We residents of West Michigan are blessed to have one of the Great Lakes right in our backyard. Lake Michigan is a vast, fresh water lake that is a haven for swimmers, boaters, and fishermen. The S.S. Badger carferry crosses Lake Michigan every day during the summer as a shortcut to Wisconsin.

Though not as warm as the oceans, temperatures of Lake Michigan do rise to the high 60s in July and August to make swimming enjoyable, and definitely refreshing! Rarely do temperatures make it to the 70s, unless air temperatures stay up in the 90s for many continuous days.

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Follow this link to get daily temperature readings of Lake Michigan from Manistee to the Silver Lake Sand Dunes.

Our beaches in West Michigan are some of the nicest and cleanest you'll find anywhere. You can choose whether or not to join the crowds at the highly populated spots---or find a private beach that's less busy. Sunning, swimming, or building that special sand castle--West Michigan beaches offer it all!

Warmer Inland Lakes in West Michigan

If you find the water temperature of the "unsalted inland sea" is cooler than you prefer, no worries. When Lake Michigan is too chilly for your taste, head to the warmer inland waters of Hamlin Lake, Silver Lake, and many other inland lakes in Mason, Manistee and Oceana Counties. Since these lakes are smaller and more protected by the surrounding land, they tend to warm more quickly than Lake Michigan.

West Michigan Beaches & Parks...

Summer Along the Lakeshore...