Gratiot County, Michigan is a sparsely populated area located in the middle part of the state, at least an hour's drive from the nearest of the Great Lakes. Despite its inland location, the county does have a number of beaches and swimming areas on the various lakes and rivers in the area.
Perhaps the largest and most expansive beaches in Gratiot County are at the private campground area of Leisure Lake. Guests can take advantage of several designated shore fishing areas and two sandy beaches, along with other outdoor amenities such as mini golf, basketball courts and a playground. There's also a boat launch and a camp store. Accommodations on the grounds include 140 camp sites with full hookups and mini sleeping cabins. Non-guests can use the lake facilities for a $2 daily charge in 2011.
Gratiot County runs several county parks that feature man-made lakes and swimming beaches. Paul Hubscher County Park, located about nine miles west of the town of Ithaca, is one of them. The park includes 60 acres of wild lands, a sand volleyball court and a covered pavilion for a picnic or party, as well as the man-made lake for swimming or fishing. You can rent this or any other pavilion in the county by contacting the Gratiot County Parks and Recreation department.
Reed County Park near Ithaca offers a man-made lake with a sandy swimming beach, sand volleyball courts and a picnic pavilion, as well as a playground, bathhouse and changing room. A disc golf course and several trails for hiking are also part of the 100-acre grounds. The county keeps residents active in the winter by hosting snowshoeing and cross-country ski tours near the lake during the colder months.
Gratiot County's town of Alma provides several recreation areas along the Pine River, including a number of parks that offer places for swimming. While sandy beaches are hard to come by, it is possible to find a flat grassy area along the river to hang out. Take a walk along the city's River Walk starting at Pine River Park, or check out the boat launch area north of the park area for places to swim or relax by the water.
