South Park Beach
Waupaca, Wisconsin · on Shadow Lake · South Park
Verified · 3 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- No fee found
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About South Park Beach
South Park Beach is a lifeguard-staffed public swimming beach on Shadow Lake, part of the City of Waupaca's South Park in Waupaca, Wisconsin. It is an official city recreation facility and a well-equipped swimming hole, with a sand beach, a diving dock with slides, and a kiddie dock, and Shadow Lake is an easy lake to swim in, open daily with supervised swimming from Memorial Day weekend through late August.
South Park is a city park located at 921 S. Main Street in Waupaca, situated between Mirror Lake and Shadow Lake (part of Waupaca's Chain O'Lakes). The grounds include an upper section with the park's largest shelter, playground equipment, and picnic areas, and a lower section with a smaller shelter, additional playground equipment, and grills, plus a network of trails through the property.
Swimming at South Park Beach
Swimming takes place at a sand beach on Shadow Lake with a lifeguard-staffed swim area (Memorial Day weekend through late August, weather permitting). The facility includes a diving dock with slides for swimmers who pass a front-crawl proficiency test to access deeper water, and a separate kiddie dock for young children. Swimming outside staffed hours is allowed within park hours (6am-10pm) but at the swimmer's own risk.
How to get to this swimming hole
The beach and park are located at 921 S. Main Street, Waupaca, Wisconsin, on the shore of Shadow Lake between Mirror Lake and Shadow Lake.
The hike in
South Park has its own network of trails through the grounds (per city park page), but these are separate park walking trails, not a required approach to the beach, the beach sits directly on Shadow Lake within the park with drive-up access.
Drive-up city park beach; no hike needed to reach the water.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
Good for kids
Lifeguard-staffed sand beach (Memorial Day weekend through late August) with a separate kiddie dock for young children plus a main diving dock/slides gated by a front-crawl swim test for deeper water; flotation devices are banned in the deep section, so non-swimmers are kept to shallower supervised water.
Restrooms
Yes
Bathhouse with restrooms/porta-potty at the beach, per the City of Waupaca's South Park Beach page.
Hours
Park open daily 6am-10pm; lifeguard-staffed swim season runs Memorial Day weekend through late August, weather permitting (unsupervised swimming allowed within park hours at own risk).
On the water
City of Waupaca's South Park page lists 'Canoe/Kayak Access' and a 'Boat Launch' among park features on Shadow Lake, but does not spell out motor/no-wake restrictions or specific rules for the swim beach area itself, so those are left unconfirmed rather than assumed.
South Park Beach: FAQ
Is South Park Beach kid friendly?
Lifeguard-staffed sand beach (Memorial Day weekend through late August) with a separate kiddie dock for young children plus a main diving dock/slides gated by a front-crawl swim test for deeper water; flotation devices are banned in the deep section, so non-swimmers are kept to shallower supervised water.
Do I need to hike to reach South Park Beach?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for South Park Beach?
Neither official City of Waupaca park page (South Park or South Park Beach) states parking lot location, size, or cost; could not be confirmed via search.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to South Park Beach?
City of Waupaca's South Park page lists 'Canoe/Kayak Access' and a 'Boat Launch' among park features on Shadow Lake, but does not spell out motor/no-wake restrictions or specific rules for the swim beach area itself, so those are left unconfirmed rather than assumed.
When is the best time to visit South Park Beach?
Summer (lifeguard-staffed season runs Memorial Day weekend through late August); park itself is open daily 6am-10pm.
What are the rules at South Park Beach?
Lifeguards on duty Memorial Day weekend through late August, weather permitting; swimmers must pass a front-crawl proficiency test to use deep water areas; no glass or alcohol; no dogs; no flotation devices allowed in deep sections; no bikes or skateboards; lifeguards have authority to remove patrons; beach water is tested weekly for E. coli during the swimming season with status determined by EPA guidelines.
What water body is South Park Beach on?
South Park Beach is on Shadow Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
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