1. Higgins Lake State Park South
We spent a sunny afternoon at the beach at South Higgins Lake State Park, and it was absolutely perfect. The water was gorgeous and crystal clear. It is one of the cleanest we’ve seen in Michigan. It was definitely chilly, but felt amazing after soaking up the summer sun. Right near the beach, there’s a convenient beach store where you can grab snacks, ice cream, and cold drinks. You can pick up beach gear or rent paddle boats, canoes, and kayaks. It had everything we needed for a fun and relaxing day by the lake.

