Ferry Beach Park
Charlevoix, Michigan · on Lake Charlevoix · Ferry Beach Park
Verified · 3 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $10/day
- SEASON
- May
About Ferry Beach Park
Ferry Beach Park is a city-owned sandy swimming hole on Lake Charlevoix at 224 Ferry Ave in Charlevoix, Michigan, adjacent to the municipal boat launch off M-66/Stover Road. It has a designated, buoy-marked public swimming area with seasonal lifeguard coverage and is widely described as the calmest, warmest place to swim in town for young swimmers.
The park sits on the shore of Lake Charlevoix on the south side of the city of Charlevoix, directly next to the city's municipal boat launch and marina area, with a sandy beach, lawn, and multiple picnic pavilions along the shoreline.
Swimming at Ferry Beach Park
Swimming is in Lake Charlevoix off a sandy beach with a gentle, gradual slope into the water, described by local sources as the warmest and most beginner-friendly swim area among Charlevoix's beaches, well suited to families with toddlers and new swimmers. The swim area is marked off from boat traffic with buoys, and lifeguards are on duty during posted hours in season.
How to get to this swimming hole
Located at 224 Ferry Ave in Charlevoix, off M-66 at the end of Stover Road, immediately next to the City of Charlevoix municipal boat launch.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. Drive-up beach: parking is directly adjacent to the sand at the shared beach/boat-launch lot at the end of Stover Road off M-66, with only a short walk (well under 5 minutes) from car to water.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
Good for kids
Widely described as Charlevoix's most beginner-friendly beach: gentle, gradual sandy entry into Lake Charlevoix, the warmest swimming water in town, and lifeguards on duty during posted season hours. Local sources call it 'the local default for toddlers and new swimmers.' A designated swim area is marked off from boat traffic with buoys.
Parking
Free
Beach parking is free and shares the lot with the adjacent City of Charlevoix municipal boat launch at the end of Stover Road off M-66. The boat launch itself charges separate fees ($10/day or $30-50/season) for trailer/boat launching, and prohibits single-vehicle parking, overnight parking, and unattended trailers in that lot; those rules apply to the launch, not to beachgoers.
Restrooms
Yes
Restrooms are listed among the beach's on-site amenities (alongside the playground and pavilions), including an ADA-accessible restroom and a wheelchair/stroller rollout beach mat. Note: the adjacent municipal boat-launch page separately directs boaters to additional restrooms at the Charlevoix City Marina downtown, but the beach itself has its own restroom facility.
Hours
Official swimming season runs May 1 through October 31 (per municipal beach water-quality monitoring records), with lifeguards on duty during posted hours in season (specific daily times not published in sources found). The adjacent boat launch is accessible 24/7 with a day attendant present.
On the water
Restrictions: The designated swim area is marked off with buoys that boats must stay beyond; the swim beach itself is not a general watercraft-launch point. Motorboats, kayaks, and other trailered/carry-in craft are launched from the adjacent City of Charlevoix municipal boat launch (separate fee, $10/day or $30 resident/$50 non-resident seasonal), not from the swim beach.
mymichiganbeach.com lists 'paddleboard rentals' as an on-site seasonal amenity at Ferry Beach, but no operator name, price, or hours were found for that rental, it may be a city-run seasonal stand rather than a named outfitter.
Ferry Beach Park: FAQ
Does Ferry Beach Park charge a fee?
The beach itself is free to use; the adjacent municipal boat launch charges $10/day or $30/season for residents and $10/day or $50/season for non-residents, with no overnight parking or mooring permitted.
Is Ferry Beach Park kid friendly?
Widely described as Charlevoix's most beginner-friendly beach: gentle, gradual sandy entry into Lake Charlevoix, the warmest swimming water in town, and lifeguards on duty during posted season hours. Local sources call it 'the local default for toddlers and new swimmers.' A designated swim area is marked off from boat traffic with buoys.
Do I need to hike to reach Ferry Beach Park?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Ferry Beach Park?
Beach parking is free and shares the lot with the adjacent City of Charlevoix municipal boat launch at the end of Stover Road off M-66. The boat launch itself charges separate fees ($10/day or $30-50/season) for trailer/boat launching, and prohibits single-vehicle parking, overnight parking, and unattended trailers in that lot; those rules apply to the launch, not to beachgoers.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Ferry Beach Park?
mymichiganbeach.com lists 'paddleboard rentals' as an on-site seasonal amenity at Ferry Beach, but no operator name, price, or hours were found for that rental, it may be a city-run seasonal stand rather than a named outfitter.
When is the best time to visit Ferry Beach Park?
Official swimming season runs May 1 through October 31, per municipal beach monitoring records.
What are the rules at Ferry Beach Park?
Lifeguards supervise designated swim hours in season; a buoy line marks the swim area off-limits to boats, and boats moored nearby must stay beyond the swim buoys. The adjacent boat launch prohibits overnight parking, single-vehicle parking, and unattended detached trailers, with escalating fines for violations.
What water body is Ferry Beach Park on?
Ferry Beach Park is on Lake Charlevoix, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
