Zorn Park Beach

Zorn Park Beach is the family beach in Harbor Springs, right downtown on Little Traverse Bay. Come with kids who want to swim out to a raft, then walk into town for lunch or an ice cream.

Expect cold water. Artesian springs feed this part of the bay, so it is one of the chillier swims in the area. Save it for a hot day.

The setup is simple and complete: soft sand, a marked swim area, a floating raft, public restrooms and a rinse station. Shaded grassy lawns with picnic tables and swings sit behind the sand, and you can watch the boats come and go in the harbor.

A lifeguard is listed only on select summer days, so watch your own swimmers. Dogs can come to the park but not onto the beach.

For a longer stretch of sand, Petoskey State Park lies between Harbor Springs and Petoskey; you need a Recreation Passport on your car there. For a dog-friendly spot close to town, try Zoll Street Beach.