Paula Porter/For the Mining Gazette A family watches the sunset at Houghton’s Chutes and Ladders Beach recently.

The Copper Country beaches were incredibly well visited this month with a huge crowd of visitors at nearly every beach around — especially with temperatures soaring in the high 70s and beyond. Our locals and tourists from across the whole country were all soaking in the last of summer fun; as much as possible before it’s done. The only temporary hiatus of crowds was due to some partial rainy days — although, rock hounds, never say never.

Parking lots were packed from Houghton’s Chutes and Ladders to Calumet’s Waterworks Beach to the ever-popular Hancock Beach. It is that special time of year. Tourists squeezing in one last trip right before the return to school for their children next week throughout the country. Plus, returning Michigan Tech students are back in town, and locals all back exploring what the Copper Country beaches offer. Nothing compares.

Keeping a steady eye on the weather and the options available, Copper Country locals and tourists are kept happy and with plenty of fun choices of where to go and what to explore, plus great restaurants with a huge variety of offerings. Spend more time relaxing at the beach.

Houghton’s Chutes and Ladders beach had all ages stopping in the park the last few weeks, packing the beach more than once. Luckily, the concession stand is full and open yet this past month. Campers are camping yet due to the perfect warmer weather. Tech students play volleyball, and a young couple walk hand in hand to see the Copper Country sunset at its very best. Children run up and down the wooden play structure and fly across the monkey bars.

Calumet’s Waterworks continues to draw visitors from all over. The parking lot is full most days with tourists, locals and a few pets visiting. Activities include relaxing, sunbathing, swimming, rock picking, reading, playing in the lake, skipping rocks, visiting with friends or family and paddle boarding.

Everyone big or small was enjoying the extraordinary August heat. The Lake Superior water was warm most days. The recent late sunset show was well-attended with many staying late for the grand orange finale. Most importantly, there were very few mosquitoes out.

Agate Beach near Toivola was well-visited lately. Many people camping and swimming in the perfect weather. Rock pickers up and down the shore on recent days looking for their favorite rocks. Absolutely no bugs out in the mild weather this past week on the beach at Agate at least during the day. The water was super warm and had only a few small waves. It was a perfect beach to bring your cooler and picnic.

Some tourists were from out West, Tuscon, Arizona, some from Ohio, another visitor here from Duluth, Minnesota, and some from the lower peninsula. A few other vacationers arrived from Virginia, Mississippi and North Carolina. All with the same goal of visiting our beautiful Copper Country beaches and exploring the area as much as possible. Many people asking for recommendations for the best of whatever their agenda is for the day, finding the best restaurants in town or their own highlights of stores or destinations.

A couple of regular visitors to our area from the lower peninsula were searching for a few hand-sized rocks. The rocks will be painted as a special animal or something fun or whimsical and placed randomly in public. This particular beachgoer was quite talented and modest. This is all part of a fun Owosso rock group from lower Michigan. The rocks are a gift of good will and a keepsake to cheer up whomever may find it ­– simply the whole point of the rocks being shared.

All around rock hounding is a fun hobby. Many tourists were in town to explore and visit a few beaches. It is even better when you make the time to meet and share a bit of your own life or adventures with others. Gaining a new perspective or gaining new friends or both. The beach is best when it is one of those kinds of days.

August is one month where everyone looks forward to it all summer long. Air and water temperatures are warmer, the bugs are gone, and the beach gear is all ready to go. Make the most of it, either as a tourist or lucky local. Sunrises, sunsets, shooting stars, Northern lights, orange sunsets at dusk and an abundance of fresh clean Copper Country air.

Staying safe is an important part of a perfect beach day. Wear shoes or sandals as much as possible to protect your feet on the beach. Make sure to haul out your own trash each visit, too. Also, keep Michigan leash laws for pets in mind.

Additionally, any and every beach fire needs to be properly extinguished when done. Water is the way to do that. So plan ahead and bring a bucket if you plan on making a small beach fire. Then before leaving, douse it a few times with water; making sure it’s entirely cool to the touch. Simply place your hand near the different corners and center of the extinguished fire to test it.

Nothing is better than leaving the beach better than you found it. Copper Country beaches are the epitome of the best nature has to offer. We are lucky to have so many to choose from.

Farewell, beach summer season of 2024. If you can, make the time to squeeze in another glorious beach trip. This coming weekend’s temperatures look to be back in the 80s.