Esch Road Beach
Overview
Directions: Esch Rd, Honor, MI 49640
Parking Lot: Paved
Restroom: Vault
Water: No
Boat Ramp: No
Pets: Allowed to the North side (towards the bluffs)
Access
A nice sandy beach starts at the parking lot. The walk to Lake Michigan is about 300 feet through deep, soft sand and goes down a pretty steep slope. Walking back to your car from the beach will give you a workout. Watch out for poison ivy along the walkway to the lake.
More about Esch Beach
Otter Creek empties into Lake Michigan just to the left of the parking lot. This shallow, warm stream is a favorite place for kids to play in the summer. This is the site of the historic ghost town of Aral. It was a vibrant logging village with sawmill and dock. You can still find remnants of some of the foundations and dock. There is an interpretive sign near the restroom.
The trailhead to Otter Lake Loop Trail is on the gravel road just east of the parking lot. You easily hike all the way around Otter Lake. There is also a bridge over Otter Creek near the trailhead.
