Are you looking for swimming lakes near Ann Arbor? Check out these beaches in Ann Arbor area! Our list of lakes near Ann Arbor Michigan are all within an hour. The list of Ann Arbor lakes includes a Great Lake and a variety of inland lakes.
Michigan Department of Natural Resources operates state parks and recreation areas throughout the state. Several DNR sites near Ann Arbor offer swimming. I could not find beach hours on the DNR website. I would recommend only swimming during daylight hours.
Note most of these beaches are not staffed with life guards. Those that are tend to be staffed from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Swim at your own risk.
Brighton Recreation Area
Brighton Recreation Area includes a swimming lake at Bishop Lake with a sand beach.
Prior to 2023, it was the home of Jump Island Inflatable Water Park as seen in our photo below. While the inflatables are gone, the swimming area is still open!
Address: 1220 Wamplers Lake Road, Onsted Price: DNR Recreation Passport – $12 with your Michigan license plate or $17 when purchased separately
Island Lake
Island Lake has two beaches – one at Kent Lake and Spring Mill Pond.
There is a beach house at Kent Lake that includes restrooms, vending machines, and boat rentals.
Did you visit the park today? It was another busy day at the beach! Both Spring Mill Pond and Kent Lake filled to capacity. Hopefully you got to get out and enjoy the beautiful day 🙂
Address: 6301 Kensington Road, Brighton Price: DNR Recreation Passport – $12 with your Michigan license plate or $17 when purchased separately
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Pinckney Recreation Area
Pinckney Recreation Area has 3 swimming beaches – Silver Lake, Halfmoon Lake, and Bruin Lake. Both Silver Lake and Halfmoon Lake offer public access. Bruin Lake is restricted to those camping at the campground. Have fun at Silver Lake Pinckney swimming the day away!
Address: 8555 Silver Hill Road, Pinckney Price: DNR Recreation Passport – $12 with your Michigan license plate or $17 when purchased separately
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Sterling State Park
Sterling State Park is the only state park on Lake Erie and is under an hour from Ann Arbor. Personally, I prefer swimming in the Great Lakes to a smaller inland lake.
Fireworks tonight @10pm. Weather is great. Lots of parking still.
Address: 2800 State Park Road, Monroe Price: DNR Recreation Passport – $12 with your Michigan license plate or $17 when purchased separately
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Waterloo Recreation Area
Waterloo Recreation Area is the largest state park in the lower Peninsula. It includes Portage Lake for day use and one for use of those staying at Sugarloaf Campground.
It’s a gorgeous day at the Portage Lake beach! Why aren’t you here cooling off?
The beach at Independence Lake is located a bit of a distance from the water park. Personally, I found the beach rather rocky when we visited when my daughter was a preschooler.
If you plan to visit often, I suggest buying a vehicle admission passes for $30/calendar year ($45 non-resident). The vehicle admission pass is also valid at Rolling Hills.
Address: 3200 Jennings Rd, Whitmore Lake Hours:Beach: 10a-8:30p Daily Blue Heron Bay: 10a-5p Friday-Monday Season: Beach is manned Memorial Day-Labor Day Blue Heron Bay: July 31-Labor Day (except August 30) Price: $6 vehicle admission for county residents. $4 Blue Heron Bay admission for county residents ($10 vehicle, $5 BHB for non-residents).
Kensington Metropark
Kensington Metropark has two beaches – Martindale Beach and Maple Beach.
There are no lifeguards available at either Kensington Metropark beach. Swim at your own risk.
Martindale Beach is also the location of the Splash ‘n’ Blast. This area has two slides and a splash pad for an additional fee.
🚨Today Only Kensington Splash ‘N’ Blast $3🚨It’s a scorcher out here! The slides at Kensington Splash ‘N’ Blast are…
Address: 4570 Huron River Parkway, Milford Hours:10a-8p Price: price $10 daily vehicle admission, $40 annual pass for Livisngton, Macomb, Oakland, Wayne, and Washtenaw Residents
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Other Ann Arbor Swimming Options
In addition to the above lakes, Ann Arbor has some parks that are great for splashing, mostly with rivers and ponds. They are especially great choices outside of the traditional swim season of Memorial Day to Labor Day.
