From Superior sunsets to Lake Michigan dunes, Michiganders vote daily in USA TODAY’s annual best beach contest, ending May 19.

Michigan Beaches Face Off in National Readers’ Choice Awards

LANSING, Mich. — USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards are back for 2025, and Michigan’s beach towns are in the spotlight. With voting open until Monday, May 19 at noon ET, residents and tourists alike can cast daily votes to support their favorite Michigan best beaches in a national showdown to determine which spot truly represents the best of the Great Lakes shoreline.

With beaches nominated by an expert panel of travel writers and outdoor journalists, the contest features 20 beaches from across the state—spanning Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, and Lake Superior. Michigan, with coastlines on four of the five Great Lakes, is positioned as a major contender in freshwater recreation. As part of this exciting competition, readers are encouraged to explore the Michigan best beaches and discover their unique charm and beauty.

Here is a complete list of all the beaches featured in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 – Michigan Best Beaches contest:

First Street Beach – Manistee (Lake Michigan)
Grand Haven City Beach – Grand Haven (Lake Michigan)
Hoeft State Park – Near Rogers City (Lake Huron)
Hunter’s Point Park – Copper Harbor (Lake Superior)
Lake Michigan Beach Park – Empire (Lake Michigan)
Oval Beach – Saugatuck (Lake Michigan)
P.J. Hoffmaster State Park – Norton Shores (Lake Michigan)
Pere Marquette Park – Muskegon (Lake Michigan)
Petoskey State Park – Petoskey (Little Traverse Bay, Lake Michigan)
Sand Point Beach – Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (Lake Superior)
Saugatuck Dunes State Park – Saugatuck (Lake Michigan)
Silver Beach County Park – St. Joseph (Lake Michigan)
Silver Lake Sand Dunes Beach – Near Mears (Lake Michigan and Silver Lake)
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore – Near Empire (Lake Michigan)
South Beach – South Haven (Lake Michigan)
Stearns Park Beach – Ludington (Lake Michigan)
Tawas Point State Park – East Tawas (Tawas Bay, Lake Huron)
Tiscornia Beach Park – St. Joseph (Lake Michigan)
Warren Dunes State Park – Sawyer (Lake Michigan)

This totals 19 nominated beaches across Michigan’s Great Lakes shoreline, each representing unique geography and visitor appeal.

Past Winners Set the Stage, But 2025 Brings New Favorites

Sagatuck Dunes State Park — Saugatuck Dunes State Park This photo is part of the DNR Park’s Ambassador program. Credit for this photo goes to the photographer.

In 2024, First Street Beach in Manistee took the top spot, followed by Stearns Park Beach in Ludington and Silver Beach County Park in St. Joseph. These family-friendly destinations are back again this year, alongside other favorites like Oval Beach, South Beach, and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

While returning champions maintain strong local support, new entries like Tiscornia Beach Park in St. Joseph and Hunter’s Point Park in Copper Harbor are drawing attention for their unique shoreline features and natural beauty.

Expert Panel Brings Travel Credibility to the Beach Ballot

Nominations for the award come from a group of seasoned travel experts including Steffy McCourt, a Michigan-based travel journalist and founder of Michigan Family Travel, and Chez Chesak, Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America. Other panelists include long-time journalist Jacky Runice and global traveler Jamie Davis Smith.

Their selections highlight the diverse range of Michigan’s beaches—from the soft dunes of Saugatuck Dunes State Park, to the rocky coastlines of Hunter’s Point, and the warm shallow waters of Tawas Point State Park, sometimes called the “Cape Cod of the Midwest.”

Beach Culture in Michigan: More Than Just Sand and Sun

Michigan’s freshwater coastlines support a booming seasonal economy. In 2023, tourism in coastal counties accounted for over $7 billion in visitor spending, according to Pure Michigan Travel Industry Reports. Events like this USA TODAY contest amplify visibility for lesser-known destinations and drive interest before summer kicks into high gear.

From kayaking and dune climbing to lighthouse tours and Petoskey stone hunting, these beaches support a wide range of recreation while anchoring local businesses in nearby downtowns.

Voting Rules and Schedule for the 2025 Beach Contest

Voters may cast one ballot per day at the USA TODAY 10Best website until the contest closes on May 19 at 12:00 p.m. ET. Final rankings will be announced Wednesday, May 28.

There are no prizes or cash awards—just bragging rights and a wave of publicity for the top 10 finishers. With hundreds of thousands of annual readers, a win often translates into more traffic, more bookings, and more economic impact for the region.

Find More Interesting Feature Stories From ThumbWind

Michigan News – News and events from Michigan’s Upper Thumb region worth knowing, including local stories, impactful interviews, and updates on community happenings that shape the culture and lifestyle of the area.

Michigan Feature Stories – Unveiling the diverse and vibrant people, captivating places, and remarkable events that come together to make the Great Lake State unique and cherished by both residents and visitors alike.

Weird Political News – A sarcastic take on official news from around the U.S., exploring the absurdities that often arise in the political landscape while providing a humorous perspective on current events and highlighting the quirks of politicians and policies.