Port Washington North Beach Park

Port Washington, Wisconsin · on Lake Michigan · Upper Lake Park

Verified · 3 independent sources

WATER: lake
ACCESS: Designated swim area
FEE: No fee found
SEASON: Varies by conditions

About Port Washington North Beach Park

North Beach Park is a Lake Michigan sand beach in Port Washington, Wisconsin, reached by a staircase descending from the bluff-top Upper Lake Park (the managing city park unit). It is a city-designated swimming beach with an informational kiosk that displays a real-time rip current warning system developed with UW-Madison researchers.

The beach sits at the base of a bluff below Upper Lake Park, which occupies the high ground above Lake Michigan and includes scenic overlooks, benches, picnic areas, and an inclusive playground. The 1935 Art Deco breakwater lighthouse is visible from the park and beach.

Swimming at Port Washington North Beach Park

North Beach offers an open stretch of sand along Lake Michigan for swimming, described by a visitor tourism source as "an expanse of sand for swimming, picnicking, or walking." A first-hand trip report confirms people swim at North Beach (as well as at the nearby South Beach). Because it is open Great Lake water rather than a sheltered inland lake, conditions can be more exposed than typical swimming holes.

How to get to this swimming hole

The beach address is 500 N. Lake Street, Port Washington. From Upper Lake Park on the bluff above the lake, an 83-step staircase descends to North Beach; it can also be reached via Veterans Park.

The hike in

To the water: 83 steps one-way (staircase, not a trail) from Upper Lake Park bluff-top down to North Beach
Time on foot: a few minutes each way on the stairs

Difficulty: easy but steep - a straight run of 83 steps down (and back up) a bluff face

Trailhead: Not a formal trail - the beach is reached by a staircase down from Upper Lake Park on the bluff above Lake Michigan (address area 500 N. Lake St.), or via a flatter route through Veterans Park just south of the beach.

No hiking trail is involved; this is a short bluff staircase. Visitors who prefer to avoid stairs can reach the beach at lake level via Veterans Park instead.

A 2022 visitor account noted North Beach Park had been 'closed recently' and suggested confirming status before a trip; no independent source confirmed a current closure or reopening.

Plan your visit

Bringing kids

OK with supervision

Sandy, gently-sloping Lake Michigan beach good for kids on calm days, but this is open Great Lake water, not a sheltered swimming hole. A documented rip-current death of a 15-year-old occurred here in 2012, prompting the city (with UW-Madison engineers) to install a real-time 'BLINK' rip-current warning kiosk (red/yellow/green lights). A source notes water 'may sometimes be just knee-high but it can be strong enough to pull a physically fit and otherwise strong swimmer into deeper and more dangerous water.' No source confirms lifeguards on duty. Parents should check the BLINK kiosk/flag status before letting kids swim.

On the water

KayaksCanoesPaddleboards

North Beach is open, unrestricted Lake Michigan shoreline with no formal boat launch; no posted watercraft rules were found for the beach itself. A 2016 kayaking fatality reported near neighboring South Beach indicates people do paddle in this stretch of lake, and local outfitters (see rentals) run kayak/SUP trips out of the Port Washington area. No restriction language (e.g., no-wake, electric-only) was found for this specific beach.

Rentals nearby

Sherper's

Kayak, canoe, tandem kayak, and SUP (stand-up paddleboard) rentals, plus general outdoor/watersport gear sales

Prices: $45/day for single kayaks and canoes; $55/day for tandem kayaks, SUPs, and premium rentals - includes paddles, life jackets, foam blocks, and tie-down straps

128 N. Franklin St, Port Washington, WI (262-536-4210) - about 1 mile from North Beach; rental pickup as early as 10am, return by 10am the next day

Silent Wake Kayaking

Kayak instruction, guided paddling trips, and outfitting (sampler sessions, skills courses, moonlight/full-moon group paddles, multi-day trips) rather than plain hourly gear rental

Prices: Kayak Sampler ~$30; Kickstart/Essentials course ~$65; rescue course ~$80; other guided trips vary

W4615 County Road H, Fredonia, WI (800-262-9104) - roughly 10-12 miles inland from Port Washington/North Beach

Backstory

The rip current warning kiosk was developed by University of Wisconsin-Madison engineers in response to a 2012 drowning death at North Beach. The visible breakwater lighthouse dates to 1935 and is the second lighthouse to stand at that site.

Port Washington North Beach Park: FAQ

Is Port Washington North Beach Park kid friendly?

How hard is the hike to Port Washington North Beach Park?

A hike is required, about 83 steps one-way (staircase, not a trail) from Upper Lake Park bluff-top down to North Beach to the water (a few minutes each way on the stairs). Wear real shoes, since approaches to natural swim spots are often rocky or rooty.

Where do I park for Port Washington North Beach Park?

The City of Port Washington's official parks page (portwashingtonwi.gov) returned 403 to automated fetch and no secondary source stated parking type, cost, or exact lot location, so this remains unconfirmed. Access points are Upper Lake Park (bluff-top, via staircase) and Veterans Park (flatter route).

Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Port Washington North Beach Park?

What water body is Port Washington North Beach Park on?

Port Washington North Beach Park is on Lake Michigan, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.