Northwest Michigan is 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. Grand Traverse Bay is accessed from the Leelanau Peninsula, Old Mission Peninsula and the west coast of Northern Michigan...and is very popular in the summertime for various water sports.

Follow this link to get daily temperature readings of Lake Michigan from Traverse City down to Frankfort. Or click here to get water temperature readings for Leland, Charlevoix, and Petoskey. For more detailed information on local lake conditions, click here.

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! Air temperatures in the 90s for many continuous days will raise the temperature of the lake to the 70s.

If Lake Michigan is still too chilly for your taste, head to the warmer inland waters of Crystal Lake, Platte Lake, Glen Lake, or Walloon Lake. Since they're smaller, they tend to warm more quickly than Lake Michigan.

Our beaches 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--Northern Michigan beaches offer it all!

More Northwest Michigan Travel Info...

Looking for another great travel adventure? Discover the
Lake Michigan Circle Tour!