Photo of Empire Beach with bright sand surface

Photo of Empire Beach with turquoise pure water surface

Photo of Empire Beach with long straight shore

Photo of Empire Beach with very clean level of cleanliness

Photo of Empire Beach and the settlement

Photo of Empire Beach - popular place among relax connoisseurs

7.8

Very good

Empire Beach

Empire, United States

#32 out of 151 in Michigan

7.8

Very good

Free entrance Virgin beach Easy access Bright sand Sand & Pebbles bottom Good for Surfing Good for Kayaking

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Located within the settlement

Empire • 0.6 km

Map of beach

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About

Empire Beach is located on the Michigan lake and it is in the 32th place out of 151 beaches in the Michigan region 261.1 km away from its center, the city of Lansing. It is one of the beaches of Empire settlement, just 0.6 km from its center. The beach is located in an urban area.

It is a long lasting coastline with crystal turquoise water and bright sand, so it is recommended to wear special shoes. The entrance to the water is very smooth. This beach is suitable for different categories of people, lonely travellers, relaxation getaway lovers etc. It is not crowded place during the season.

Empire Beach coast is free for all. It has no amenities, only nature. .

In addition to swimming and sunbathing, you can also take part in other activities, sea kayaking. There are also some surf spots.

Fans of active recreation can take part in beach volleyball.

This beach is easily accessible, it is located very close to road. Parking is located directly on the beach.

Empire Beach is located in Michigan within Empire, which makes it not only easily accessible, but even popular among tourists. However, during the high season it is quite uncrowded, which allows you to spend a comfortable time on the coast.

The beach stretches on the sunny coast, within the boundaries of the settlement, it is not difficult to get to it. If your stay is located not far from the beach, you can reach it by walking. In this case you will not be tied to finding parking or to the schedule of public transport. If you are traveling by car just use your navigator. In any case, do not forget about the availability of public transport and taxis.

Weather

history

+16 ^o C +15 ^o C

Air temperature

7.7 M/S

Wind

+12 ^o C

Water temperature

0.7 M

Wave height

Located within the settlement

Empire • 0.6 km

Map of beach

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Booking.com

Area

Average rating of nearest beaches is 7.4 (Good)

What to do in Empire Beach? Are there any attractions or entertainments in region?

For those who wish to engage in something more extreme than a lazy holiday on the beach, it is worth noting that Empire Beach is excellent for surfing. This kind of activity is suitable for beginners and for professionals. The waves in this region you can see in the photos above or study the reviews by our users. And by the way, on the beach you can take surfing coaches!

There is no particular indicator for the extremity of any particular activity, but if there were, then sea kayaking is definitely at the bottom of the scale. If you are a fan of this kind of entertainment, you can do your favorite activity at Empire Beach. See what our users think about it in the reviews section.

In most cases, the question What to do on Empire Beach implies the presence of any excursions or attractions near the beach. Of course in this area there are lots of places to go besides the beach. There are historical, entertainment and even gastronomic tours offered by local guides. More information is better to clarify directly on the spot.

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Nearest Beaches

5.2km

Sleeping Bear Dunes Sleeping Bear Dunes

6.9 Good

5.5km

Esch Beach Esch Beach

8 Very good

9.4km

Peterson Beach Peterson Beach

7.4 Good

11.4km

Platte River Beach Platte River Beach

7.4 Good

20km

Point Betsie Beach Point Betsie Beach

7.3 Good

20.9km

Bohemian Road Beach Bohemian Road Beach

7.2 Good

24.7km

Elberta Beach (Ebeach) Elberta Beach (Ebeach)

7.6 Very good

25.2km

Good Harbor Bay Beach Good Harbor Bay Beach

7.3 Good

Localities

Nearest

Empire • 690m

Main locality of province

Lansing • 261.1km

Transport

Airport

TVC • 39.1km

Bus Station

Traverse City, MI (Bay Area Transportation Authority) • 35.1km

All nearest beaches

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Recommended Activities

What to do in Empire Beach? Are there any attractions or entertainments in region?

Travelers reviews

Average Reviews rating

7.8 Very good

Contribute

Share your experience with other travelers

Average Reviews rating

7.8 Very good

Marina Cleary

10 Exceptional

The beach offers a breathtaking sight of the land and sea blending together as Mother Nature pleases each day. The parking lot by the beach is small but sufficient. It is easy to access the beach. A quick uphill stroll will take you into town. The vibrant blue color of the lake water, along with the crashing white-capped waves, created a powerful impression of authority during our visit.

February 2024

Amy Smith

10 Exceptional

The beach is absolutely stunning, offering picturesque views of the Sleeping Bear Dunes. It is relatively small in size, which I personally find to be a positive aspect. The pit toilets were well-maintained and clean. Additionally, there is a spacious playground available for children to enjoy. Visiting on a weekday meant that it wasn't overly crowded, although it did take a few minutes to find a parking spot, but we were successful in the end. The parking fee was reasonable at $1 per hour. The water was crystal clear and remained shallow for quite a distance, which I found to be quite appealing. Out of the three beaches we explored around the dunes, this one was my absolute favorite.

February 2024

Alyssa

10 Exceptional

The beach has stunningly pristine water that is crystal clear, and the view is reminiscent of St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands. However, there are no showers available for rinsing off, and the restroom facilities consist of pit toilets. The beach extends all the way to the dune climb and appears to provide access to the dune. I really enjoy this beach, except for the inadequate parking situation. It is necessary to pay for parking, but there are not enough spots available. Additionally, there are playgrounds and picnic shelters on-site.

February 2024

Lara Tobin

10 Exceptional

This beach is perfect for families with children. It offers a small lake with a dock and shallow area, as well as easy access to Lake Michigan just across the small parking lot. Additionally, there are restroom facilities and play structures available.

February 2024

Micah Branson

10 Exceptional

The beach is absolutely stunning, offering breathtaking views of the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes! It's an ideal spot to enjoy a refreshing run or leisurely stroll in the great outdoors. Empire Beach provides a lovely playground and ample space for the kids to freely play and run around. The beach offers excellent access, complete with a basketball court, clean bathrooms, a picnic area/shelter, and convenient parking.

February 2024

Questions and answers

What is the water and sand quality of the Empire Beach?

The coastline of Empire Beach is covered with golden sand. It's very clean, the surface has a mixed fraction. Turquoise and clear water sparkles in the sun. The entrance to the water is a mixture of sand and pebbles, so it is recommended to wear aqua shoes.

What are the key activities at Empire Beach?

For the main activity - sunbathing, there are no sun loungers on the Empire Beach, so you need to take personal items with you and there is no natural shade, so be careful on a hot day.

The Empire Beach is also suitable for the following water activities:

Surfing

Activities available on the ground:

Beach volleyball

Is the Empire Beach good for swimming?

The entrance to the water is very smooth, the bottom is a bit rocky, so it is recommended to wear aqua shoes.

Empire Beach does not have a wave-protected swimming area, but there are usually no strong waves during the season.

There are few boats in the bay. So the overall recommendation of the Empire Beach for swimming is positive.

Is the Empire Beach good for families?

Family travelers should consider the following features of the beach. This is the natural virgin beach with minimal amenities. It's covered with sand and the entrance to the water is very smooth.

Is the Empire Beach secluded and good for relaxing?

The region of the Empire Beach is not one of the mass tourism destinations, but is still popular with solo travelers. There are several buildings near the beach. During the high season, the occupancy of the beach is moderate, which is very good for lovers of a relaxing holiday.

Is there any food or beverages in the area of Empire Beach?

There is no restaurant or bar directly on Empire Beach.

How far is the Empire Beach from parking?

The Empire Beach has a parking spot. It is not very large, so in high season it can be busy. The approximate distance from parking is less than 100 metres.

What is the best time of the year to visit Empire Beach?

The month with the highest temperature in Empire Beach is August. Its average value reaches 22°C. The warmest sea is in August, the average value is 21°C. The coldest month is February with air temperature -1°C and water 1°C. See more details in weather section.

Is the beach good for sunbathing?

Empire Beach (Michigan) is not fully equipped for sunbathing. However, if you are not picky and are willing to spread out on a towel, you can sunbathe here as well. The natural shade will allow you to hide from the scorching sun in the peak of its activity. Well, the photos of our visitors will be the best proof of that, all the available photos of the beach are above.Empire Beach (Michigan) is a place for true nature lovers, but if you like sunbathing on the beach, then this location is not the best option. There are no sunbeds and umbrellas, and even there is no natural shade to hide you from the scorching sun. From positives, the presence of sand, on which you can sit comfortably. But do not forget sunscreen for this place, such a recommendation is relevant. Photos of the beach you can see above. All photos are taken by our visitors personally.