West Lake Beach
Davenport, Iowa · on Black Hawk Creek · West Lake Park
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- Yes, see below
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About West Lake Beach
West Lake Beach is the official swimming beach at West Lake Park, a 620-acre Scott County Conservation Board park near Davenport, Iowa, located on Lake of the Hills. It is a lifeguarded, sand-beach swim area operated seasonally by the county, distinct from a natural/undeveloped swimming hole.
The beach sits on Lake of the Hills, one of four lakes (Blue Grass Lake, Lake of the Hills, Lambach Lake, Railroad Lake) inside the 620-acre West Lake Park, which also contains campgrounds, picnic areas, a disc golf course, and a boathouse with a lakeside deck.
Swimming at West Lake Beach
A managed, lifeguarded sand beach and swimming area on a county lake, with a separate section for infants/non-swimmers; water is tested weekly for quality. This is a developed public swim facility rather than a backcountry or informal swimming hole, suited to families and casual swimmers.
How to get to this swimming hole
Parking: A parking lot is listed among the park's water-area amenities, but no specific parking details (capacity, cost) were found.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up, developed county beach on Lake of the Hills inside West Lake Park - parking/boat dock sit at the water's edge, so no hike is needed to reach the swim area. The park's official page list has no dedicated hiking-trail page; the only walkable nature feature found is the small 'Children's Forest' tree-identification walk elsewhere in the park, unrelated to reaching the beach.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
Good for kids
Official Scott County beach with lifeguards on duty, a separate designated swimming section for infants/non-swimmers, and shallow sand-beach entry into Lake of the Hills. Also has an inflatable waterpark and a StarNet Cable Climber feature aimed at kids. No cliffs or river current since it is a still-water lake beach; swim diapers are required (and sold on-site) for non-toilet-trained children.
Parking
Lot
Official park page references a boat dock and parking lot serving Lake of the Hills/the beach area, but capacity and any cost were not stated on the county pages found.
Restrooms
Yes
Restrooms/showers listed among beach amenities (official Scott County Conservation site); exact building location on-site not specified in county web pages.
Hours
Seasonal 2026 schedule: open daily noon-7:00 PM from May 23-25 and May 30 through mid-August, then weekends only (noon-7:00 PM) through Labor Day; early/late-season weekday closures possible due to reduced staffing. Boathouse rentals follow the same noon-7:00 PM window (equipment must be returned 15 min before close).
On the water
Restrictions: Fishing boats rented from the boathouse have trolling motors only; renters must be 16+ for non-motorized craft and 18+ for motorized craft with photo ID, life jackets required, and craft must stay away from swimming areas, spillways, and control structures with docking only at the boathouse dock.
Lake of the Hills' own page lists boating, canoeing, and kayaking as permitted lake activities via its boat ramp (in addition to the boathouse's rental fleet), so private watercraft launching appears to be allowed via the ramp, though the county did not publish a standalone private-boat policy page.
Rentals nearby
Single and tandem kayaks, paddle boats, paddle boards, fishing boats with trolling motors, and mini-pontoons, all launched from the boathouse dock on Lake of the Hills
Prices: $15/hr paddleboat or single kayak; $20/hr tandem kayak; $20/hr paddle board; $25/hr fishing boat w/ trolling motor; $35/hr mini pontoon
On-site at West Lake Park, 15539 110th Ave, Davenport, IA 52804, on the same Lake of the Hills as the swim beach · Noon-7:00 PM daily late May-mid August, then weekends only through Labor Day (2026 schedule); equipment must be returned 15 minutes before closing
West Lake Beach: FAQ
Does West Lake Beach charge a fee?
Admission and rental fees are referenced as being on the county's separate Rates & Rental Fees page, but the specific dollar amounts were not accessible during research.
Is West Lake Beach kid friendly?
Official Scott County beach with lifeguards on duty, a separate designated swimming section for infants/non-swimmers, and shallow sand-beach entry into Lake of the Hills. Also has an inflatable waterpark and a StarNet Cable Climber feature aimed at kids. No cliffs or river current since it is a still-water lake beach; swim diapers are required (and sold on-site) for non-toilet-trained children.
Do I need to hike to reach West Lake Beach?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for West Lake Beach?
Official park page references a boat dock and parking lot serving Lake of the Hills/the beach area, but capacity and any cost were not stated on the county pages found.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to West Lake Beach?
Lake of the Hills' own page lists boating, canoeing, and kayaking as permitted lake activities via its boat ramp (in addition to the boathouse's rental fleet), so private watercraft launching appears to be allowed via the ramp, though the county did not publish a standalone private-boat policy page.
When is the best time to visit West Lake Beach?
Seasonal: open Memorial Day weekend (May 23-25, 2026) through mid-August daily, then weekends only through Labor Day, per the posted 2026 summer schedule (noon-7:00 PM); potential weekday closures early/late season due to staffing.
What are the rules at West Lake Beach?
Lifeguards on duty during posted hours; water tested weekly; swim diapers required for those not toilet-trained (available for purchase) at both pool and beach; coolers allowed but alcohol is prohibited.
What water body is West Lake Beach on?
West Lake Beach is on Black Hawk Creek, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
