Starlite Beach

Alpena, Michigan · on Lake Huron

Verified · 3 independent sources

WATER: lake
ACCESS: Designated swim area
FEE: No fee found
SEASON: Best in summer

About Starlite Beach

Starlite Beach is a City of Alpena-owned public park and sandy Lake Huron swimming hole in Alpena, Michigan. For families comparing places to swim, it is an officially designated swimming beach with a full suite of amenities, including a splash park added in 2018.

The beach sits directly on the Lake Huron shoreline along State Avenue in Alpena, part of the city's roughly 1.5 miles of Lake Huron shoreline parkland. It is an urban/town beach setting adjacent to other local attractions, including Lee's Mini-Golf next door.

Swimming at Starlite Beach

A sandy, open-water swimming beach on Lake Huron suited to families and casual swimmers; the city page frames it primarily around beach access rather than deep-water or adventure swimming.

How to get to this swimming hole

Located along State Avenue in Alpena, Michigan, on the Lake Huron shoreline, within about 2 miles of downtown Alpena.

Parking: Off-street parking is available on site, per the City of Alpena park page.

The walk in

No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up municipal beach on State Avenue with an on-site parking lot; visitors walk directly from the lot to the sand (well under 5 minutes), no trail or hike involved.

Plan your visit

Bringing kids

Good for kids

City-maintained sandy swimming beach built around family use: three large children's play structures, two play areas, and a splash park (added 2018, 9am-9pm daily in season) sit right at the beach. No source confirms lifeguards on duty or specifics on entry slope/depth, so caution near open Lake Huron water is still warranted.

Parking

Free

Off-street parking on site per the City of Alpena park page; no fee is mentioned on any official source, so it is presumed free.

Restrooms

Yes

Indoor/public restrooms on-site at the beach, per the City of Alpena park page and VisitAlpena.com.

Hours

No posted hours for the beach itself; the adjoining splash park operates 9:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. daily during the summer season (per City of Alpena).

On the water

No official source describes a boat launch or specific watercraft rules at Starlite Beach itself; it is presented purely as a swimming/play beach. Hand-carried kayaks/SUPs launched from the sand are plausible at any open Great Lakes beach but are not confirmed by any source for this location, so left unlisted per no-guessing policy.

Rentals nearby

Alpena Pedal & Paddle Rentals

Kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, and beach-cruiser bikes; also offers by-appointment SUP snorkel excursions to Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary's shallow shipwrecks

Duck Park (Sportsmen's Island), at US-23 N & Long Rapids Rd, Alpena, MI 49707 - on the Thunder Bay River, a separate put-in from Starlite Beach's Lake Huron shoreline, but the only paddle-rental outfitter found serving the Alpena area · Daily 6:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m., April 1-September 30 (VisitAlpena listing states noon-6pm with last rental one hour before close; the business's own site lists the wider 6am-9pm seasonal window)

Backstory

The splash park was added to Starlite Beach in 2018, per the City of Alpena's park page.

Starlite Beach: FAQ

Is Starlite Beach kid friendly?

Do I need to hike to reach Starlite Beach?

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

Where do I park for Starlite Beach?

Off-street parking on site per the City of Alpena park page; no fee is mentioned on any official source, so it is presumed free.

When is the best time to visit Starlite Beach?

The splash park component operates seasonally (daily 9:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.), implying a summer season of operation typical of Great Lakes beaches in Michigan.

What are the rules at Starlite Beach?

General city park use is governed by the City of Alpena's 'Events and Use Policy for City of Alpena Owned or Controlled Properties and Parks'; no beach-specific rules (e.g., lifeguard status, swim hours) were found on official pages.

What water body is Starlite Beach on?

Starlite Beach is on Lake Huron, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.