lakes

You don't have to drive to the ocean to give kids a beach day. Central Indiana has lakes, reservoirs and swimming beaches that work for a day trip from Indianapolis. Some have boat rentals, water parks or campgrounds, so you can keep it simple or turn it into a full weekend. Note: Most beaches in Indiana open around Memorial Day weekend. Check with the location for exact dates and hours before you go. Related article: 100+ Things to Do This Summer Around Indy Beaches Near Indianapolis 1. Eagle Creek Park Beach Address: 7840 W. 56th St., Indianapolis Cost: $6 Marion County vehicle, $8 out-of-county vehicle Eagle Creek Park Beach has a 1,400-foot sandy shoreline that gives families room to swim, spread out on the beach or head over to the marina for kayak and paddleboard rentals. Pets aren't allowed in the beach area. Check Eagle Creek Park's swimming page for current beach hours before you go. 2. Morse Beach Address: 19777 Morse Park Lane, Noblesville Phone: 317-770-4403 Morse Beach in Noblesville is on the south shore of Morse Reservoir at Hamilton County's 23-acre Morse Park. When open, visitors can swim, picnic, fish or play volleyball, and the park also has an 18-hole disc golf course and the Lakeside Playground. Coast Guard-approved flotation devices are the only floats permitted in the water. Check the Hamilton County Parks page for current beach status before making plans. Related article: A Day at Morse Beach and Park 3. Geist Waterfront Park Address: 10811 Olio Road, Fishers Cost: Free for Fishers residents. Non-residents pay $25 for parking during peak hours. Geist Waterfront Park is on the south side of the Geist Reservoir bridge in Fishers. The 70-acre park has a sand beach, a pirate-themed playground, a non-motorized boat launch for kayaks and paddleboards, and walking trails. Peak hours are 1 to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, and non-residents only pay the $25 parking fee during those peak weekend hours. The beach is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily during the season, roughly Memorial Day through Labor Day, with lifeguards on duty. Geist Waterfront Park is cashless, so bring a card or mobile payment. 4. Pine Lake Water Park Address: 4640 Indiana Highway 218, Berne, Ind. 46711 Phone: 260-334-5649 Cost: $12 ages 10 and up, $10 ages 4 to 9, free under 4 Pine Lake Water Park, family-run since 1922, opens Memorial Day weekend. The park is built around a natural lake and includes a sand beach, four water slides, jump towers of 10, 20 and 30 feet, a cable ride, splash pad, log walk, kiddie slides and bobbers. This one is more of a full-day water outing than a quiet beach stop, especially if your kids are old enough for the slides and jump towers. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. Some deep-side attractions and the main concession stand begin closing around 6 p.m. Pine Lake Water Park 5. Paynetown State Recreation Area Address: 4850 S. State Road 446, Bloomington Phone: 812-837-9546 Cost: $7 in-state, $15 out-of-state Paynetown is on the northeast side of Monroe Lake, Indiana's largest lake. The state recreation area has a swimming beach, electric and non-electric campsites, a marina with boat rentals and gas, an interpretive center and a camp store. This is a good choice if you want a beach day that can turn into camping, boating or a longer lake weekend. Monroe Lake. Photo credit: facebook.com/monroelake 6. Hidden Paradise Campground Address: 802 E. Jefferson St., St. Paul, Ind. 47272 Phone: 765-525-6582 Cost: Rates vary by activity. See Hidden Paradise Campground rates. Hidden Paradise Campground is along the Flat Rock River about an hour from downtown Indy. The main draw is Dream Lake, a spring-fed quarry with a designated swimming area featuring a floating trampoline, climbing rock, large slide and lounging floats. It's a good fit for families who want more than just a place to spread out a towel. Kayaks and canoes are available for the river, and paddleboats are available for the lake. Life vests are required for everyone in the water. Related article: 5 Best Places to Go Camping Near Indianapolis 7. Hardin Ridge Recreation Area Address: 6464 Hardin Ridge Road, Heltonville Phone: 812-837-9453 Cost: $8 per vehicle day-use Hardin Ridge is on the south side of Lake Monroe inside the Hoosier National Forest. The 300-foot sandy beach has a combination of sand and shade, with a grassy hillside above. There are no lifeguards on duty, and pets and glass containers aren't allowed in the beach area. The recreation area is open from early April through late October. The beach can close on short notice when Lake Monroe water levels are high, so call the gatehouse to confirm before driving down, especially after heavy rain. Hardin Ridge at Lake Monroe 8. Cagles Mill Lake Address: 1317 W. Lieber Road, Cloverdale Phone: 765-276-0194 Cost: $7 in-state, $15 out-of-state Cagles Mill Lake, Indiana's first flood-control reservoir, anchors Lieber State Recreation Area. The property has a swimming beach, an aquatic center with a zero-entry pool and tornado water slide, camping, hiking, volleyball courts and boat access. The aquatic center is typically open Memorial Day to Labor Day. This is a useful option when you want a lake day with a few more built-in activities. Cagles Mill Lake. Photo credit: facebook.com/caglesmilllake 9. Indiana Dunes Location: Porter, Ind. Cost: National Park: $25 per private vehicle, valid for one to seven days. State Park: $7 with Indiana plates, $20 with out-of-state plates Indiana Dunes covers 15 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline split between the National Park and State Park, which sit side by side but charge separate fees and use separate passes. Together they offer nine swimmable beaches, tall dunes and miles of trails through several different landscapes. This is the farthest option on the list, but it feels the most like a real beach trip. Both parks have varying hours, so check each park's site before you go. Dogs aren't allowed on the State Park swimming beach. Indiana Dunes

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