Magnus Park Beach

Magnus Park Beach suits stone hunters and anyone staying in Petoskey who wants the bay without getting in the car. It is the city beach at Magnus Park on West Lake Street, with about 1,000 feet of Little Traverse Bay shoreline within walking distance of downtown.

Come for the Petoskey stones. This stretch of shore is a known spot for them. They are easiest to spot when wet, so walk the waterline, and keep your haul modest: there is a limit on how many you can take home.

Facilities and dog rules are not listed, so check with the City of Petoskey before you go if any of that matters. There is no lifeguard information listed either, so treat it as swim-at-your-own-risk, and stay out when the bay is rough.

For a full beach day with a beach house and a mile of sand, head to Petoskey State Park between Petoskey and Harbor Springs; you need a Recreation Passport on your car there. The Little Traverse Wheelway runs through Magnus Park toward downtown and the Bear River, but the bluff section between East Park and Magnus Park is closed for erosion, so check current trail conditions before you plan a longer ride.