The Best Wheelchair Accessible Beaches in Michigan, Region by Region

Last Updated: April 2026

If you’re planning a Michigan beach trip and accessibility matters — whether for yourself, a family member, or an aging parent — you’re going to want to bookmark this page. I’ve spent years traveling Michigan’s shoreline and actively tracking which beaches and state parks have the infrastructure to make a day at the water genuinely enjoyable for visitors of all abilities. The good news: Michigan has been investing seriously in this, and the results are impressive.

Michigan’s Commitment to Accessible Beaches

Michigan’s freshwater shoreline is meant to be enjoyed by beach-goers of all abilities. An increasing number of state parks and municipalities have made accessibility a real priority — not an afterthought — with accessible ramps, wide paved pathways, beach mats, and both beach and track wheelchairs becoming standard at many locations.

One thing worth knowing: Michigan now has more track chairs available for public use than any other state park system in the country. In 2023, the Michigan DNR hit a fundraising goal of over $400,000 to expand the program, growing from 5 to 25-plus locations in just a few years. These all-terrain electric wheelchairs can handle sand, snow, trails, and up to eight inches of water — and they’re free to borrow.

I don’t personally use mobility assistance, but I travel frequently with my aging parents, and their comfort is always on my radar. I’m always looking for smooth, even pathways and noting distances — and this list reflects that kind of attention to practical detail, not just whether a park technically has an “accessible path.”

You’ll also find ADA accessibility information included throughout the website and woven into individual destination posts across the site — because accessibility deserves to be part of every beach conversation, not siloed into one page.

This list covers both Great Lakes beaches and select Michigan inland lakes with public beach access. Locations marked with * have a beach or track wheelchair available to borrow.

Beach Wheelchairs and Track Chairs: What’s the Difference?

It’s worth knowing what you’re looking for before you go. Beach wheelchairs are lightweight, all-terrain chairs designed to roll over sand without sinking — some can go into shallow water. Track chairs are powered, all-terrain electric wheelchairs that can handle trails, dunes, snow, and up to eight inches of water. Several parks also offer Mobi-Chairs, floating beach wheelchairs that allow a smooth transition from boardwalk to beach to water. All are available free of charge at the locations listed below.

Michigan State Parks: ADA and Wheelchair Accessible Beaches by Region

The Michigan DNR has updated many of its facilities statewide. Find full accessibility information directly at Michigan State Parks Accessibility.

*Denotes locations with a beach or track wheelchair available to borrow.

Handicap Accessible State Parks in Southeast Michigan

Brighton State Recreation Area*

Address: 6360 Chilson Road, Howell, MI 48843
Brighton State Recreation Area in Livingston County is home to nine lakes and a designated swimming beach. There’s an accessible walkway to the waterfront and a beach wheelchair available to borrow.

Dodge #4 State Park

Address: 4250 Parkway Drive, Waterford, MI 48327
On the shores of Cass Lake in Oakland County, this park has an accessible walkway to the waterfront. No beach wheelchair at this location.

Island Lake State Park*

Address: 6301 Kensington Road, Brighton, MI 48116
Located in Livingston County, Island Lake has an accessible walkway to the waterfront. A track chair is available — it can be brought to the parking lot for an easy transfer.

Metamora-Hadley Recreation Area

Address: 3871 Herd Road, Metamora, MI 48455
Home to Lake Minnawanna and a swimming beach in Michigan’s Thumb region. The accessible walkway here is one of the better ones I’ve seen — it runs from the concession stand all the way across the beach to the waterfront.

Handicap Accessible State Parks in Mid-Michigan

Holly Recreation Area

Address: 8100 Grange Hall Road, Holly, MI 48442
Holly Recreation Area in Genesee County has an accessible walkway to the beach, though there are no beach mats to the water’s edge.

Seven Lakes State Park*

Address: 14390 Fish Lake Road, Holly, MI 48442
Seven Lakes has an accessible beach mat that extends all the way to the water’s edge — a useful detail if standard walkways aren’t enough.

Sleepy Hollow State Park*

Address: 7835 E. Price Road, Laingsburg, MI 48848
Near Lansing on Lake Ovid, Sleepy Hollow has an accessible beach mat to the waterfront and a beach wheelchair available. Reserve ahead by calling 517-651-6217.

Handicap Accessible State Parks in Michigan’s Thumb

Bay City State Park*

Address: 3582 State Park Drive, Bay City, MI 48706
On Saginaw Bay off Lake Huron, Bay City State Park has an accessible walkway to the waterfront and a beach wheelchair available year-round. Call 989-684-3020 to reserve.

Lakeport State Park

Address: 7605 Lakeshore Road, Lakeport, MI 48059
On the Blue Thumb Coast along Lake Huron, Lakeport offers an accessible walkway to the waterfront.

Port Crescent State Park

Address: 1775 Port Austin Road, Port Austin, MI 48467
Port Crescent at the tip of the Thumb is one of the prettiest state parks in Michigan, in my opinion. The campground has an accessible walkway to Lake Huron’s shoreline. It’s also a Michigan Dark Sky Park — worth a night stay for the stargazing alone. Learn more in my Port Austin travel guide.

East Tawas City Park*

Address: 100 W. Bay Street, East Tawas, MI 48730
The Tawas region has stepped up in a big way for accessibility. East Tawas City Park on Lake Huron offers a MOBI-Chair — a floating beach wheelchair — free of charge at the park office, along with access matting across the sand. It’s one of the more complete setups I’ve come across on the Lake Huron shoreline.

Handicap Accessible State Parks in West Michigan

Fort Custer State Recreation Area

Address: 5163 Fort Custer Drive, Augusta, MI 49012
Between Battle Creek and Kalamazoo, Fort Custer has three lakes and a swimming beach with an accessible walkway to the water. No beach wheelchair here.

Grand Haven State Park*

Address: 1001 Harbor Avenue, Grand Haven, MI 49417
Grand Haven State Park sits on a half-mile of Lake Michigan beach with accessible paths, a boardwalk, and three track chairs available free. These chairs handle trails, snow, sand, and shallow water. Reserve a chair online here.

Hoffmaster State Park*

Address: 6585 Lake Harbor Road, Muskegon, MI 49441
Three miles of Lake Michigan beach here, though the 193 stairs to the water are a real obstacle for most. The good news: there are ADA-accessible campsites closer to the beach, and two beach wheelchairs available to borrow. The Gillette Visitor Center is also fully ADA accessible. Call 231-798-3711 to reserve a wheelchair.

Holland State Park*

Address: 2215 Ottawa Beach Road, Holland, MI 49424
If I had to recommend one beach for the most complete accessible experience in Michigan, Holland State Park would be it. Stunning Lake Michigan beach, accessible pathways, beach mats, accessible picnic tables, an accessible playground, and three track chairs capable of handling trails, snow, sand, and shallow water — all free to borrow. Track chairs are available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., by reservation. Call at least 24 hours ahead at 616-399-9390. Learn more in my Holland, Michigan guide.

Ludington State Park*

Address: 8800 W. M-116, Ludington, MI 49431
Seven miles of Lake Michigan beach, consistently ranked among the best in west Michigan. There are accessible walkways at both the Lake Michigan and Hamlin Lake day-use areas, plus track chairs available at both locations — including one near Big Sable River. Reserve by calling 231-843-2423, ext. 0, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Stearns Beach, Ludington*

Address: 300 S. Robert Street, Ludington, MI 49431
Right in downtown Ludington, Stearns Beach offers 2,500 feet of Lake Michigan shoreline and is a separate option from the state park. The city and Disability Connections of West Michigan worked together to install accessible walkways, and amenities include picnic tables, grills, a playground, and public restrooms — all accessible. Worth pairing with a visit to Ludington State Park if you’re in the area.

Mears State Park*

Address: 400 West Lowell Street, Pentwater, MI 49449
One of Michigan’s prettiest beaches and one of the more underrated spots on the Lake Michigan shore. Mears has an accessible walkway and a beach wheelchair available. It’s also a great spot for a Michigan sunset.

Muskegon State Park*

Address: 3560 Memorial Drive, North Muskegon, MI 49445
Accessible walkway to Lake Michigan and a beach wheelchair capable of handling trails, sand, and shallow water.

Silver Lake State Park*

Address: 9679 W. State Park Road, Mears, MI 49436
Home to miles of Lake Michigan beach and the picturesque Little Sable Point Lighthouse. Two beach wheelchairs are available to borrow.

Warren Dunes State Park*

Address: 12032 Red Arrow Highway, Sawyer, MI 49125
Warren Dunes in Harbor Country is one of my favorite beaches in the state — over three miles of Lake Michigan beach beneath massive dunes. Three accessible paths lead to the water, and two beach/aqua chairs are available to borrow. There’s also a dog beach accessible from the northernmost parking lot. Reserve chairs by calling the ranger station at 269-426-4013.

Handicap Accessible State Parks in Northern Michigan

Harrisville State Park*

Address: 248 State Park Road, Harrisville, MI 48740
On Lake Huron in northern Michigan, Harrisville has an accessible path from the campground to the water and three track chairs available free. These handle trails, snow, sand, and shallow water.

Interlochen State Park*

Address: 4167 J Maddy Pkwy, Interlochen, MI 49643
Set on two lakes — Green Lake and Duck Lake — with an accessible walkway and beach wheelchair available for public use.

Wilderness State Park*

Address: 903 Wilderness Park Drive, Carp Lake, MI 49718
Just west of Mackinaw City with 26 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. Accessible walkway to the water and a beach wheelchair available. A note from experience: it can be buggy here in summer — black flies and gnats are real. Pack bug spray and you’ll be fine.

Young State Park

Address: 2280 Boyne City Road, Boyne City, MI 49712
Accessible walkway to Lake Charlevoix.

Rifle River Recreation Area*

Address: 2550 E. Rose City Road, Lupton, MI 48635
North of West Branch, with 10 lakes and the Rifle River. Accessible beach mats to the water at Grousehaven and Devoe Lake campgrounds, plus a beach wheelchair available.

South Higgins Lake State Park*

Address: 106 State Park Drive, Roscommon, MI 48653
Higgins Lake is one of the clearest inland lakes in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. Two accessible beach mats lead to the water, and two beach wheelchairs are available. Reserve by calling 989-821-6374.

North Higgins Lake State Park*

Address: 11747 N. Higgins Lake Drive, Roscommon, MI 48653
The north side of Higgins Lake also has an accessible walkway and a free beach wheelchair.

Traverse City State Park*

Address: 1132 US-31 N., Traverse City, MI 49686
Half a mile of sandy beach on Grand Traverse Bay, with an accessible walkway to the water and a beach wheelchair available.

Otsego Lake State Park*

Address: 7136 Old 27 S., Gaylord, MI 49735
Accessible walkway to the waterfront and a beach wheelchair available. Otsego Lake also has a universally accessible beach and swim area with a boardwalk.

Petoskey State Park*

Address: 2475 M-119 Hwy., Petoskey, MI 49770
On Lake Michigan’s Little Traverse Bay, with an accessible walkway to the water. Beach wheelchair available at the concession store in the beach house.

Handicap Accessible State Parks in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

McLain State Park

Address: 18350 Highway M-203, Hancock, MI 49930
In the Keweenaw Peninsula on the southern shore of Lake Superior, McLain State Park has an accessible walkway to the water. Lake Superior sunsets from here are something else entirely.

Bonus: Oscoda Beach Park

Oscoda Beach Park

Address: 101 W. Lake Street, Oscoda, MI 48750
Right in downtown Oscoda, this park delivers about 1,000 feet of Lake Huron frontage with wide paved pathways and well-maintained wooden ramps and boardwalk. The full facility — splash pad, skateboard park, basketball court, band shell, pavilion, playground, picnic tables, bathhouse, and paved parking — is all accessible and easily navigable. It’s one of the more thoughtfully laid-out accessible beach parks I’ve come across anywhere in Michigan.

Accessibility at Michigan Beaches: What to Expect by Season

A few practical notes before you go: beach wheelchair availability at Michigan state parks is generally strongest from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with some parks offering year-round access (Bay City State Park, for example, has a beach wheelchair available year-round). Track chairs tend to be available on a reservation basis — call ahead, especially for summer weekends. Hours and seasonal availability can change, so always confirm directly with the park before your visit.

Additional Accessibility Resources for Michigan

The Michigan DNR Accessibility page has the most current information on track chairs, beach wheelchairs, and accessible trails statewide. The Northern Michigan Disability Network is also a solid resource for accessible parks and kayak launches in northern Michigan.

Did I miss one of your favorite accessible beaches in Michigan? Let me know in the comments below — I’ll check it out and add it to the list.