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1. Access to South Pier

Park visitors can access the South Pier, at the mouth of the St. Joseph River, from Silver Beach County Park. Always proceed with extreme caution, and stay off the pier during any inclement weather or during wave action on Lake Michigan. The South Pier provides a beautiful view of the St. Joseph Lighthouse. The lighthouse is actually located on the North Pier. The North Pier is accessible from Tiscornia Beach, which is a St. Joseph City owned beach, located at 80 Ridgeway Street, St. Joseph. Enjoy great fishing on the South and North Piers. Fish for:

Brown trout

Catfish

Coho salmon

Chinook salmon

Lake perch

Rainbow trout (steelhead)

Whitefish

2. Barrier Free Walkways

Silver Beach County Park features a barrier-free walkway from the parking lot, along the beach front and throughout the Park. The walkway takes visitors to the Dunes Pavilion, Shadowland Pavilion, and up to the South Pier. Sidewalks at Silver Beach County Park lead visitors out of the Park and connect to the Whirlpool Compass Fountain, Silver Beach Center, leading to the bluff and the downtown St. Joseph area. 

3. Beach Wheelchairs

Beach wheelchairs are available to use in the summer, free,
on a first-come-first-serve basis. Stop in the beach office (the building next
to the Restroom buildings) to reserve a beach wheelchair. Guests will be
required to leave behind a driver’s license or ID when using a wheelchair. The
ID will be returned upon return of the wheelchair. Wheelchairs are not
self-propelled and require someone to push the chair. Wheelchairs must stay on
Silver Beach County Park property at all times. 

 

4. Concession Stand

Wally & Gertz, the concession stand at Silver Beach County Park, is open Memorial Day through Labor Day, weather permitting. Wally & Gertz is centrally located at the park, just off the parking lot and near the restroom area. Enjoy a hotdog, hamburger, fries, cheese fries, ice cream, cold beverages, and much more!

5. Drinking Fountains

There are drinking fountains located in the main restroom buildings, inside both the Men’s and Women’s southern facing restrooms. There is a drinking fountain on the outside the restroom building located near the South Pier (pictured here). And, for all those thirsty kids and pets, there is a drinking fountain near the main playground/south parking lot, too. 

6. Grills

Silver Beach County Park has barbecue grills available to guests, which are perfect for family picnics. There are several grills located in the north section of the park for public use. These grills are available on a first-come-first-serve basis. There is also a grill available at the Dunes Pavilion and at the Shadowland Pavilion. The grills at the pavilions are available to beach guests as long as the pavilion is not rented that day. Guests must bring their own charcoal and properly dispose of the hot coals in the hot coal disposal bins that are conveniently located near the grilling area. Any and all personal, portable grills are prohibited. Do not bring personal grills to Silver Beach County Park. For safety of beach guests, use only the grills provided.

7. Kayak / SUP Rentals

During the summer, guests can rent kayaks and stand up paddleboards at the south end of Silver Beach County Park. Explore Silver Beach from beyond the shoreline!

8. Lifeguards

SUMMER 2023 - Silver Beach County Park continues to recruit Lifeguards for the 2023 summer season. Anyone interested in being a Lifeguard at Silver Beach County Park can find an application and information at https://www.berriencounty.org/361/Employment. (updated May 17, 2023).

In the height of summer season, Silver Beach County Park Lifeguards are scheduled to be in their towers from 11 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. daily, whenever possible and weather permitting. Silver Beach lifeguards are there for the protection and safety of the visitors, and work in cooperation with Law Enforcement and Beach Rangers to enforce park rules. Lake conditions are monitored each day by the Silver Beach Lifeguards and Park Staff, with assistance from National Weather Service and other weather/water condition experts. A determination will be made daily whether the water conditions are safe for swimming. Lifeguards are scheduled and expected in their towers from early June to mid-August, weather permitting. 

When Lifeguards are on duty, Water Safety Flags are posted
at each Lifeguard tower. These colored flags indicate water conditions:
◦ Green: okay to swim but still use caution
◦ Yellow: swim with caution
◦ Red: no swimming allowed

9. Outdoor Showers

Covered in sand? Worried about how much sand you are going to bring back with you to your vehicle and home? Rinse all of the extra sand off at the Outdoor Showers at Silver Beach County Park. Outdoor Showers are located on the beachside of the main restroom buildings, as well as just south of the playground along the beach sidewalk.

10. Parking Lot

There are just over 600 parking spaces at Silver Beach County Park. A parking fee is charged from May - September. The Park Ranger at the entrance will process the parking fee (cash, check or card - annual County Park Entrance Permits are available). Guests can then enter and turn left (south) or right (north) to park. The parking lot at the far North of the property provides the closest access to the Dunes and Shadowland Pavilions, as well as the South Pier of the St. Joseph River.

On nice, warm, sunny summer days, the parking lot may fill to capacity at times during the day. Parking is on a first-come-first-serve basis. When the parking lot is full, meaning there are no more parking spaces available for guests to park, Rangers will close off the parking lot entrance with "Lot Full" signs. Visitors must find alternative parking. Staff continuously monitors the parking lot during times of "Lot Full" and will open up the entrance to vehicles at appropriate intervals. Alternative parking can be found behind the Silver Beach Center/Carousel or within the City of St. Joseph.      

11. Pavilions

DUNES PAVILION

Overlooking Lake Michigan the piers and the mouth of the St. Joseph River, the Dunes Pavilion at Silver Beach is a nice location for small weddings, family reunions, and group gatherings during the warmer months. The Dunes Pavilion accommodates up to 75 to 100 chairs for a ceremony. The Parks Department does not have chairs available. The Dunes Pavilion can accommodate about 50 people seated at picnic tables. Picnic tables are available for use at no extra cost. The pavilion has electricity and use of the adjacent charcoal grill. 

The use of tents, popups,inflatable items and other miscellaneous free standing entities is prohibited unless approved by the Parks Commission staff.  The County Parks Director or his/her designee, reserves the right to cancel or terminate events and activities on County properties if necessary to safeguard persons or property.

RENTAL FEE - DUNES PAVILION
Weekday (excluding holidays): Resident $100; Non-Resident $200
Weekend and Holiday: Resident $200; Non-Resident $400
Parking Fees Apply for Guests of Rental Party = $6 per vehicle.
Resident status = a resident of Berrien County, Michigan.

Shadowland Pavilion

Located along the channel of the St. Joseph River, the Shadowland Pavilion at Silver Beach County Park is an ideal location for a wedding, family celebration, or larger group gathering during the warmer months. Accommodates approximately 250 chairs underneath the pavilion for a ceremony, with plenty of room for an aisle and alter area. The Parks Department does not have chairs available. The Shadowland Pavilion can accommodate up to 160 people seated at picnic tables under the pavilion. Picnic tables are available at no extra cost. The pavilion includes electrical outlets and a charcoal grill.

The use of tents, popups,inflatable items and other miscellaneous free standing entities is prohibited unless approved by the Parks Commission staff.  The County Parks Director or his/her designee, reserves the right to cancel or terminate events and activities on County properties if necessary to safeguard persons or property.

RENTAL FEE - SHADOWLAND PAVILION
Weekday (excluding holidays) Reservation Fee: Resident $175, Non-Resident $350
Weekend and Holiday Reservation Fee: Resident $350, Non-Resident $700
Parking Fees Apply for Guests of Rental Party = $6 per vehicle
Resident status = a resident of Berrien County, Michigan.

GREEN ROOM

The Green Room is located near the Shadowland Pavilion. The Green Room is a private, secure air conditioned/heated room that can be rented along with a Pavilion rental. 

12. Playgrounds

The playgrounds at Silver Beach County Park are very popular all year long. They feature many slides, gliders, swings, monkey bars, climbing features, and (of course) plenty of sand to play with! There are benches located around the play areas for parents to rest and watch the kids enjoy playing for hours. The main playground is located in the center of the park and "boat playground" is located toward the northern end of the park.

13. Picnic Tables

Silver Beach County Park has a variety picnic tables located throughout the park. Silver Beach is a great location for family picnics and reunions. All tables located outside of pavilions are first-come-first-serve.

14. Restrooms

Silver Beach County Park has two restroom facility locations. The main restrooms are located north of the concession stand. The "Pier Restroom" is located at the north end of the park property near the Shadowland Pavilion and Pier. 

15. Swimming Beach

Silver Beach County Park features a clean, wide beach on Lake Michigan and public access to the South Pier on the St. Joseph River. Of the Park’s 2,450 feet of Lake Michigan frontage, about 1,600 feet are dedicated for a public swimming area in the summer months. Inflatable water rafts are allowed, but they are not suggested. Due to the unpredictable nature of Lake Michigan, rafts and floating devices can be dangerous. Paddles of any kind are NOT allowed. Lifeguards are on duty from early-June through mid-August. Guests are strongly encouraged to take extreme precaution when swimming in Lake Michigan, never swim alone, watch children closely, and follow the park rules. 

16. Volleyball Courts

Enjoy the volleyball courts located along Silver Beach! Many local individuals form teams with friends and hold local tournaments at these courts located along the beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline.