Surrounded by four of the five Great Lakes with more than 3,200 linear miles of coastline, it is no exaggeration to say that Michigan is abundant in warm sandy beaches, dunes, cliffs and bluffs. With an estimated more than 125 million tourists visiting Michigan each year, many to the expanse of mitten shores, those beaches can get busy.

While there is no shortage of beach locales to round out your summer, if you’re looking for some less traveled, less crowded stops, here are five not-to-miss beach towns to include on your sandy bucket list:

Manistee

Fishing, canoeing, hiking, biking, swimming and exploring historic landmarks — you’ll find it all visiting the city of Manistee located in Manistee County, off of the Lake Michigan shoreline. Located on the west coast of the state about one hour south of Traverse City, and 1 1/2 hours north of Muskegon, this city has more than 130 acres of parks that rest along the shorelines of Lake Michigan and the Manistee River Channel.

Manistee is home to three beaches: First Street Beach, Fifth Avenue Beach and Manmade Lake Beach. The beaches, enhanced by weekly cleaning with a high-tech beach cleaner, boast easy access to sugar sand. Concession buildings and comfort stations combine with sheltered picnic tables, plus barrier-free walkways, providing access for all to the water. In addition, free parking and Wi-Fi are available.

Added attractions include the historic Victorian city along River Street, restaurants, antique stores, gift shops, bakeries and the North Pier and Catwalk — one of only four remaining catwalks on the west Michigan coast of Lake Michigan.

Port Austin

Located at the northern tip of the Michigan Thumbcoast, visitors to Port Austin can enjoy expansive beaches, paddling adventures, dunes, sea caves, an off-shore lighthouse and water trails. The town of Port Austin is filled with gift shops, a farmer’s market, a variety of parks, camping accommodations and activities to make the excursion full of fun and adventure for Michigan families.

Notable attractions to visit include areas such as Grindstone City and harbor, the restored lumber town museum of Huron City, and Lighthouse County Park which features the historic Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse.

Favorite beaches can be found at Bird Creek Park, a seven-acre day-use park. The park has a wooden boardwalk that visitors can walk halfway around the park along the beach. Roofed picnic shelters overlooking the beach are great spots for a quick lunch or dinner. The park also is home to the Port Austin Splash Pad.

Other options include McGraw Park, known for its beautiful sandy beach which is accessible through steps and sandy slopes from the parking area.

Elk Rapids

Mix sandy shores with outdoor adventures including exploring unusual, creative artwork, and you have a day in Elk Rapids.

The Elk Rapids area offers more than 300 miles of nonmotorized trails for paddling, hiking, mountain biking and birding. Located in the middle of East Grand Traverse Bay, Elk Lake, and Bass Lake, it is a wonderful spot for hikers, boaters, sunbathers and explorers alike.

In town, visitors can wander through quaint shops and enjoy dining in unique restaurants. For beachgoers, the coast has a plethora of shimmery sand at Elk Rapids Day Park. The Day Park is 15 acres of forest and dunes and a quarter mile of beach frontage along East Grand Traverse Bay. A bathhouse near the pavilion offers modern facilities in season and the parking lot is open May through October. A pedestrian entrance allows the use of the park year-round. Visitors also say Elk Rapids Day Park is one of the best beaches in the region to catch a sunset.

In addition, Art Rapids!, a local nonprofit group, worked with Antrim County officials to develop an outdoor sculpture park, the “Walk of Art” in 2013. The exhibit consists of more than 30 sculptures along the trails. The art exhibit is continually changing as pieces are selected by a jury and placed on display for one to three years. Most of the sculptures are for sale. In addition to the sculptures, Art Rapids! also hosts workshops and events in the Elk Rapid Day Park.

Of special note, Elk Rapids is identified as a Pure Michigan TrailTown.

Alpena

Located in northeast Michigan, Alpena is a modern city that retains the essence of a relaxing sanctuary filled with beach days, dining, shopping and reconnecting.

Unique to this community is its designation of three Dark Sky Preserve Parks. Receiving the designation in 2016, Negwegon State Park, Rockport State Recreation Area and Thompson’s Harbor State Park became areas protected from artificial light pollution to provide clear night sky stargazing.

The Alpena area is host to seven lighthouses to explore, more than 100 miles of groomed trails, waterways for kayaking and canoeing, and opportunities to fish, snorkel, bird watch, bike and hike.

Beachgoers can find a number of locations along the Thunder Bay River and Lake Huron. Notable parks include Mich-E-Ke-Wis Park (located on State St./US-23-S) which offers a swimming beach, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, a children’s play area, a bike park, a picnic area, an open area for kite flying, and a shelter building; Blair Street Park (located on State Street) for swimming, picnicking and walking along the pier; and Starlite Beach (also on State Street) to swim, picnic and play in a splash pad.

When visitors are ready to leave the beach and trails, downtown Alpena is home to shops and waterfront and outdoor restaurants for dining and wine tasting, live music, theater, street performers, concerts and movies in the park.

Harbor Beach

The first must-do in Harbor Beach is a walk down the 1,015-foot Trescott Pier to view a spectacular sunrise or sunset. Visitors can also enjoy a scenic boat ride out to the offshore lighthouse, which is open to explore. From the pier, guests can leisurely watch freighters pass by, do some fishing, or just take a stroll on the pier.

Also notable to the area are three shallow-water shipwrecks. Each can be easily reached from shore by kayak, canoe or boat. Ready to view is the George H. Waud, a 139-foot 1866 wooden schooner that was stranded in 1902. It is located approximately 270 feet from shore about six feet below the surface. A 148-foot wooden schooner, the Dorcas Pendell, which ran aground in 1913, is approximately 2,000 feet from shore. And the John Wesley, a 135-foot wooden schooner stranded by a heavy gale in 1901, is an estimated 35-minute paddle from shore.

Harbor Beach’s freshwater, man-made harbor is a favorite fishing spot — both by boat or directly from the break wall. Biking, canoeing and hiking are also popular activities.

For sun worshippers, Judge James H. Lincoln Park is at the east end of Trescott Street, just a short walk from downtown, and located on the Harbor View Trail. The park has a sandy swimming beach and areas for picnicking and playing in the sun.

When visitors are ready for non-nature entertainment, outdoor dining, a tour of the historic areas and shopping opportunities are abundant.