beaches

Milwaukee County

Milwaukee County maintains five FREE Lake Michigan beaches for use by residents and visitors. During the summer, lifeguards will be on-duty only at Bradford Beach. The beaches will be open mid-June through late August between 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Swimming is allowed at the beaches listed below; however, you swim at your own risk in unguarded areas. Please keep a close eye on children and teens.

Because the County sometimes closes the beaches after a heavy storm, it's a good idea to call the Pool Hotline in advance to make sure the beach you want to visit is open (in summer the Hotline includes the beaches).

The Pool Hotline number is (414) 257-7230. You can also get water-quality reports online at the Beach Health web site: www.milwaukeecounty.org/Beaches9138.htm

The five, FREE Lake Michigan Beaches are:

Bradford Beach
2400 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53211

This is Milwaukee's most popular beach for swimming and sunbathing. It also offers several amenities: sand volleyball courts (bring your own balls and nets), a bathhouse and two concession buildings.

In the summer, Bradford Beach will have lifeguards on-duty from mid-June through Labor Day. Lifeguards will be at their posts between 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. 7 days a week. On Friday and Saturday, they’ll be on-duty between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. There are no lifeguards at Bradford Beach on Sunday. Check the web site above for safety rules.

One safety rule to note: During guarded hours, inflatable toys are not allowed in the water. Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices are always allowed.

Waukesha County

Six Waukesha County parks offer beaches and swimming, along with many other amenities. Lifeguards supervise all six beaches. However the Parks Department requires advance notice when a group plans to swim at a particular park; please call Holly Glainyk at (262) 896-8074. Advance notice allows Waukesha County to ensure that an adequate number of lifeguards are on duty.

The swimming beaches in the parks listed below will open in early June, and lifeguards begin duty at 11:00 a.m. on weekdays and 10:00 a.m. on weekends.

Swimming is FREE, but Waukesha parks require an entry fee to the park or a vehicle sticker.

For more information, call (262) 896-8074 or visit www.waukeshacounty.gov/defaultwc.aspx?id=39568

Swimming is permitted in the following Waukesha County parks: