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We like spending a day at Silver Beach County Park, as it’s always a relaxing time for us. It’s a popular area in St. Joseph, and there’s more to do than dipping your toes in the water.
Getting some fresh air and walking along the shores of Lake Michigan are some of the things we like to do. Plus, catching a sunset off the pier is a real treat.
I’ll tell you about our experience, what to know and expect, and share some personal photos. You might want to check it out for yourself.
Getting There
From where I was staying, we basically took US-31 North to M-139 North. Then we followed the signs towards downtown St. Joseph.
There are two parts to Silver Beach: the St. Joseph side and the Benton Harbor side. I’ve been to both, but prefer St. Joseph because that’s more of a beach and where all the action is.
You can find free parking on the streets in the downtown area. We usually park here, and it’s an easy walk down.
To park at the beach, you’ll have to pay. The last time we went, they had new metered parking, but they also have a ticketed lot too.
Visiting Silver Beach County Park
The beach is open daily from 5 a.m. to sunset every day. Yes, they are open in the winter too, and we’ve visited during the icy cold weather.
By the way, people come here to go fishing in the colder months. You can still park in the lot, but there’s no overnight parking.
Historic Playground
I’ve been coming to this beach for years, so I’ll have to dive into some history. This park has gone through some changes and didn’t always look like this.
In the 1800s, this was the Channel Business District. They did agricultural and industrial trade here.
It was also a place of transportation on Lake Michigan. People would take ferries from the South Pier docks and ride to Chicago.
In the 1900s, this was a place filled with factories, lumber mills, and iron works. But by the 1950s, the industrial and shipping areas diminished.
Did you know there was also the Silver Beach Amusement Park here that got demolished in the 1970s?
Well, today there’s the Silver Beach Carousel, with a center to explore more about the beach. We’ve taken my nephew here many times, and he absolutely loved it.
Across the way, you’ll find the water park. They have fountains that shoot water, and kids run under them. This is a newer installment because they didn’t have this when I was a kid.
Swimming and Sand
I’ve gone swimming here countless times and spent long days at the beach. So, let me talk about what it’s like.
Now, on a calm day, it’s really nice. But when the waves are high, you’ll want to be careful swimming here.
Around the shore, it’s shallow for a while. We can walk out pretty far until the water starts getting deep.
In the Midwest, you can experience very hot days in summer. This is a great place to cool off, and many people come here exactly for that.
By the way, the water can be very pleasant in the summer and warms up quite nicely. I don’t like swimming in frigid water.
In the summers, it can get pretty crowded. Families love coming here for the kids, as they have a swing set too.
Do you remember the good ol’ days of making sandcastles? Well, the sand here is perfect and not too fine or coarse.
If you want to sit in the shade, you’ll find some benches near the bathrooms.
South Pier
One of the most fun things to do is to walk on South Pier. To get there, you’ll follow the path on the sand or the sidewalk past Shadowland Pavilion and the big sculpture.
But you can find people fishing off both piers and others strolling around. And boats might pass you as they come and go from the docks.
When it’s windy, the waves may get really high, and you’ll want to be careful. I never walk here when the waves are lapping over the pier.
Unfortunately, there have been people who have been swept over or who have jumped off this pier and didn’t make it.
Note that if you want to see the lighthouse, it’s on the Benton Harbor side. And that pier seems to get more waves, so I don’t walk on that one.
When we were younger, we lost a beach ball over there. But no one was going to jump in to get it, that’s for sure!
At the end of the pier, we found people sitting and jumping off the edge. People love to watch sunsets here, as it’s just magical as the golden light reflects off the waves.
Food and Train
If you’re at the beach and get hungry, they have a cute snack bar. We’ve tried the hot dogs here, but usually bring our food in a cooler.
If you walk away from the beach, past the carousel and water park, you’ll come to the train tracks. Well, there’s an Amtrak Train Station and Silver Beach Pizza.
Yes, the train still runs and the restaurant is alive. In fact, if you want to eat there, make a reservation.
Whenever we go, there might be an hour wait, and they’ll text you when they’ve got seating. So if you’re wrapping it up at the beach, you’ll want to put yourself on the list.
By the way, you’ll find the stairs that lead to the top where you can explore downtown St. Joseph. But that could be a separate adventure of its own.
Travel Notes
Of course, the best time of year to visit would be summer because winter is just too cold. But if you’re into fishing, I know people who go.
Summers can also get brutally hot here, so you’ll still want to wear sunscreen, a hat, and shade. Many people bring umbrellas to this beach, and if you plan to stay the day, I would too.
This beach can get packed, especially because many Chicago people frequent this area. So if you go during the peak season, you’ll want to get there early to find parking.
Other options for free parking might be to park further up the downtown area or on the Benton Harbor side. But you’ll have a further walk.
Final Thoughts
Visiting Silver Beach is a relaxing way to spend time in the area. My favorite part is walking the pier and seeing the sun go down at the end of a long day.
Plus, some people claim that on a clear day, you can see Chicago across Lake Michigan. Well, I don’t know about that, but I’ve definitely seen some amazing sunsets here.
More Travel Adventures
I have many other related posts on my blog. You might want to check them out.
- While you’re in the area, why not visit downtown St. Joseph?
- Speaking of Chicago, one of the most fun things we’ve done is an architecture river tour.
- If you want to visit a place with many more little lakes and a lot of history, swing by Dowagiac.
- Also, outside of Chicago, you’ll find Indiana Dunes State Park with hiking trails and more fun.
I’d love to hear about your travel adventures!
Originally published: November 21, 2025
