Empire Beach is located near the village of Empire about 7 miles southwest of Glen Arbor on the shores of Lake Michigan in Leelanau County in Michigan's lower peninsula. This aerial photo was taken on a summer evening facing north. This page features aerial photos of the beach.

Glen Lake is divided into two sections, known as “Little Glen Lake” and “Big Glen Lake.” This is one of my favorite spots in Michigan! In this region of the northwestern lower peninsula you can kayak the open waters of Big Glen Lake or travel down the Crystal River, which connects Glen Lake to Lake Michigan.