Our Summer Bucket List { you knew that I was going to bring that up again, didn’t you?} is steadily getting done this summer, despite thoughts that I had recently about not much getting accomplished. One thing that was on it was having a beach day here on our West Michigan beaches. We definitely had plenty of beach time while we were in Georgia but I wanted to visit the beaches that I prefer.
Non-salty.
That really is my biggest problem with ocean beaches. I don’t like the salty water. I love the warmth, sand and shells. But I don’t like the saltiness or the thought of sharks swimming with me.
The best beach in West Michigan for toddlers and preschoolers is about one hour away from our house. From where we live we get to drive through Amish country, farmland and small towns. Our beaches are less crowded, we don’t have to pay for parking {because I always get Michigan’s State Park Sticker on our license plate registration. It’s only ten dollars.} and as previously mentioned no salty water. 🙂
What beach is it?
Duck Lake State Park is day use only so don’t go thinking you can set up a tent on the beach.
Why is Duck Lake State Park the best beach?
It has gorgeous scenery but that isn’t the best part of this beach. The best part is the channel that runs from Duck Lake to Lake Michigan. It is warm, not too deep and very calm. Perfect for those littles who are learning to swim or who are scared by the big waves on Lake Michigan. You can park yourself on the closest side of the channel if you only have little ones who want to swim. If you have preschoolers on the more adventurous side you can cross the channel to the Lake Michigan beach. If you have two adults you could have a child in both the channel and the Lake.
Another awesome thing about Duck Lake State Park: where the channel meets Lake Michigan you can go out for quite a ways in shallow water and if your children are a bit older they can swim out a couple yards to another sand bar. I’m not sure where the drop off is, but you can go a ways in pretty shallow water. And you don’t have to worry about sharks.
We’ve been to other beaches in the past few years but this is always the one we come back to. Grand Haven, Pere Marquette and Ludington have nothing on this family friendly beach. If you are looking for a new beach to try I can’t give any other reccomendation. Seth and Cameron LOVE this beach and so do Ben and I!
Warning: Now you get random pictures of our last trip to Duck Lake. 🙂
I've had this swimsuit from Motherhood Maternity for each pregnancy so far and I love it as much as the first time I tried it on. 🙂
Can you see Lake Michigan out there? You're getting a view from the Duck Lake side of the channel, across the channel is Lake Michigan's beach and the Lake.
There are great dunes at Duck Lake State Park.
You may also like these posts:
Sand and Salsa and Sour Patch Kids
There is a yummy fruit salsa recipe ^^ up there. And in the spirit of fairness I must allow you to see a beach that someone else prefers. 🙂
Wondering what to bring to the beach when taking your littles for the first time? Check out this link!
Beach Bucket List for Toddlers
I love this list!! If you ever run out of ideas for things to do at the beach {like me} than this list is for you!
Here is another great list of activities that your littles will enjoy. If you have a train fanatic at your house, I’m sure they will enjoy the creative, natural train tracks.
Did you make it to the beach this summer? What are your favorite things to bring? Where is your favorite beach?
This is my favorite beach also! But Michigan has lots of gorgeous ones. Love the pictures!
🙂
I hope to go there with our family some day. Thank you for your recommendations.
You’re welcome! Enjoy!
Love it, Rebekah! And I MUST get myself to “your” beach! 🙂 How appalling I’ve never even heard of it. Will remedy soon. Thanks so much for including a link to my little post…happy rest-of-summer to you…sharing!
Thanks for sharing Elizabeth! Hopefully you got some traffic from it. 🙂
I would love to know what you think once you visit. 🙂
This is so fun! We love the beach too 🙂 Thanks for sharing on #ToddlerFunFriday!
You’re welcome! Thanks for stopping by!
looks beautiful – if i ever get a chance to get out of New York City…. 😀
Right! 🙂
And now I really want to go to the beach. I keep hearing amazing things about Michigan, need to put it on my list of places to visit.
For sure! I think it’s got almost the best land and water in the US, just need some higher mountains then the ones we do have. 🙂
Do you have sandy beaches by you?
This is great! I also love the name of the park!
It is an awesome area! Thanks for coming by Jennifer!
Sounds like a great place for the littles! Cute baby bump by the way! When are you due again?
It is! We’re going back next week. 😉
Thanks! I’m due the end of October, so probably will deliver in the middle sometime. I have gone early both times so far. 🙂
We are trying to go every week with the kids 🙂 we are lucky to live on the south east canadian coast with beaches and warm eater, salty (!) at 15min from home 🙂 We definitely try to enjoy them more this summer but the weather is so bad this year… Favorite thing to bring? Water and a chair just for me and my belly loll! I always bring a book but it always sits in my bag… Oh and my summer bucket list is going pretty well too hihi!
Isis
🙂 That’s a great goal! Beach time is awesome for family time. Only 15 minutes away sounds nice too.
I don’t usually read much at the beach but I find whatever time we spend there is sooo relaxing!
This beach sounds great. We will have to go there next summer!
Put it on your list for sure! Are you in MI? Where about?
Apparently I’m not up to date on my West MI beaches–I hadn’t even heard of this park–we always headed to Grand Haven’s beach or Holland State Park…which are probably the most crowded ones. 😛
Lol! It’s been a few years since you have lived here right? I’ve only been to Grand Haven’s beach and it wasn’t to crowded that I remember. We were there on a weekday in the morning though so it may change in the afternoon and on the weekend. 🙂
I had a feeling when I saw your pin on Pinterest it was Duck Lake and I’m so glad I’m right. This beach is 5 minutes from my parents house and the one we always go to when we visit. We love the shallow channel and even now that my kids are older, it’s still our top choice.
🙂 It is so wonderful for families!! We don’t get there as often as I like, but we love it when we do. Thanks for coming by!