Grand Traverse & Inland Lakes
Traverse City
A bayfront city at the head of Grand Traverse Bay, with a walkable Front Street downtown, bay beaches, cherry orchards and two wine peninsulas close by.
About 2 miles away (straight line)
Beach · Grand Traverse & Inland Lakes
East Bay Park Beach
A small city park on East Grand Traverse Bay with shallow water at the edge for little swimmers, a playground, restrooms and lifeguards listed in peak season.
East Bay Park is the Traverse City beach for families with small kids. The water at the edge of East Grand Traverse Bay is shallow and warmer, with gentle waves, so little swimmers can splash close to shore.
It is a compact city park of 3.12 acres, with the essentials close together: a play structure, public restrooms, picnic tables and grills, and parking. Lifeguards are listed in peak season.
The park also has a boat launch. Leashed dogs can come into the park but not onto the beach.
The city lists the park as handicap accessible. If access to the sand matters for your visit, call ahead to check the details.
Want a bigger stretch of sand on the same bay? Traverse City State Park has a quarter mile of beach across US-31 from its campground; there you need a Recreation Passport on your car. For a downtown beach with a splash pad, try Clinch Park on West Bay.
Practical information
- Managed by
- City of Traverse City
- Best months
- June to August
- Official website
- traversecitymi.gov
Location
Map of East Bay Park Beach
4 places on an OpenStreetMap map
Nearby towns
Also nearby
Straight-line distances, not driving distances.
Museum
Dennos Museum Center
Traverse City's art museum on the Northwestern Michigan College campus, known for its Inuit art collection, with a hands-on Discovery Gallery.
Under a mile away (straight line)
Trail
TART Trails
Traverse City's trail network, built around the 10.5-mile paved TART along the bay and linked to the Leelanau Trail, Boardman Lake Loop and VASA Pathway.
About 2 miles away (straight line)
Beach
Clinch Park
Traverse City's downtown beach on West Grand Traverse Bay, with a splash pad, playground, city marina and the TART trail running through.
About 2 miles away (straight line)