Clear Water Beach
Milan, Michigan · on North Branch Macon Creek
Verified · 2 independent sources
- WATER
- quarry
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $12
- SEASON
- Varies by conditions
About Clear Water Beach
This spot is a private, admission-charging 6-acre swim lake at 16339 Cone Rd in Milan Township, Michigan, just off US-23 near the hamlet of Azalia. The lake was created in 1962 when sand was excavated at the site for US-23 highway construction, and the property has operated under several names over the decades (Clean Water Beach, Milan Beach) before its current owner reopened it in 2022 as 'GetAway Bay.'
The swim lake sits in a residential/rural pocket of Milan Township, Monroe County, immediately adjacent to US-23 (its origin as a highway-construction sand borrow pit). OpenStreetMap shows an unnamed pond at this location along with woodland and residential land use nearby; the North Branch Macon Creek runs through the general area but the swimming itself takes place in this separate excavated lake rather than in the creek channel.
Swimming at Clear Water Beach
Swimming is in a sand-bottomed, spring-fed excavation lake rather than a river or creek. The operator advertises 'hot sand and cool spring water,' sandy beach entry, diving boards and floating rafts/cabanas as part of general admission, plus a separate paid Aquaglide inflatable water park. One reviewer described it as tested to be among the cleanest freshwater quarry lakes, though a 2022-era post also referenced a weed/algae problem in the swim area having been addressed. It reads as a family day-resort swim spot rather than a rugged natural swimming hole.
How to get to this swimming hole
Located at 16339 Cone Rd, Milan Township, MI 48160, near the hamlet of Azalia, just off US-23 between Milan and Dundee.
Parking: General admission includes parking on-site, per the operator's pricing page.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up, fee-based private lake/day resort at 16339 Cone Rd with on-site parking; visitors walk directly from the lot to the beach with no trail or hike involved.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
This is a private, admission-charging family swim lake (marketed as a day resort) with a sandy beach entry, diving boards, and floating rafts/cabanas, and the operator's own rule warns guests not to attempt to swim across the lake because the distance is 'deceptively far,' implying open, non-shallow water away from shore. No source found confirms on-duty lifeguards, a roped-off shallow zone, or posted water depths, so treat as family-friendly by marketing intent but supervise closely rather than assume lifeguard coverage.
Parking
Free
On-site parking is included with general admission per the operator's pricing page; a separate aggregator listing (older 'Clean Water Beach' branding) describes a wheelchair-accessible parking lot at the property.
Restrooms
Yes
An aggregator listing for this property (under its earlier 'Clean Water Beach' name) states public restrooms are 'conveniently located throughout the area'; the current operator's own site does not itemize restroom locations, so treat this as likely-accurate but not independently reconfirmed under current GetAway Bay branding.
Water clarity
Mostly clear
The operator's own site markets 'crystal clear water' and 'pure spring water' from the spring-fed lake, and one visitor to the property under its prior name claimed the lake had been tested as among the cleanest freshwater quarry lakes. However, a weed and algae problem reported in the swim area around 2022 was said to have since been resolved, so conditions may vary by season. No independent (non-operator) recent visitor account of clarity was found.
Hours
Open Mon-Sun, 10am-8pm (per official site's park-rules, water-park, and contact pages); an older aggregator listing under a prior business name showed 11:00am-7:30pm, which may reflect outdated or seasonal hours rather than the current posted schedule.
On the water
No source (official site, park rules, prices page, or aggregator listings) mentions kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, or motorized/electric boats at this lake. The park's own rentable water items are floating cabanas and an add-on Aquaglide inflatable water park, not personal watercraft, and the no-swimming-across-the-lake rule suggests boat traffic is not part of the normal guest experience. Could not confirm whether personal watercraft are explicitly prohibited or simply not offered.
What regulars say
The one available first-hand account comes from a visitor when the property was doing business as 'Getaway Bay,' who described the experience as 'hot sand and cool spring water,' a brief but positive note on the sand-beach and spring-water combination; treat it as a single visitor's impression rather than a broad consensus.
Backstory
The 6-acre lake was formed in 1962 when sand was excavated from the site for construction of US-23. The property later operated as 'Clean Water Beach' and then 'Milan Beach' (older names, including 'Clear Water Beach,' are still attached to the spot in places), before falling into disrepair. Current owner Matthew Kerry acquired the property in April 2022 and reopened and rebranded it as 'GetAway Bay.'
Clear Water Beach: FAQ
Does Clear Water Beach charge a fee?
General admission: ages 16+ $12, ages 7-15 $8, age 6 and under free; family package (2 adults + 2 kids) $25 with extra minors $8 and extra adults $10. Separate Aquaglide water-park passes: 1 hour $15 (or 3 people for $30), 2 hours $20 (or 3 for $40), full day $30 (or 3 for $60). Rentals: floating cabana $30, 12x12 shade tent $20, charcoal grill $5.
Is Clear Water Beach kid friendly?
This is a private, admission-charging family swim lake (marketed as a day resort) with a sandy beach entry, diving boards, and floating rafts/cabanas, and the operator's own rule warns guests not to attempt to swim across the lake because the distance is 'deceptively far,' implying open, non-shallow water away from shore. No source found confirms on-duty lifeguards, a roped-off shallow zone, or posted water depths, so treat as family-friendly by marketing intent but supervise closely rather than assume lifeguard coverage.
Do I need to hike to reach Clear Water Beach?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Clear Water Beach?
On-site parking is included with general admission per the operator's pricing page; a separate aggregator listing (older 'Clean Water Beach' branding) describes a wheelchair-accessible parking lot at the property.
What are the rules at Clear Water Beach?
Signed liability waiver required for all participants (minors need parent/guardian signature); swimming across the lake is prohibited; no glass containers or weapons; alcohol restricted to 21+ with removal/police report for serving minors; visibly intoxicated guests are ejected; pets not allowed unless otherwise posted; fishing is weekday-only (no weekend fishing) and restricted to designated non-swimming shore zones with per-fish catch pricing and limits.
What water body is Clear Water Beach on?
Clear Water Beach is on North Branch Macon Creek, a natural quarry verified in USGS hydrography data.
