of wide, sandy beach and clear water that looks more like a postcard than a real place. The accessible walkway from the campground to the water is well-maintained and genuinely gets you to the shoreline — not just to the edge of the sand. This is also a Michigan Dark Sky Park, so if you’re camping, stay for the night sky. See my Port Austin travel guide for what to do before and after the beach.

Bay City State Park* — Bay City

Address: 3582 State Park Drive, Bay City, MI 48706
On Saginaw Bay with over 1,000 feet of Lake Huron beach, Bay City State Park is one of the few locations in Michigan with a beach wheelchair available year-round — not just in summer. That’s a meaningful detail if you’re visiting in the shoulder seasons. There are also seven-plus miles of biking and hiking trails, a splash pad, playground, and an observation platform. Reserve the chair by calling 989-684-3020.

East Tawas City Park* — East Tawas

Address: 407 W. Bay Street, East Tawas, MI 48730
The Tawas area is one of the best accessible beach setups on all of Lake Huron, and East Tawas City Park is the star of the show. The park offers a MOBI-Chair — a floating beach wheelchair — free of charge at the park office, along with access matting across the sand. To use the chair, just stop by the office or call 989-362-5562. The MOBI-Chair means you can go into the water, not just up to the edge of it, which is a genuine distinction. Tawas Bay is also one of the calmest, clearest bays on Lake Huron — a 450-foot pier for walking and fishing, an ADA-compatible swing, and a downtown full of shops and good food are all within easy reach. It’s one of the most complete accessible beach experiences on this entire shoreline.

Oscoda Beach Park — Oscoda

Address: 101 W. Lake Street, Oscoda, MI 48750
I’ll be honest: Oscoda Beach Park is one of the reasons I believe Lake Huron’s accessibility story doesn’t get the credit it deserves. Right in downtown Oscoda, the park offers about 1,000 feet of Lake Huron frontage with wide paved pathways, well-maintained wooden ramps, a paved pier, and a boardwalk that actually gets you to the water. The full setup — splash pad, skateboard park, basketball court, band shell, pavilion, playground, picnic tables, bathhouse — is all accessible and easy to navigate. If you’re traveling with someone who uses a wheelchair and wants a full beach day without logistical stress, this is one of the best options on Lake Huron.

Harrisville State Park* — Harrisville

Address: 248 State Park Road, Harrisville, MI 48740
Tucked in a quiet stand of pine and cedar trees right on Lake Huron’s sandy shore, Harrisville State Park has an accessible path from the campground to the water and three track chairs available to borrow free. These all-terrain electric chairs handle trails, snow, sand, and shallow water — not just the beach mat. Harrisville itself is a lovely small town; the Sturgeon Point Lighthouse is a short drive north and worth the stop.

Mich-E-Ke-Wis Park — Alpena

Address: 1302 S. State Avenue, Alpena, MI 49707
Alpena doesn’t get nearly the attention it deserves as a beach town, and Mich-E-Ke-Wis is a big reason it should. This sprawling downtown park on Thunder Bay has a wide, paved sidewalk running the length of the beach — wheelchair users can move freely from one end to the other without hitting sand. Accessible picnic tables with open ends for mobility devices, a splash pad, volleyball courts, a BMX park, and horseshoe pits round out the picture. The ADA-accessible fishing pier at nearby Blair Street Park is worth adding to the day. For more on Alpena, check out my Alpena beaches guide.

Planning Your Lake Huron Accessible Beach Trip by Season

Summer (July–August) is peak season on Lake Huron, with the warmest water and the fullest amenities. Saginaw Bay beaches — Caseville, Sleeper State Park, Bay City — tend to have the warmest water on Lake Huron because the shallow bay heats up faster than open lake. If comfortable swimming matters as much as accessibility, aim for the Thumb area in July.

September is one of my favorite times to visit Lake Huron. The crowds thin out noticeably after Labor Day, the water stays warm into mid-month, and the light on the water in fall is something I always try to get back for. Accessibility infrastructure stays in place at most parks through the end of the season — but call ahead on beach wheelchair availability, as some parks scale back staffing.

More Resources for Accessible Travel on Lake Huron

The Michigan DNR Accessibility page has the most current information on beach wheelchairs and track chairs at state parks. The Northern Michigan Disability Network is also a solid resource for accessible kayak launches and parks in northern Michigan. For accessibility information across the Blue Water Area near Port Huron, the Blue Water Area CVB maintains a detailed accessibility guide.

Have a favorite accessible Lake Huron beach I didn’t include? Let me know in the comments — I’ll check it out and add it to the list.