Labor Day often marks the unofficial end of summer for Michigan families. Once the first Monday in September passes, vacations wind down and kids return to school. It's also the time of year when the state starts to cool down a bit.

Summer officially comes to an end on September 23, but that doesn't necessarily mean we'll experience colder temps. In fact, most of Michigan will see temps in the 80s over the next 10+ days.

Many Michiganders believe all Michigan beaches close after Labor Day. Well, that's not entirely true. While some beaches reduce services or close facilities, most remain open for visitors to enjoy throughout the fall. Heck, most of Michigan's beaches are open year-round, but swimming may not be an option.

The biggest change after Labor Day is often related to seasonal services, such as concessions or rentals, rather than actual closures of the beaches themselves.

If you're thinking about taking the family to the beach to take advantage of the warm Michigan temps, check with local authorities or the management of the specific beach you're interested in to see if it's closed for the season. You might be surprised to find that some of Michigan's beaches are still open for swimming. Not all, but some may extend their summer hours if the weather permits.

Michigan's Best Beaches 2024

Twenty beaches were in the running for "Best Michigan Beach" in a USA Today and 10best readers' poll. These glorious Michigan locations were chosen by a panel of experts and then it was put up to a public vote. check out the Top Ten Beaches in Michigan and then the ones that did not make the cut after that.

Gallery Credit: Janna

More Fun At Michigan Beaches, 1900-1940

LOOK: Lake Michigan Beach Named One of the Best 'Secret' Beaches in U.S.

Northern Michigan's South Manitou Island has been named among the best 20 "secret" beaches in the U.S. by Southern Living Magazine.

Within Sleeping Bear Dune's National Lakeshore, South and North Manitou Island are part of an island chain in Lake Michigan that extends north to the Straits of Mackinac. 

According to the National Park Service, "The island consists of a ridge of tilted layers of limestone, buried under a blanket of glacial debris. It features unique sand dune formations, 10 miles of beaches, and a grove of old growth white cedars that date back over 500 years."

Gallery Credit: Janna

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