Deer Lake Beach

Village of Clarkston, Michigan · on Deer Lake · Deer Lake Park

Verified · 5 independent sources · top-verified

WATER: lake
ACCESS: Designated swim area
FEE: $5
SEASON: Best in summer

About Deer Lake Beach

Deer Lake Beach is a fee-based, lifeguard-staffed public swimming beach on Deer Lake, operated by Independence Township Parks, Recreation & Seniors in Clarkston, Michigan. The beach has a sandy shoreline with swim zones for different age groups and a playground, open seasonally from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

The beach sits on Deer Lake, an all-sports, 137-acre lake on the main branch of the Clinton River in Independence Township, Oakland County, with a maximum depth of 63 feet. The site is located between Holcomb Road and Dixie Highway near downtown Clarkston, described by the township as having a sandy beach and shoreline.

Swimming at Deer Lake Beach

This is a managed, lifeguarded lake beach rather than a wild swimming hole: the township describes a sandy beach with separate designated swim zones for different age groups and play equipment for younger children, making it suited to families. The lake itself is an all-sports lake with boat traffic (boat launch on-site), so swimming is confined to the roped/designated beach area.

How to get to this swimming hole

Located at 350 White Lake Road, Clarkston, MI 48346, between Holcomb Road and Dixie Highway, within Independence Township near downtown Clarkston.

Parking: Handicap parking is available on-site per the official township page; no further detail on general lot size was found.

The walk in

No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up township beach with an on-site parking area; no hike or trail is involved in reaching the swimming zone.

Plan your visit

Bringing kids

Good for kids

Township describes designated swim zones separated by age group ('little tykes' area plus a zone for bigger kids), simple play toys, a sandy beach entry, and lifeguards on duty during operating hours. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult 18+. The lake beyond the roped swim zone is an all-sports lake with boat/motorboat traffic, so the managed, lifeguarded zone is the safe area to stay within.

Parking

Available

Township page confirms handicap parking is available on site; no detail on general lot size, layout, or whether parking is separately paid (the $5 daily beach admission is the only fee mentioned, likely covering entry). A boat launch trailer area exists nearby since the site also serves as the boat launch.

Restrooms

Yes

Portable toilets on site, including ADA-accessible units (per township beach page).

Hours

General park hours: 8am-9pm April-October, 8am-5pm November-March (closed Dec 24, Dec 25, Jan 1). The guarded swimming beach itself operates seasonally Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day only, with specific daily hours varying by date range in 2026 (e.g., 11am-7pm during the June 5-Aug 9 full-season window); beach only opens for swimming once air temperature reaches 70F+.

On the water

KayaksCanoesPaddleboardsMotorboats

Restrictions: Deer Lake is managed by Independence Township as an all-sports lake with an on-site boat launch at this same beach location (launch fees: $20/day per watercraft; season stickers $40 non-motor up to $100 for over-100hp motors, i.e., non-motorized craft like kayaks/canoes/paddleboards use the same launch system as motorboats). Season launch stickers and keys are sold ONLY to Independence Township and City of the Village of Clarkston residents (must show MI registration/ID matching); only persons state-authorized to operate a personal watercraft may launch. It was not possible to confirm whether the $20 daily pass is open to non-residents, or whether any no-wake/electric-only zone exists near the swim area specifically, the linked 'Beach and Boat Launch Rules & Regulations' PDF referenced on the township site could not be retrieved (broken/blocked link).

Historically (per Wikipedia's Deer Lake, Independence Township article) the lake supported boating and sailing dating back to the Deer Lake Inn resort era, consistent with its current all-sports designation.

Rentals nearby

Independence Oaks County Park (Oakland County Parks)

Self-serve kayak/canoe rental via an on-site rental kiosk ("kayak vending machine") for use on the park's lakes

Prices: Reported as $25 for the first two hours, then $10/hour after, per a third-party search snippet, could not be verified directly against the official Oakland County Parks page because oakgov.com and destinationoakland.com both blocked automated page fetches during this research, so treat this price as unconfirmed

Independence Oaks County Park, Sashabaw Road, Clarkston, MI, same township as Deer Lake Beach but a separate park roughly a few miles away; rental is for the park's own lakes (Crooked Lake/Twin Chain Lakes area), not Deer Lake itself

Deer Lake Beach: FAQ

Does Deer Lake Beach charge a fee?

2026 rates per the township: $5 daily pass per person; 10-visit punch card $40 (resident) / $45 (non-resident); season family pass $100 (resident) / $140 (non-resident). Boat launch: $20 daily per watercraft, season stickers $40-$100 depending on motor horsepower.

Is Deer Lake Beach kid friendly?

Do I need to hike to reach Deer Lake Beach?

No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.

Where do I park for Deer Lake Beach?

Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Deer Lake Beach?

When is the best time to visit Deer Lake Beach?

Summer (Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day), which is the official operating season for the guarded beach.

What are the rules at Deer Lake Beach?

No pets permitted at the beach. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult 18 or older. Proof of residency required to purchase resident-rate passes. The beach only opens for swimming when air temperature reaches 70F or higher. Beach operating season runs Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, with specific 2026 hours varying by date range (e.g., 11am-7pm during full season June 5-Aug 9).

What water body is Deer Lake Beach on?

Deer Lake Beach is on Deer Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.