Summit Lake Public Beach
Summit Lake, Wisconsin · on Summit Lake · Langlade County Forest
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $75/day
- SEASON
- Varies by conditions
About Summit Lake Public Beach
Summit Lake Public Beach is a designated swimming beach at Summit Lake County Park, managed by Langlade County Forestry, Parks and Recreation, located off Highway 45 about 20 miles north of Antigo, Wisconsin. The park sits on Summit Lake, a 279-acre drainage lake, and offers a sandy roped-off swimming area alongside picnic, playground, and boat launch facilities, a straightforward county-park swimming hole for families wanting a lake to swim in.
The park is set on Summit Lake, a 279-acre drainage lake with a maximum depth of 29 feet, in Langlade County Forest land in far northern Langlade County, roughly 5 miles south of Elcho, WI. The lake supports largemouth bass, panfish, musky, northern pike, and walleye, indicating a typical northern Wisconsin mixed lake environment rather than a wilderness backcountry setting.
Swimming at Summit Lake Public Beach
The park has a sandy beach with a roped-off designated swimming area on Summit Lake. There is no lifeguard on duty, so swimming is at one's own risk. Fishing is prohibited within the roped swim area, which suggests the swim zone is separated from the rest of the shoreline used for boating/fishing.
How to get to this swimming hole
Located off Highway 45, approximately 20 miles north of Antigo, WI and about 5 miles south of Elcho, WI.
Parking: Designated parking area on site; the county park rules state all motorized vehicles must remain in the designated parking area.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up county park beach off Highway 45; no trail or hike is involved to reach the water.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Sandy beach with a buoy/rope-marked designated swim area and no fishing allowed inside it, which keeps the immediate swim zone separated from boat traffic and anglers. However there is no lifeguard on duty (swim at own risk), so young kids need active adult supervision rather than relying on staff.
Parking
Free
Designated on-site parking area at the county park; county rules require all motorized vehicles to stay within the marked lot. No day-use parking or admission fee is mentioned. The open-air pavilion can be reserved separately for an extra fee (listed as $75/day on the county forestry & parks page, though a Langlade County Chamber listing shows $55/day, call 715-627-6300 to confirm current rate).
Restrooms
Yes
Vaulted restrooms (also described as outhouses) plus separate changing rooms on site at the park, near the picnic/playground area.
Hours
7:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily (Langlade County park hours)
On the water
Restrictions: No fishing (and by extension no boat traffic) is allowed inside the roped/buoy-marked designated swimming area; boats are expected to use the separate paved boat landing. No specific horsepower limit or no-wake designation was found in county or chamber sources.
The county park has its own paved public boat landing distinct from the swim beach, on a 279-acre, 29-foot-deep lake that supports musky, walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, and panfish, consistent with general recreational boating and fishing use rather than a paddle-only lake.
Summit Lake Public Beach: FAQ
Does Summit Lake Public Beach charge a fee?
No fee mentioned for beach/day use; the open-air pavilion is available for rental at $75/day with advance reservation (call 715-627-6300).
Is Summit Lake Public Beach kid friendly?
Sandy beach with a buoy/rope-marked designated swim area and no fishing allowed inside it, which keeps the immediate swim zone separated from boat traffic and anglers. However there is no lifeguard on duty (swim at own risk), so young kids need active adult supervision rather than relying on staff.
Do I need to hike to reach Summit Lake Public Beach?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Summit Lake Public Beach?
Designated on-site parking area at the county park; county rules require all motorized vehicles to stay within the marked lot. No day-use parking or admission fee is mentioned. The open-air pavilion can be reserved separately for an extra fee (listed as $75/day on the county forestry & parks page, though a Langlade County Chamber listing shows $55/day, call 715-627-6300 to confirm current rate).
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Summit Lake Public Beach?
The county park has its own paved public boat landing distinct from the swim beach, on a 279-acre, 29-foot-deep lake that supports musky, walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, and panfish, consistent with general recreational boating and fishing use rather than a paddle-only lake.
What are the rules at Summit Lake Public Beach?
Park hours 7:00am-10:00pm. No lifeguard on duty (swim at own risk). No fishing within the designated roped swimming area. Pets not allowed on or in any public swimming beach area. No overnight camping permitted. Fireworks and firearms prohibited. All motorized vehicles must remain in the designated parking area.
What water body is Summit Lake Public Beach on?
Summit Lake Public Beach is on Summit Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
