Lakeshore State Park Beach
Milwaukee, WI
Lakeshore State Park is an urban state park on a strip of land just east of the Summerfest grounds and the Milwaukee Art Museum. Its small pebble beach sits on the calm inner basin. Swimming isn't allowed, but people fish, launch kayaks, and sit on the stones with a view of downtown.
A calm downtown spot for kayaks and fishing, though there's no swimming.
How we score beachesLaunch a kayak here for a calm paddle along the lakefront and the harbor.
Street and garage parking near the lakefront; the beach is walk-in only.
Paved paths run through the park; the beach is small and pebbly.
Summer brings festival crowds next door at Summerfest. The park is peaceful on weekday mornings.
More Great Lakes beaches
Sleeping Bear Dunes Beach
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Freshwater Lake Michigan surf below towering sand dunes, some over 400 feet tall, with water clear enough to rival a coastline and a hike back up the dune to burn it off.
New Buffalo City Beach
New Buffalo, MI · Great Lakes
New Buffalo City Beach is the first real Lake Michigan beach you hit crossing from Indiana, a wide stretch of sand at the end of Whittaker Street beside the harbor and the Galien River channel. Chicago weekenders fill it in summer. The town's shops and restaurants are a five minute walk back up the street.
Warren Dunes State Park
Sawyer, MI · Great Lakes
Warren Dunes State Park in Sawyer has roughly three miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and some of the tallest dunes in southwest Michigan. Tower Hill rises about 260 feet above the lake, and climbing it and running back down is a rite of passage. On a hot July Saturday the beach feels like a small city.