Playground

If you’re heading to Empire Beach anyway, this little spot makes it easy to set up camp for a few hours. There’s a basketball court and a big open grass field, so older kids can roam while the little ones stick to the play equipment. Shaded picnic tables mean you’re not eating lunch in direct sun, which matters a lot on a hot July afternoon. Parking is straightforward, restrooms are on-site, and Lake Michigan is basically right there — you can walk down to the water without any hassle. Honestly, it’s one of those underrated stops along M-22 that locals know about and tourists tend to breeze past.