Fireman's Park Elkhart Lake
Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin · on Elkhart Lake
Verified · 3 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $4
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Fireman's Park Elkhart Lake
Fireman's Park is Elkhart Lake's only public swimming beach, a fee-based village park on the shore of Elkhart Lake in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, and the lake's one public swimming hole. It is owned by the local Fire Department and operated seasonally (Memorial Day through Labor Day) with a sand beach, concession stand, and picnic grounds, the place to swim for anyone wanting Elkhart as their lake to swim in. It also hosts the community's traditional annual firemen's picnic.
The park sits directly on the shore of Elkhart Lake at 411 S. Lake Street, a short walk from the village center, with a sand beach frontage, grassy picnic grounds, and a pavilion used for community gatherings and private events.
Swimming at Fireman's Park Elkhart Lake
Visitor reviews describe clear, shallow water near shore that is well suited to young children and casual swimmers, with a sandy, rock-free lake bottom reported by multiple reviewers. There is no indication of deep-water or advanced swimming features (no cliff jumping, currents, or waterfall).
How to get to this swimming hole
Located at 411 S. Lake Street in the Village of Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, within about half a mile of the town center.
Parking: Free on-site parking, per visitor reviews.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up village beach: the parking area sits directly adjacent to the sand beach and swimming area, with no trail or hike involved.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
Good for kids
Shallow, sandy, rock-free entry directly off the beach is repeatedly called out by visitors as ideal for young kids and water games. No lifeguard, current, drop-off, or cliff-jumping feature was mentioned in any source, so care is still warranted as at any unguarded beach, but the physical setting itself is low-risk.
Parking
Free
Multiple visitor reviews describe 'plenty of free' on-site parking at the park; no official source gives a lot size or specific location within the property.
Restrooms
Yes
On-site restrooms and changing rooms are listed on the park's official page. One visitor review noted the restrooms felt like a bit of a walk when supervising small kids, but no exact distance or building location was specified in any source found.
Water clarity
Mostly clear
Visitor reviews consistently describe the water as clear to 'crystal clear' with a sandy, rock-free lake bottom. Visitor reports also note the water can turn muddy/murky after heavy rain, hence 'mostly_clear' rather than uniformly clear.
Hours
10am-8pm daily, Memorial Day through Labor Day (seasonal beach; closed off-season). Entrance fee $4/adult, $1/child 12 and under, cash only (on-site ATM available).
On the water
No source found ties a boat launch or watercraft (kayak/canoe/paddleboard/motorboat) use directly to Fireman's Park itself -- every description of the park frames it as a swimming beach with volleyball courts, concessions, and picnic grounds, not a launch site. Elkhart Lake's general tourism content mentions kayaking as an activity associated with the lake overall, but doesn't connect it to this specific park, and no official regulation (horsepower limit, no-wake zone, etc.) for the lake could be confirmed this session. Left null/empty rather than guessed.
What regulars say
Visitor reports describe the water as 'crystal clear' with a sandy, rock-free bottom good for kids; free on-site parking; cash-only entry with an on-site ATM; the beach 'wasn't busy' even on a Saturday but 'tends to fill up later in the day'; an air-hose station is available on site for inflating floats and lounges, which regulars recommend bringing for the shallow water; and the water can become muddy after heavy rain.
Backstory
Owned by the Village of Elkhart Lake Fire Department (hence the name) but managed day-to-day by an outside operator; the park is the traditional site of the community's annual Firemen's Picnic held around the Fourth of July.
Fireman's Park Elkhart Lake: FAQ
Does Fireman's Park Elkhart Lake charge a fee?
Daily entry fee: $4 for adults, $1 for children 12 and under (per the park's official site and corroborated by a local news article). At least one visitor review cited $3 for adult entry, suggesting some price variation or a review from a different season; cash is required at the gate (an on-site ATM is available).
Is Fireman's Park Elkhart Lake kid friendly?
Shallow, sandy, rock-free entry directly off the beach is repeatedly called out by visitors as ideal for young kids and water games. No lifeguard, current, drop-off, or cliff-jumping feature was mentioned in any source, so care is still warranted as at any unguarded beach, but the physical setting itself is low-risk.
Do I need to hike to reach Fireman's Park Elkhart Lake?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Fireman's Park Elkhart Lake?
Multiple visitor reviews describe 'plenty of free' on-site parking at the park; no official source gives a lot size or specific location within the property.
When is the best time to visit Fireman's Park Elkhart Lake?
Summer; the park operates seasonally from Memorial Day through Labor Day, 10am-8pm.
What are the rules at Fireman's Park Elkhart Lake?
No glass containers; pets not permitted; outside/carry-in food is allowed.
What water body is Fireman's Park Elkhart Lake on?
Fireman's Park Elkhart Lake is on Elkhart Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
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