KidZ Guides Rating: 4/4 Z’s

Sand, Sun, and Super Moons at Charles Mears State Park 🌊🐶🌕

By: Two Beach Bums and Their Dog Nacho 🐾

We just spent two amazing weeks at Charles Mears State Park on Lake Michigan, and we’re totally in love. The sand there is SO soft — like, softer than any beach we’ve ever been to. Seriously, it felt like walking on flour (but less messy!).

And the best part? There’s a dog-friendly beach section, so our pup Nacho got to run wild right alongside us!

Nacho’s Favorite Beach in the World 🐶

Every morning, Mom walked Nacho along the shoreline, and one morning she caught an epic photo of the super moon over the lake. It looked like something out of a movie!

We loved having Nacho with us every day — chasing waves, digging in the sand, and making new doggy friends. If you’re planning a pet-friendly family beach vacation, this place is a total win.

Fishing, Swimming, and Sand-Sprinting

We did a little bit of everything during our stay:

• Fishing off the pier — we didn’t catch anything huge, but it was still fun trying!
• Swimming in Lake Michigan — the water was clear and awesome, especially on sunny days.
• Running through the sand with Nacho — this may have been our favorite activity of all.

The beach wasn’t too crowded, and there was always space to spread out, build sandcastles, and just chill in the sun. We even had a few picnic lunches right by the water!

Final Thoughts: Soft Sand + Super Dog = Best Beach Ever

Charles Mears State Park has officially become one of our favorite spots for a summer vacation. It has soft sand, a pet-friendly section, cool views, and everything you need for a fun and relaxing time by the lake.

We’re already planning our return trip next year — and Nacho is, too. 🐾

See you next summer, Lake Michigan!

Love other Michigan based adventures? Don’t miss our posts on Pentwater Michigan activities for KidZ, or check out our favorite Sand Dune ActivitieZ.