MACKINAC COUNTY, Mich. (Michigan Back Roads) – The beach and shoreline at Scott’s Point are easy to get, but are little known so visitors often have the entire place to themselves.

This spot is so secluded that a walk along the beach could qualify as a “trail.” The road to the beach, trails, and the parking area aren’t paved yet. When you exit your vehicle, the sense of seclusion is immediate. The only sounds are the waves of Lake Michigan, the whispering of the branches in the old forest, and songs of birds on the wing. The beach and the lake are just a few steps away. I often use Scott’s Point as a break on my drives across the upper peninsula.

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A walk along the shoreline is an easy stroll on packed sand. In some places it extends well out into the lake. It offers a view of the shoreline that is usually only possible from wading out into the water. At Scott’s Point, the water is shallow in most places, being only ankle deep more than 20 yards out. If you don’t want to wade, there are usually a few long points of sand and pebbles that extend out into the lake, formed by the action of wind and water.

The beach can seem endless. From the parking area, the sand extends for more than a mile eastward along a gentle bay past Peterson Point, and it is visible in the distance. The forest begins a few yards from the waterline. Towering pines form a dense woodland. It is broken up by small ponds among the dunes, and several icy cold streams. Those empty into the lake.

The forest is home to the usual wildlife, out on the sand you may see Great Blue Herons, or Piping Plovers. Hidden away in the protection of the trees one can find a couple of rare wildflowers like the Lake Huron Tansy and the Dwarf Lake Iris.

Scott’s Point is beautiful in all seasons. In the warm months the warm sandy beach is just perfect for relaxation. In winter (my favorite!) a walk along the forest line can transport you to a more peaceful world.

Another feature of Scott’s Point, that sparks the imagination, is the group of islands visible in the distance. The several islands, shimmering like a mirage on the surface of Lake Michigan, make up parts of the Beaver Island Archipelago. On a clear day, one can even make out the abandoned lighthouse on the Lansing Shoals. This is the closest view of the islands, from any spot on the Michigan mainland

Directions to Scott’s Point:

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Take U.S. 2 west from the Mackinac Bridge, about 50 miles, to Gould City. At the blinking light go south on Gould City Road. Though there is no sign, but this is the road to Scott’s Point. It is just 9 miles away.