Carol Beach / Prairie Shores Beach
Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin · on Lake Michigan · Prairie Shores Beach
Verified · 3 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- No fee found
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Carol Beach / Prairie Shores Beach
Carol Beach / Prairie Shores Beach is a public Lake Michigan beach in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, part of a string of five small village-managed beaches along Lakeshore Drive between roughly 102nd and 116th Streets. The largest of those five, it is monitored seasonally for water quality as a designated public swimming beach, a dependable swimming hole for anyone scouting places to swim along this stretch of Lake Michigan.
The beach sits directly on the Lake Michigan shoreline in a residential stretch of Pleasant Prairie just south of Kenosha, with marked public access points along Lakeshore Drive. It is one of five small neighboring beaches in this shoreline segment, of which it is the largest.
Swimming at Carol Beach / Prairie Shores Beach
Open-water Lake Michigan swimming from a sandy public beach; village-linked water quality monitoring runs seasonally (May-September) and the beach is described as a family-oriented spot suited to swimming, sunbathing, and casual lake activities like canoeing and kayaking in summer.
How to get to this swimming hole
Located along Lakeshore Drive in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, within the shoreline segment running from north of 102nd Street to south of 116th Street; public access points are marked with signs.
Parking: Limited on-street parking along Lakeshore Drive, plus dedicated off-road parking areas at nearby Lakeshore Park and at Prairie Shores/Carol Beach itself.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. Drive-up public beach; parking lots and on-street spots on Lakeshore Drive lead directly to the shoreline with no trail involved. No documented walk-time from parking was found.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Locals describe this as a quiet, family- and pet-friendly Lake Michigan beach good for swimming; however, no lifeguard presence, water-depth/drop-off, or current information was found for this specific beach, and it is open Lake Michigan shoreline (subject to wave/current conditions), so supervise kids closely.
Parking
Free
Off-road parking lot at Prairie Shores/Carol Beach itself (10899 Lakeshore Drive), a second off-road lot at nearby Lakeshore Park (10531 Lakeshore Drive), plus limited on-street parking along Lakeshore Drive. No fee mentioned in any source.
Restrooms
None on site
Swim Guide and the Village of Pleasant Prairie both note no on-site amenities at this beach; nearest gas station is roughly 2.5 miles away. Bring your own supplies.
Hours
Sunrise to sunset, year-round (Village of Pleasant Prairie / Swim Guide).
On the water
Locals describe canoeing and kayaking as typical summer activities at this beach; no beach-specific launch rules, no-wake zones, or motorized-craft restrictions were found in official sources.
Rentals nearby
Single and tandem kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, pedal ('duck') boats and water trikes, and Rhodes 19' sailboats (checkout sail required for first-time sailboat renters)
Prices: Single kayak $16/45 min; tandem kayak $32/45 min; SUP $16/45 min; pedal duck boat $8 (kids) / $12 (adults) per 45 min; water trike $9/person or $18 for two per 45 min; private party rate $150 for 10 guests
443 50th Street, Kenosha, WI (Great Lakes Yacht Sales), roughly 6 miles north of Carol Beach, in Kenosha's harbor area, not at the beach itself
What regulars say
Rock collectors call Carol Beach in Pleasant Prairie 'the jackpot' for finding unique rocks, with one noting they sometimes head further north to Whitefish Bay for better finds when Carol Beach is picked over, suggesting a rocky, pebbly shoreline stretch alongside the sand, and a beach popular with beachcombers, not just swimmers (visitor reports).
Carol Beach / Prairie Shores Beach: FAQ
Is Carol Beach / Prairie Shores Beach kid friendly?
Locals describe this as a quiet, family- and pet-friendly Lake Michigan beach good for swimming; however, no lifeguard presence, water-depth/drop-off, or current information was found for this specific beach, and it is open Lake Michigan shoreline (subject to wave/current conditions), so supervise kids closely.
Do I need to hike to reach Carol Beach / Prairie Shores Beach?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Carol Beach / Prairie Shores Beach?
Off-road parking lot at Prairie Shores/Carol Beach itself (10899 Lakeshore Drive), a second off-road lot at nearby Lakeshore Park (10531 Lakeshore Drive), plus limited on-street parking along Lakeshore Drive. No fee mentioned in any source.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Carol Beach / Prairie Shores Beach?
Locals describe canoeing and kayaking as typical summer activities at this beach; no beach-specific launch rules, no-wake zones, or motorized-craft restrictions were found in official sources.
When is the best time to visit Carol Beach / Prairie Shores Beach?
Summer, corresponding with the May-through-September seasonal water quality testing window and the period when the beach is described as used for swimming.
What are the rules at Carol Beach / Prairie Shores Beach?
Open sunrise to sunset year-round; visitors are directed to obey all posted signs and regulations and to check the local weather forecast before visiting.
What water body is Carol Beach / Prairie Shores Beach on?
Carol Beach / Prairie Shores Beach is on Lake Michigan, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
