The extreme heat has passed, for now, but residents are still looking for ways to cool off in Livingston County this summer.
For a list of local 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.
There’s also information available for test results at public beaches. Swimmers can find answers to those questions at milivcounty.gov/environmental-health/beaches.
In the meantime, here’s our non-exhaustive list of swimming spots in Livingston County to consider this summer:
Thompson Lake at Scofield Park
Where: Corner of Thompson Street and Barnard Street in Howell
Scofield Park recently unveiled new updates, including ADA-accessible bathrooms, a refreshed concessions area by the beachfront and an accessible kayak launch. Vehicles need a pass to enter the park, available for purchase at Howell City Hall or at the kiosk on-site. More information is available at cityofhowell.org.
Bishop Lake: Brighton State Recreation Area, Hamburg Township
Where: 6360 Chilson Road
According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Brighton State Recreation Area has nine lakes, five campgrounds, a beach, 35 miles of trails, boating access, disc golf and fishing areas. Visitors must have an updated 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.
Church Lake: Wildwood Ranch, Osceola Township
Where: Corner of Brophy Road and Hughes Road
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.
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.
Dibrova Lake: Green Valley Camp, Green Oak
Where: 8400 Maltby Road
Dibrova Lake is part of the Dibrova Ukrainian Association, used as “a summer refuge to five generations,” 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.
Kent Lake: Island Lake Recreation Area, Green Oak
Where: I-96 and Kensington Road
Island Lake Recreation Area has the usual summer outdoor activities, plus a “modern shooting range,” according to the DNR. You’ll need a recreation passport to enter. Kent Lake is one of two beaches in the park, which has about 4,000 acres of land for mountain biking, paddling, hiking, swimming, triathlon training, picnicking, hunting, fishing and trapping. Learn more at tinyurl.com/3p36uz83.
Lake Chemung: Lake Chemung Outdoor Resort, Howell
Where: 5205 E. Grand River Ave.
Lake Chemung Outdoor Resort is a year-round RV camp with a beach and indoor pool. Campsites are available for rent, and permanent spots are available to members. Lake Chemung is a natural lake, but has been dammed, enlarging the body of water to approximately 313 acres. Learn more at lcori.com.
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 the business’ website, the resort was once used as a retreat for notable figures like Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and Harvey Firestone. Learn more at waldenwoods.com/family-recreation-resort.
Sandy Bottom Lake: Water’s Edge Camp, Cohoctah
Where: 4100 N. Center Drive
Water’s Edge Camp is a religious 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 has disc golf, horseshoe pits, sand volleyball, basketball courts, baseball fields and nature trails. Learn more at watersedgecamp.org/about-rv-park.
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, such as fishing, swimming and kayaking. Learn more at tinyurl.com/3p36uz83.
Highlander Aquatic and Fitness Center
Located behind Howell High School, the Highlander Pool offers open swim hours to the public, as well as swim lessons, water aerobics and other fitness classes. Classes and lap swim require registration in order to reserve a spot. The pool is also available for birthday parties and other events.
A full schedule for the pool is available at howellschools.com. The schedule is subject to change depending on school closings, staff availability, private events and pool maintenance.
Hartland’s Caroselli Aquatic Center
The pool inside Hartland High School offers open swims on Saturdays and Sundays for $10 per person without a membership. There’s also open swim on Tuesdays and Fridays, during which the leisure pool and big slide are open. A full pool schedule is available at hartlandschools.us.
Brighton High School Pool
Brighton Public Schools offers lap swim, water aerobics and swim lessons at the high school pool. Registration and an updated calendar is available at brightonk12.com.
— Contact reporter Tess Ware at tware@livingstondaily.com.
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Must-read: Our extensive guide to swimming spots in Livingston County
Reporting by Tess Ware, Livingston Daily / Livingston Daily
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