Allegany State Park – Quaker Area
2373 ASP, Route 1, Salamanca, NY 716-354-2182 (sandy beach for swimming)
See map location here.
Allegany State Park – Red House Area
2373 ASP, Route 1, Salamanca, NY 716-354-9121 (sandy beach for swimming)
See map location here.
Beaver Island State Park
2136 West Oakfield Road, Grand Island, NY 716-773-3271 (a half mile sandy beach for swimming) Dawn to dusk, swimming 11am-7pm. Fees: $7 per car when swimming and $6 per car without swimming. Lifeguards on duty during swimming hours. Changing rooms and showers available.
See map location here
Bennett Beach (swimming not allowed until lifeguards are hired the end of June) Review: Pros: The beach is great! Tons of sand! The swimming section seems to be bigger generally. There’s a nice playground, maybe two. hours are 7am-9pm, swimming hours are 11am-7pm
FYI: the beach is a long, arduous treck through a trail, over a bridge, then another trail that is always covered in a foot of sand. Great for defining those calve muscles, but tough with a lot of gear.
See map location here.
Darien Lakes State Park Reviews: We love it there! Nice sand, gentle slope out into the water, life guards, playground and picnic areas nearby. This beach is especially great with younger children!
Evangola State Park
10191 Old Lake Shore Road, Irving, NY 716 549-1802 (natural sand beach on Lake Erie) Hours are dawn to dusk, swimming 11am-7pm. Fees: $7 per car when swimming and $6 without swimming. Lifeguards are on site.
See map location here.
Fort Niagara State Park: Rte 18F in Youngstown. Dawn to dusk, swimming hours are 11:15 – 6:45pm. Fees: $8 per car Swimming/sliding/wading pool open late June through the first week of September. $3 for adults (ages 13 and up), $1.50 kids 6-12 and kids 5 and under free. (thank you, Buffalo Spree for the info)
Hamlin Beach State Park Swimming: 6/16 – 9/3, 11 am – 6:45 pm.
1 Camp Road, Hamlin, NY 585 964-2462 (clear water and sandy beach)
See map location here
Lake Erie State Park
5905 Lake Road, Brocton, NY 716 792-9214(swimming)
See map location here.
Lake Erie Beach Park: 9568 Lake Shore Rd in Evans. Hours are 8am-10pm, swimming hours are noon-7pm. Fees: FREE Open sometime in June through Labor Day. Lifeguards are on duty.
1028 South Shore Dr. Irving, NY (This is a clean, sandy beach. I’ve heard mixed reviews on this beach – some say it can be not very family friendly with more of a party-type atmosphere and others say they haven’t had a problem)
See map location here.
Wendt Beach (swimming is not allowed)
7676 Old Lake Shore Road Derby, NY 14047 (716) 947-5660 (a rocky beach) Reviews: Pros:has a bathroom, playground, and BBQ setups near the parking lot. The walk to the beach is short, so it’s good for those of us who tend to bring too much . It’s generally not too crowded. Cons: last year there was no sand. It was 96% rock & seaweed. The swimming section tends to be smaller. See map location here.
Wilson-Tuscarora State Park: 3371 Lake Rd in Wilson. Hours are dawn to dusk and swimming hours are 11am-7pm. Fees: $7 per car when swimming and $6 per car without swimming. Admission charge between the hours of 9am and 6pm
Woodlawn Beach State Park
S-3580 Lakeshore Road, Blasdell, NY 716 826-1930 (One-mile long natural sand beach) Reviews: Lots of sand and a playground and bounce houses. Hours are dawn to dusk and swimming hours 10:30am-7:30pm. Fees: $7 per car when swimming and $6 without swimming.
As an aside, our family enjoys Crystal Beach just across the border in Canada! See map location here.
