The 5 Best State Park Beaches in Wisconsin to Visit to Close Out Summer

People don't often associate the Midwest with beaches. While we might not get the kind of notoriety as places like Florida, with its turquoise waters and sandy shores, we've got plenty of incredible spots, too. Wisconsin, in particular, has several state park beaches well worth a visit. Many of these beaches are lined with not-so-tropical flora, but we also don't have sharks or jellyfish, which seems a fair trade to me. So, before we trade our swimmies for sweaters, you still have plenty of time and warm weather ahead to book it for one of these lovely Wisconsin state park beaches.

1. Whitefish Dunes State Park, Sturgeon Bay

Many of Wisconsin's most iconic state beaches are found in dreamy Door County. Whitefish Dunes State Park stands proudly among them. With soft sand beachfront along Lake Michigan, you're free to swim and enjoy the waning summer sun. It won't be as crowded as the other big county parks like Peninsula State Park or Newport State Park, which is a bonus. If you go swimming, just be sure to stay behind the buoys because rip currents are a serious concern here, as they are for any Wisconsin parks along the Lake Michigan shoreline.

2. Harrington Beach State Park, Belgium

Just 30 minutes north of downtown Milwaukee, you'll find Harrington Beach State Park. What makes Harrington particularly unique is that it is home to a fascinating water feature known as Quarry Lake. This man-made lake is the filled-in remnant of that limestone quarry. Although you can't go swimming there, or in Puckett's Pond, you are welcome to frolic in Lake Michigan. When you aren't beach bumming, you should hike around Quarry Lake just to peer into the area's history as a shipping hub.

3. Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan

As someone who isn't an outstanding swimmer but loves the beach, Kohler-Andrae State Park is a must-visit for me. In addition to having plenty of swimmable water along Lake Michigan, you've got more than two and a half miles of beachfront to explore. Trails dot the powdery sand as beachgrass-laden dunes texturize the horizon. If you're looking for a traditional Midwest beachy lake scene, look no further.

4. Buckhorn State Park, Necedah

A lake beach day doesn't get much more inspirational than at one of Wisconsin's least-visited state parks: Buckthorn State Park. With an all-sand bottom, this beach is perfect for a calm swim in Castle Rock Lake. This swimming area is only 300 feet; however, from the water here, you can see the expansiveness of the state park. Shimmering water with gorgeous green trees all around is a constant reminder of the vast acreage the park has for exploring when the beach time is done.

5. Yellowstone Lake State Park, Blanchardville

Arguably the least familiar of the parks on this list, Yellowstone Lake State Park deserves some love as the summer draws to a close. About an hour southwest of Madison, in Blandchardville, Yellowstone Lake is manmade and seemingly far away from everything. This is the perfect spot to go if you want to get away without going too far. Plus, it's a great stopping point if you're heading toward or coming from Iowa, since it's only about an hour to the border. Who doesn't need a good lake break on a road trip?

What are some of your favorite state park beaches in Wisconsin? Did any of them make our list? Once the weather begins to change to chillier days, plan a trip to these state parks in Wisconsin to hike the scenic trails. And when you need to find local spots to dine, shop, and play, the Travel Wisconsin official website has some great recommendations.