17 Michigan Sandbars Only the Locals Know About
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IYKYK: Michigan’s Sandbar Game is Solid
While everyone else is still figuring out that we’ve got more than just the Torch Lake sandbar in Michigan, the locals have been quietly floating at 17+ world-class sandbars scattered across the state. Some of the prettiest lakes in Michigan are hiding sandbar destinations that could school Florida’s best spots.
Sure, you might know Torch Lake’s famous party scene. But if you really know, you know Michigan’s sandbar game goes way deeper than one famous spot. And not all of them are about the full-blown floating fiestas. Plenty of our local haunts are pretty chill.
Wanna find a lazy Sunday hang? Looking to lock in next to a floating DJ booth on the Fourth of July? There’s a sandbar for that.
Here’s where the locals actually go when they want to float the best Michigan sandbars!
michigan sandbars
Torch Lake Sandbar
This is Michigan’s most famous lake party for a reason.
The water glows Caribbean blue, and the crowd goes hard. The south end sandbar turns into a sea of boats every 4th of July weekend, tied together, music up, drinks floating in cooler tubes.
If you’re looking for a lake day with elbow room, this ain’t it.
But if you want to anchor in the middle of a moving party with paddleboards, pirate flags, and pool noodles flying everywhere, welcome aboard.
This is Torch Lake.
Lake St. Clair Sandbar
Home to Jobbie Nooner, one of the Midwest’s largest boat parties.
Kinda like a Floating Mardi Gras.
Think jello shots, boat-hopping, and party barges with DJ setups.
Lake St. Clair’s Muscamoot Bay explodes for Jobbie Nooner. Out by Gull Island, boats arrive by the hundreds. By noon, it’s a full-on aquatic festival.
Thousands of boats, speakers, floating dance floors, and open water chaos. People climb from one pontoon to the next like it’s a floating boardwalk, passing jello shots and dodging flying footballs.
Jobbie Nooner is the big one, drawing everything from speedboats to homemade rafts to party barges with actual scaffolding. (It’s so big they even had to plan a Jobbie Nooner, part 2!)
If you like your sandbar with scaffolding and fireworks, this is the lake party to beat. It’s loud, it’s rowdy, and somehow everyone keeps floating.
Diamond Lake Sandbar
This lake made headlines in 2020 for being a little too packed during COVID, but it’s still a local favorite when the temps climb.
The sandbar attracts a loyal crowd who know exactly how far to cruise before the water gets shallow and the fun kicks in. There’s no official event, but don’t let that fool you. On a hot Saturday, it gets lively.
Expect rafts roped together, Bluetooth battles, and plenty of sunburned shoulders by 3 PM.
Whitmore Lake Sandbar
Whitmore Lake near Detroit kicks off the season with the Summer Solstice Boat Party in early June.
A laid-back float that still knows how to pack a sandbar. It’s not as rowdy as some of Michigan’s big-name lake sandbars but by midday, it’s wall-to-wall pontoons and floaties.
Locals show up early, radios tuned, drinks in hand, and ready to soak up the longest day of the year. It’s the unofficial start to summer.
Belleville Lake Sandbar
When the Belleville Lake Sandbar Boat Party hits, it’s less “relaxing lake day” and more “floating dance floor.” DJ speakers stretch between pontoons, inflatable unicorns turn into dance platforms, and the water practically vibrates with bass.
The party takes place on the sandbar near Van Buren Park held in honor of the nearby Willow Run Airshows. SE Michigan area.
Base Line Lake Sandbar
Baseline Lake might not be the biggest name on the map, but come July, it shows up loud for the 4th of July.
Packed sandbar, full tie-ups, and boat snacks passed down the line. It’s a two-day bash with sun-up to sun-down energy and no shortage of floatie flair.
Lake Orion Sandbar
Every weekend feels like a reunion on Lake Orion. The sandbar fills up fast with familiar faces, beer pong tables, and pedal pub boats dropping anchor for a mid-lake party stop.
But the real show? Flare Night. Boats line up and light up the sky with an incredible fireworks show.
It’s Lake Orion’s version of the 4th. It’s loud, local, and full of fun. Mark your calendar for July 4, 2025.
Gull Lake Sandbar
Located just off the shoreline near the narrows, this spot fills up fast on warm weekends.
Locals know to get there early or drift in late once the crowd thins. You’ll find rafts tied together, sunscreen that smells like coconuts, and someone tossing a football across three pontoons.
*note that Gull Lake has only one public access point, and during peak times, the number of boats allowed on the lake may be limited to prevent congestion.
Houghton Lake Sandbar
Every summer, Houghton Lake becomes the capitol for one of Michigan’s wildest boat events: Bud Bash. One of the biggest lake parties in the state.
Boats pack in around the sandbar, people swim between pontoons, and the whole lake feels like one big floating tailgate.
The main sandbar stretches out with hundreds of boats packed in elbow-to-anchor. Think American flags, beer bongs, and swim-up cheers from pontoon to pontoon. Expect music, madness, and some wild costumes. And even outside the big weekend, there’s always action.
Pro tip: The Roscommon Coast Guard Auxiliary monitors Channel 16 during Bud Bash, so keep your radio tuned in case things get wild. And remember – designate that sober captain before the coolers crack open.
Maple Bay – Petobego Sandbar
Tucked near the mouth of Petobego Creek, this sandbar is where the locals go to keep things low-key. Boats drop anchor in the shallows, beach chairs pop up in ankle-deep water, and you can actually hear your own music.
You’ll spot paddleboard crews, a few coolers floating in tow, and just enough music to keep the good times rolling. It’s part hangout, part hideaway perfect for if you want a sandbar without the party vibes.
Find Maple Bay on a map and you’ll be headed to the same spot, just a little bit south.
Maple Bay on Instagram
Oden Island Sandbar
Crooked Lake doesn’t try too hard and keeps it casual. The sandbar near Oden Island draws a relaxed crowd of locals, a few summer regulars from Petoskey, and folks who know a good swim spot when they see one.
You’ll see pontoons with canopies, coolers full of snacks, and at least one dog living its best life on a floatie. Soak up summer without the noise.
Mullet Lake Sandbar
Mullett Lake is huge, calm, and scattered with great hangout spots.
Near Cheboygan at the mouth of Indian River, sandbars attract floaters who’ve done this route for years.
This is a great spot for families and anyone who wants to boat, swim, and be left alone with their snacks.
Union Lake Sandbar
Boats tie up along the sandy stretches near the west side, sometimes two deep, always with music.
It’s “a sleeper lake with a solid floatie-to-boat ratio.”
Union Lake Sandbar You-Tube is a laid-back alternative to some of the busier sandbars in the region.
Coldwater Lake Sandbar
Right off Iyopawa Island in Branch county, there’s this shallow stretch where everyone ties up. It’s not marked or anything, but if you know, you know.
The east side’s got that soft sandy bottom and a quick drop-off, while the west side stretches out shallow and gravelly. Whether you’re floating solo or in a big group, it’s a prime spot to soak up sun, swim, and keep an eye on the friendly boat traffic.
Higgins Lake Sandbar
Higgins Lake’s sandbar turns into a float-up hangout when the sun’s out and the coolers are full. Especially on the fourth of July. It’s not a rager like Torch or Houghton, but that’s kinda the point.
Magician Lake
The Magician Lake sandbar, located in Volinia Township, Michigan, is a favorite summer hangout for boaters who come to anchor, swim, and soak up the relaxed lake vibes.
Though not huge, this shallow middle sandbar draws regulars every weekend looking for good times without the crowds. A quieter alternative to busier spots like Diamond Lake.
Austin Lake
Austin Lake’s long, shallow stretches make it perfect for gathering, especially along the western shoreline.
It can get busy, but the vibe stays laid-back and family-friendly, with plenty of paddleboats and kids splashing around.
It’s Kalamazoo’s go-to spot when you want fun without the frenzy.
Welcome to the Club
Congrats, you now know more about Michigan sandbars than 90% of the people who live here.
Look, we just spilled the tea on some seriously good spots that locals have been keeping low-key for years, so use this power wisely. Don’t be that person who shows up with a party barge to someone’s chill family hangout, and maybe learn a few names before you roll up to a regular’s territory. Read the room, respect the vibe, and remember: Michigan nice is real, but so is Michigan passive-aggressive when you mess with our lakes.
Do right by these spots, and maybe the regulars won’t completely hate us for putting their favorite sandbar on blast. Here’s hoping!
