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Acceptable Wind Directions: SW, W, NW, N
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Directions: Continue on I94 just past St.
Joseph, where you need to get on to I196 toward Grand Haven.
Take 31 north through Grand Haven about another 45 minutes
North to an exit called Shelby Road. Take Shelby exit West
toward the East coast of Lake Michigan. You will ride for
about 5 miles on Shelby until it ends. Make a right on B15
and follow it to the end. Take another right onto Buchanan.
Take a left at the first road 18th. Take this to the end where
you go left and follow it through a narrow gravel/dirt road
to the parking lot for the beach. You should see the lighthouse
immediately next to the lot. This is where the kiters will
be. The rigging area is approximately 800 feet South of the
lighthouse (if you are facing the water, walk to the left
800 feet from the light house). There are less swimmers/beachgoers
here making it a safer area to rig and ride.
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Acceptable Wind Directions: SW, W, NW, N
Weather
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Directions: After St. Joseph, but before
Michigan City, IN you will hit an exit called Bridgman. Take
the Bridgman exit off I94 and head East (make a right). Go
up to the streetlight (about 1/3 mile up) that has a Subway
on the left and get yourself some chow. You're gonna need
it for the intense riding you'll be doing! Then take a left
and head Northwest to the beach entrance. You'll immediately
go under the highway, continue straight through the townhome
area, and the road will veer off to the right about a 3/4
mile up into the park. If you skip Subway, don't worry, during
the on-season, there's a bar on the beach. Parking is not
free during the swim season. Rig to the North side of the
beach. If you are facing the water, this is the right side
of the beach.
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Acceptable Wind Directions: WSW, W, NW, NNE
Weather
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Directions: From Grand Rapids: Take I-196
to Holland. Take US-31 South towards Benton Harbor. Take M-63
South towards Benton Harbor. Take Klock Road west. Follow
signs to park.
Directions: From St. Joseph: Take Main Street
(US-63) North to Benton Harbor. Take Klock Road West and follow
the signs. From Chicago: Take I90/294/80/94 around the lake.
Take I94 past St. Joseph to I196 North toward Grand Rapids. |
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Acceptable Wind Directions: WSW, W, NW, N, NE
Weather
Link
Directions: From Grand Rapids: Take I-196
to Holland. Take US-31 South towards Benton Harbor. Take M-63
South towards Benton Harbor. Take Rocky Gap Road to park.
Directions: From St. Joseph: Take Main Street
(US-63) North to Benton Harbor. Take Rocky Gap Road to park. |
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Is located below the bluff in downtown St. Joseph,
south on lions park Drive.
Weather
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Sheltered pavilions, parking and sidewalks. (No lifeguards
on duty) It has a view of St. Joseph's pier and lighthouse. |
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Acceptable Wind Directions: W, NW, N, NE
Weather
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Directions: The beach is about a minute
from the parking lot on a self guided trail. To get to the
beach, from I-94, take the John Beers exit to the West (exit
22). You go back over the expressway straight into a rural
forest area. The road is narrow and turns into a dirt road.
Continue down this road to the dead end. It turns parallel
to the shore passing some houses and then dead ends at a small
parking area for about 4-5 cars. There are a couple homes
right there, too, so don't be alarmed. Follow the sandy trail
that's marked as beach access over a dune and down to the
beach. This puts you at the very downwind end of the beach
on a SW wind. Also, there's a couple private beach areas you
need to stay clear of. Its best to walk along the water to
your left, all the way to the point that you can see - approximately
a 200-300 yard walk - to a good upwind launch area - especially
if you're unable to stay upwind.
*Note: Do not follow the signs to the
Grand Mere State Park. It directs a left turn after crossing
the expressway. If you park here, there is a 1 mile walk
to the same beach with all your gear! (Restrooms are available
at the parking lot. Obtain an entrance permit at Warren
Dunes State Park.)
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Acceptable Wind Directions: WSW, W, NW, N, NE
Weather
Link
Directions: Silver Beach is below the bluff
in downtown St. Joseph on Lake Street. Exit I-94 to St. Joseph
(red arrow highway) and follow it for several miles into the
downtown area. Take the last left turn before heading over
the bridge, the first right and follow it down to the left.
You will come to a right turn over train-tracks. Head over
the tracks straight into the parking area. Parking is $7.
There is also another beach (Tiscornia Park) to the North
side of the harbor breakwall. The North side beach is the
better beach, since its less crowded, but there's a wind-shadow
at Tiscornia on SW winds due to the hill and trees right where
you park, so walk down a bit. West winds and WSW work really
well here with the jetty blocking the waves. The rollers are
fun to pop off of at the end of the jetty.
**Note: It costs to park at silver beach
but there is another little parking lot between silver beach
and the bluff right in front of the train station and it
is free to park there. It is only a hundred yards to the
beach. Or if you go down past silver beach and turn at outpost
sports that goes to Lyons beach and that is free also.
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Acceptable Wind Directions: SW, W, NW, N
Weather
Link
Directions: Tiscornia Park is just North
of the St. Joseph River Channel off Upton and Marina Drives
in St. Joseph. To get here from the main road (Main Street),
take Main through town (North) and go over the bridge. Take
the first right turn at Edgewater Drive. Turn left at the
stop sign and follow the road to the next stop sign. Make
a right on to Upton Drive. Proceed two blocks past the railroad
tracks and take a sharp left onto Marina Drive. Follow Marina
Drive to the "Yield" sign and take a left onto Ridgeway
Drive. Continue straight and take a right at the Tiscornia
Park entrance sign. Parking in the lot is a few bucks. West
winds and WSW work really well here with the jetty blocking
the waves. The rollers are fun to pop off of at the end of
the jetty. |
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South Haven (616) 637-2788
Weather
Link
Directions: From Chicago: Take I90/294/80/94
around the lake. Take I94 past St. Joseph to I196 North toward
Grand Rapids. Take I196 to South Haven and exit at 32nd avenue
heading West. Go to the end and head North to the park. |
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Sawyer (616) 426-4013
Weather
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One of the most popular parks in Michigan, with three miles
of Lake Michigan shoreline. Stay out of the swimming area
or you will get a ticket. The patrol enforces this rule very
strictly. There are better locations to ride than Warren Dunes
only minutes away. You will be better served just avoiding
this place (and the crowds). |
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Weather
Link
Excellent kiting location on Lake Michigan. It is set up
similar to Michigan City with a break wall creating a harbor
(with a beach). However, the beach at Muskegon in between
the break walls is a city park vs. at Michigan city which
is a power plant. So this means FLAT water in the harbor and
wave riding on the outside. Also if you look at last years
wind data, Muskegon would get those southerly "thermals"
at 15 -20 knots almost 5 days a week.
RedBird
Cottage Muskegon
Beach
Bungalow Muskegon
Sand in Your Shoes Cottage Muskegon
Muskegon
Beach Cottages
Lake Michigan
Beach House Muskegon |
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Acceptable Wind Directions: SSW, SW, W, NW, NNW
Weather
Link
Directions: 31 north to exit 34 (M89); left (west) at the
top of the ramp, 1/2 mile to stop sign. Turn left (South),
drive slowly down this narrow road and go through a little
"S" turn. Continue 1 mile down the road to the public
park. There is lots of parking and a staircase down to the
beach. There are usually a lot of people down at the bottom
of the stair, so find a spot away from the crowds to launch
and land. If you're staying overnight and want a place to
stay, check out the lodging options below...
Wickwood
Inn
Sherwood
Forest B&B
TwinGables
Inn
General
Hotel Lists
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