Lakeshore Park Beach

Novi, Michigan · on Walled Lake · Lakeshore Park

Verified · 3 independent sources

WATER: lake
ACCESS: Designated swim area
FEE: Yes, see below
SEASON: Year-round

About Lakeshore Park Beach

Lakeshore Park Beach is the City of Novi's official public swimming beach on Walled Lake, located within Lakeshore Park at 601 S. Lake Drive. This swimming hole operates seasonally from Memorial Day through Labor Day with a designated, unguarded swim area, and sits within Novi's largest park alongside mountain biking and walking trails, playgrounds, and picnic shelters.

The beach occupies the north shoreline of Lakeshore Park along Walled Lake, described by the city as the largest lake in Novi. The park itself is large and wooded, containing an extensive mountain bike and walking trail network (about 10 miles) maintained with the Motor City Mountain Biking Association, plus soccer fields, a sand volleyball court, and picnic shelters set back from the shore.

Swimming at Lakeshore Park Beach

Swimming is at a designated, sand beach area on Walled Lake with no lifeguards (swim at your own risk). A local news write-up describes the water as staying shallow for a considerable distance from shore, making it comfortable for both children and parents, which points to a gently sloping, family-friendly swim area rather than deep open water.

How to get to this swimming hole

The park and beach are located at 601 South Lake Drive in Novi, Michigan, reached via South Lake Drive along the north shore of Walled Lake; an access road off South Lake Drive leads to multiple park parking lots, including one near the beach entrance.

Parking: Multiple on-site parking lots are shown on the city's official facility map, including a lot directly adjacent to the designated beach swimming area, plus additional lots serving the athletic fields, trailhead, and picnic shelters.

The walk in

No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up park beach: a parking lot sits directly adjacent to the designated swim area, so no hike is required, just a short walk (under a minute) from car to sand. (Lakeshore Park separately has ~10 miles of mountain-bike/walking trails through the wooded rest of the park, but none of them need to be walked to reach the swim beach.)

Plan your visit

Bringing kids

OK with supervision

Local news coverage describes the water staying shallow well out from shore, a gently sloping sand-beach entry that's comfortable for kids and parents. However, the beach is unguarded (posted signage says 'swim at your own risk, no lifeguards on duty') and rules require children under 12 to be accompanied by an adult, so parents need to actively supervise rather than rely on staff.

Parking

Free

Multiple on-site parking lots per the city's official facility map, including one directly adjacent to the designated beach swim area; no entry fee for non-residents.

Restrooms

Yes

Restrooms on-site in Lakeshore Park, open seasonally May 1 through Nov 1 (per City of Novi park page).

Hours

Beach: Memorial Day through Labor Day, daily 10am-8pm (weather permitting); the broader Lakeshore Park is open dawn to dusk year-round.

Swim smart

No lifeguards on duty (swim at your own risk per posted signage); a local news source noted the beach was under a water-quality testing advisory as of July 3 in the year the article was written, suggesting the beach is subject to periodic bacteria/water-quality monitoring and possible closures.

Rules: Posted beach rules: swim at your own risk (no lifeguards on duty); no alcohol or glass bottles; no pets on the beach (dogs allowed elsewhere in the park on 6-foot leashes); no bicycles on the beach; children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult; swimmers and floating devices must stay inside the designated swim area; no boating or fishing within the swim area; watercraft may not be docked, moored, or anchored within 50 feet of the shoreline. Motorized vehicles are prohibited anywhere on park property.

This is an informational listing, not an invitation. Conditions and access change; verify locally before you go. Visiting any swimming hole is at your own risk. See our Terms of Use.

On the water

Restrictions: No boat launch exists at this park/beach (confirmed on the official park page and facility map), and posted beach signage prohibits boating or fishing inside the designated swim area and bans watercraft from being docked, moored, or anchored within 50 feet of the shoreline. Walled Lake itself is a 670-acre, ~53-ft-max-depth lake ringed mostly by private residential docks; no public boat launch for it was found in this research pass.

Lakeshore Park Beach functions as a swim-only beach, not a paddling put-in. Visitors wanting to kayak/canoe/paddleboard on this general area should look to other nearby public water access rather than this beach.

Rentals nearby

Kensington Metropark Boat Rental (Maple Beach)

Single kayaks, tandem (two-person) kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards

Prices: Single kayak $12/hr; tandem kayak $18/hr; canoe $15/hr; paddleboard $15/hr (as published by Huron-Clinton Metroparks)

Kensington Metropark, 4570 Huron River Parkway, Milford, MI 48381, roughly 10 miles from Lakeshore Park Beach, on Kent Lake rather than Walled Lake itself · Weekends in May (weather permitting) 8am-8pm; Memorial Day-Labor Day weekdays 8am-8pm, weekends/holidays 8am-9pm; weekends in September (weather permitting) 8am-8pm

Lakeshore Park Beach: FAQ

Does Lakeshore Park Beach charge a fee?

No entry fee for non-residents, per the city park page; no boat launch fee applies since there is no boat launch at the park/beach.

Is Lakeshore Park Beach kid friendly?

Do I need to hike to reach Lakeshore Park Beach?

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

Where do I park for Lakeshore Park Beach?

Multiple on-site parking lots per the city's official facility map, including one directly adjacent to the designated beach swim area; no entry fee for non-residents.

When is the best time to visit Lakeshore Park Beach?

Beach season runs Memorial Day through Labor Day, open daily (weather permitting) 10am-8pm; the broader park is open dawn to dusk year-round.

What are the rules at Lakeshore Park Beach?

Posted beach rules: swim at your own risk (no lifeguards on duty); no alcohol or glass bottles; no pets on the beach (dogs allowed elsewhere in the park on 6-foot leashes); no bicycles on the beach; children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult; swimmers and floating devices must stay inside the designated swim area; no boating or fishing within the swim area; watercraft may not be docked, moored, or anchored within 50 feet of the shoreline. Motorized vehicles are prohibited anywhere on park property.

What water body is Lakeshore Park Beach on?

Lakeshore Park Beach is on Walled Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.

Conditions right now

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Live data from the National Weather Service and USGS. Conditions at the water can differ, use your judgment.

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At a glance

Land access: Open to the public
Facilities: restrooms (seasonal, May 1-Nov 1); picnic shelters (rentable); playgrounds/play structures; parking lots; mountain bike and walking trails; sand volleyball court; horseshoes; bike trailhead/kiosk
Highlights: Designated swim beach directly adjacent to roughly 10 miles of mountain bike trail built and maintained with the Motor City Mountain Biking Association; A dedicated Kids Single Track Mountain Bike Trail built in fall 2015, described as the first of its kind in Michigan; Pavilion Shore Park, with additional lakefront seating and fishing access, is a 0.2-mile walk from the Lakeshore Park entrance
Nearby towns: Wixom (2.1mi); Walled Lake (2.4mi); Novi (2.9mi); Farmington (3.9mi)
Coordinates: 42.5133, -83.4823