Vilas Park Beach

Our favorite local swimming spot. Clean water especially by Madison lake water standards. Really nice sand beach, shallow and gradual depth water entry. There is a bathroom facility with flush toilets. It’s not great but it does the job. Parking can be a challenge on busy weekend days. If you are looking for a swimming spot in Madison, this is a great one.

Fantastic beach! Best swimming beach in Madison. The water is super clean and not overgrown with algae. The bottom is sandy with minimal vegetation or rocks. Very steady decline of depth. Large beach area. Lifeguards on duty during the weekend hours. It is usually more busy but the swimming area is spacious. Restrooms available.

Very nice sandy beach area by the lake! The swimming area is clear of seaweed (or lakeweed) lol! No bathrooms that I found at least. Nice grass area and shady spots. Parking was tight I was able to find one spot otherwise may have to walk.

It's a nice free beach right outside the zoo. Lifeguards aren't always present and it's a chill spot. It has ropes to divide shallow water from deep which helps with mid aged kids like mine 8-1O because even though they swim they know how far they can go. It's a safe lake not like the great lakes even if it's windy. It's not crystal clear but not disgusting and I'm kinda picky about lakes I swim in or let my kids but I sure wouldn't want a mouthful of the water. 😂

It’s nice, beautiful and amazing. Rental from the shop and kids can play a lot.

Very small, but close to the zoo. Shallow water, but not a ton of places to sit if you go during a crowd.

Had a beautiful day at Vilas !!! Took beautiful pictures ( even captured Eva from Illinois who painted the gorgeous tree on the right. And the 2 lovely women under the tree would be my 2 favorite sister's in the whole world Char & Amy 🥰💞😎 That's what life's about FAMILY...