Scofield park
Howell, Michigan · on Thompson Lake · City Park
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $60
- SEASON
- Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day (official beach operating season)
About Scofield park
Scofield Park is a City of Howell, Michigan municipal park on Thompson Lake, at the corner of Thompson and Barnard Streets a short walk from downtown Howell. The city operates a designated, pass-access swim beach on the lake alongside a boat launch, playground, and picnic facilities.
The park sits on the shore of Thompson Lake within the city of Howell, about a 10-minute walk from the downtown area, at the intersection of Thompson and Barnard Streets. It functions as a neighborhood/city park combining a swim beach, boat launch, walking paths, and picnic grounds rather than a remote natural area.
Swimming at Scofield park
The city describes Thompson Lake Beach at Scofield Park as "the perfect place to enjoy the sun or go swimming," a sandy, city-managed swim beach suited to families and casual swimming rather than a wilderness swimming hole. Access is controlled via seasonal or daily passes during the beach's Memorial Day-to-Labor Day operating season.
How to get to this swimming hole
The park is located at the corner of Thompson and Barnard Streets in Howell, Michigan (1100 City Park, Howell, MI 48843), roughly a 10-minute walk from downtown Howell. A separate city boat launch for Thompson Lake is at Roosevelt Street.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. No hike is required; this is a walk-up municipal beach, not a backcountry or trailhead-access swimming hole.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
Good for kids
City-run designated sand swim beach on a small lake, with playground/swings, picnic areas, and shallow-entry family beach setting; described by the city and local visitor directory as a family-friendly park. No lifeguard presence, cliffs, or currents were found mentioned in any source, but no lifeguard confirmation either, so supervise kids as at any unguarded municipal beach.
Parking
Free
Small parking area at the park entrance (Thompson & Barnard Streets); the city separately notes 'limited parking' at the associated Roosevelt Street/Lake Street boat launch a short distance away. No paid parking fee was found, cost is the beach admission pass, not parking itself.
Restrooms
Yes
Bathrooms/restrooms on-site at the park per the local visitor directory (explorebrightonhowellarea.com); note the state tourism page (michigan.org) separately describes 'new restrooms' as a coming-soon addition, so exact restroom building/condition may be in flux, confirm locally if it matters.
Hours
Thompson Lake Beach at Scofield Park operates seasonally, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, with pass access required during that window; the park grounds themselves (playground, picnic areas, walking paths) appear open beyond the swim season based on it being described as an 'all-season' family park.
On the water
Restrictions: Watercraft access is via the separate city boat launch on Roosevelt Street (not the swim beach itself), and requires a valid seasonal or daily pass beginning May 1st each year; an ADA-accessible kayak/canoe launch was added at the park per the prior dossier's sourcing. No electric-only or no-wake restriction was documented in available sources for this small lake, but given its size a de facto low-speed, low-motorized-traffic character is likely.
City page confirms the Roosevelt St launch accepts boats, canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards.
Scofield park: FAQ
Does Scofield park charge a fee?
A valid seasonal or daily pass is required for beach access, in effect from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Howell residents receive two complimentary annual passes; additional annual passes cost $60. Daily passes are sold at the Bennett Recreation Center and at the park entrance during the season. The Roosevelt Street boat launch also requires a seasonal pass beginning May 1st.
Is Scofield park kid friendly?
City-run designated sand swim beach on a small lake, with playground/swings, picnic areas, and shallow-entry family beach setting; described by the city and local visitor directory as a family-friendly park. No lifeguard presence, cliffs, or currents were found mentioned in any source, but no lifeguard confirmation either, so supervise kids as at any unguarded municipal beach.
Do I need to hike to reach Scofield park?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Scofield park?
Small parking area at the park entrance (Thompson & Barnard Streets); the city separately notes 'limited parking' at the associated Roosevelt Street/Lake Street boat launch a short distance away. No paid parking fee was found, cost is the beach admission pass, not parking itself.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Scofield park?
City page confirms the Roosevelt St launch accepts boats, canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards.
When is the best time to visit Scofield park?
Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day (official beach operating season)
What are the rules at Scofield park?
Beach and boat launch use requires a purchased or resident pass during the operating season; passes are available at Howell City Hall and the Bennett Recreation Center.
What water body is Scofield park on?
Scofield park is on Thompson Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
