Sandy Beach
Hillsdale, Michigan · on Baw Beese Lake · Sandy Beach
Verified · 3 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $5.00
- SEASON
- Varies by conditions
About Sandy Beach
Sandy Beach is a city-owned public swim beach on Baw Beese Lake in Hillsdale, Michigan, about 1.4 miles from downtown, making it the city's in-town swimming hole for anyone wanting a lake to swim in close by. It is one of three connected parks (with Waterworks Park and Owen Memorial Park) that make up the city's Baw Beese Lake park system, and was extensively renovated by the Hillsdale Rotary Club.
The beach sits on the shore of Baw Beese Lake, a small inland lake on the St. Joseph River watershed on the edge of the City of Hillsdale, and connects directly to the paved Baw Beese Trail that loops the lake and links to Waterworks Park and Owen Memorial Park.
Swimming at Sandy Beach
The designated swim area has beach sand trucked in from Lake Michigan over the lake's natural sandy-loam bottom, giving it a manufactured 'beach' feel rather than a wild shoreline. It is set up as a family/day-use swim spot alongside sand volleyball and basketball courts, a boat dock, and a concession stand, suiting casual swimmers and families rather than open-water or wilderness swimming.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. Sandy Beach is a drive-up city beach at 300 Waterworks Dr.; no hike is needed to reach the water. The paved Baw Beese Trail passes directly along/adjacent to the site for those who want to walk or bike in from Waterworks Park or Owen Memorial Park instead of driving.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Official city page describes it as a family-oriented beach with a play area, sand volleyball, and basketball courts, and imported beach sand over the lake's natural bottom, suggesting a gentle, groomed swim area. However, no source confirms lifeguard staffing, marked depth zones, or a roped-off shallow area, and the beach also functions as a boat dock/mooring spot, so boat traffic near the swim area is a real consideration for young kids.
Restrooms
Yes
Plumbed restroom/concession building on-site (part of the Rotary Club renovation), per the city's 2022-2027 Baw Beese Park System Master Plan facilities inventory.
On the water
The official city page states Sandy Beach is 'boater friendly' and has a dock where boaters can tie up ('If you need a break from the boat, dock alongside the play area'), and the master plan lists boat slips/docking system among the park's facilities. Neither source specifies which craft types (motorized vs. paddle) are permitted or any no-wake/motor-size restrictions, so no specific watercraft categories are confirmed here.
Backstory
The Hillsdale Rotary Club led a major renovation restoring Sandy Beach 'to its original glory as a premier summer destination,' adding a renovated beachfront, new play area, enhanced sand volleyball courts, a new basketball court, and a revitalized concession/restroom building; the park subsequently won two 'Best of the Best' local awards for Best Local Tourist Attraction and Best Family Amusement destination, per the city's Baw Beese Park System Master Plan (2022-2027).
Sandy Beach: FAQ
Does Sandy Beach charge a fee?
City resident daily pass $5.00 (proof of residence required); non-resident daily pass $10.00; season pass $50.00, per the city's official Sandy Beach page.
Is Sandy Beach kid friendly?
Official city page describes it as a family-oriented beach with a play area, sand volleyball, and basketball courts, and imported beach sand over the lake's natural bottom, suggesting a gentle, groomed swim area. However, no source confirms lifeguard staffing, marked depth zones, or a roped-off shallow area, and the beach also functions as a boat dock/mooring spot, so boat traffic near the swim area is a real consideration for young kids.
Do I need to hike to reach Sandy Beach?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
What water body is Sandy Beach on?
Sandy Beach is on Baw Beese Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
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