Ottawa Beach

This beach is a great spot to spend the day. It's definitely one of the better beaches I've been to and I plan on returning. It might require a bit of walking if the parking fills up, like it did when I visited, but it's definitely worth it.

This beach on Lake Michigan is definitely one of the best, no doubt about it. It offers ample parking, a large stretch of sandy beach, and even a small snack shop where you can enjoy some delicious ice cream. It's definitely a beach worth visiting.

This beach is definitely amazing, but I'd like to offer a word of caution to any newcomers regarding parking. If you happen to visit on a particularly busy day, it's important to be prepared and arrive early. There's essentially only one road leading to this beach, and if the parking lot happens to be full, you'll find yourself waiting in a line of traffic for around 40 minutes to an entire hour, only to eventually turn around in a roundabout and be directed back down the same road you came from. I understand that it may not be feasible logistically for them to address this issue, but it would have been nice to have some signage indicating that you should turn around instead of wasting an entire hour in an endless line of cars, with hundreds of vehicles in front of you. Apart from that, as other reviewers have mentioned, the beach itself is stunning and the gift shop is quite special. However, I want to emphasize the importance of arriving early or else you may face the consequences. In our case, we had to park quite far down the road on a random patch of grass, and then backtrack and walk a considerable distance to reach the beach.

This place is fantastic for relaxing with friends and family on sandy beaches! Just keep in mind that you'll need a recreational passport or ticket to enter. Michigan residents have the option to get a pass with their local vehicle registration number. If you don't have that, you can easily get a day pass at the entry kiosk for about $10. Just be aware that on holidays, the entry can get crowded with long lines for vehicles. It took us about 30 minutes to enter on Memorial Day weekend, so plan accordingly. It's a good idea to bring food, snacks, water, and seating mats with you since there's only one store with limited options. Restrooms are closed for the season, so you'll have to use the makeshift ones provided. If you have kids, bring strollers because there are concrete paths in the sand that allow you to stroll them around almost to the end of the beach. There are plenty of trees around, providing sheltered spots with great views of the red lighthouse and lake. We also saw several rented boats sailing around, which added to the scenery. Overall, with proper planning, this place is an amazing destination for a sunny day!

The beach is absolutely stunning, with a breathtaking sunset and ample parking space available. However, if you plan on enjoying the sunset on a weekend, be prepared for a wait of over 30 minutes when leaving, as there tends to be a line. Additionally, it's worth noting that there is no AT&T network coverage in the area.