ADA and Handicap Accessible Beaches in Michigan to Visit

If you’re looking for wheelchair accessibility to the natural beauty of Michigan’s beaches, forests, lakes and rivers, you’re in the right place. I’ve notied that many of Michigan’s state parks and municipalities have made accessibility a priority, with some offering wheelchair accessible ramps; wide, paved pathways; mobility mats and even beach or track wheelchairs.

Finding ADA and Wheelchair Accessible Beaches Along Michigan’s Shoreline

Michigan’s freshwater shoreline is meant to enjoyed by beach-goers of all abilities, and an increasing number of destinations throughout the state support this by including accessibility features in both new designs and updates.

Each location on the Michigan Interactive Travel and Beach Map includes detailed information about ADA and Wheelchair accessible beaches and attractions. Be sure to explore each section for up-to-date information.

Although I do not currently use an mobilty assistance, I frequently travel with my aging parents, and their comfort is always top of mind. Although they are not using a wheelchairs at this point, I still look for for smooth and even pathways for walking, and take distance into consideration as well.

Here is a list of beaches in Michigan that provide the best ADA and handicap accessibility. Some of these beaches also provide free track wheelchair and beach wheelchairs, and information is provided on that as well.

Please note that this list includes beaches on Michigan’s Great Lakes as well as some Michigan inland lakes with public access.

Beach Wheelchairs

In addition to the beach and track wheelchairs Some Michigan beaches offer Mobi-Chairs, floating beach wheelchairs that allow an easy transition from boardwalk-to-beach-to-water.

Michigan State Parks ADA and Wheelchair Access

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has updated many of their facilities for increased access to a variety of recreational opportunities including fishing, hunting, kayaking and camping in addition to improved beach access.

You can find more information on accessibility at Michigan State Parks.

The following beaches provide either a stable surface to allow easier access to the waterfront, a beach access chair (a lightweight all-terrain wheelchair that can also go into the water) or both.

*Denotes beaches with a beach access chair available

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 in southeast Michigan is home to nine lakes and a designated swimming beach. The park has an accessible walkway down to the waterfront. There is a beach wheelchair available for use as well.

Dodge #4 State Park

Address: 4250 Parkway Drive, Waterford MI, 48327
Located on the shores of Cass Lake in southeast Michigan’s Oakland County, you’ll find an accessible walkway down to the waterfront. There is no beach wheelchair available at this location.

Island Lake State Park

Address: 6301 Kensington Road, Brighton MI, 48116
Located in southeast Michigan’s Livingston County, Island Lake State Park, you’ll find an accessible walkway down to the waterfront here.

Metamora-Hadley Recreation Area

Address: 3871 Herd Road, Metamora MI, 48455
Metamora-Hadley Recreation Area in Michigan’s Thumb region is home to Lake Minnawanna, which also has a swimming beach. I like the accessible walkway that goes from the concession stand to the beach and then stretches across the beach to the waterfront.

Handicap Accessible State Parks in Mid Michigan

Holly Recreation Area

Address: 8100 Grange Hall Road, Holly MI, 48442
Located in mid-Michigan’s Gennesee County, Holly Recreation Area has a swimming beach with accessible walkways to the beach, athough there are no beach mats to the water.

Seven Lakes State Park

Address: 14390 Fish Lake Road, Holly MI, 48442

Seven Lakes State Park in mid-Michigan has a accessible beach mat down to the water.

Sleepy Hollow State Park*

Address: 7835 E. Price Road, Laingsburg MI, 48848-9438
Located in mid-Michigan near Lansing has an accessibnle beach mat down to the waterfront of Lake Ovid, as well as a beach wheelchair available for public use.

You can reserve the wheelchair by calling this number: 517-651-6217.

Handicap Accessible State Parks in Michigan’s Thumb

Bay City State Park*

Address: 3582 State Park Dr., Bay City MI, 48706-1356
Bay City State Park in Lake Huron’s Saginaw Bay has an accessible walkway down to the waterfront, as well as a beach wheelchair that is available for use year-round.

Lakeport State Park

Address: 7605 Lakeshore Road, Lakeport MI, 48059
Located on Michigan’s Blue Thumb Coast on the shores of Lake Huron, Lakeport State Park offers an accessible walkway to the waterfront.

Port Crescent State Park

Address: 1775 Port Austin Road, Port Austin MI, 48467
Port Cresent State Park in Port Austin at the tip of Michigan’s Thumb is one of Michigan’s prettiest state parks in my opinion. It also offers some excellent access to Lake Huron’s pretty shoreline via the campground, with an accessible walkway down to the water. This is also one of the 2024 Must-Visit Michigan beaches.

EXPERT TIP: This is also one of Michigan’s Dark Sky Parks, offering an opportunity to see the night sky free from artificial light.

Handicap Accessible State Parks in West Michigan

Fort Custer State Recreation Area

Address: 5163 Fort Custer Drive, Augusta MI, 49012
Located in southwest Michigan between Battle Creek and Kalamazoo, Fort Custer State Recreation Area is home to three lakes and a swimming beach. There is an accessibkle walkway down to the waterfront but no beach wheelchair.

Grand Haven State Park*

Address: 1001 Harbor Avenue, Grand Haven MI, 49417
Set on the sandy shores of Lake Michigan in West Michigan, Grand Haven State Park is home to a half-mile stretch of beach. You’ll find accessible paths, and a boardwalk as well as three track chairs available to borrow for free. These chairs are capable of handling trails, snow, sand and shallow water.

Here is the link to reserve the chair.

Hoffmaster State Park*

Address: 6585 Lake Harbor Road, Muskegon MI, 49441
You’ll find three miles of sandy Lake Michigan beach at this popoular state park in West Michigan. While the first part of the trail to beach is paved, there are 193 stairs that make it difficult to reach the beach here. However, there are ADA-accessible campsites that are closer to the beach, and two beach wheelchairs available to borrow to make the trek easier.

Call the park at 231-798-3711 to reserve.

Holland State Park*

Address: 2215 Ottawa Beach Road, Holland MI, 49424
One of the best handicap accessible beaches in Michigan, you’ll find stunning Lake Michigan beaches, accessible pathways, accessible picnic tables and an accessible playground here. Holland State Park in West Michigan provides an exceeelnt experience for those in need of accessibility assistance. You’ll find three track wheelchairs, capable of handling trails, snow, sand and shallow water, expands access beyond traditional wheelchairs. Three chairs are available for visitors to borrow at no cost.

Track chairs are available to borrow Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. by reservation. Call the park at least 24 hours in advance at 616-399-9390 to reserve.

Ludington State Park*

Address: 8800 W. M-116, Ludington MI, 49431
The seven miles of sandy Lake Michigan beach here are some of the most scenic in west Michigan. Ludington State Park is one of the most popular parks in Michigan and offers excellent handicap accessibility for both day use and camping.

There are two lakes here: Lake Michigan and Hamlin Lake. You’ll find an acessible walkway down to the Lake Michigan waterfront in the day-use area. There are also track wheelchairs avaialable to borrow for free at both the Hamlin Lake and Lake Michigan day use areas.

To make a reservation, call the park at 231-843-2423, ext. 0 during regular business hours (Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

Mears State Park*

Address: 400 West Lowell Street, Pentwater MI, 49449
Mears State Park is located on the Lake Michigan shore, near the town of Pentwater Michgan. You’ll find a sandy beach with a handicap accessible walkway down to the waterfront. There is a beach wheelchair here available, too. This is one of Michigan’s prettiest beaches, a real hidden gem in west Michigan, and great place to catch a Michigan sunset.

Muskegon State Park*

Address: 3560 Memorial Drive, North Muskegon MI, 49445
Muskegon State Park has an accessible walkway leading to the Lake Michigan waterfront, as well as a beach wheelchair, capable of handling trails, sand and shallow water.

Silver Lake State Park*

Address: 9679 W. State Park Road, Mears MI, 49436
Silver Lake State Park is home to several miles of pretty Lake Michigan beach and the picturesque Little Sable Point Lighthouse. You’ll find two beach wheelchairs available.

Warren Dunes State Park

Address: 12032 Red Arrow Highway, Sawyer MI, 49125
Warren Dunes, located in southwest Michigan’s Harbor Country, is one of my favorite beaches. You’ll find more than three sprawling miles of Lake Michigan beach, surrounded by a towering sand dune. There are three accessible paths to the water, and two beach/aqua chairs available.

Contact the ranger station to reserve the chairs at 269-426-4013.

Handicap Accessible State Parks in Northern Michigan

Call the park at 989-684-3020 to reserve the chair.

Harrisville State Park*

Address: 248 State Park Road, Harrisville MI, 48740
Located in northern Michigan on the shores of Lake Huron, Harrisville State Park has an accessible pathway from the campground that leads to the water. You’ll also find three track chairs available to borrow for free. These chairs are capable of handling trails, snow, sand and shallow water.

Interlochen State Park*

Address: 4167 J Maddy Pkwy, Interlochen MI, 49643
Located in northern Michigan, Interlochen State Park is set on the shores of two lakes, Green Lake and Duck Lake. There is an accessible walkway down to the waterfront as well as a beach wheelchair available for public use.

Wilderness State Park*

Address: 903 Wilderness Park Drive, Carp Lake MI, 49718
Just west of Mackinaw City in northern Michigan is Wilderness State Park, with 26 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. It’s a little buggy here in the summer (black flies and gnats), so be sure to bring your bug spray and you’ll be fine. There’s an accessible walkway to Lake Michigan, and a beach wheelchair is available, too.

Young State Park

Address: 2280 Boyne City Road, Boyne City MI, 49712
You’ll find an accessible walkway down to Lake Charlevoix here.

Rifle River Recreation Area*

Address: 2550 E. Rose City Road, Lupton MI, 48635-0098
Located north of West Branch in northern Michigan, there are 10 lakes here and the Rifle River. You’ll find accessible beach mats to the water at two campgrounds, Grousehaven and Devoe Lake. There is a beach wheelchair available here, too.

South Higgins State Park*

Address: 106 State Park Drive, Roscommon MI, 48653
Pretty Higgins Lake is knowsn for it’s clear water and is on one of the largest inalnd laked in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. You’ll find two accessible beach mats that lead to the water’s edge, as well as two beach wheelchairs.

Call the park at 989-821-6374 to reserve the chairs.

Traverse City State Park*

Address: 1132 US-31 N., Traverse City MI, 49686
Pretty Traverse City State Park it set on the shores of Grand Traverse Bay and offers 1/2 mile of sandy beach for swimming. You’ll find an accessible walkway down to the waterfront as well as a beach wheelchair available.

North Higgins Lake State Park*

Address: 11747 N. Higgins Lake Drive, Roscommon MI, 48653
This state park on the north side of Higgins Lake has an accessible walkway to the water as well as a beach wheelchair that is available to use for free.

Otsego Lake*

Address: 7136 Old 27 S., Gaylord MI, 49735
You’ll find an accessible walkway leading to the waterfront, as well as beach wheelchair available.

Petoskey State Park*

Address: 2475 M-119 Hwy., Petoskey MI, 49770
Located on Lake Michigan’s Little Traverse Bay in northern Michigan, Petoskey State Park offers an accessible walkway down to the water. There is also a beach wheelchair available at the concession store in the beachhouse.

Handicap Accessible State Parks in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

McLain State Park

Address: 18350 Highway M-203, Hancock MI, 49930
Located at in the U.P. in the Keweenaw Peninsula, McLain State Park is set on the sandy shores of Lake Superior between Hancock and Calumet. You’ll find an accessible walkway down the waterfront here, so you can take in the beauty of Lake Superior.

Bonus: Don’t Miss This Michigan beach Offering Great handicap Accessibility

Oscoda Beach Park

Oscoda Beach Park in downtown Oscoda Michigan provides excellent accessibility to it’s sprawling Lake Huron beachfront with wide, paved pathways and well-maintained wooden ramps and boardwalk.

With approximately 1,000 feet of Lake Huron frontage, the park includes a splash pad, skateboard park, a small basketball court, a band shell, a pavilion, children’s play equipment, picnic tables and grills, benches, a bathhouse with restrooms and a paved parking area. It’s all handicapped accessible and easily navigable.

Additional Resources for Handicap Accessible Recreation in Michigan

You can also check with the Michigan DNR for information on track wheelchairs that can be used on hiking trails.

The Northern Michigan Disability Network also offers information on accessible parks and kayak launches in northern Michigan.

More michigan beaches with handicap Access

Did we miss any of your favorite handicap accessible beaches in Michigan? Please use the comment section below to tell us and we’ll be sure to check them out and add them to our list.