Silver Lake Beach
Salem Lakes, Wisconsin · on Silver Lake · Silver Lake County Park
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- Yes, see below
- SEASON
- May
About Silver Lake Beach
Silver Lake Beach is the designated swimming beach within Silver Lake Park, a 260-acre Kenosha County park in the village of Silver Lake, Wisconsin. A lifeguard-supervised, sandy freshwater swimming hole with a bathhouse, concession stand, and full day-use park amenities, it makes Silver Lake a straightforward lake to swim in.
The beach sits within Silver Lake Park, a large 260-acre county park property that also contains an 18-hole disc golf course, over 10 miles of mountain biking/hiking trails, a Native American interpretive trail, ball diamond, soccer field, and sand volleyball courts, giving the immediate area a developed, multi-use recreational park character rather than a remote natural setting.
Swimming at Silver Lake Beach
Swimming takes place off a sandy beach on Silver Lake, a natural inland lake, with lifeguards on duty 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the operating season. The setup (bathhouse, concession stand, designated swim area) suits families and casual day visitors rather than backcountry swimmers; a July 2026 local news notice confirms lifeguards are sometimes pulled for poor air quality, with the beach remaining open for swim-at-your-own-risk use in that case.
How to get to this swimming hole
Address is 27000 85th Street, Silver Lake, WI 53170, within the village limits near Salem, Salem Lakes, and Silver Lake; no additional hiking or trail access is needed to reach the beach itself.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up, developed county park beach reached directly from the parking/entrance area with no hike required to swim. The park separately contains over 10 miles of hiking/mountain-biking trails and a Native American interpretive trail, but these are recreational trails elsewhere on the 260-acre property, not access routes to the swimming beach.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
Good for kids
Designated, lifeguard-supervised (10am-6pm during beach season) sandy swim beach on a lake with a bathhouse and adjacent playground, aimed at families/day visitors; no cliffs, currents, or scrambles involved. Note that lifeguards can be pulled during air-quality advisories, leaving swimming at own risk on those days.
Parking
Available
Address is 27000 85th Street, Silver Lake, WI 53170, a drive-up county park with vehicle access. A beach admission fee is charged daily 8am-6pm from May 23-Sept 7 (2026 season) plus July 4th, but sources reviewed did not specify whether this is a per-vehicle parking charge, a per-person gate fee, or the exact dollar amount, nor whether a distinct dedicated parking lot exists separate from park roadways.
Restrooms
Yes
Bathhouse and public restrooms located at the beach itself (per Kenosha County Parks facility list); no separate trailhead restrooms since no hike is involved.
Hours
Park grounds open 7am-10pm daily; beach admission fee enforced 8am-6pm during the May 23-Sept 7 (2026) fee season plus July 4th; lifeguards on duty 10am-6pm during that same season.
On the water
Restrictions: The park's main facility page lists a 'Non-Motorized Watercraft Launch' at Silver Lake Park, meaning kayaks/canoes/paddleboards can be carried in and launched. Note: the county's separate fee schedule page lists both a free non-motorized watercraft rate and a $3/day motorized watercraft rate, which is inconsistent with the 'non-motorized' launch description on the main page, whether motorized boats/jet skis are permitted elsewhere on Silver Lake or via a different access point was not confirmed in sources reviewed, so motorboat is left off the allowed list.
Silver Lake Beach: FAQ
Does Silver Lake Beach charge a fee?
Beach admission fee charged daily 8 a.m.-6 p.m. from Saturday May 23 through Monday September 7 (2026 season), plus on July 4th; exact dollar amounts not confirmed in sources reviewed.
Is Silver Lake Beach kid friendly?
Designated, lifeguard-supervised (10am-6pm during beach season) sandy swim beach on a lake with a bathhouse and adjacent playground, aimed at families/day visitors; no cliffs, currents, or scrambles involved. Note that lifeguards can be pulled during air-quality advisories, leaving swimming at own risk on those days.
Do I need to hike to reach Silver Lake Beach?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Silver Lake Beach?
Address is 27000 85th Street, Silver Lake, WI 53170, a drive-up county park with vehicle access. A beach admission fee is charged daily 8am-6pm from May 23-Sept 7 (2026 season) plus July 4th, but sources reviewed did not specify whether this is a per-vehicle parking charge, a per-person gate fee, or the exact dollar amount, nor whether a distinct dedicated parking lot exists separate from park roadways.
When is the best time to visit Silver Lake Beach?
Late May through early September (Memorial Day-Labor Day), matching the concession stand and beach admission fee season.
What are the rules at Silver Lake Beach?
Lifeguard supervision 10 a.m.-6 p.m. during the season; park overall hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.; swimming is at visitors' own risk when lifeguards are off duty (e.g., during air-quality advisories).
What water body is Silver Lake Beach on?
Silver Lake Beach is on Silver Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
