Erika M.
Yelp
We didn't camp this time, but the sites look clean and maintained, although close together with little visual separation (bushes, trees, etc.).
This is a very nice beach for day use. The beach is clean and maintained, and the dunes are largely clear of seaweed and floating lake debris.
The "cabana" (building for changing) has hot (as in etch the skin off hot) showers and changing space, and is pretty clean. And, it's all free (showers).
The park entrance fee for day use was $7 per carload...quite reasonable.
So, why only two stars? Well, let's say that the rules are a bit whack!
I'll explain. There is Cumberland Bay State Park and the Plattsburgh City Park; they both have space on this long stretch of Lake Champlain beach. In between these two parks there is a huge section of undisturbed dunes...beautiful sandy beach and nary a soul in the water. Yet, on either end of this unused beach and lake front are two small roped off sections; one is the city park, the other is Cumberland Bay...each have their own lifeguards.
We set up our chairs about equidistant between the two roped areas, careful to avoid the large crowds on either end. We thought we had scored the sweetest spot on the beach. Then we discovered why there were masses of people corralled on these polar locations and pristine and unused beach between them. Within a half hour of commencing water fun we were approached by a lifeguard on a kayak who had come to shoo us away from the open water into these roped in swimming areas...we weren't allowed to be in the water between these two fenced in areas. It is also worth noting here that the water is barely chest-deep at the deepest point in this small roped off area...not good for actual swimming.
The rest of the afternoon was spent dodging lifeguards (and having to explain to our children why we were skirting the rules) and the crowds of people. The kids were bored (remember swimming was impractical because it was crowded and shallow) and we (parents) quickly grew tired of the repeated air horns, whistles, and bull horn announcements by the "Beach Gestapo" - so named by my German husband.
There are so many parks and beaches on Lake Champlain where you are FREE to have fun that we will be crossing this park off the "places to go" list. If you want a good dunes beach, go to Alburgh Dunes State Park in Vermont. No bells and whistles, but a great beach and...FREEDOM to enjoy it.
There were LOTS of people there, and they seemed to be enjoying themselves, but being harangued by lifeguards is NOT our idea of a good time. We wouldn't recommend this park, and we won't be going back.