Misery Bay is one of the best-kept secrets in the Keweenaw Peninsula. A long, white-sand beach stretches for miles along the crystal-clear waters of Lake Superior, bordered by a thick evergreen forest.
Despite its desolate name and remote location, this peaceful spot is a favorite summer getaway for locals. Yoopers make the trek to Misery Bay Beach during the summer to relax in the sunshine, swim in Lake Superior, and paddle the Misery River.
Misery Bay Beach
Although it’s off the beaten path, Misery Bay is one of the most popular beaches near Houghton, MI. Why is everyone willing to make the journey? It’s all about the location; compared to other Keweenaw swimming spots, this beach is a bit of an anomaly.
If you’ve ever jumped into Lake Superior, you know how cold it can be. Not at Misery Bay — the water is shallow for many yards off the beach, so it stays unusually warm. And since the bay is protected by Wolf Point and Rock House Point, the waves are small and gentle. (In fact, these low-energy waves are responsible for the large sandbar near the shore.)
Plus, there’s plenty of room to spread out. Misery Bay never feels crowded, even when the parking lot is full. If you’re looking for a livelier spot, head up the shore to Agate Beach.
Don’t limit yourself to the beach by the parking area — turn right and walk along the shore to find an ultra-quiet spot. Go left, cross the mouth of the Misery River, and you can float around in the shallow water off the point. Kids love playing around the river; it’s a also a great place to go fishing.
Tips for Visiting the Beach
Whether you’re coming for a day of swimming or a fall beach walk, these tips will help you have the best visit to Misery Bay:
- Bring water and snacks. The closest stores are 20 miles away. (Krupp’s Mini Mart in Twin Lakes and Dollar General in South Range.)
- Don’t forget sunscreen. It doesn’t always feel hot at Misery Bay, thanks to cool winds off Lake Superior, but the sun is surprisingly strong.
- Consider an umbrella or beach tent. There’s no shade along the beach at Misery Bay, so it’s nice to bring your own — especially if you have little ones.
- Be prepared for bugs. Depending on the wind and the time of year, the mosquitos and biting flies might be out. Bring bug spray just in case.
- Pack toilet paper. Misery Bay has a pit toilet, but it’s not always stocked with toilet paper. You might also want to grab a tube of hand sanitizer, too.
The park does not offer garbage cans, so make sure to pack out your trash. There is a boat launch, so you can head up the Misery River or out into Lake Superior.
How to Get to Misery Bay
Misery Bay is located 25.5 miles from Houghton in Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula. The roads are paved until the last 0.5 miles, when they turn to gravel. If you’re using a maps app, use these GPS coordinates: 46.998353, -88.979945. They’ll take you right to the parking area. You might lose cell signal on the way, but it will likely return. AT&T offers excellent service at the beach.
Be careful when using Google Maps — it has two different markers in this area called “Santa Monica Beach.” Ignore them and use the GPS coordinates or the directions below.
Directions to Misery Bay
- From Houghton, head south on M-26 (toward South Range)
- Drive 14.5 miles, passing through the tiny community of Painesdale
- Turn right onto Misery Bay Road soon after you get into Toivola
- Drive 11 miles until you reach the Misery Bay parking area and boat launch
When you get close to Lake Superior, Google Maps may try to lead you astray; if it tells you to turn right onto Superior Drive, ignore it and keep driving straight. The road turns to gravel soon after and ends in the beach parking lot.
The sandy path to the beach is across the parking lot from the pit toilet. (It’s not particularly pleasant, but handy in an emergency.)
History of Michigan’s Misery Bay
As you’re sitting on one of the most pristine white-sand beaches in Michigan, looking out at the impossibly clear water, it’s hard to imagine how Misery Bay got its name.
Historians don’t have a clear answer. Some guess that the name came from the struggles of early European settlers as they navigated challenging conditions in the frozen north. Others suggest that it originated with the lumberjacks in the Toivola logging camps as they floated logs down the Misery River to the bay. And according to local lore, “Misery” came after a battle between two groups of Native Americans turned the river red with blood. (You can probably take that one with a grain of salt, though.)
This area didn’t always bear such a grim name — the explorer Captain Jonathan Carver, who traveled extensively in the western Great Lakes area between 1766-1768, supposedly called it “Carver’s Bay.” However, the name doesn’t appear on Carver’s expedition map. (He did leave a handwritten note on the Keweenaw that says, “Kionconan Point or rather the grand Peninsula,” which seems to be an interpretation of the Ojibwe words for “portage.”)
Regardless of the name, local people have been enjoying this area for centuries. Prehistoric people traveled frequently through the region; many years later, the Lakota and Anishinaabe people fished in the river and lake. As European settlers began expanding west, French fur traders and various explorers set up a booming trade all along Lake Superior. When Finnish settlers moved in in the late 1800s, they often celebrated Juhannus — Midsummer — with a massive beach bonfire on the beach.
Today, the beach offers few signs of the former inhabitants. In fact, locals like to joke that “Misery Bay” keeps the people away.
Things to Do Nearby
While there’s no camping at Misery Bay, there are quite a few options nearby. Check out our list of campgrounds near Houghton, MI, for ideas.