Simmons Island Beach
Kenosha, WI
Simmons Island Beach is Kenosha's biggest and most popular beach, on a peninsula a few blocks from downtown. A boardwalk connects the sand to the pier and the Kenosha North Pier Lighthouse, and the historic Simmons Island beach house sits behind the beach. Mobility mats on the sand help wheelchairs and walkers reach the water.
Kenosha's best-equipped beach close to downtown, though there are no lifeguards.
How we score beachesWalk the boardwalk out to the red North Pier Lighthouse for photos, then head downtown for dinner.
Ample parking on Simmons Island.
Portable mobility mats on the sand help wheelchairs and walkers get close to the water.
There are no lifeguards on duty, so swim near shore and watch the flags. July and August weekends fill the sand with families from Kenosha and northern Illinois.
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
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