If you are looking for a sandy beach spot this summer with some swimming splashed in, look no further. We’ve compiled a list of 12 sandy beaches in Waukesha County for your reference. Happy Summer Swimming! Don’t forget your beach towel, toys, sunscreen and fees (where applicable). And please be sure that you take everything that you brought back home with you, so our beaches stay pretty and clean for all. As a bonus, we’ve added some nearby beaches in surrounding counties! Prefer no sand? We’ve got you covered: COOL OFF AT THE POOL.
*The Beach Guide image above is taken from Oconomowoc’s Bender beach.
And while having all the fun, please remember to be safe, especially around water with little ones. Stephanie has written some Lake Safety Tips for families and you can find the helpful information HERE, at Lake Effect Co.
Note: There are 6 locations that are part of the WAUKESHA COUNTY PARK SYSTEM. The fees standard for each are $7 per car or $28 per bus load or $35 for an annual County pass. Rules for swimming at the county parks can be found HERE and water quality reports found HERE.
Please thank our Beach Guide Sponsor:
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12 Lake Country and Waukesha County Beaches
1. Pewaukee lake Beach (free)
In 2024, the beach will be swimming at your own risk the entire season with no lifeguards on duty. Pewaukee Beach is the ONLY free beach in Waukesha County, Pewaukee Lake Beach boasts an awesome beach on the north side of the lake in a cute little downtown area. The beach is open from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm. Water quality is posted on lifeguard chairs with GREEN being good. There are beach rules including what flotation devices are NOT allowed. Also, animals are not allowed at the beach.
Please park in only designated free parking locations. The business parking is for business customers only. Local businesses include Seesters Mexican (find them also in our Mexican Dining Guide), the Chocolate Factory (find them in our 20 Ice Cream Spots guide), Brewer’s Two Cafe (find them also in our Coffee Shop Guide), Artisan 179 (find them also in our Date Night Guide), VeloCity Cycling, Beach Bum Bakery, and the Beachcomer Salon. Also, check out Anchor Fitness!
See the Lakes of Lake Country for more details on Pewaukee Lake. Look for fun events at Pewaukee Lake.
2. Oconomowoc city beach (City park)
City Beach plans to open Memorial Day weekend 2024 per the website. City Beach is located in City Beach Park, which is a 3-acre neighborhood park on the southern shore of Lac Labelle. The address is 324 W Wisconsin Ave in Oconomowoc. There is parking available off of Wisconsin Avenue. The Beach is open through Labor day from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. This park has many amenities including the Community Center building, band shell, awesome playground in the sand, swimming beach, boat launch, picnic areas, volleyball court and restroom. Water quality is checked often for swimming safety.
Beach bands are required at all city beaches and can be purchased at the guard house. They are $3 for residents and $6 for non-residents. Season bands are for purchase depending on resident status and how many people are in your family. Children under 6 are free with purchase of an adult band. There are beach rules including that parents must stay at arm’s length from children under 5.
Swim lessons are offered at this beach by the Oconomowoc Parks and Rec department. You can find more information on this document. See the Lakes of Lake Country for more details on Lac La Belle. There are many events near City Beach.
3. Bender beach (city park)
Bender Beach is a smaller, but fun beach located north on Highway 67 on the eastern shore of Lac La Belle. The address is 910 N Lake Rd, Oconomowoc. This park has lifeguard chairs, portable restroom, and the swimming beach! The Beach is open through Labor day from Noon to 6:00 pm. Water quality is checked often for swimming safety. Bender Beach fees are the same as City Beach (noted above) when lifeguards are present.
*Parking is on residential roads. There is no parking lot.
4. Fox brook - Brookfield (county Park)
Waukesha County beaches open May 12 for the 2024 season! Fox Brook County Park is located at 2925 N Barker Road in Brookfield. This park is open sunrise to 10:00 pm. Swimming is allowed only in designated roped-in shallow areas. County park fees and rules are noted at the top of this article. Dog swimming only in designated separate dog swimming areas.
This beach is 400ft of sand along a 22 acre lake with a diving dock. There is a beach house and concession stand open during swimming hours. There are picnic and restroom facilities. There is a nice playground right next to the beach. There is a paved trail around the lake about 1 mile long. It has hourly boat rentals from High Roller Fun Rentals.
More details on the county swimming parks including hours, water quality testing, swim lessons, scuba permits, group reservations and more can be found HERE. Specific water testing results can be found HERE. Beach rules can be found HERE.
5. MinookA park - Waukesha (County park)
Waukesha County beaches open May 12 for the 2024 season! The beach is located in Minooka Park at 1927 E. Sunset Drive in Waukesha. This park is open from sunrise to 10:00 pm. The beach offers swimming. County park fees and rules are noted at the top of this article. The beach is on a 2-acre swimming pond. There are picnic and restroom facilities.
More details on the county swimming parks including water quality testing, swim lessons, scuba permits, group reservations and more can be found HERE. Specific water testing results can be found HERE. Beach rules can be found HERE.
6. iDLE iSLE (cITY pARK)
Swimming area opens Memorial Day weekend 2024. This beach is located at Idle Isle Park, a 7-acre city park in Muskego on Little Muskego Lake. The address is W182S6666 Hardtke Drive in Muskego. Park fees are $5 for parking daily. There is a boat launch, drinking fountain, electrical hookups, parking, picnic areas and tables, play equipment, a restroom, shelter, storage, swimming beach and walking trails. More park information can be found here.
The Water Bug Ski shows take place Wednesdays at 6:00 pm in the summer. You can find the list of events at Idle Isle park here. For details on Little Muskego Lake, see it in our Lakes of Lake Country Guide.
Also, there are three small picnic areas available within the park available for rental seven days a week.
7. mENOMONEE fALLS qUARRY(SOMETIMES KNOW AS LANNON QUARRY) (cOUNTY pARK)
Waukesha County beaches open May 12 for the 2024 season! MenomoneeFalls Quarry/Lannon Quarry is located in Menomonee Park at W220 N7884 Town Line Road in Menomonee Falls. This park is open from sunrise to 10:00 pm. Beach/swimming hours are 11:00 to 7:00 pm daily. There are lifeguards at this park. County park fees and rules are noted in the top of this article.
This beach is 16ft of sand along a 16 acre quarry lake. There is a beach house and concession stand open during swimming hours. There are picnic and restroom facilities. There is diving dock. There is a nice playground right next to the beach. The famous Bugline Trail runs through this park.
More details on the county swimming parks including hours, water quality testing, swim lessons, scuba permits, group reservations and more can be found HERE. Specific water testing results can be found HERE. Beach rules can be found HERE.
8. nAGA- wAUKEE bEACH - dELAFIELD (cOUNTY pARK)
Waukesha County beaches open May 12 for the 2024 season! Naga- Waukee Beach is located in Naga-Waukee Park at 651 Hwy 83 in Delafield/Hartland. This park is open from sunrise to 10:00 pm. County park fees and rules are noted at the top of this article.
The beach is on one of Lake Country’s largest lakes, Nagawicka Lake. There are picnic and restroom facilities. There are vending machines in the beach house. There is a nice playground right next to the beach. The boat launch is near the beach.
More details on the county swimming parks including water quality testing, swim lessons, scuba permits, group reservations, and more can be found HERE. Specific water testing results can be found HERE. Beach rules can be found HERE.
For more information on Nagawicka Lake, see it in our Lakes of Lake Country Guide.
9. mUKWONAGO pARK (cOUNTY pARK)
Waukesha County beaches open May 12 for the 2024 season. The beach is located in Mukwonago Park at S100W31900 County Hwy LO in Mukwonago. This park is open from sunrise to 10:00 pm. There are NO lifeguards at this park so it is swim at your own risk. County park fees and rules are noted in the top of this article.
The beach is on a 16 acre spring fed lake. There are picnic and restroom facilities at this park.
More details on the county swimming parks including water quality testing, swim lessons, scuba permits, group reservations and more can be found HERE. Specific water testing results can be found HERE. Beach rules can be found HERE.
10. mUSKEGO pARK (cOUNTY pARK)
Waukesha County beaches open May 12 for the 2024 season. The beach is located in Muskego Park at S83 W20370 Janesville Rd in Muskego. This park is open from sunrise to 10:00 pm. There are NO lifeguards at this park so it is swim at your own risk. County park fees and rules are noted in the top of this article.
The beach is on a 2-acre pond. There are picnic and restroom facilities. There are vending machines in the beach house .
More details on the county swimming parks including water quality testing, swim lessons, scuba permits, group reservations and more can be found here. Specific water testing results can be found HERE. Beach rules can be found here.
11. oTTAWA lAKE bEACH (sTATE pARK)
Ottawa Lake is a 17-acre lake located in Waukesha County. It is within the Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Division, Ottawa Lake Recreation Area. State park fees apply which are $28 annually, or $8 per day (per car, pending resident status). The address is S59 S36630 County Road ZZ in Ottawa, WI. There is also camping at this location.
The beach has picnic and restroom facilities and grills. There is a special dog swim area by the boat launch. It is a great lake to practice kayaking and stand up paddle-boarding on. The annual Tri-ing for a Cure Charity Triathlon which benefits Children’s Hospitals takes place here. This year it is on July 28th. It is presented by Endurance House, one of our Shop Small sponsors!
There are no lifeguards on duty, so it is to swim at your own risk. You may use whatever flotation devices you like. This is a non-motorized lake. For more details on Ottawa Lake, see it in our Lakes of Lake Country Guide.
12. gOLDEN LAKE SANDY BEACH AREA ($5-10)
Come enjoy a day of family fun at the beach on Golden Lake. The beach is open daily until dusk in summer. It is located at 460 S. Golden Lake Road, just south of Oconomowoc. This is a swim at your own risk beach with no lifeguards. There are picnic tables. The fee is in years past has been $10 per car load or $5 for walk or bike-ins.
For more on Golden Lake, see it in our Lakes of Lake Country Guide. Golden Lake Pub is across the street from this beach!
Map of the 12 Beaches
For those of you who like a good visual, you can click on the google map here for details on the approximate location of these 12 beaches!
bEST SURROUNDING COUNTY BEACHES
- Bradford Beach - Milwaukee County on Lake Michigan downtown
- Atwater Beach - Milwaukee County on Lake Michigan in Shorewood
- Tietjen Beach - Milwaukee County at Doctors Park in Fox Point
- Kohler Andrae State Park - Sheboygan (pictured above with the dunes)
- Lions Beach - Rock County in Janesville
- Pike Lake - Washington County in the County Park
- Whitewater Beach - Walworth County in Whitewater
- Bartel's Beach - Jefferson County in Lake Mills
- Sandy Beach - Lake Mills
- Bear Paw Beach - Caledonia
Is your favorite beach missing?
Let us know in the comments or tell us which of these 12 is your favorite and why.
Have a BEACHY summer!
Need some further summer fun inspiration, start HERE!
Guide to the Lakes of Lake Country & Waukesha County
Here is a great guide to getting to know the lakes in our area.
Pool Guide for Waukesha County and Lake Country
Not a beach person? Try a local pool!
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I think idle Isle parking is now $5 every day of the week.
My favorite non-waukesha County beach is on a private Lake and Campground up in the West Bend area. Lake Lenwood. So gorgeous and peaceful. No lifeguard but very well monitored by the owners with camp and Beach rules strictly enforced
Yes! That’s true! Thank you!