Reynolds Street Beach

Leland, Michigan · on Lake Michigan

Verified · 3 independent sources

WATER: lake
ACCESS: Local spot, unofficial
FEE: No fee found
SEASON: Varies by conditions

About Reynolds Street Beach

Reynolds Street Beach is a small, informal public access point and swimming hole on Lake Michigan at the foot of Reynolds Street in Leland, Michigan, historically known locally as 'South Beach.' It is a road-end right-of-way rather than a designated township park, and has been the subject of a legal dispute with adjacent private landowners over public use.

The access sits at a roughly 60-foot-wide road-end on the Lake Michigan shoreline in Leland, with a five-foot cliff at the water's edge and a sandy beach that has been shrinking due to high lake water levels in recent years.

Swimming at Reynolds Street Beach

Described by a travel account as family-friendly, with shallow water close to shore and soft, clean sand, similar in character to Leland's other small Lake Michigan beaches. It is an open Great Lakes swimming spot rather than a river or creek hole.

How to get to this swimming hole

Located at the lakeward end of Reynolds Street in Leland, Michigan, about 0.7 miles from the town center, reached via the public road-end right-of-way to the Lake Michigan shoreline.

The walk in

No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a road-end beach access, not a trail. Visitors walk straight from the foot of Reynolds Street down a roughly five-foot eroded bluff to the shoreline; no hiking trail or trailhead exists here.

Plan your visit

Bringing kids

OK with supervision

A travel account (decorhint.com) describes shallow water close to shore and soft, clean sand, calling it 'a solid choice for families with young kids.' However, the Glen Arbor Sun reports a roughly five-foot cliff/drop-off at the shoreline from erosion and shrinking sand due to high Lake Michigan water levels, and there are no lifeguards or official park staff since Leland Township removed signage after a 2019 lawsuit. Supervise kids closely on the bluff and entry point.

Parking

Free

Reynolds Street is a public road-end right-of-way (about 60 feet wide) to the Lake Michigan shoreline; no dedicated parking lot was documented for this access point, so parking would be informal roadside space along Reynolds Street. No source explicitly describes parking capacity or restrictions, so treat this as an inference from the site's road-end nature rather than a confirmed fact.

Restrooms

None on site

No restroom facilities were found for this location. Leland's official town beaches page (lelandmi.org/beaches) omits Reynolds Street/South Beach entirely and lists no facilities for it, consistent with its status as an informal road-end right-of-way rather than a maintained township park.

Swim smart

A five-foot cliff/drop-off at the shoreline, and shrinking sand due to high Lake Michigan water levels; the site has also seen conflict with neighboring private property owners over trespassing, fires, and vandalism.

Rules: Public access is a legally recognized road-end right-of-way to the Natural High Water Mark under Michigan law (per a 1960 Michigan Supreme Court ruling on road-end access), affirmed by Leland Township's supervisor. Following a 2019 federal lawsuit by adjacent private landowners contesting public use, the township removed signage identifying it as 'South Beach' or a park, though it retained shoreline safety life rings; visitors should be mindful this is bordered by private property.

This is an informational listing, not an invitation. Conditions and access change; verify locally before you go. Visiting any swimming hole is at your own risk. See our Terms of Use.

On the water

No source confirms watercraft policy specifically for this access point. Unlike nearby Bartholomew Park/Nedow's Beach, which the town's official beaches page explicitly lists as having a boat launch and dock, Reynolds Street Beach is not described as having any launch facility, suggesting it is foot/hand-carry access only if used for watercraft at all. This is an inference, not a confirmed rule, so no watercraft types are asserted as allowed.

Rentals nearby

Fountain Point Resort

Row boats with motors, canoes, kayaks, paddle boards, paddle boats, and a Sunfish sailboat on Lake Leelanau, plus resort referrals to nearby vendors for pontoons, ski boats, and fishing boats with delivery service

On Lake Leelanau in Lake Leelanau, MI, about 3.5 miles from Reynolds Street Beach (listed as a nearby town in the context file)

Backstory

Formerly signed and known as 'South Beach.' Longtime local residents have reportedly used it as a swimming beach for generations. In July 2019, riparian property owners (the Janko and Joyes families) sued Leland Township and the Leelanau County Road Commission, arguing the road right-of-way did not extend to the waterline; the township subsequently removed beach/park signage but maintains the site is a legitimate public right-of-way.

Reynolds Street Beach: FAQ

Is Reynolds Street Beach kid friendly?

Do I need to hike to reach Reynolds Street Beach?

No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.

Where do I park for Reynolds Street Beach?

What are the rules at Reynolds Street Beach?

Public access is a legally recognized road-end right-of-way to the Natural High Water Mark under Michigan law (per a 1960 Michigan Supreme Court ruling on road-end access), affirmed by Leland Township's supervisor. Following a 2019 federal lawsuit by adjacent private landowners contesting public use, the township removed signage identifying it as 'South Beach' or a park, though it retained shoreline safety life rings; visitors should be mindful this is bordered by private property.

What water body is Reynolds Street Beach on?

Reynolds Street Beach is on Lake Michigan, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.