Hi there!
Where is Platte River Point?
The location of Platte River Point is where Platte River meets Lake Michigan!
You can swim in Platte River where it meets Lake Michigan!
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So Platte River is a river that empties out into Lake Michigan
And this spot is called Platte Point or Platte River Point.
You can also find a sandy beach here.
This is one of the many Lake Michigan beaches in Sleeping Bear Dunes.
And there are different ways you can get to the Platte Point beach.
You can float or paddle your way down Platte River to get to Platte Point!
Or, you can just drive straight there to Platte Point too.
Floating or paddling down Platte River (tube, canoe, kayak)
You can kayak the Platte River.
Tubing, canoeing, and kayaking along Platte River is a popular thing.
You can bring your own water gear, and there are spots where you can start making your way down Platte River to Lake Michigan.
One of the common starting points is near the Platte River picnic area which you can find on the final road (Lake Michigan Rd) down to Platte River Point.
If you want to float or paddle a little less, there is also the El Dorado boat launch that’s a few minutes further down the road that you can also use as a boat launch spot.
From El Dorado to Lake Michigan (your end point) is around 0.7 miles by foot, so you could also drop off your kayak, go and park your car at Lake Michigan, and walk back to your kayak to start paddling down the river.
This way you can also spend time at the Platte Point beach and your car will be right there when you’re ready to leave!
It’s also possible to rent a tube, canoe, or kayak along Platte River.
You can rent a stand-up paddleboard SUP too.
There’s rental available at Riverside Canoe Trips that’s located along the main road right next to Platte River.
They will give you a one-way shuttle ride.
👆 Platte River rental costs subject to change! Pictures from summer 2020. See current prices here.
Driving to Platte Point: Platte River Point beach parking
And then you can drive straight to Platte Point.
For google maps, you can put in Platte River Point or Platte River Beach Parking as your destination and it will get you there.
You’ll turn onto the final road, called Lake Michigan Road.
You’ll pass the Platte River picnic area, the Platte River campground, and then the road will basically take you to Lake Michigan.
At the end of the road, you’ll find 2 paid parking areas.
- Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore parking
- Lake Township parking
If you’ll be visiting other parts of Sleeping Bear Dunes, then you can just use your Sleeping Bear Dunes park pass to park in the national park fee area. In 2020, the cost of a 7 day pass was $25. If you haven’t yet bought the park pass, there’s a fee station at the Platte River Point parking area. See current fees here.
You’ll see the Sleeping Bear Dunes parking areas marked as national park fee areas.
Separate from the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore parking lots, there is also the Lake Township parking lot. In 2020, the cost of the Platte River Point parking area for Lake Township was $5. You’ll put the money in the post, so be sure to bring cash.
There is also a little park area nearby at Platte River Point that is also designated as a Lake Township park fee area.
There is a bathroom at the Platte Point parking lot.
More PHOTOS of where Platte River meets Lake Michigan!
You can find a little beach trail from the smaller parking lot, or you can simply walk along the walk to find your spot on the beach!
And finally…
Be safe when swimming at a Lake Michigan beach!
You’ll be a little more sheltered when you’re in the river area. The closer you get out to Lake Michigan, or if you will be swimming on the Lake Michigan side on the other side of the sand bar, then it’s important to know that in some ways, the Great Lakes can act like an ocean. Rip currents are a thing in the Great Lakes, including in Lake Michigan. Know before you go, just in case!
And that’s a bit of what it’s like at the Platte River Point Beach along Lake Michigan!
The Platte Point beach is one of the most popular beaches in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. If it’s overly crowded when you go there, try another one of these Lake Michigan beaches in Sleeping Bear Dunes:
- Peterson Beach
- Esch Beach
- Glen Haven Beach
- Sleeping Bear Point Beach (hiking there means a beach without crowds)
- Good Harbor Bay beach
See about camping at the Platte River Campground down the road.
Also see the best of hiking in Sleeping Bear Dunes, including hikes to a Lake Michigan beach!
More Lake Michigan beaches in Michigan:
Also see Lake Superior beaches in Michigan’s other national lakeshore!
Plus the best of Michigan’s national lakeshores.
HAPPY BEACH VISIT TO PLATTE RIVER POINT!
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