Pike Lake Beach
Hartford, Wisconsin · on Pike Lake · Kettle Moraine State Forest-Pike Lake Unit
Verified · 5 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- Yes, see below
- SEASON
- Varies by conditions
About Pike Lake Beach
Pike Lake Beach is the designated swimming beach on Pike Lake, a 522-acre spring-fed kettle lake within the Wisconsin DNR's Kettle Moraine State Forest, Pike Lake Unit, near Hartford, Wisconsin. The state forest officially lists swimming among its recreation offerings alongside camping, hiking, fishing, and picnicking, so this spring-fed swimming hole is a fully sanctioned lake to swim in.
The beach sits within the Pike Lake Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest, a glacially carved landscape in southeastern Wisconsin's Kettle Moraine that also includes the Powder Hill geological feature. Pike Lake itself is a natural, spring-fed kettle lake covering about 522 acres.
Swimming at Pike Lake Beach
Swimming takes place at a designated, unguarded beach on Pike Lake. The DNR does not provide lifeguards, and a beach wheelchair is available for rental through the park office to improve accessibility for visitors with mobility needs.
How to get to this swimming hole
Parking: A boat trailer parking lot is located just south of the main beach area; no further detail on dedicated swim-beach parking capacity was found on official pages.
The hike in
No hike is required to reach Pike Lake Beach -- it is a drive-up, designated swim beach with adjacent parking. Separately, hiking trails exist elsewhere in the Pike Lake Unit for visitors who want to hike as an added activity: Astronomy Trail (0.5 mi), Black Forest Nature Trail (0.8 mi), the accessible Boardwalk Trail (~0.5 mi, along the lakeshore near the north picnic area), and Powder Hill Trail (0.5 mi from Nature Trail parking, or 1.1 mi if starting from the beach/picnic area) leading to an observation tower atop Powder Hill, the second-highest point in southeastern Wisconsin.
None of these trails are required to access the swimming beach; they are optional add-on hikes within the same state forest unit.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Official DNR-designated swim beach on a lake (not a river/quarry), so no current hazard, but the DNR explicitly states lifeguards are NOT provided, so young children should be supervised closely. A beach wheelchair is available through the park office, indicating an accessible, gradual entry area.
Parking
Paid
A boat trailer parking lot is located just south of the main beach area (per DNR). A Wisconsin state park system vehicle admission sticker is required to enter, but the exact daily/annual sticker price could not be confirmed in this pass (DNR passes page returned 404).
Hours
6 a.m. to 11 p.m., year-round (Kettle Moraine State Forest - Pike Lake Unit, per Wisconsin DNR).
On the water
Per DNR, Pike Lake has a motorboat launch with trailer parking south of the main beach, and a separate kayak/canoe launch north of the beach area. Additional public and private boat landings exist elsewhere around the lake. No horsepower limit, no-wake zone, or electric-only restriction was found in the pages retrieved -- left as null/unconfirmed rather than assumed. Paddleboards were not explicitly mentioned but would typically launch from the same kayak/canoe access.
Pike Lake Beach: FAQ
Does Pike Lake Beach charge a fee?
Wisconsin state park system vehicle admission sticker required for entry.
Is Pike Lake Beach kid friendly?
Official DNR-designated swim beach on a lake (not a river/quarry), so no current hazard, but the DNR explicitly states lifeguards are NOT provided, so young children should be supervised closely. A beach wheelchair is available through the park office, indicating an accessible, gradual entry area.
Do I need to hike to reach Pike Lake Beach?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Pike Lake Beach?
A boat trailer parking lot is located just south of the main beach area (per DNR). A Wisconsin state park system vehicle admission sticker is required to enter, but the exact daily/annual sticker price could not be confirmed in this pass (DNR passes page returned 404).
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Pike Lake Beach?
Per DNR, Pike Lake has a motorboat launch with trailer parking south of the main beach, and a separate kayak/canoe launch north of the beach area. Additional public and private boat landings exist elsewhere around the lake. No horsepower limit, no-wake zone, or electric-only restriction was found in the pages retrieved -- left as null/unconfirmed rather than assumed. Paddleboards were not explicitly mentioned but would typically launch from the same kayak/canoe access.
What are the rules at Pike Lake Beach?
Park hours are 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. year-round; no lifeguards are on duty at the swim beach.
What water body is Pike Lake Beach on?
Pike Lake Beach is on Pike Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
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