Northern Michigan Beach Named Among Best In Country: Report

MICHIGAN — A northern Michigan island has one of the best beaches in the country, according to Southern Living Magazine.

The magazine placed Lake Michigan's South Manitou Island in its top 20 beaches across the nation. The island is one of two off the coast of Michigan's Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore coast. It is also part of an island chain in Lake Michigan that extends north to the Straits of Mackinac.

The magazine widely recognized the island's dense history and its three miles of sandy beaches that are only accessible by ferry. In addition, the island features unique sand dune formations, ten miles of pebble beaches and a grove of old growth white cedars that date back over 500 years.

"There is plenty to do on South Manitou Island thanks to lightly traveled hiking routes, huge cedar forests, uncrowded campgrounds, and approximately 50 shipwreck sites," Southern Living Magazine said. "And you can do it all without having to wade through throngs of beach goers."

Visitors also enjoy seeing the island's lighthouse, poking around ghost towns and taking a wagon tour to view the giant cedar trees. When visiting the island, officials recommend guests stay on existing paths and avoid stepping on plants, since the island dunes are a fragile environment.