Lake Michigan Water Temperatures

Ludington North Breakwater Lighthouse Pier at Stearns Beach
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.
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...
- Ludington's Rotary Park
- Waterfront Park in Downtown Ludington
- Dogs Love Central Bark in Ludington
- Buttersville Park High on a Bluff Overlooking Lake Michigan
- Sutton's Landing on the Pere Marquette River, Ludington
- Summit Park Between Ludington and Pentwater on Lake Michigan
- Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness of Ludington and Manistee
- Silver Lake Sand Dunes Parks
- Wilson Hill Park on Upper Hamlin Lake
- Scottville Riverside Park along the Pere Marquette River
- Stearns Park & Beach in Ludington- Picked by USA Today as one of the 51 Great American Beaches!
- The North Country Trail through the Manistee National Forest
- Visit Charles Mears State Park in Pentwater
- Silver Lake Sand Dune Beaches
- Memorial Tree Park in Ludington
- Copeyon Park on Pere Marquette Lake in Ludington
- Victory Township Park on Upper Hamlin Lake
- The Ludington School Forest--Fun For All Seasons!
- Manistee National Forest
- Visit Waterfront Park in Downtown Ludington
Summer Along the Lakeshore...
- Make the Best of Summer with Home & Garden Living!
- Experience the Night Life in Ludington
- Celebrate the Goodness of West Michigan Fruits & Vegetables!
- Book Your Charter Boat Fishing Trip on Lake Michigan
- Street Pianos Bring Music to Downtown Ludington
- S.S. Badger Carferry Sails Across Lake Michigan from Ludington to Manitowoc
- Biking in West Michigan
- Explore Hamlin Lake with a Boat Rental
- Pere Marquette River Canoeing & Kayaking
- Enjoy the Silver Lake Sand Dunes Great Outdoors & Area Adventures