Looking to discover Michigan’s best swimming spots? From hidden sandy coves you have to hike to reach to secret paddle-in waterfalls and easy roadside stops, check out seven of Michigan’s most epic swimming spots:

why this blog? Hi there! My name is Maddy and I was born and raised in Michigan. I grew up exploring the northern woods, especially near Sleeping Bear Dunes, and now as an adult I work as an outdoor guide base on Lake Superior and writer. In my work both online and in person, it’s my mission to get more folks outside and appreciating the Midwest. Let me help you find the best adventure for you!

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Best Secret Swimming Spots in Michigan:

With hidden waterfalls, Caribbean clear water, and more, check out these epic hidden Michigan swimming holes! Keep in mind that many of these spots are in the wilderness, with no lifeguard on-duty, and in areas with current or rip currents. Remember to throughly research hazards of any area you’re travelling, and swim at your own risk! Additionally, remember to pack out all trash from public parks and trails!

1) Torch Lake & the Chain of Lakes

Torch Lake isn’t called “the Caribbean of the North” for nothing! Located northeast of Traverse City, Torch Lake is nearly 20 miles long and two miles wide, and best known for it’s crystal clear blue waters and sandy bottom. There are a number of small public access options along the lake, but easily the best way to experience this Michigan swimming hole is by boat.

Beyond Torch Lake, Torch is connected to a chain of equally-beautiful (and less crowded!) lakes. I recommend checking out the Torch River, Elk Lake, the Grass River and Lake Bellaire.

READ: Ultimate Guide to Torch Lake, Michigan

2) Great Sand Bay, Keweenaw Peninsula

If you’re looking for the best roadside stop swimming holes in Michigan, the Keweenaw Peninsula is the place to look. Here, you can find a number of beaches with parking right off scenic roads, roadside parks with black sand beaches, and waterfalls.

I especially recommend checking out the Great Sand Bay for a really beautiful and long sandy beach. Here, you can park and set up for a little picnic, or walk the length of the beach of which a really good chunk is public. Esrey Park is another really great roadside stop for swimming in Lake Superior.

Keep in mind that Lake Superior is subject to rip currents and the water is very cold. Swim responsibly, and if you see whitecaps and waves rolling in know that there might also be rip currents.

3) The Coves, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

If you’re looking for the single best hike-in swimming hole in Michigan, you need to head to the Pictured Rocks and hike out to the coves. Accessible along the hike to Spray Falls, the Coves are a series of sandstone lined shallow beach coves that are the IDEAL swimming spot. Note again that Lake Superior is cold and subject to rip currents, and the park is not responsible for lifeguards on duty, or placing swimming advisories in the wilderness.

I’ve been to the Coves to swim a handful of times and every time it’s truly an awesome experience. Personally, I think this is best done as an afternoon trip when the sun is hitting the cliffs. Note that a park pass, which you can purchase in person at the park visitors center, is needed in the National Lakeshore.

This is a pretty popular hike, which is the other reason I recommend visiting in the afternoon. Most advice for popular hikes is for folks to start early, and I think the pendulum has swung back around and it now makes sense to start as the early crowd filters out of the parking lot — just my two cents, but I’ve had a lot of popular trails in the Great Lakes totally to myself this way!

READ: Ultimate Guide. to the Pictured Rocks

4) The Crystal River, Sleeping Bear Dunes

If you’re dreaming of clear blue water meets a fairytale forest, you need to head up to the Crystal River in the Sleeping Bear Dunes. Book a rental kayak and shuttle through Crystal River Outfitters, and spend an afternoon floating and playing on one of Michigan’s prettiest rivers.

I mean like, really you can’t beat that water color! You’ll need a park pass for the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore as well, which you can pick up at a number of park sites and/or the visitors center. Personally I think the Crystal River is probably the single best river for swimming and kayaking in Michigan, especially with a family. PS! Remember to make sure everyone, but especially children, are wearing life jackets when kayaking, especially on the river with currents at play!

READ: Ultimate Guide to the Sleeping Bear Dunes

5) Mirror Lake, Porcupine Mountains

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is probably Michigan’s best-kept secret, with waterfalls hidden in the woods, the epic Escarpment Ridge Trail, and a handful of really gorgeous campsites. The sites along Lake Superior have a reputation for being some of the best campsites in Michigan and for good reason, put one of the best secret swimming holes in the state lies inland.

The campsites on Mirror Lake in the Porcupine Mountains (particularly ML3) offer access to the gorgeous wooded Mirror Lake. This is the perfect place to cool off after a long day of backpacking, or to spend a hot afternoon since the sites themselves are shaded. To snag a campsite in the Porcupine Mountains, you’ll need to reserve a site here and check in at the visitors center before beginning your hike.

The Porcupine Mountains are a wilderness backpacking trip with no cell service. As far as backpacking trips go, I would personally say that the terrain of the Porkies is actually one of the more beginner-friendly backpacking trips with rangers to point you in the right direction at check-in, fairly obvious trails to follow with good footing, and plenty of other hikers to help you in a pinch. That said, it’s important to thoroughly prep for any backpacking trip especially as a beginner. Check out this beginner’s guide to backpacking!

READ: Ultimate Guide to the Porcupine Mountains

6) Jordan River Pathway

If the Porcupine Mountains are a stretch for you, check out the Jordan River Pathway located northeast of Traverse City and around East Jordan, Michigan. The Jordan River Pathway is an 18-20 mile backpacking route that pretty much needs to be done as a one-nighter, making it a good choice for anyone looking to backpacking and confident they can knock out some longer miles. Cell service is spotty, but you definietly have it throughout points on the route.

The ideal swimming hole after your hike is at Pinney Bridge, near where you’ll set up camp! This isn’t a traditional swimming hole and more of a spot to wade and sit in the river and float, but it’s super scenic nonetheless. The trail is especially pretty in the autumn.

I would also recommend this trail as a great alternative to the more popular (and abused) Manistee River Trail.

7) Montreal Falls (Kayak-in)

Last but not least, this swimming hole on Lake Superior is THE ultimate Michigan adventure, and you probably haven’t heard of it. A day sea kayaking trip to Montreal Falls, one of the few waterfalls cascading directly into Lake Superior, is worthy of any paddler’s bucket list. This is an exposed 12-mile round-trip paddle with limited landing options, so I recommend booking a guided sea kayaking tour with Keweenaw Adventure Company.

There is no cell service along this route and weather on Superior can change quickly. Additionally, water temperatures here will remain cold throughout the summer, so you’ll likely want a wetsuit. Recreational kayaks are not suitable for this route, and all paddlers should have practiced deep-water self-rescue skills. If this doesn’t sound like you, book a guided tour.

This route will take you from a sandy beach along rugged black cliffs and caves, bluffs that look like mountains and over clear green water out to Montreal Falls. Here, you can hop in Lake Superior for a swim at one of Michigan’s best, and most secret, adventure destinations. Honestly, skip kayaking at the Pictured Rocks and head here, you won’t regret it.

READ: Ultimate Guide to the Keweenaw Peninsula

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