76°
Areas Of Smoke
0%
76
Leelanau County, MI · Great Lakes
Empire Beach (Lake Michigan Beach Park)
10484 W Niagara St, Empire, MI 49630
The village-run public beach in Empire — a 6.7-acre park where South Bar Lake meets Lake Michigan, with views straight out to South Manitou Island and the Sleeping Bear Dunes bluff just north.
Today's Conditions
Great day for a beach walk.
NWS alert active · 76°F air · 73°F water
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Areas of smoke. Mostly sunny. High near 76, with temperatures falling to around 70 in the afternoon. North wind around 15 mph.
Tonight
Areas of smoke. Mostly clear, with a low around 61. North wind 5 to 15 mph.
Weather
- 76°F air — ideal beach weather
Water
- 73°F water — swimmable, refreshing
Safety
- NWS alert active — air quality alert issued july 18 at 11:36am edt by nws gaylord mi
61 /100
good
47 Swim
72 Sunbathe
81 Walk
76 Photo
Best for walking today
Weather alert in effect
Air Quality Alert issued July 18 at 11:36AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI
Atmosphere
Air Temp
76°F
Haze
Wind
15 mph
N
Rain
0%
This Afternoon
Tomorrow
75°F
Areas Of Smoke
Water
Water Temp
73°F
Swimming weather
Water Quality
Clean
7 cfu/100mL · E. coli
USGS · sampled 10mo ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:15 AM
Sunset
9:25 PM
Moon · 18%
Waxing Crescent
Neap tides — smaller range
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
75°
Areas Of Smoke
0%
81
82°
Areas Of Smoke then Patchy Smoke
52%
53
75°
Chance Rain Showers
51%
53
70°
Mostly Sunny
6%
74
78°
Sunny
4%
84
79°
Chance Rain Showers
38%
64
What to Bring Today
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 15 mph wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 73°F
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Beach Info
Parking
$1 parking fee in season; free off-season. Small lot fills on hot weekends.
Dogs
Dogs permitted on leash. Owners must clean up.
Entry Fee
Free
Address
10484 W Niagara St, Empire, MI 49630
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Empire Beach (Lake Michigan Beach Park) today?
Empire Beach (Lake Michigan Beach Park) shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. No lifeguards are on duty, so check the day's conditions and swim with caution. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
Is Empire Beach (Lake Michigan Beach Park) dog-friendly?
Dogs permitted on leash. Owners must clean up.
Is there an entry fee at Empire Beach (Lake Michigan Beach Park)?
Entry to Empire Beach (Lake Michigan Beach Park) is free.
Are there lifeguards at Empire Beach (Lake Michigan Beach Park)?
No lifeguards are stationed at Empire Beach (Lake Michigan Beach Park). Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Empire Beach (Lake Michigan Beach Park)?
Amenities at Empire Beach (Lake Michigan Beach Park) include restrooms, potable water, pavilion, playground, picnic tables, grills.
When is the water warmest at Empire Beach (Lake Michigan Beach Park)?
Great Lakes water temperatures peak in late July and August at roughly 68-74°F near shore — cool compared to the ocean. Best swimming window is mid-July to late August.
Where is Empire Beach (Lake Michigan Beach Park) located?
Empire Beach (Lake Michigan Beach Park) is in Leelanau County, MI, at 10484 W Niagara St, Empire, MI 49630.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS