Harrington Beach State Park
Lake Michigan Beach and Quarry Lake in Ozaukee County — 715 Acres With Over One Mile of Lake Michigan Shoreline, Family Campground With Electric and Non-Electric Sites Plus Walk-In and Group Camping, Accessible Cabin, Sandy Lake Michigan Beach, Scenic Limestone Quarry Lake, Hiking Trails Through White Cedar Swamp and Hardwood Forest, Jim and Gwen Plunkett Astronomy Observatory, Near Belgium Ozaukee County Wisconsin
Harrington Beach State Park is a 715-acre state park with over one mile of Lake Michigan shoreline near Belgium, Ozaukee County, Wisconsin, managed by Wisconsin DNR. The park features a family campground with electric and non-electric sites, walk-in tent sites, a group campsite, and an accessible cabin, a sandy Lake Michigan beach with seasonal lifeguards, a scenic limestone quarry lake — a flooded remnant of the area’s quarrying history, hiking trails through white cedar swamp, hardwood forest, and along the lakeshore bluff, the Jim and Gwen Plunkett Observatory with regular public astronomy programs, fishing from the breakwater and shoreline, picnic areas and shelters, and a nature center with interpretive programming.
Harrington Beach combines two dramatically different landscapes — the open Lake Michigan shoreline with sandy beach and limestone bluffs, and the interior white cedar swamp that feels like a portal to northern Wisconsin despite being only 30 miles north of Milwaukee.
The flooded quarry lake is a beautiful turquoise-green and a popular photography subject. The Plunkett Observatory hosts regular public stargazing events — unusual for a state park.
Things to Do
- Beach — 1+ mi Lake Michigan shoreline
- Camping — electric, non-electric, walk-in, cabin
- Quarry lake — scenic flooded limestone quarry
- Hiking — cedar swamp and bluff trails
- Astronomy — Plunkett Observatory programs
- Fishing — breakwater and shore
Park Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Belgium, Ozaukee County, WI |
| Size | 715 acres — 1+ mi Lake Michigan shore |
| Camping | Electric, non-electric, walk-in, group, cabin |
| Beach | Sandy Lake Michigan — seasonal lifeguards |
| Special | Quarry lake, Plunkett Observatory |
| Managed By | Wisconsin DNR |
| Coordinates | 43.4950° N, 87.7997° W |
Frequently Asked Questions
Wildlife & Nature
Harrington Beach SP — 715 acres on Lake Michigan with a sand beach and limestone quarry lake. The park’s Lake Michigan shore, quarry lake, and cedar forest support migratory songbirds, white-tailed deer, and great blue herons. Puckett’s Pond (a flooded limestone quarry) features crystal-clear water.
Nearby Attractions
Belgium — adjacent. Port Washington — 10 miles south. Lake Michigan — at the park.
Does Harrington Beach State Park have camping?
Yes — Harrington Beach State Park near Belgium, Wisconsin offers a family campground with electric and non-electric sites, walk-in tent sites, a group campsite, and an accessible cabin. The 715-acre park features over one mile of Lake Michigan shoreline with a sandy beach, a scenic flooded limestone quarry lake, hiking trails through white cedar swamp and hardwood forest, and the Plunkett Observatory with public astronomy programs. Located about 30 miles north of Milwaukee in Ozaukee County.
Last updated: May 2026
