80°
Sunny
6%
80
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
Ideal for a beach walk.
80°F air
Full NWS forecast for Today
Sunny. High near 80, with temperatures falling to around 78 in the afternoon. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Weather
- 80°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 65°F water — chilly — expect a gasp entering
79 /100
great
74 Swim
84 Sunbathe
86 Walk
82 Photo
Best for walking today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
80°F
Mostly Clear
Wind
5 to 10 mph
SW
Rain
6%
Today
Tomorrow
84°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
65°F
Refreshing
Water Quality
Clean
7 cfu/100mL · E. coli
USGS · sampled 10mo ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:09 AM
Sunset
9:29 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
84°
Sunny
12%
77
88°
Sunny
0%
78
85°
Sunny
1%
81
82°
Mostly Sunny
9%
81
82°
Chance Rain Showers
28%
65
83°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
34%
33
What to Bring Today
- recommended SPF 30 sunscreen clear day + warm temps
- recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind
- recommended Wetsuit or expect a chill Water is 65°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