Water Recreation

 Whitefish Dunes State Park beach at high water levels in Lake Michigan © DNR Photo

Whitefish Swimming and Lake Michigan

Swimming is available in Lake Michigan. Please use caution. No lifeguards are present. A beach wheelchair is available for checkout at no charge. 

Please remember that no campfires, glass, grills or metal detectors are allowed on the beach.

Lake Michigan can produce dangerous rip currents. These currents are most serious when large waves are present. Rip currents typically occur within 200 yards of the ramp leading to the beach. Signs and flags identify this area. If caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shore. Rip currents are seldom wider than 30 feet.

Pets are not allowed on the section of beach from the nature center to the Third Beach access from April 1 to Nov. 1. The pet beach access is about a 0.75-mile walk from the parking lot. To reach this area, walk your pet from the parking area down the Red Trail and then onto the beach.

Boating, canoeing and kayaking

There is no boat launch at the park. Users of small watercraft or floatation devices should be aware of the wind conditions on Lake Michigan. Strong west winds can blow watercraft away from the shoreline. Parents, watch your children at all times. Rubber rafts and other boats require personal floatation devices.