Find Your Own Slice of Bliss at These 20 Wisconsin Beaches
Bordered by Lakes Michigan and Superior, Wisconsin is the home of many picture-perfect beaches that make residents and visitors alike feel like they’re sitting on an ocean coastline. Nonetheless, these slices of freshwater tranquility are close to home, family-friendly, and peaceful, ensuring that Wisconsinites and out-of-town visitors don’t have to travel far to find a bit of bliss on the beach.
North Beach | Racine
100 Kewaunee St, Racine, WI 53403
Nestled on the Lake Michigan waterfront, North Beach is revered for more than 2,500 feet of shoreline and has been certified as a Blue Wave Beach since 2004.
DID YOU KNOW: A Blue Wave Beach is a designation that indicates a beach is clean and managed with a focus on the environment and human health.
Visitors of all ages can enjoy swimming, fishing, and picnicking — Racine is also America’s Kringle Capital and a slice of kringle makes the perfect picnic dessert.
Bradford Beach | Milwaukee
2400 N Lincoln Memorial Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53211
This lively Lake Michigan beach has a little something for everyone: An active sports scene (including soccer and sand volleyball leagues), scenic lakefront views, a cocktail bar, and easy accessibility. The beach has a state-of-the-art ramp, giving visitors with limited mobility or those in wheelchairs an easy way to reach everything.
Sand Dunes Beach Park | Washington Island
Sand Dunes Park, S Shore Dr, Washington, WI 54246
A slice of serenity awaits beachgoers in Door County Wisconsin. Sun seekers, nature enthusiasts, and visitors of all types can enjoy the refreshing waters of Lake Michigan, sunbathe in golden sands, or gaze into the distance to enjoy a wonderful view of Detroit Island.
Bender Park Waterfront | Oak Creek
4503 E. Ryan Road, Oak Creek, WI
This beautiful hidden gem along Lake Michigan is small but perfect for a relaxing day at the beach. Visitors can enjoy a swim, scenic views, a playground, and walking paths in a spot that’s not too crowded and very peaceful during the summer.
Kohler-Andrae State Park | Sheboygan
1020 Beach Park Lane, Sheboygan, WI 53081
One of the Badger State’s most scenic beach spots has golden sand dunes, miles of sandy lakeshore, and of course, access to shimmering blue waters. The park is home to the state’s largest dune complex and fascinating wetlands, which make it a prime habitat for rare plants and dozens of bird species.
Riviera Beach | Lake Geneva
812 Wrigley Dr, Lake Geneva, WI 53147
Visitors of all ages can escape the hustle and bustle of the everyday and find a spot in the sand to enjoy the serenity of Lake Geneva. The beach is located near the Rivieria Ballroom and the downtown business district, making it easy to explore the town after having fun by the water.
Egg Harbor Beach | Egg Harbor
Cty G & Alpine Rd, Egg Harbor, WI 53209
This gem of a waterfront offers visitors of all types a chance to enjoy the sun and the water in a peaceful setting. The beach offers ample space by the water, a small boat ramp, a playground for kids, walking paths, and even a spot to rent kayaks.
Simmons Island Beach | Kenosha
5001 4th Avenue, Kenosha, WI 53140
This beach and park by the Lake Michigan shoreline is a popular summer destination. Beachgoers are easily connected to the beach via a boardwalk and the Kenosha North Pier Light at the end is a popular spot for photos. Along the beach, there is plenty of space to spread out to swim and sunbathe along with a playground and a picnic pavilion. Portable mobility mats are also placed along the beach to accommodate visitors with walkers and wheelchairs.
Julian Bay Beach | Apostle Island National Lakeshore
This beach on Stockton Island seems to stretch on forever and is famed for its “singing sands” — a unique phenomenon that occurs as visitors walk due to the shape of the granules of sand. The beach is also surrounded by dunes, pine forests, and savannahs, allowing visitors to truly escape into solitude and the stunning beauty of nature.
Little Sand Bay Beach | Apostle Island National Lakeshore
Nestled about 13 miles from Bayfield, Little Sand Bay Beach offers visitors a stunning view of Lake Superior and the surrounding Apostle Islands. Along with swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking, and other water activities, visitors can make use of camping facilities to enjoy extended stays along the lake.
Meyers Beach | Apostle Island National Lakeshore
Located a little further west of Bayfield — about 17 miles — Meyers Beach is a good spot for those who love a little outdoor adventure with their beach visit. During the summer, visitors love to paddle or hike to the shoreline’s famous sea cave. The hiking trail extends for about five miles and the first cave can be found about two miles along the trail.
Big Bay Beach at Town Park | Madeline Island
2305 Big Bay Road, La Pointe, WI 54850
A trip to Wisconsin’s northernmost tip is worth it for beachgoers to visit Madeline Island. Not only can visitors take guided walks and enjoy excellent views along a boardwalk on Big Bay Beach, they can also enjoy two miles of sandy beach right on Lake Superior. The park is free and secluded, giving beachgoers the perfect place to get away and enjoy swimming, fishing, paddleboarding, and more.
Schoolhouse Beach | Washington Island
1824 Washington Harbor Rd, Washington, WI 54246
Beach enthusiasts looking for a different kind of spot can enjoy the rocky shoreline and some of the clearest water in the state. Visitors can hit the water for snorkeling, rafting, swimming, and diving, or mingle on the shoreline building stone castles or looking for the perfect lake-polished rocks to take home.
Nicolet Beach | Fish Creek
9462 Shore Rd, Fish Creek, WI 54212
One of the more popular beach destinations in Door County is located in Peninsula State Park and awfully inviting in the summer with its sandy shoreline and warm waters. Those who want to relax, swim, kayak, or soak up views of the bay won’t want to pass up a trip here. It’s a scenic spot for a romantic getaway, a quick day trip, or a relaxing family vacation.
Sister Bay Beach | Sister Bay
2362 Mill Rd, Sister Bay, WI 54234
This charming beachfront on the Green Bay side of Door County is beautiful and has plenty of space for visitors to soak up the sun. The beach is located downtown, giving visitors easy access to the beach and local shops and eateries. The beach’s location in a bay provides a calm environment for families to enjoy time together by the water.
Point Beach State Forest | Two Rivers
9400 County Rd O, Two Rivers, WI 54241
This family-friendly spot on Lake Michigan offers a few hundred yards of scenic sand beaches as well as access to biking and walking trails, concessions, and picnic areas. Visitors can spend time on the water or hop on a bike to explore the Rawley Point Recreational Trail — the Rawley Point Lighthouse is about six miles away — or explore the Mariners Trail, which connects Two Rivers to Manitowoc.
Maslowski Beach | Ashland
Lake Shore Drive West, Ashland, WI 54806
Beachgoers who love warmer water flock to the warmer, shallow waters of this Ashland beach, making it a perfect family-friendly spot. The beach includes more than 1,400 feet of shoreline, a playground, a pavilion, and other amenities for a fun-filled day at the beach.
Grant Park Beach
100 E Hawthorne Ave, South Milwaukee, WI 53172
Just south of Milwaukee, Grant Park Beach boasts everything visitors want in a Lake Michigan beach experience: Comfortable, sandy beaches, waterfront access, playgrounds, and space for picnic gatherings and water recreation. The park is situated along the Seven Bridges Trail, giving visitors a chance to soak in scenic views and explore nearby wooden bridges.
Harrington Beach State Park
531 Co Rd D, Belgium, WI 53004
One of the Badger State’s finest beaches invites visitors to enjoy the natural beauty of Lake Michigan. Visitors can swim, enjoy the sight of a beautiful limestone quarry lake, stretch their legs on beautiful hikes, and even camp for extended stays. The park is also home to a diverse mix of wildlife and amateur astronomers can participate in monthly public viewings.
Frost Woods Beach
5800 Winnequah Rd, Monona, WI 53716
Frost Woods Beach is a quiet getaway on Lake Monona where visitors can enjoy a small, sandy beach, a relaxing picnic, a refreshing swim, or a scenic hike through the woods. The beach is less than 15 minutes from Madison, so visitors can frolic on the beach and then enjoy shopping, eating, and exploring Wisconsin’s capital.
Visit Wisconsin’s Scenic and Peaceful Beaches
Whether you throw a towel down on a Lake Michigan or Lake Superior beach or explore one of Wisconsin’s inland lakes, there’s plenty of peace and serenity waiting on a Wisconsin beach. So grab your swimsuit, beach towels, and favorite beach toys and find a slice of paradise on a Badger State beach.