With so many creeks, rivers, and lakes in Wisconsin, there are plenty of opportunities around our great state to take a dip and wash away some of the summer heat. These swimming holes in Wisconsin are perfect for cooling off on a hot summer day and taking in the sights and sounds of a more natural setting. Grab your sunscreen and make a splash this summer!

  1. Dells of the Eau Claire Park - Aniwa

Flickr/Amy Bayer This swimming hole in Wisconsin rocks…literally! Check out the ancient volcanic rock that’s been worn away by millions of years by the Eau Claire River during your visit. The scenery is beautiful and the rocks do create some waterfalls and rapids, but there are plenty of calmer spots to dip your toes in as well. Dells of the Eau Claire County Park, County Hwy Y, Aniwa, WI 54408, USA

  1. Soo Lake - Newbold

Flirckr/WIDNR Obviously lakes are a great place to cool off, but what makes Soo Lake one of the best lakes in Wisconsin for swimming that that it’s just 13 feet deep. There’s not a lot of boat traffic here and you’ll be able to swim and play to your heart’s content. Soo Lake, Newbold, WI 54501, USA

  1. Minooka Park - Waukesha

TripAdvisor/TheRealCyclops This 4-acre pond has lifeguards on duty which is perfect for family adventures with the kids. The shoreline is peppered with trees that provide ample shade, and the scenery is just picture-perfect. Minooka Parkway Estates, Waukesha, WI 53186, USA

  1. Turtle Creek - Beloit

Flickr/oldonliner Turtle Creek is a picturesque little swimming hole in Wisconsin that flows from Turtle Lake near Delavan, Wisconsin to the Rock River in South Beloit, Illinois. The calm little scenic waterway offers plenty of opportunities to slip in the water and cool off. Turtle Creek, Wisconsin, USA

  1. Amnicon Falls - South Range

Flickr/l.hilleshelm The Amnicon River creates plenty of opportunity to take a dip here in this state park. Check out the waterfalls and enjoy your time in this natural swimming hole in Wisconsin. Amnicon Falls, WI 54874, USA

  1. Redgranite Quarry - Redgranite

Flickr/Sandor Weisz Redgranite is one of the best quarry lakes in Wisconsin, but don’t go here without supervision and strong swimmers. This former quarry draws folks from all over to relax and enjoy a day out of the heat, a wonderful spot to spend a summer day. Redgranite, WI 54970, USA

  1. Willow Flowage - Little Rice

FLickr/WIDNR Isolated from roads and development, the Willow Flowage is an artificial lake in Oneida County formed by a dam on the Tomahawk River. There are 106 islands and 73 miles of shoreline here, almost all of it undeveloped. It’s a bit of a wilderness escape, but one of the best lakes places to swim in Wisconsin without dealing with large crowds. Willow Reservoir, Little Rice, WI 54531, USA

  1. Hartman Creek State Park

Flickr/WIDNR Located at the southern end of the Chain O’ Lakes, this state park in Wisconsin has the eponymous creek, but also several small lakes that lack the traffic of the larger ones further north, so they’re great for swimming. Hartman Creek Road, Hartman Creek Rd, Wisconsin 54981, USA

  1. Fox Brook Park - Brookfield

April Scott/Google This former quarry is a great place to cool off or play in the sand. The white sandy beach is one of the most popular beaches in Wisconsin, so you may find large crowds here on the weekends. Fox Brook Road, Fox Brook Rd, Redfield, NY 13493, USA

  1. Willow River State Park - Hudson

Flickr/Thomas Martin Willow River State Park has tons to offer the outdoor enthusiast and there are plenty of places to slide into the river and cool off after a busy and hectic day. Willow River, Wisconsin, USA

  1. Quarry Beach - Sheboygan

Facebook/Quarry Beach Part swimming hole, part water park, Quarry Beach is one of the best places to swim in Wisconsin and brings folks in from all over the state. Just look at that view! Quarry Road, Quarry Rd, Rock Springs, WI 53961, USA

Want even more places to beat the summer heat this year? Waterparks are always a thrilling adventure, and Wisconsin has some awesome ones!

Flickr/Amy Bayer

This swimming hole in Wisconsin rocks…literally! Check out the ancient volcanic rock that’s been worn away by millions of years by the Eau Claire River during your visit. The scenery is beautiful and the rocks do create some waterfalls and rapids, but there are plenty of calmer spots to dip your toes in as well.

Dells of the Eau Claire County Park, County Hwy Y, Aniwa, WI 54408, USA

Flirckr/WIDNR

Obviously lakes are a great place to cool off, but what makes Soo Lake one of the best lakes in Wisconsin for swimming that that it’s just 13 feet deep. There’s not a lot of boat traffic here and you’ll be able to swim and play to your heart’s content.

Soo Lake, Newbold, WI 54501, USA

TripAdvisor/TheRealCyclops

This 4-acre pond has lifeguards on duty which is perfect for family adventures with the kids. The shoreline is peppered with trees that provide ample shade, and the scenery is just picture-perfect.

Minooka Parkway Estates, Waukesha, WI 53186, USA

Flickr/oldonliner

Turtle Creek is a picturesque little swimming hole in Wisconsin that flows from Turtle Lake near Delavan, Wisconsin to the Rock River in South Beloit, Illinois. The calm little scenic waterway offers plenty of opportunities to slip in the water and cool off.

Turtle Creek, Wisconsin, USA

Flickr/l.hilleshelm

The Amnicon River creates plenty of opportunity to take a dip here in this state park. Check out the waterfalls and enjoy your time in this natural swimming hole in Wisconsin.

Amnicon Falls, WI 54874, USA

Flickr/Sandor Weisz

Redgranite is one of the best quarry lakes in Wisconsin, but don’t go here without supervision and strong swimmers. This former quarry draws folks from all over to relax and enjoy a day out of the heat, a wonderful spot to spend a summer day.

Redgranite, WI 54970, USA

FLickr/WIDNR

Isolated from roads and development, the Willow Flowage is an artificial lake in Oneida County formed by a dam on the Tomahawk River. There are 106 islands and 73 miles of shoreline here, almost all of it undeveloped. It’s a bit of a wilderness escape, but one of the best lakes places to swim in Wisconsin without dealing with large crowds.

Willow Reservoir, Little Rice, WI 54531, USA

Flickr/WIDNR

Located at the southern end of the Chain O’ Lakes, this state park in Wisconsin has the eponymous creek, but also several small lakes that lack the traffic of the larger ones further north, so they’re great for swimming.

Hartman Creek Road, Hartman Creek Rd, Wisconsin 54981, USA

April Scott/Google

This former quarry is a great place to cool off or play in the sand. The white sandy beach is one of the most popular beaches in Wisconsin, so you may find large crowds here on the weekends.

Fox Brook Road, Fox Brook Rd, Redfield, NY 13493, USA

Flickr/Thomas Martin

Willow River State Park has tons to offer the outdoor enthusiast and there are plenty of places to slide into the river and cool off after a busy and hectic day.

Willow River, Wisconsin, USA

Facebook/Quarry Beach

Part swimming hole, part water park, Quarry Beach is one of the best places to swim in Wisconsin and brings folks in from all over the state. Just look at that view!

Quarry Road, Quarry Rd, Rock Springs, WI 53961, USA

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The OIYS Visitor Center

swimming holes in wisconsin June 14, 2022 Jackie Ann What are the most beautiful beaches in Wisconsin? Wisconsin may be a landlocked state, but that doesn’t stop us from having beaches so beautiful, that you’ll think you’re on a tropical island somewhere. Not only is Julian Bay Beach one of the best places to swim in Wisconsin, but it’s also home to one of the most beautiful beaches in the state. Located on Stockton Island, you’ll need to hop on a ferry to get there, but once you lay out along the 1.5-mile beach, you’ll agree that it’s worth the extra effort. Julian Bay Beach is also known for one of the more bizarre phenomena in Wisconsin, and you might just hear the sand barking. Yep, that’s right… barking. Where can I go tubing in Wisconsin? River tubing is one of the best summertime adventures, and Wisconsin is home to several waterways that are great for throwing a tube in and letting the current take you away. The Namekagon River is one of the most popular rivers for tubing in Wisconsin, and there are several sandbars along the shoreline so you can stop and splash around for a bit to stretch your legs. Another great option is floating down the Apple River, and River’s Edge is a long-time favorite for renting tubes along this river in Wisconsin. Are there any inflatable waterparks in Wisconsin? Inflatable waterparks have grown in popularity over the years, and if you’ve never visited one, you’re in for a treat. Fondy Aqua Park in Fond du Lac has one of the best inflatable waterparks in the state, and the printing freshwater pond is one of the best places for swimming in Wisconsin. There’s even a sandy beach and boat rental opportunities, so you’ll never run out of things to do at this epic waterpark.

The OIYS Visitor Center

swimming holes in wisconsin

June 14, 2022

Jackie Ann

What are the most beautiful beaches in Wisconsin? Wisconsin may be a landlocked state, but that doesn’t stop us from having beaches so beautiful, that you’ll think you’re on a tropical island somewhere. Not only is Julian Bay Beach one of the best places to swim in Wisconsin, but it’s also home to one of the most beautiful beaches in the state. Located on Stockton Island, you’ll need to hop on a ferry to get there, but once you lay out along the 1.5-mile beach, you’ll agree that it’s worth the extra effort. Julian Bay Beach is also known for one of the more bizarre phenomena in Wisconsin, and you might just hear the sand barking. Yep, that’s right… barking. Where can I go tubing in Wisconsin? River tubing is one of the best summertime adventures, and Wisconsin is home to several waterways that are great for throwing a tube in and letting the current take you away. The Namekagon River is one of the most popular rivers for tubing in Wisconsin, and there are several sandbars along the shoreline so you can stop and splash around for a bit to stretch your legs. Another great option is floating down the Apple River, and River’s Edge is a long-time favorite for renting tubes along this river in Wisconsin. Are there any inflatable waterparks in Wisconsin? Inflatable waterparks have grown in popularity over the years, and if you’ve never visited one, you’re in for a treat. Fondy Aqua Park in Fond du Lac has one of the best inflatable waterparks in the state, and the printing freshwater pond is one of the best places for swimming in Wisconsin. There’s even a sandy beach and boat rental opportunities, so you’ll never run out of things to do at this epic waterpark.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Wisconsin may be a landlocked state, but that doesn’t stop us from having beaches so beautiful, that you’ll think you’re on a tropical island somewhere. Not only is Julian Bay Beach one of the best places to swim in Wisconsin, but it’s also home to one of the most beautiful beaches in the state. Located on Stockton Island, you’ll need to hop on a ferry to get there, but once you lay out along the 1.5-mile beach, you’ll agree that it’s worth the extra effort. Julian Bay Beach is also known for one of the more bizarre phenomena in Wisconsin, and you might just hear the sand barking. Yep, that’s right… barking.

Where can I go tubing in Wisconsin?

River tubing is one of the best summertime adventures, and Wisconsin is home to several waterways that are great for throwing a tube in and letting the current take you away. The Namekagon River is one of the most popular rivers for tubing in Wisconsin, and there are several sandbars along the shoreline so you can stop and splash around for a bit to stretch your legs. Another great option is floating down the Apple River, and River’s Edge is a long-time favorite for renting tubes along this river in Wisconsin.

Are there any inflatable waterparks in Wisconsin?

Inflatable waterparks have grown in popularity over the years, and if you’ve never visited one, you’re in for a treat. Fondy Aqua Park in Fond du Lac has one of the best inflatable waterparks in the state, and the printing freshwater pond is one of the best places for swimming in Wisconsin. There’s even a sandy beach and boat rental opportunities, so you’ll never run out of things to do at this epic waterpark.