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Port Washington South Beach Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 477 Google reviews · Running trail in Port Washington, Wisconsin · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Port Washington South Beach Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

ScenicDog-friendlyRestroomsTrailhead parking

Lakefront beach spot with soft sand, shallow, clear water and an alerting system for riptides.

What runners say about Port Washington South Beach Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (477 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 6 mentions

“In the shadow of a large electric plant but it is very clean and almost silent while I was here.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 10 mentions

“South Beach is a small but beautiful beach in the small city of Port Washington, Wisconsin, USA.”

Great place for family time and walking on the beach! Bring you dog too, however please be responsible and pick up dog droppings and dispose of bags in receptacles provided at beach entrance.

★★★★★ — Deb , Jul 2022

It was an excellent sand beach here close to parking. It has a porta-potty here and it's not very well maintained. But if you go just quarter-mile North there's a nice beach house there with regular flush toilets.

★★★★★ — Michael , Aug 2023

Nice sandy beach but parking is definitely an issue on a busy day. We lucked out but be prepared to walk if the lot is full.

★★★★☆ — Karl , Jul 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 477 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🅿️ Trailhead parking 27 mentions

“50 ft of sand in the beginning and then it has gotten narrower as you move south Smaller parking lot.”

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🏞️ Scenic views 11 mentions

“South Beach is a small but beautiful beach in the small city of Port Washington, Wisconsin, USA.”

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🚻 Restrooms 6 mentions

“And also there is only one porta potty and no where to change into swimming gear.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 6 mentions

“Bring you dog too, however please be responsible and pick up dog droppings and dispose of bags in receptacles provided at beach entrance.”

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Plan your run at Port Washington South Beach Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.

Hours

Monday 6 AM–10 PM
Tuesday 6 AM–10 PM
Wednesday 6 AM–10 PM
Thursday 6 AM–10 PM
Friday 6 AM–10 PM
Saturday 6 AM–10 PM
Sunday 6 AM–10 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Port Washington South Beach Park

S Wisconsin St, Port Washington, WI 53074

Get directions

Running trails near Port Washington

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

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Upper Lake Park

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Large park on Lake Michigan with a playground, scenic views, hiking/biking trails & beach access.

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Sauk Creek Park

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Sauk Creek Nature Preserve

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Secluded spot featuring a small waterfall, hiking trails, deer, salmon and trout.

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Whitefish Park

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All running trails in Port Washington, WI →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.