Big Shoal Beach
Drummond, Michigan · on Lake Huron
Verified · 4 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- No fee found
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Big Shoal Beach
Big Shoal Beach is a township-owned day-use park and swimming hole on the southeastern shore of Drummond Island, Michigan, fronting a sheltered cove of Lake Huron (Big Shoal Bay). It offers a narrow, roughly mile-long sandy swimming beach with shallow water, plus a trailhead for short hiking loops and a carry-in launch for the St. Marys River Island Explorer Water Trail.
The park sits on a sheltered cove on Drummond Island's southeastern end, reached via Johnswood Road and Big Shoal Bay Road; access to the island itself requires a ferry. The shoreline is described as a narrow sandy beach with views across the islands of the cove, and includes four large, flat limestone rocks with pitted surfaces along the shore that draw children's interest. A 0.5-mile and a 1-mile hiking loop begin at the beach parking area and wind through wooded terrain.
Swimming at Big Shoal Beach
The swimming area has a predominantly sandy bottom with scattered smooth pebbles, and the water stays shallow for a good distance from shore, making it well suited to families with young children, though close supervision is advised.
How to get to this swimming hole
From the Four Corners on Drummond Island, take Johnswood Road roughly 6.5 miles, then turn right on Big Shoal Bay Road and continue about a mile to the park. Reaching Drummond Island itself requires a ferry crossing.
Parking: Spacious parking lot at the beach, which also serves as the trailhead for the hiking loops.
The hike in
Big Shoal Hiking Trail (0.5-mile and 1-mile loops)
- To the water
- 0 mi (beach is drive-up from the parking lot)
Trailhead: Starts at the Big Shoal Beach parking lot off Big Shoal Bay Road (which also serves as the swim-beach parking).
No hike is needed to reach the swimming area itself; the beach fronts the parking lot directly. Two optional wooded loop trails (0.5 mi and 1 mi) begin at the same parking lot for visitors who want to hike separately from swimming, with a vault toilet at that trailhead.
Confirms and slightly expands on prior enrichment: hike is optional recreation, not required for swimming access.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
Good for kids
Sandy-bottomed swimming area stays shallow for a good distance from shore, making it well suited to young children; township and tourism sources both describe it as family-friendly, though they note children should be closely supervised since the open cove is exposed to south winds.
Parking
Lot
Spacious dedicated parking lot at the beach; no fee is mentioned in any source found, but none explicitly states parking is free.
Restrooms
Yes
Outdoor/vault (pit) toilet at the beach parking area, which doubles as the trailhead for the hiking loops and the water-trail access point (confirmed by Drummond Island Township, visitdrummondisland.com, and the Michigan water trail listing).
On the water
Restrictions: Big Shoal Beach is an official carry-in access point on the St. Marys River Island Explorer Water Trail with under 50 yards of carry from parking to water, no boat ramp/trailer launch at this spot. The cove is open, deep water exposed to prevailing south winds, a hazard noted for paddlers heading toward Scammon Cove.
Intermediate paddlers can continue roughly 3.5 miles one-way around the point to Scammon Cove, passing near the wreck sites of the Troy and Silver Spray. Motorized boat rentals (pontoon/runabout) exist elsewhere on Drummond Island (e.g., Fort Drummond Marine) but are not launched from this carry-in beach.
Rentals nearby
Kayak and paddleboard rentals, including life jacket, paddle, and whistle
Prices: $35/day (24-hour pickup-to-pickup); $175/week
29699 E Channel Rd, Drummond, MI 49726 (elsewhere on Drummond Island, not at Big Shoal Beach itself) · Sun 10am-2pm; Mon 10am-4pm; Tue-Wed closed; Thu-Fri 10am-5pm; Sat 10am-6pm
Kayak and paddleboard rentals
Prices: Free for resort guests; paid rates for non-guests (specific price not published)
33494 S. Maxton Road, Drummond Island, MI 49726 (resort property, separate from Big Shoal Beach)
Fort Drummond Marine & Resort
Pontoon, runabout, and kayak/canoe rentals
36183 S Whitney Bay Rd, Drummond, MI 49726 (marina elsewhere on the island)
Backstory
The bay is near the sites of historic shipwrecks, including the Troy (sank 1920, 187 feet) and the Silver Spray (1920s), reachable by paddling roughly 3.5 miles one-way toward Scammon Cove.
Big Shoal Beach: FAQ
Is Big Shoal Beach kid friendly?
Sandy-bottomed swimming area stays shallow for a good distance from shore, making it well suited to young children; township and tourism sources both describe it as family-friendly, though they note children should be closely supervised since the open cove is exposed to south winds.
Do I need to hike to reach Big Shoal Beach?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Big Shoal Beach?
Spacious dedicated parking lot at the beach; no fee is mentioned in any source found, but none explicitly states parking is free.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Big Shoal Beach?
Intermediate paddlers can continue roughly 3.5 miles one-way around the point to Scammon Cove, passing near the wreck sites of the Troy and Silver Spray. Motorized boat rentals (pontoon/runabout) exist elsewhere on Drummond Island (e.g., Fort Drummond Marine) but are not launched from this carry-in beach.
When is the best time to visit Big Shoal Beach?
Spring, summer, and fall (per the Michigan water trail listing).
What are the rules at Big Shoal Beach?
Day-use only; overnight camping is not permitted.
What water body is Big Shoal Beach on?
Big Shoal Beach is on Lake Huron, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
