Great Lakes Challenge

Reasons to Visit the Great Lakes

1. Five Massive Lakes, Endless Adventure
The Great Lakes aren’t just big — they’re bigger than most seas. From Lake Superior’s rugged cliffs to Lake Michigan’s sandy dunes, each lake has its own vibe and beauty.

2. Ocean Vibes Without Saltwater
Get crashing waves, beautiful beaches, lighthouses, and even surfing — all without the sharks or salt. You can swim, kayak, sail, or just lounge lakeside with a view that feels coastal.

3. Charming Towns and Cities
Explore vibrant places like Chicago, Duluth, Traverse City, Cleveland, and Mackinac Island. You'll find unique local culture, food scenes, and festivals along every shoreline.

4. Nature at Its Best
Hike coastal trails, spot waterfalls, chase sunsets over freshwater horizons, and see wildlife like bald eagles and moose. The Upper Peninsula of Michigan and Apostle Islands in Wisconsin are especially wild and stunning.

5. Year-Round Fun
Summer means water sports and beach days. Fall brings jaw-dropping foliage. Explore ice caves, ski, and snowshoe in the winter.  Go on a waterfall hunt in the spring!

The Great Lakes Challenge - All 5 Lakes in One Day

If you want to condense your lake visits into one trip, it is possible to go to all 5 lakes in one day!  Chadwick Jones and Kenneth Twigg completed the Great Lakes Challenge by swimming in all 5 Great Lakes on August 24, 2018 in 12 hours. They arrived the day before in Hamilton, Ontario, to spend the night before the big day. Along the way, they stopped at Niagara Falls.

6:30 a.m. Lake Ontario - Confederate Beach Park 

8:00 a.m. Lake Erie - Port Dover Beach

11:00 a.m. Lake Huron -  Canatara Beach in Sarnia

5:00 p.m. Lake Michigan - Mackinac City Beach 1, Carp Lake area

6:30 p.m. Lake Superior - Brimley State Park

From Chadwick -  "The water was cold !!! But not as cold as the Arctic Ocean in Barrow, Alaska!!"