List of beaches in the United States facts for kids
Beaches are amazing places where land meets water! They can be found along the ocean, but also next to big lakes and rivers. This article will take you on a tour of some cool beaches across the United States and its territories. Get ready to explore sandy shores, rocky coasts, and beautiful waterfronts!
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Beaches on the Atlantic Coast
The Atlantic Coast of the U.S. stretches from Maine all the way down to Florida. It's home to many famous beaches, perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and building sandcastles.
New England Beaches
New England states like Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut have beautiful coastlines. You can find stunning cliffs and sandy spots. For example, the Gay Head Cliffs in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, are very famous for their colorful layers.
New York Beaches
New York has some fantastic beaches, especially on Long Island. One well-known spot is Montauk, located at the very end of Long Island. It's a popular place for surfing and enjoying the ocean views.
New Jersey Beaches
New Jersey is famous for its "Jersey Shore," a long stretch of beaches and boardwalks. Many towns along the coast offer fun activities. Some popular beaches include Asbury Park, Atlantic City, and Cape May. You can also visit Island Beach State Park for a more natural beach experience.
District of Columbia Waterfronts
The District of Columbia is located along the Potomac river. While it doesn't have ocean beaches, it does have waterfront areas like Georgetown Waterfront Park. Long ago, from 1914 to 1925, there was actually a beach at the city's Tidal Basin!
Delaware and Maryland Beaches
Delaware and Maryland offer lovely beaches. In Maryland, Ocean City is a very popular resort town with a long beach and boardwalk. Nearby, Assateague Island is famous for its wild horses roaming the beaches.
Virginia Beaches
Virginia has several appealing beaches. Virginia Beach is a large city known for its wide sandy shores and lively boardwalk. Other notable beaches include Chincoteague, a barrier island, and Colonial Beach on the Potomac River.
North Carolina Beaches
North Carolina boasts many beautiful beaches, especially along the Outer Banks. This chain of barrier islands includes famous spots like Cape Hatteras, known for its historic lighthouse and excellent surfing conditions. Other popular areas are Carolina Beach and Wrightsville Beach.
South Carolina Beaches
South Carolina is home to famous beach destinations like Myrtle Beach, which is a major tourist hub with many attractions. Hilton Head Island offers a more relaxed, upscale beach experience. Other great spots include Folly Beach and Isle of Palms.
Georgia Beaches
Georgia has several beautiful barrier islands with natural beaches. Tybee Island is a popular spot near Savannah. Other islands like Jekyll Island and St. Simons Island offer a mix of history, nature, and sandy shores. Cumberland Island is a protected wilderness area with pristine beaches.
Florida Beaches
Florida is famous for its sunny weather and incredible beaches on both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. On the Atlantic side, you'll find popular destinations like Miami Beach with its vibrant South Beach area, and Daytona Beach, known for its wide, hard-packed sand where cars used to drive.
Beaches on the Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf Coast states, from Alabama to Texas, have warm, calm waters and soft, white sand, making them perfect for swimming and relaxing.
Alabama Beaches
Alabama's Gulf Coast offers beautiful beaches with fine, white sand. Popular spots include Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, which are known for their family-friendly atmosphere and clear waters. Dauphin Island is another lovely option.
Mississippi Beaches
Mississippi's coastline along the Gulf of Mexico features several sandy beaches. Cities like Biloxi and Gulfport have developed beach areas. There are also barrier islands like Ship Island that offer more secluded beach experiences.
Louisiana Beaches
While much of Louisiana's coast is marshland, it does have some beaches. Grand Isle is a barrier island known for its fishing and sandy shores. Holly Beach is another small community with a beach popular for crabbing.
Texas Beaches
Texas has a long coastline along the Gulf of Mexico. Galveston is a historic island city with popular beaches. The Padre Island National Seashore is a protected area with miles of undeveloped beaches, perfect for nature lovers. South Padre Island is a lively resort town.
- Galveston
- Padre Island
- South Padre Island
Beaches on the Pacific Coast
The Pacific Coast of the U.S. stretches from Alaska down to California, offering diverse landscapes from rugged cliffs to wide sandy beaches.
Alaska Beaches
Even Alaska has beaches! While they might not be for sunbathing in a swimsuit, they are incredibly scenic. For example, Bishop’s Beach offers views of mountains and glaciers. Some beaches, like Black Sand Beach (Barry Arm), even have unique black sand.
- Bishop’s Beach
- Black Sand Beach (Barry Arm)
Washington Beaches
Washington state's Pacific coast is known for its dramatic beauty. Alki Beach in Seattle offers city views, while Ocean Shores provides a wide, sandy beach perfect for kite flying and beachcombing.
- Alki Beach
- Ocean Shores
Oregon Beaches
Oregon's coastline is famous for its stunning rock formations and rugged beauty. Cannon Beach is iconic, with its famous Haystack Rock rising from the ocean. Many beaches here are great for exploring tide pools and enjoying the cool Pacific air.
California Beaches
California is home to some of the most famous beaches in the world, from the sunny shores of Southern California to the dramatic cliffs of the north. Ocean Beach Pier in San Diego is a popular spot for fishing and sunsets. Other well-known beaches include those in Malibu, Santa Monica, and Laguna Beach.
Island States and Territories
Beyond the mainland, the U.S. has amazing beaches in its island states and territories, each with its own unique charm.
American Samoa Beaches
American Samoa is a U.S. territory in the South Pacific, known for its beautiful, untouched beaches. Ofu Beach is particularly stunning, often called one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, with clear blue waters and coral reefs.
- Ofu Beach
- Alega Beach
Guam Beaches
Guam is another U.S. territory in the Pacific Ocean. It has many lovely beaches, perfect for snorkeling and diving. Tumon Beach is a popular tourist area with calm waters and white sand. Other beaches like Ritidian Beach offer a more secluded experience.
- Tumon Beach
- Ritidian Beach
Hawaii Beaches
Hawaii is a state made up of islands, and it's famous for its diverse beaches, including white, black, and even green sand! Waikiki Beach on Oahu is world-renowned for surfing. Punaluʻu Beach on Hawaii Island is a famous black sand beach, and Green Sands Beach is one of only a few green sand beaches in the world.
- Waikiki Beach, Oahu
- Punaluʻu Beach (Black Sand Beach), Hawaii Island
- Green Sands Beach, Hawaii Island
- Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, Oahu
Northern Mariana Islands Beaches
The Northern Mariana Islands are another U.S. territory in the Pacific. They offer pristine beaches with clear waters. Micro Beach on Saipan is a beautiful spot, and Mañagaha Beach is on a small island perfect for a day trip.
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- Micro Beach
- Mañagaha Beach
Puerto Rico Beaches
Puerto Rico is a Caribbean island territory with stunning tropical beaches. Flamenco Beach on the island of Culebra is often ranked among the best beaches in the world, known for its calm, clear waters and white sand. Luquillo Beach is another popular choice on the main island.
- Flamenco Beach
- Luquillo Beach
- Crash Boat Beach
U.S. Minor Outlying Islands Beaches
These are small, mostly uninhabited islands and atolls far from the mainland. Places like Palmyra Atoll and Midway Atoll have beautiful, remote beaches that are important for wildlife.
U.S. Virgin Islands Beaches
The U.S. Virgin Islands are a group of Caribbean islands known for their white sand beaches and turquoise waters. Magens Bay on St. Thomas is a very famous and beautiful beach, often listed among the world's best.
Great Lakes States Beaches
Not all amazing beaches are on the ocean! The Great Lakes, huge freshwater lakes in the northern U.S., also have beautiful sandy shores that feel just like the ocean.
Minnesota Beaches
Minnesota has beaches on its many lakes. Minnesota Point (Park Point) in Duluth is a long sand spit on Lake Superior, offering a freshwater beach experience.
Wisconsin Beaches
Wisconsin has lovely beaches along Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. Bradford Beach in Milwaukee is a popular spot on Lake Michigan, offering a city beach experience. Point Beach is another beautiful area.
- Bradford Beach
- Point Beach
Illinois Beaches
Illinois has beaches along Lake Michigan, especially in Chicago. Illinois Beach State Park is the only remaining beach ridge shoreline in the state, offering a natural lakeside beach.
Indiana Beaches
Indiana's coastline along Lake Michigan is home to the Indiana Dunes National Park. This park features beautiful sandy beaches backed by large sand dunes, perfect for exploring and enjoying the lake.
Michigan Beaches
Michigan has the longest freshwater coastline in the U.S., with thousands of miles of beaches on the Great Lakes. Popular spots include Grand Haven Beach and Holland Beach on Lake Michigan. The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore offers stunning dunes and beaches.
Ohio Beaches
Ohio has beaches along Lake Erie. Headlands Beach State Park is the longest natural beach in Ohio, a great place for swimming and enjoying the lake.
Pennsylvania Beaches
Pennsylvania has a small but important coastline on Lake Erie. Presque Isle State Park near Erie is a sandy peninsula with several beaches, offering calm waters for swimming and boating.
New York Great Lakes Beaches
New York also has beaches on Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, adding to its diverse beach offerings.
Other Inland States Beaches
Even states without ocean or Great Lakes access can have beaches on their large lakes and rivers!
Arizona Beaches
Arizona is known for its deserts, but it also has beaches on its lakes. Lake Havasu State Park has popular beaches along the Colorado River, where people enjoy swimming and boating.
- Lake Havasu State Park beaches
Idaho Beaches
Idaho has beautiful mountain lakes with beaches. Bear Lake State Park has a famous "North Beach" with shallow, turquoise waters. Coeur d’Alene City Park and Beach is another popular spot.
Montana Beaches
Montana's large lakes also offer beaches. Whitefish City Beach is a popular spot on Whitefish Lake, surrounded by beautiful scenery.
Nevada Beaches
Nevada is home to part of Lake Tahoe, a stunning freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Beaches like Nevada Beach and Sand Harbor Beach offer clear blue waters and mountain views.
- Nevada Beach (Lake Tahoe)
- Sand Harbor Beach (Lake Tahoe)
New Mexico Beaches
Even in the desert state of New Mexico, you can find a beach! Lake Carlsbad Beach Park is a recreational area along the Pecos River with a sandy beach.
North Dakota Beaches
North Dakota has beaches on its lakes, providing places to cool off in the summer. Beaver Lake State Park beach and Lake Metigoshe State Park beach are examples.
Utah Beaches
Utah also has beaches on its lakes. Rendezvous Beach on Bear Lake is known for its beautiful blue water, often called the "Caribbean of the Rockies."
Vermont Beaches
Vermont, a New England state, has beaches on Lake Champlain and other smaller lakes. These offer a different kind of beach experience, surrounded by forests and mountains.
West Virginia Beaches
West Virginia has beaches on its lakes and rivers, often found within state parks. Bee Run Beach on Sutton Lake is a popular spot for swimming.
Wyoming Beaches
Wyoming's lakes also feature beaches, especially in its state parks. Boysen State Park Beach and Sandy Beach on Fremont Lake offer recreational opportunities in scenic settings.
- Boysen State Park Beach
- Sandy Beach (Fremont Lake)
See also
- List of beaches
- Lists of landforms of the United States
