Buck Lake Beach
Rhinelander, Wisconsin · on Buck Lake
Verified · 3 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $100
- SEASON
- Varies by conditions
About Buck Lake Beach
Buck Lake Beach is the swimming beach at Almon County Park, an Oneida County Forestry Department park about 5 miles south of Rhinelander, Wisconsin. The park sits on the shore of Buck Lake, a roughly 59 to 60 acre lake, and the county describes the sandy swimming hole there as one of the area's most popular places to swim.
Almon Park is an 80-160 acre (sources differ) county park on the shore of Buck Lake, featuring old-growth mixed hardwood forest, a northern bog with boardwalk, and a lakeshore trail. It combines developed recreation facilities (paved parking, disc golf course, pavilions) with undeveloped natural woodland and wetland areas.
Swimming at Buck Lake Beach
A sandy swimming beach on a small, county-park-managed lake, described locally as clean and family-friendly. A visitor account mentions a sandbar reachable by swimming out from shore and a rock pile in the lake. The beach is set up for casual, all-ages recreational swimming rather than long-distance or serious open-water swimming.
How to get to this swimming hole
From Rhinelander, take County Hwy G southeast 2 miles to Lassig Road; go south on Lassig Road one-half mile to Hixon Lake Road and turn right; the park entrance is a mile down the road. Address: 5340 Hixon Lake Rd, Rhinelander, WI 54501.
Parking: Paved parking areas adjacent to the picnic area, restrooms, and swimming beach.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up park beach: paved parking sits directly adjacent to the swimming beach, so no hike is needed to reach the water. Almon Park separately maintains ~2.25 miles of nature/snowshoe trails (including boardwalk sections through a bog), but these are optional woodland walks, not the access route to the beach.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Sandy beach with a gentle, shallow entry is marketed by the county and local tourism sites as family-friendly and 'suitable for all ages,' with changing rooms/restrooms on site. However, a visitor account (goingoutside.com) notes a sandbar and a rock pile reachable by swimming out from shore, and no source confirms a lifeguard is on duty, so younger swimmers should be supervised once they're past the immediate shoreline.
Parking
Free
Paved parking areas adjacent to the picnic area, restrooms, and swimming beach (per official Oneida County info sheet). No day-use parking fee is stated; only pavilion rentals carry a fee ($100 + $100 refundable deposit).
Restrooms
Yes
Restroom/changing facilities located at the beach/picnic area, per the Oneida County Forestry Dept. info sheet and park facilities page.
Water clarity
Mostly clear
Multiple sources describe the water as clean rather than crystal-clear. A visitor review on goingoutside.com quotes a local: 'I love buck Lake because it isn't too yucky, the water is quite clean.' No formal water-quality/clarity data (e.g., WDNR Secchi readings) was located for this specific lake.
On the water
No official source (Oneida County Forestry Dept. info sheet, parks page, or local tourism sites) states a boating policy for Buck Lake, and none mention kayak/canoe/paddleboard/motorboat launch facilities at Almon Park's swimming beach. Given the small size of the lake (~59-60 acres) it likely sees light small-craft/fishing boat use, but this could not be confirmed, so no watercraft types are listed as confirmed-allowed. Treat as null/unconfirmed rather than assuming access.
What regulars say
The clearest first-hand comment available comes from a local visitor: the lake 'isn't too yucky,' the water is 'quite clean,' and the spot is used for family reunions, consistent with the official description of Buck Lake Beach as a popular, family-oriented swimming spot rather than a quiet, undeveloped one.
Buck Lake Beach: FAQ
Does Buck Lake Beach charge a fee?
No fee is stated for general beach/day use. Reserving a pavilion costs $100 plus a $100 refundable security deposit.
Is Buck Lake Beach kid friendly?
Sandy beach with a gentle, shallow entry is marketed by the county and local tourism sites as family-friendly and 'suitable for all ages,' with changing rooms/restrooms on site. However, a visitor account (goingoutside.com) notes a sandbar and a rock pile reachable by swimming out from shore, and no source confirms a lifeguard is on duty, so younger swimmers should be supervised once they're past the immediate shoreline.
Do I need to hike to reach Buck Lake Beach?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Buck Lake Beach?
Paved parking areas adjacent to the picnic area, restrooms, and swimming beach (per official Oneida County info sheet). No day-use parking fee is stated; only pavilion rentals carry a fee ($100 + $100 refundable deposit).
What water body is Buck Lake Beach on?
Buck Lake Beach is on Buck Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
