Platte River Beach Parking

Reviews

Reviews are sorted by relevance, with the most helpful and insightful feedback listed first for easy reference.

  John Crankshaw
6 months ago
We walked over from Platte River Campground in early October on a blustery day. Almost deserted but there is parking for a lot visitors, picnickers, fishers and boaters. Great looking picnic area. Flush toilets. Access to miles of beach.

  Derik Goodall
3 years ago
This is a great little park to see Lake Michigan. The Platte River empties into Lake Michigan here. During the summer many people will tube into Lake Michigan and is popular. I visit often in the Fall and Winter and is quiet and is beautiful. From the beach you can see for miles and see in the distance the large Sand Hills climbing from Lake Michigan that make up the Speeding Bear Dunes.

  Max Metz
5 years ago
What a gorgeous place to swim and hang out. Great Lake and secluded water swimming. Really worth a visit. Wish I would have had time to float the river.

  Peggy Sue Zinn (Michigan Aurora Hunters)
6 years ago
Great activity area, for Fishing, Canoes, boats, and kayaking. There is good kite boarding here if the wind is from the west. Bathrooms are plentiful, well kept and open at night May through Oct. It is a great location to view Northern Lights, as one can walk down the beach for miles, so congestion is less of issue. Please remember when walking do not shine light up at people keep it aimed at the ground in front of you, so you don't blind other people who are out at night. Handicapped people can view Northern lights from the boat ramp area without difficulties. The river mouth shifts and there is not a easy wade over it at night , as it can be deep in places.

  Mel Blohm Realtor
5 years ago
The parking is absolutely jam packed. I walked close to a quarter mile to get my car. If you go, make sure it's super early to get a spot.Fyi...its an awesome beach.

  Lynn Pencilmarks
3 years ago
Beautiful vistas south and north. This is where our lower Platte kayak rental paddle terminated through the Trading Post. Beautiful trip. Going with the current the whole way. Easy peasy. This beach was gorgeous.

  Mike Burns
4 years ago
Great place to see the water and it is cool how the river flows right into Lake Michigan here.

  Melonie Mitchell
8 months ago
Great park to have a cookout after a day floating on the Platte River. Parking for the local part versus National Park is a bit confusing. No dogs allowed in the local park but ok in National Park. The local park just has a sketchy pole you're supposed to put money into and you don't receive a receipt or anyway to mark your car as paid.

  Heather Dhaseleer
4 years ago
An incredible experience. Can be a bit crowded. Don't hesitate to come in the off season. A treasure of Michigan.

  Wanda Garfield
2 years ago
Love this spot. One of my all time favorites

  Cody Snyder
a year ago
This is a once in a lifetime area to be in. I've traveled all the Midwest over to the east coast and no other place has it like Michigan. This spot specifically is well maintained and clean. Friendly people and very peaceful. The sunset is mesmerizing and soul altering. I'm thankful to call this area my home.

  Jackie Kay
8 months ago
Beautiful area to have lunch and enjoy the beach. Park rangers are everywhere here, so it feels very safe.

  we thepeople
2 years ago
What a hidden gem especially when lake levels were lower sandy Beach separates platte river and lake Michigan

  Neil Phillips
2 years ago
Enjoyed watching the sunset at this beautiful beach!

  Kyrt Olejniczak
a year ago
Park seems very nice. Very picturesque. Wish i wouldve gone during the summer as it looks like a great spot to swim and enjoy the beach away from the crowds of Traverse City

  Jeffrey Short
5 years ago
Very cool little park. Rocky beach but the river was nice. Parking is a little weird, seemed like some of it was pay to park and another part was free. I couldn't figure it out. There was a guy collecting money in one section but not the other that was right next to it. I think one section is owned by the county and the other is owned by the state? We had a national Lakeshore pass, so I figured we we're good. Bathrooms and changing rooms on site!

  Michael Shupe
4 years ago
Great place to park if you are coming to enjoy the beach of Lake Michigan, for a picinic, or finishing up a kayak/canoe/inner tube trip down the Platte River. Parking is not free in the lot. Part of the parking is run by the city and part is operated by the National Park. If you have a Park pass there is no charge but you need to be in the correct area. There are often cars parked along the road into the parking area but I am not sure if that is legal. Best to check if you want to avoid a ticket.

  Krystina Sharpe
5 years ago
$5 to park. You do not need the sleeping bear dunes pass, be aware that the canoe rental will try to sell you this, it is necessary for the park, but no the parking here. We love this beach! It s one of our families favorite spot, there is a sign posted no dogs, however people always have there dogs, and several are unleashed.

  William Parmley
5 years ago
We stopped here for a short visit while touring the area with a friend who lives nearby. Our main interest was seeing the piping plovers who nest there and were happy that we got to see several of them, both on the ground and in flight. That is a new bird species for us! By the way, there are two parking lots there and our friend explained what while the larger one requires a fee to park, the smaller one is free.

  Danielle Laurie
a year ago
Clean and upkept but could definitely use some more parking space here!! Also the machine to buy parking passes was broken with no info on where to purchase or what else to do. But, very beautiful area!

  Melissa Morrison
a year ago
Beautiful spot where you can float on the river and/or swim in lake Michigan also. Great spot for small or older kids. Perfect family beach day.

  Kim G. (KimAlpena)
7 years ago
Make sure you have a Fed. Park Permit, yes even to park on the side of the road coming to this parking lot. The lot is mighty full during the summer times and you may need to walk a bit to get picked up by a shuttle service. There are bathrooms & changing rooms available just off the parking lot. It is a great place for staging you car at the end of your fun times down the Platte River. We have been parking here now for about 2 years.

  Dennis Robinson
a year ago
When we were there this year the parking was fine. But in past years it has been difficult at times. It is a beautiful place to visit and spend some time.

  James McKee
2 years ago
Awesome spot to enjoy the sunset, or, for that matter, the sunrise. Ample parking but requires NPS vehicle permit. Those can be obtained in self service fashion onsite. This location is also where the paddle trips from Riverside Canoe Rental terminate as they start at M22, or closer, and float to Lake Michigan. Recommended but don't tell anyone lol

  Karla Pollington
8 months ago
Love it here! Very popular place in the Summer. We will soon be back!

  Thomas Koehler
2 years ago
A random stop on roadtrip, which was a pleasant surprise! Beautiful park, and super cool to see how a river empties into the lake. Great fun for kids and dogs.

  Kimberly Romaine
3 years ago
Love this place. Our whole family has gone there our whole lives

  Josh Papworth
2 years ago
What a fun place! You can go across the sand bar from warm water in the river to the cool water from the lake, my six year old said this was his favorite spot along the Lakeshore.

  Doug Smith
3 years ago
The river makes this unique. It also means a lot of rocks on the inland beach side. Water level was highest I have ever seen so the path to the beach was narrow and new.

  Alison Williamson
5 years ago
Platte river is such a cool river. We parked 1 car at this parking lot which is right on the river and a short walk down the beach brings you to where the river meets lake michigan. We parked the other one down the road and took rafts down the river all the way to the lake.