With its sprawling grass lawn and enormous trees, Sandy Bottom Park is a pleasant place to spend a sunny day. The highlight of the park is the sandy beach, which sits at the inlet to Dollar Bay — it’s a favorite swimming spot for families in Michigan’s Keweenaw.
About the Park
Sandy Bottom, which is operated by Osceola Township, is open until 10 p.m. every night. The parking lot is large, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding space even on the busiest days.
Amenities at the park:
- Grills
- Picnic tables
- Trash cans
- Picnic shelter
- Pit toilets
Pets are not allowed at Sandy Bottom. If you want to launch a boat, head to the boat ramp on the opposite end of the park from the beach. This area also has a small dock that’s good for fishing.
Sandy Bottom Beach
Most people come to Sandy Bottom Park for the small, kid-friendly beach. It features a small strip of soft sand — there’s just enough space for kids to play. Since the water is shallow, it tends to be warmer than other beaches near Hancock, Michigan. The bottom is mostly sand, with a few small pebbles.
In the summer, the township ropes off the swimming area. The nearby Dollar Bay harbor is a popular mooring spot for motorboats and sailboats, so it’s important to stay inside the buoys. There’s no lifeguard on duty, but parents can sit on the grass or at one of the picnic tables next to the beach. Kids 7 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
How to Get to Sandy Bottom Park
Sandy Bottom Park is located just outside Dollar Bay, about 5 miles from Hancock, Michigan. The road is
Directions to Sandy Bottom Park:
- From Hancock, take M-26 east
- In Dollar Bay, turn right onto Main Street (just after Quincy’s Restaurant)
- After 0.4 miles, turn left on Avenue H
- Drive 0.4 miles on Avenue H, following it as it turns into Point Mills Road
- Turn right on Lower Point Mills Road; the beach is 0.4 miles down on the right
Things to Do Nearby
Within 3 miles of the park, you’ll find two hidden-gem hiking areas: the Steve Farm Nature Area (our favorite spot for hiking near Hancock), and Din Egen Woods. Hungarian Falls is less than 6 miles away. Looking for other beaches? Check out the stunning White City beach, or head into Hancock for the kid-friendly Hancock Beach.