The Milwaukee portion of Lake Michigan boasts five lifeguard-staffed beaches, including Bradford, Doctors, Grant, McKinley and South Shore. Bradford Beach, located on Lincoln Memorial Drive, is a hot spot for sunbathing. There is also sand volleyball courts, a bathhouse and concession buildings.

South of Bradford is McKinley Beach, also on Lincoln Memorial Drive. It has picnic areas and sand volleyball courts set up on request.

Doctors Park Beach is located at 1870 E. Fox Lane in Fox Point, right off of Lake Drive. Sand volleyball courts can be set up on request.

In South Milwaukee, Grant Beach begins 100 S. Hawthorne Ave. In addition to picnic areas, sand volleyball courts can be set up by request.

South Shore Beach is located at 2900 S. Superior St. in Milwaukee. There is a bathhouse and sand volleyball courts can be set up on request.

If you want to know more, call the Milwaukee County Park System at (414) 257-4575 and try not to get burnt.

Waukesha County Parks

Menomonee Park
Located within the Villages of Menomonee Falls and Lannon, one and a half miles north of 74 on Cty V
(262) 548-7801
The Menomonee Quarry and Lake attracts swimmers, fishermen and scuba divers. The sandy beach is open June through August with lifeguards on duty daily. The park also offers camping, picnicking, hiking, archery, horseback riding and field games.

Fox Brook Park
Located in the City of Brookfield, south of Capitol Drive on Barker Road.
(262) 548-7801
Swimming Beach amenities include a large sand-beach area and an accessible playground and fishing area. Open through August with lifeguards on duty daily.

Muskego Park
Located in the southeast corner of Waukesha County on Cty L, west of Racine Avenue (Cty Y).
(262) 548-7801
The major attraction is the one-acre pond and swimming beach which is open June through August. Lifeguards on duty daily. There is also volleyball courts and a nearby ball field.

Naga-Waukee Park
Located north of Interstate 94 on the west side of 83.
(262) 548-7801
There is swimming beach and boating with lifeguards on duty daily. Adjacent to the beach is a boat launch area providing access to the lake for fishing, sailing, water skiing, power boating and canoeing.

Minooka Park
Located approximately two miles southeast of the city of Waukesha at the corner of Racine Avenue and Sunset Drive.
(262) 548-7801
There is four-acre pond for swimming and fishing and a swimming beach with lifeguards on duty daily. There is also picnic areas, volleyball courts and an archery range.

Mukwonago Park
Located in the southwest quarter of Waukesha County on 99, approximately three miles west of the village of Mukwonago.
(262) 548-7801
There is a 16-acre spring fed lake and a swimming pond with a broad sand beach that is open from June through August. Lifeguards on duty daily. Also there is hiking trails, area for field sports and swimming lessons.

State Parks with beaches

Bong State Recreation Area
26313 Burlington Road, Kansasville 53139.
(262) 652-0377; (262) 878-5600
A smorgasbord of activities await visitors to this 4,515-acre recreation area in Kenosha County, nine miles west of I-94 on Hwy 142. Swim, fish, picnic, camp, ride horses, study nature, cross-country ski, snowmobile, motorcycle and hunt.

Browntown-Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area
c/o N3140 Hwy 81, Box 256, Monroe 53566.
Summer (608) 966-3777; Off season (608) 325-4844
Swim, fish, boat on two spring-fed lakes in this day-use recreation area in Green County. Enjoy nature trails and explore a 600-acre wildlife area. Tables, grills and shelters provided.

Devil's Lake State Park
S5975 Park Road, Baraboo 53913-9299.
(608) 356-8301
An Ice Age unit where 500-foot bluffs flank a 360-acre lake. Swimming, fishing, boating (electric motor only), canoeing, scuba diving, hiking, nature center (by appointment during off-season), year-round naturalist and cross-country skiing.

Governor Nelson State Park
5140 Cty. Hwy M, Waunakee 53597.
(608) 831-3005
Located on Lake Mendota, recreation and nature mingle within sight of the state Capitol building. Boating, fishing, picnicking and swimming are favorite activities. Trails and restored prairie beckon nature enthusiasts. Effigy mounds in the wooded upland.

Harrington Beach State Park
531 Hwy D, Belgium 53004
(262) 285-3015
Peacefulness and serenity draw people. The 636 acres with a mile-long Lake Michigan beach leave room to be alone with nature. Hiking, fishing, picnic areas, nature and cross-country ski trails are available.

Hartman Creek State Park
N2480 Hartman Creek Road, Waupaca 54981-9727
(715) 258-2372
Located on the beautiful Chain of Lakes in central Wisconsin. A quiet and friendly gem for family enjoyment. Fish, swim, hike, bike and ski. Join a guided hike or evening program.

Kettle Moraine State Forest-Northern Unit
N1765 Hwy G, Campbellsport 53010
Monday-Friday: (262) 626--2116; Weekends: (262) 533-8322
A 29,000-acre gift of the glacier, the rolling, wooded landscape is dotted with serene lakes and offers a unique outdoor recreational experience of endless variety. Ice Age Reserve Visitor Center is open daily.

Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit
S91 W39091 Hwy 59, Eagle 53119
(262) 594-6200; (262) 594-6201
The glacier left 21,000 acres of rolling hills and numerous lakes. Humans contributed beaches and boat launches, trails for horses, off-road (mountain) bikes, snowmobiles, cross-country skiing and hiking, picnic areas and four campgrounds. Cabin for people with disabilities.

Kohler-Andrae State Park
1520 Old Park Road, Sheboygan 53081
(262) 451-4080
Year-round, this 1,000-acre scenic gem on the shore of Lake Michigan offers a peaceful feeling. Relax in a shady campsite, walk barefoot on two miles of beach, tour the nature center, or stroll along two nature trails.

Point Beach State Forest
9400 County Hwy 0, Two Rivers 54241
(920) 794-7480
The point juts seven miles into Lake Michigan, and the six-mile beach occasionally yields pieces of 19th century ships that sank here. The sandy shore of Lake Michigan is a fascinating place just to walk, look and indulge in some aimless beachcombing. Interpretive Center and indoor group camps.