125 miles • 3 hours, 23 minutes

On this west coast jaunt, Lake Michigan kisses pristine western shorelines with miles upon miles of broad, sandy beaches, vibrant lake communities and bustling resort areas.

1. Silver Lake

Starting Point • Outdoor Recreation, Shopping

Visitors can hit the gas only on the tall sand dunes in Michigan, where off-road vehicles are allowed. Dressed up with miles of oatmeal-colored shoreline beaches, the Silverlake Sand Dunes area in Silver Lake State Park is a choice spot for family vacation fun. Nearby are the towns of Pentwater, Hart and Mears, each offering visitors village charm with fantastic shopping opportunities. There are bike trails and quaint sites to see, including historic lighthouses.

2. Ludington

29.4 miles, 44 minutes • Nature, Outdoor Recreation

Loaded with small-town charm and friendly faces, Ludington serves up beaches, trails, lakes, dunes and, of course, lighthouses. The historic S.S. Badger takes its passengers on leisurely cross-lake journeys from Manitowoc, Wisconsin, to Ludington. Charter boats, likewise, are ready to take fishing enthusiasts to the hottest fishing spots. You can also choose to fish from the shoreline.

3. Manistee

28.8 miles, 44 minutes • Food, History, Outdoor Recreation, Quirky

Manistee’s Hops and Props on the River festival, held every September, combines the town’s local brewing scene with classic watercraft. Visitors can sample a variety of 100 beers or just peruse the vintage watercraft parading on the Manistee River Channel. The rest of the year, boating, swimming, windsurfing and sailing are just some of the outdoor activities in the area’s 276 miles of rivers and streams.

RECOMMENDED STOPOVERS

Insta Launch Campground & Marina – Manistee, MI – (866) 452-8642

Little River Casino Resort RV Park – Manistee, MI – (866) 572-4386

4. Frankfort

38.8 miles, 1 hour, 2 minutes • Food, History, Outdoor Recreation

Pristine dunes, crystal sand beaches and fantastic sunsets are all part of what makes Frankfort special. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, Frankfort’s maple-lined streets with Victorian homes are picturesque reminders of an era gone by. Point Betsie Lighthouse is one of the state’s most photographed structures. If fishing is what you crave, charter boats will take anglers out on Lake Michigan and have been known to return with perch, coho and king salmon.

5. Sleeping Bear Dunes

28 miles, 53 minutes • History, Nature

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore offers breathtaking views of Lake Michigan. Voted time and again as one of America’s top family destinations, this rugged, 35-mile stretch of Lake Michigan’s western coastline is punctuated with breathtaking overlooks. Noted for its outstanding natural features, the park preserves forests, beaches and dunes. Explore the South Manitou Island Lighthouse, built in 1871, and hike the more than 100 miles of trails.