MAIN Recreation Beaches

As temperatures soar, the longing for someplace cool lures millions of people to the shores of nearby lakes, rivers or ocean beaches.

From the urban jungle to the backwood forests -- summer can only mean one thing. GET ME TO THE BEACH!

Just up ahead, check out our updated survey on beach fun in the USA coast-to-coast.

Whenever possible we've included a beach telephone hotline for areas that feature daily reports on wind, weather, and health advisories along with local beach web cams that offer a look around before you go.

A little light summer reading? We've also included interesting DID YOU KNOW? tidbits about local USA beaches that includes record-breaking beaches in terms of size and popularity (we're looking at you New York, New Jersey, Hawaii, Florida and California) along with related fun facts and beach trivia to help you enjoy lazing the days away.

Along the Eastern shore, famous places like Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts, Block Island in Rhode Island, Rehoboth Beach in Delaware, Virginia Beach in Virginia, Jekyll Island in Georgia, Cape Hatteras in North Carolina, and Myrtle Beach in South Carolina draw millions of visitors every summer.

Cape Cod? Hilton Head? Nope. MIles from any ocean, this is Indiana Dunes
Natonal Park, in the northwestern part of the Hoosier State.

But why stop at the ocean shore? Major midwest areas like Chicago, Illinois and other Great Lake beaches include Warren Dunes State Park in Michigan, Big Bay State Park in Wisconsin, and Presque Isle State Park in Erie, Pennsylvania which have miles of sandy beaches for swimming and basking the day away..

Other top lake beaches around the nation include Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore in Indiana, or even Lake McConaughy in - surprise - Nebraska.

Have fun!

USA Beaches quick links

also see in Summer -> 2024 summer concerts | 2024 Navy Blue Angels schedule

2024 Thunderbirds schedule | How to build a sand castle | Beach party ideas