Fox Brook Beach
Brookfield, Wisconsin · Fox Brook Park
Verified · 3 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- Yes, see below
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Fox Brook Beach
Fox Brook Park is a 223-acre Waukesha County park in Brookfield, Wisconsin, built around a man-made lake formed from a former gravel pit. The park has an official designated swimming beach on the lake, a converted gravel pit that now works as an easy suburban swimming hole, alongside a separate dog swimming area, scuba diving, and self-serve paddle craft rentals, making it one of the simpler places to swim in the county.
The park sits on the northwest side of the Milwaukee metro area in Brookfield, Waukesha County, and combines a central lake (created from a former gravel pit) with 178 acres of protected wetland and a paved one-mile loop trail that circles the water with three wildlife viewing areas, according to Waukesha County and firsthand visitor accounts.
Swimming at Fox Brook Beach
Swimming takes place at a designated county-managed beach on a man-made lake reaching about 30 feet at its deepest point, per a first-hand account; the county describes the lake as suited for swimming, lounging, scuba diving, and self-serve SUP/kayak rentals, making it more of a family beach-and-lake day-use spot than a wilderness swim.
How to get to this swimming hole
Parking: On-site parking is listed as a park amenity by Waukesha County; a vehicle permit (annual membership or daily pass, purchased through the county's WebTrac system) is required to enter the park.
The hike in
No hike is needed to reach the swim beach -- it is a drive-up, on-site parking lot facility. The park's one-mile paved loop trail circles the lake for walking/biking/wildlife viewing but is separate from beach access.
Paved one-mile loop is stroller/wheelchair accessible per visitor accounts; not required to reach the beach.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Designated county swim beach with adjacent playground makes it a popular family spot, but no source confirms lifeguard presence, and a first-hand account notes the man-made lake reaches about 30 feet deep at its deepest point, so supervision is warranted away from the shallow shoreline.
Parking
Paid
On-site parking lot at 2925 N Barker Rd, Brookfield, WI; all vehicles require a Waukesha County Parks annual membership or daily vehicle permit (purchased via the county's WebTrac system) to enter -- exact dollar fee could not be found on the current county site (fee/membership page returned 404 on this pass).
Restrooms
Yes
Restrooms listed as an on-site park amenity by Waukesha County; exact building location (e.g. bathhouse vs. vault toilet) not specified in available sources.
Hours
Park open daily sunrise-10 p.m. year-round; swim beach and self-serve watercraft rentals run seasonally (roughly Memorial Day-Labor Day) with beach hours around 11 a.m.-7 p.m. per a first-hand visitor account; a seasonal concession stand operates daily 11 a.m.-5 p.m. during the season per the official park page.
On the water
The official county page and firsthand visitor accounts describe only self-serve SUP/kayak rentals on the lake, operated seasonally (Memorial Day-Labor Day). No source mentions motorboats, jet skis, or canoes specifically, or states an explicit non-motorized/no-wake rule, so that restriction is left null rather than assumed.
Rentals nearby
Self-serve kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals on the lake
On-site at the Fox Brook Park beach, 2925 N Barker Rd, Brookfield, WI
Backstory
The park's central lake was formed from a former gravel pit operation rather than being a natural lake, according to first-hand accounts (thelakecountrymom.com, lakecountryfamilyfun.com).
Fox Brook Beach: FAQ
Does Fox Brook Beach charge a fee?
Vehicle entry requires an annual Waukesha County parks membership or a daily permit, per the official park page.
Is Fox Brook Beach kid friendly?
Designated county swim beach with adjacent playground makes it a popular family spot, but no source confirms lifeguard presence, and a first-hand account notes the man-made lake reaches about 30 feet deep at its deepest point, so supervision is warranted away from the shallow shoreline.
Do I need to hike to reach Fox Brook Beach?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Fox Brook Beach?
On-site parking lot at 2925 N Barker Rd, Brookfield, WI; all vehicles require a Waukesha County Parks annual membership or daily vehicle permit (purchased via the county's WebTrac system) to enter -- exact dollar fee could not be found on the current county site (fee/membership page returned 404 on this pass).
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Fox Brook Beach?
The official county page and firsthand visitor accounts describe only self-serve SUP/kayak rentals on the lake, operated seasonally (Memorial Day-Labor Day). No source mentions motorboats, jet skis, or canoes specifically, or states an explicit non-motorized/no-wake rule, so that restriction is left null rather than assumed.
When is the best time to visit Fox Brook Beach?
Summer (Memorial Day through Labor Day), when the beach, watercraft rentals, and swimming operate, per official and first-hand sources.
What are the rules at Fox Brook Beach?
Park hours are sunrise to 10 p.m. daily (official county page); the swim beach/watercraft rental season runs seasonally with beach hours around 11 a.m.-7 p.m. per visitor reports, generally Memorial Day through Labor Day.
