Oak Beach County Park
PT ELIZABETH, Michigan · on Lake Huron · Oak Beach County Park
Verified · 3 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $50/night
- SEASON
- May
About Oak Beach County Park
Oak Beach County Park is a Huron County-operated campground and beach on Lake Huron in Michigan's Thumb region, near Port Austin. It features a designated sandy swimming beach alongside a seasonal (May 1-Oct 15) RV and tent campground, a dependable swimming hole for campers who want a Great Lake to swim in.
The park sits directly on the Lake Huron shoreline in Huron County's Thumb area, adjacent to the community of Port Austin and near Port Crescent, Kinde, and Pinnebog. It is run as one of six county park campgrounds along this stretch of Lake Huron shoreline.
Swimming at Oak Beach County Park
Swimming takes place at a designated sandy beach on Lake Huron directly off the campground ("a sandy swimming beach just steps away" per the county). There is no lifeguard on duty, and swimmers are required to stay within a marked designated swimming area, from which boats and personal watercraft are excluded within 300 feet.
How to get to this swimming hole
Located at 3356 Port Austin Rd, Port Austin, MI 48467, within a few miles of Port Crescent, Kinde, and Pinnebog per the county park listing and campground address.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up campground beach directly on Lake Huron; no hike or trail is involved. Exact walk distance from individual campsites/parking to the sand was not specified in official materials.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Sandy Lake Huron beach with a designated, roped-off swimming area, which is kid-friendly in principle, but the county explicitly states there are no lifeguards on duty at any county beach, so young swimmers need active adult supervision, especially given open-lake wave/current conditions on Lake Huron.
Restrooms
Yes
Bath houses with coin-operated showers and flush toilets are provided on-site at the campground/beach per Huron County Parks (huroncountyparks.com/oak-beach-county-park).
Hours
Park operates seasonally May 1 through October 15; general county park visitor hours are 8:00 AM-10:00 PM with quiet hours 11:00 PM-7:00 AM (per huroncountyparks.com/oak-beach-county-park and park-rules).
On the water
Restrictions: Boats, PWCs, and other motorized vehicles are prohibited within 300 feet of any designated park swimming area (huroncountyparks.com/park-rules). The same rules page does not explicitly address kayaks, canoes, or paddleboards, so their permitted status at the swim beach itself is unclear from official sources; the county recommends calling the parks office (888-265-2583) to confirm.
Some of Huron County's parks require boat-launch permits (free for registered campers, otherwise separate for day-use visitors) at three specific county parks; it was not confirmed whether Oak Beach is one of those three or has its own launch.
Rentals nearby
Single and tandem kayak rentals (plus bikes/e-bikes) for paddling routes including the Broken Rocks and Turnip Rock trails on Lake Huron
Prices: Broken Rocks Trail (2-hr): single kayak ~$30-$35, tandem ~$40-$45; Turnip Rock Trail (4-hr): single kayak only ~$40-$45 (tandems and SUPs not offered/recommended on that route)
119 E. Spring Street, Port Austin, MI - in town, roughly a few miles from Oak Beach County Park (989-550-6651) · Mon-Fri 9am-6pm; Sat-Sun 8am-7pm
Tip-A-Thumb Canoe Rental
Canoe and kayak rentals for paddling the Pinnebog River
Serves the Pinnebog River area near Pinnebog/Filion, Huron County, MI (listed among Port Austin-area chamber recreation businesses; a working business website could not be located this session)
Oak Beach County Park: FAQ
Does Oak Beach County Park charge a fee?
Full-hookup campsites $50/night (+$5 holidays, -$5 off-season); seasonal camping season pass $3,100 (May 1-Oct 15); pavilion rental $100/day. No separate day-use/beach admission fee was found documented; beach access appears tied to the campground.
Is Oak Beach County Park kid friendly?
Sandy Lake Huron beach with a designated, roped-off swimming area, which is kid-friendly in principle, but the county explicitly states there are no lifeguards on duty at any county beach, so young swimmers need active adult supervision, especially given open-lake wave/current conditions on Lake Huron.
Do I need to hike to reach Oak Beach County Park?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Oak Beach County Park?
No dedicated day-use parking lot, size, or fee is documented for Oak Beach on the official park pages. Huron County's general park rules note that jet skis and boat trailers must be parked in 'designated day-use lots, not camping areas,' implying day-use parking exists somewhere in the county park system, but it is not confirmed specifically for Oak Beach, and it remains unverified whether non-campers can park/access the beach without a campsite reservation.
When is the best time to visit Oak Beach County Park?
Park is officially open May 1 through October 15.
What are the rules at Oak Beach County Park?
Swimmers must stay within the designated swimming area; no lifeguards on duty at any county beach; boats/PWC prohibited within 300 feet of swim areas and fishing barred in swim zones; no alcohol, glass containers, campfires, or pets permitted on the beach; general park visitor hours 8:00 AM-10:00 PM with quiet hours 11:00 PM-7:00 AM.
What water body is Oak Beach County Park on?
Oak Beach County Park is on Lake Huron, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
More swimming holes near PT ELIZABETH
Port Crescent State Park
Port Austin, Michiganlake
⛺🛶
Tawas Point State Park
East Tawas, Michiganlake
⛺🛶
Tawas Point-Sandy Hook Nature Trail
East Tawas, Michiganlake
⛺
Tawas Point Campground
East Tawas, Michiganlake
⛺🛶🏄
Judge James H. Lincoln Memorial Park
Harbor Beach, Michiganlake
🛶🏄🚤
Oscoda Beach Park
Oscoda Township, Michiganlake
⛺