Suttons Bay Park

The Suttons Bay Park Complex and Marina includes 3,000 feet of waterfront, a sandy beach, swimming areas, and amenities such as ample parking, showers, restrooms, a boardwalk, boat dock, volleyball nets, picnic facilities, and a playground. 

Suttons Bay, situated on the west arm of Grand Traverse Bay, and its beach is a relatively small area a short drive north of Traverse City, but it still relies heavily on tourism through summer festivals (one, the Suttons Bay Art Festival, takes place right at the marina near the beach) and other activities that draw summer vacationing families. One high-profile event recently held at the Bay was an attempt to break the world record for most kayaks and canoes rafted together. 

On a normal day, the Bay is a hot spot for boaters and you’ll find many local and visiting families enjoying the beach as well as the boardwalk. The flat area has lots of green space and lawns leading up to a flat, sandy beach overlooking the wide waters of Lake Michigan. You’ll enjoy great, unobstructed views of the waves. 

If you decide to swim, the bay stays shallow for quite a ways out, making it easy even for inexperienced swimmers or children to enjoy splashing and wading, with an abundance of room to walk and play in the water. When you’re finished with your day in the sun, just take a brief walk to a Suttons Bay favorite, The Ice Cream Factory. 

If you bring Fido along, make sure to keep them on a standard leash of six feet or less and pack plenty of supplies for cleaning up after them. For their own and others’ safety, keep them away from people, children, and other animals unless invited to approach. Additionally, pack extra water, a portable water bowl, and any other items you suspect your pet may need during the course of a day outing.