Chassell Beach is located in a large public park (Centennial Park) in the tiny town of Chassell, Michigan. The beach is tucked into a protected bay off the Portage Canal, so the water is almost always calm. On summer days, this usually-quiet spot comes to life as local families drop by to go for a swim and enjoy the playground.
Visiting Chassell Beach
The beach in Chassell has an extremely narrow strip of sand bordered by a large, grassy lawn. There’s room for kids to play in the sand, but you’ll definitely want a blanket or lawn chairs to sit on. Keep an eye on little ones and non-swimmers — the water is shallow for a few yards out from shore, but the bottom drops away relatively quickly.
If you’re a confident swimmer, you can head out to the floating platform. The swimming area is marked with buoys, but there are no lifeguards on duty. (That’s true of most beaches near Houghton, MI, though.)
In the summer, Chassell Beach has a distinct family vibe. Small children play in the shallows, while local teenagers ride their bikes down to jump off the platform.
Chassell Centennial Park Facilities
If you’re not in the mood to swim, there are plenty of other things to do in Chassell Centennial Township Park (which is also called Chassell Centennial Park and Chassell Township Park). Park facilities include:
- Modern bathrooms
- Playground
- Shaded picnic areas
- Fishing pier
- Boat launch
- Volleyball court
- Basketball court
The park is a popular spot to launch boats, and anglers often come by to cast off the fishing pier.
How to Get to Chassell Beach
Chassell Beach is located in Chassell Township Centennial Park, about 8 miles from Houghton, Michigan.
Directions to Chassell Beach
- From Houghton, drive 8 miles south on US-41
- Turn left on Wilson Memorial Drive when you get to Chassell
There’s plenty of parking in the Chassell Centennial Township Park. If you’re staying close to town, you can also walk to the beach on the Houghton Waterfront Trail; it runs right through the park.
Things to do Nearby
The Chassell Ski, Fitness & Snowshoe Trails — one of the quietest spots for hiking near Houghton, MI — are just up the road from the beach. If you’re interested in local history, the Chassell Heritage Center is also worth a visit.