LIVINGSTON COUNTY — Summer is in full swing and local lakes are finally warm enough for swimming.
Livingston County has a mix of beaches open to the public and others available to members or campers.
For a list of Livingston beaches, down to the exact coordinates, closures and advisories, water sample results, and monitoring information, visit the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy at tinyurl.com/257zzn2b.
The county also has information on testing results at public beaches. Swimmers can find answers to questions like “How do I know if it's safe to swim?” and “What are the risks associated with bacteria in the water?” at milivcounty.gov/environmental-health/beaches.
Here's our non-exhaustive list of local beaches for swimming, fishing, boating and more:
1) Bishop Lake: Brighton State Recreation Area, Hamburg Township
Where: 6360 Chilson Road
According to the Department of Natural Resources, Brighton Recreation Area has nine lakes, five campgrounds, a beach, 35 miles of trails, boating access, disc golf and fishing areas. Visitors must have a 2024 recreation passport, which can be purchased when renewing your license plate through the Secretary of State.
The passport grants access to any state park. Learn more at www2.dnr.state.mi.us/ParksandTrails/Details.aspx.
2) Church Lake: Wildwood Ranch, Osceola Township
Where: Corner of Brophy and Hughes
Wildwood Ranch is a summer camp with facilities available to rent for retreats, camps and conferences. Campers can rent kayaks and paddleboards or access the Olympic-sized pool, jacuzzi or sauna. Learn more at explorebrightonhowellarea.com/profile/wildwood-ranch.
3) Cook Lake: Taylor's Beach, Cohoctah Township
Where: 6197 N. Burkhart Road
Taylor’s Beach is a campground with seasonal, overnight, weekly and monthly rental options — plus access to Cook Lake. Learn more at taylorsbeachcampground.com.
4) Dibrova Lake: Green Valley Camp, Green Oak
Where? 8400 Maltby Road
Dibrova Lake is part of the Dibrova Ukrainian Association and a “summer refuge to five generations of Michigan’s Ukrainian Community,” according to its website. Visitors must purchase a daily or seasonal pass and be accompanied by an association member in order to access the park. Learn more at dibrova.org/partners.
5) Kent Lake: Island Lake Recreation Area, Green Oak
Where? I-96 and Kensington Road
Island Lake Recreation Area has the usual summer outdoor activities, but also has a “modern shooting range,” according to the DNR. A recreation passport is needed to get into the park. Kent Lake is one of two beaches in the park, which has around 4,000 acres of land for mountain biking, paddling, hiking, swimming, triathlon training, picnicking, hunting, fishing and trapping. Learn more at tinyurl.com/3p36uz83.
6) Lake Chemung: Lake Chemung Outdoor Resort, Howell
Where? 5205 E. Grand River Ave.
Lake Chemung Outdoor Resort is a year-round RV resort with a beach and indoor pool. Campsites are available for rent, or permanent spots are available to members. Lake Chemung is a natural lake, but has been dammed to enlarge it to approximately 313 acres. Learn more at lcori.com.
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7) Lake Walden: Waldenwoods Resort, Hartland Township
Where? 2975 Old US-23
Waldenwoods Resort is a private recreation area for families with memberships. Members can use the beach, outdoor pool, hiking trails and fishing spots while staying in a cabin or campsite. According to its website, the resort was once used as a business retreat for notable figures like Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and Harvey Firestone. Learn more at waldenwoods.com/family-recreation-resort.
8) Sandy Bottom Lake: Water's Edge Camp, Cohoctah
Where? 4100 N. Center Drive
Water’s Edge Camp is a Christian organization with summer camps for children. It also has an RV park open May 1-Oct. 15 with lake access for swimming, fishing and canoeing. The park also has disc golf, horseshoe pits, sand volleyball, basketball courts, baseball fields and nature trails. Learn more at watersedgecamp.org/about-RV-park.
9) Spring Mill Pond: Island Lake Recreation Area, Green Oak
Where? I-96 and Kensington Road
Spring Mill Pond is the other designated swimming spot in Island Lake Recreation Area. A park map marks what activities are permitted in various locations in the park like fishing, swimming and kayaking. Learn more at tinyurl.com/3p36uz83.
10) Thompson Lake: Scofield Park in Howell
Where? 1100 City Park
Thompson Lake is part of Scofield Park. The lake has a beach and a boat launch, and is a great option for anyone interested in a beach day without having to camp overnight or purchase a recreation passport. Learn more at cityofhowell.org/city_departments/parks_and_cemetery/parks.php.
— Contact reporter Tess Ware attware@livingstondaily.com.
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