Silver Beach County Park
St. Joseph, MI
Silver Beach County Park is St. Joseph's main downtown beach, a broad sweep of sand just south of the St. Joseph River mouth. The Silver Beach Carousel and the Whirlpool Compass Fountain splash pad sit right behind it, and the pier lighthouses are across the channel. Families can spend a whole day here without getting back in the car.
The carousel, splash pad, and sand all in one spot make it easy for families, but it's busy and parking isn't free.
How we score beachesSkip the beach lot and park up on the bluff in town. The walk down is short, and on-street parking is often cheaper.
Berrien County charges a daily fee at the beach lot, lower for county residents; an annual permit is also available.
Paved paths connect the lot, carousel, and splash pad to the sand.
The swim season peaks in late July and August. Winter storms often coat the pier and lighthouses in thick ice, which draws photographers from all over the state.
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