Spencer Park and Beach
Rochester Hills, Michigan · Thelma G Spencer Park
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $35
- SEASON
- August
About Spencer Park and Beach
Spencer Park and Beach (officially Thelma G. Spencer Park) is a 113-acre city park in Rochester Hills, Michigan, centered on the 38-acre Carter Lake. It has an official, lifeguarded public swimming beach open seasonally, making it a supervised municipal swimming hole on a freshwater lake rather than an informal natural spot.
The park sits on Carter Lake, a 38-acre lake within a 113-acre city park at 3701 John R Rd in Rochester Hills. The grounds include wooded nature paths, picnic areas with charcoal grills, a play structure/playground, sand volleyball, a sport court, and a fishing pier, giving it a developed suburban lakefront-park character rather than a backcountry setting.
Swimming at Spencer Park and Beach
Swimming takes place at a lifeguarded, sectioned lake beach on Carter Lake. A shallow wading section reaches a maximum depth of about 3 feet for young children, while the main swim area is about 4 feet deep in front of a marked blue rope line and drops to about 16 feet beyond it. Visitors describe the sand as slightly rocky underfoot but not painful, and report the water quality as consistently good. The setup (dual depth zones, lifeguards, outdoor shower) suits families with young kids as well as adult swimmers wanting deeper water.
How to get to this swimming hole
Spencer Park is located at 3701 John R Rd in Rochester Hills, Michigan, about 2 miles from downtown Rochester Hills.
Parking: On-site parking with vehicle access to the park; a vehicle entry permit is required (annual park passes covering Spencer Park, Bloomer Park, and Innovation Hills are sold online, listed at $35 for residents). Exact daily/non-resident rates were not found.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. Spencer Park is a drive-up city park with an on-site parking lot; the lifeguarded Carter Lake beach is a short, flat walk (well under 5 minutes) from parking. The park does have separate wooded nature paths, but none are required to reach the swim beach itself.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
Good for kids
Lifeguarded, two-zone beach: a shallow wading section (max ~3 ft) for young kids, plus a roped main swim area (~4 ft, dropping to ~16 ft beyond the rope) for stronger swimmers/adults. Lifeguards on duty during posted swim hours; swimming is prohibited when no lifeguard is present. Sandy bottom is reported slightly rocky underfoot but not painful. Main hazard is the sharp drop-off just past the rope line, so young kids should stay in the marked wading zone.
Parking
Paid, Daily vehicle entry pass: $10 nonresident / $5 resident (non-weekend, in-season); $15 nonresident / $8 resident (weekends & Memorial Day/July 4th/Labor Day); $5 nonresident / $3 resident (off-season, day after Labor Day through May 15). Annual City Park Pass (honored at Spencer, Bloomer & Innovation Hills): $70 nonresident / $35 resident. Bicycles and pedestrians enter free.
On-site parking lot with vehicle access; a motor-vehicle entry permit/pass is required per the city's 2026 Park Fee Schedule.
Restrooms
Yes
Restroom/concession/first-aid building at the beach (per first-hand visitor account); official park page also references modern restroom facilities located throughout the 113-acre park.
Water clarity
Varies with season and flow
No water-quality or clarity monitoring data was found for this specific spot. A first-hand visitor account describes water quality as "consistently good" with a sandy, slightly rocky lake bottom, but does not quantify visibility. Treat as an unmeasured lake beach rather than a documented clear-water spot.
Hours
Park grounds: 8:00 AM to dusk. Lifeguarded swim beach: 11:00 AM-7:00 PM weekdays, 10:00 AM-8:00 PM weekends, from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day (staffing permitting).
On the water
Restrictions: Non-motorized watercraft only. Personally-owned kayaks/canoes/etc. use a dedicated ADA-compliant kayak launch on the southwest side of Carter Lake; this launch is NOT under lifeguard supervision (use at own risk). All watercraft (rented or personal) must stay 50+ feet from shore/designated swim areas and maintain 10 feet of separation from other vessels; swimming or jumping from watercraft is prohibited; SUP users must wear a leash at all times; life vests required for all rental users.
Rentals are run directly by the city, launching from Spencer Park on Carter Lake, not a private outfitter.
Rentals nearby
Single kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, pedal boats (2-3 person), and rowboats (up to 4 person) on Carter Lake
Prices: Kayaks $10/hr; SUPs $10/hr; pedal boats $8/hr; rowboats $8/hr (1-hour minimum; renters must be 18+ with a government photo ID held as deposit; life vests required)
On Carter Lake at Spencer Park, 3701 John R Rd, Rochester Hills, MI
What regulars say
One first-hand visitor account reports the sand as slightly rocky but not painful underfoot, water quality as consistently good, and recommends visiting before mid-August when the park is at its most crowded with full lifeguard and rental staffing.
Backstory
The park is named after Thelma Spencer; the lake within it, Carter Lake, is named after Fred Carter. Additional detailed history is referenced via a PDF on the city's park page.
Spencer Park and Beach: FAQ
Does Spencer Park and Beach charge a fee?
Vehicle entry permit required for park access; annual pass available for $35 (resident rate) via the city's online recreation portal. Specific daily-use or non-resident fee amounts were not confirmed.
Is Spencer Park and Beach kid friendly?
Lifeguarded, two-zone beach: a shallow wading section (max ~3 ft) for young kids, plus a roped main swim area (~4 ft, dropping to ~16 ft beyond the rope) for stronger swimmers/adults. Lifeguards on duty during posted swim hours; swimming is prohibited when no lifeguard is present. Sandy bottom is reported slightly rocky underfoot but not painful. Main hazard is the sharp drop-off just past the rope line, so young kids should stay in the marked wading zone.
Do I need to hike to reach Spencer Park and Beach?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Spencer Park and Beach?
On-site parking lot with vehicle access; a motor-vehicle entry permit/pass is required per the city's 2026 Park Fee Schedule.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Spencer Park and Beach?
Rentals are run directly by the city, launching from Spencer Park on Carter Lake, not a private outfitter.
When is the best time to visit Spencer Park and Beach?
Lifeguarded beach operates from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, weather permitting, with a first-hand account noting peak season (with watercraft rentals and full lifeguard coverage) runs Memorial Day through mid-August. Swim hours are 11am-7pm weekdays and 10am-8pm weekends during the season.
What are the rules at Spencer Park and Beach?
No pets allowed May 15 through Labor Day (leashed permitted other times); no alcoholic beverages or smoking; no flotation devices in the designated swim area; no swimming when a lifeguard is not present; no drones/UAVs from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
More swimming holes near Rochester Hills
Thelma Spencer Park
Rochester Hills, Michiganlake
🛶🏄
Eastwood Beach
Washington Township, Michiganreservoir
🛶🏄
★ Top verifiedStony Creek Baypoint Beach Washington
Rochester, Michiganreservoir
🛶🏄
★ Top verifiedStony Lake Park
Oxford, Michiganlake
🚤
★ Top verifiedDeer Lake Beach
Village of Clarkston, Michiganlake
🛶🏄🚤
Mercer Beach of Walled Lake
Walled Lake, Michiganlake