City Beach Park
Oconomowoc, Wisconsin · on Lac La Belle
Verified · 2 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $3/day
- SEASON
- Open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. daily, weather permitting.
About City Beach Park
City Beach Park is the City of Oconomowoc's main public swimming beach, located on the shore of Lac La Belle in downtown Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. It is a staffed, fee-based municipal beach operated by the city's Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department, open seasonally with lifeguard supervision, a fully managed swimming hole that makes Lac La Belle the city's official lake to swim in.
The beach sits directly in the city of Oconomowoc on the shoreline of Lac La Belle, adjacent to a public boat launch at 324 W. Wisconsin Avenue, making it an urban/in-town lake beach rather than a backcountry or undeveloped swimming spot.
Swimming at City Beach Park
Swimming takes place in a designated, lifeguard-supervised area of Lac La Belle during posted beach hours. City rules restrict horseplay (running, splashing, pushing, dunking) and require constant adult supervision of children 5 and under, indicating a swim area oriented toward general public and family use rather than open, unsupervised lake swimming.
How to get to this swimming hole
City Beach Park is in downtown Oconomowoc on Lac La Belle; the adjacent public boat launch is addressed at 324 West Wisconsin Avenue.
Parking: A boat-trailer launch lot adjacent to the beach has marked parking areas and on-street parking where permitted; the city notes driving through the posted launch fee zone can result in a violation.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. City Beach Park is a drive-up, in-town lakefront park in downtown Oconomowoc; no hiking is required to reach the water.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Staffed, lifeguard-supervised municipal beach with a designated shallow section (floatation devices must stay in that shallow zone). City rules require an adult to be within arm's reach of children age 5 and under at all times and prohibit horseplay (running, splashing, pushing, dunking), so it's built for family use but caregivers must actively supervise young kids.
Parking
Free
A boat-trailer launch lot adjacent to the beach has marked parking, plus on-street parking where permitted nearby; entry to the beach itself is via a paid 'beach band' (see fees), not a separate parking fee. A distinct boat-launch fee ($8/day non-motorized, $13.75/day motorized with trailer) applies only to those launching a boat at the adjacent public launch.
Hours
10 a.m.-7 p.m. daily, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, weather permitting; hours are limited to afternoons only until Oconomowoc Area School District is out for the summer. Watercraft rentals run the same season, with the last rental going out no later than 5:30 p.m.
On the water
Restrictions: City rental watercraft (kayaks, canoes, paddleboats, paddleboards) must stay on Lac La Belle, cannot be used for fishing or swimming from the boat, and no animals are permitted aboard; renters must be 18+ with a valid driver's license. Privately owned motorized boats can launch at the adjacent public boat launch (trailer parking, launch fee applies).
City Beach itself is the City of Oconomowoc's sole watercraft-rental site, and the adjacent public boat launch serves owners bringing their own trailered boats to Lac La Belle.
Rentals nearby
Fleet of 4 double kayaks, 7 single kayaks, 4 canoes, 5 paddleboats, and 15 standup paddleboards, rented by the hour or for the day directly from the lifeguard house at City Beach.
Prices: $15/hr (resident) or $20/hr (non-resident) for 1 hour; $50 (resident) or $75 (non-resident) for 4 hours.
At City Beach Park itself, accessed via the lifeguard house next to the boat launch, 324 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Oconomowoc, WI. · Season runs Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. (weather permitting, afternoons only until Oconomowoc schools are out); last rental goes out no later than 5:30 p.m.; first-come, first-served, no reservations.
City Beach Park: FAQ
Does City Beach Park charge a fee?
Beach admission requires a beach band for anyone age 6+: $3/day (resident) or $6/day (non-resident), or a season band for $25 (resident) / $50 (non-resident); children 6 and under are free with a paid adult. Separate watercraft rental fees ($15/hr resident, $20/hr non-resident for a 1-hour rental; higher for 4 hours) and boat launch fees ($8/day non-motorized, $13.75/day motorized with trailer) apply for those services.
Is City Beach Park kid friendly?
Staffed, lifeguard-supervised municipal beach with a designated shallow section (floatation devices must stay in that shallow zone). City rules require an adult to be within arm's reach of children age 5 and under at all times and prohibit horseplay (running, splashing, pushing, dunking), so it's built for family use but caregivers must actively supervise young kids.
Do I need to hike to reach City Beach Park?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for City Beach Park?
A boat-trailer launch lot adjacent to the beach has marked parking, plus on-street parking where permitted nearby; entry to the beach itself is via a paid 'beach band' (see fees), not a separate parking fee. A distinct boat-launch fee ($8/day non-motorized, $13.75/day motorized with trailer) applies only to those launching a boat at the adjacent public launch.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to City Beach Park?
City Beach itself is the City of Oconomowoc's sole watercraft-rental site, and the adjacent public boat launch serves owners bringing their own trailered boats to Lac La Belle.
When is the best time to visit City Beach Park?
Open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. daily, weather permitting.
What are the rules at City Beach Park?
No glass, grills, bikes, or pets permitted; no swimming in long pants; children age 5 and under require constant adult supervision; horseplay such as running, splashing, pushing/shoving, or dunking is prohibited. The city tests beach water quality weekly from before Memorial Day through September, with more frequent testing after pollution events.
What water body is City Beach Park on?
City Beach Park is on Lac La Belle, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
