My dog loves swimming near the canoe launch. He gets to play with lots of other pooches. Only wish the county would place a stop sign because people tend to exceed speed limits in this pedestrian crossing area.
The water is clean and clear and the view of the Riverwalk is beautiful from across the river.
Finally got to take my little one to Belle Isle in the D I was so happy to spend this time with her on a few trips this summer. Even got the little cousins out.State troopers are always there to help and the parks and recreation as well. Dont forget to stop at the food and ice cream trucks when you go. Summer 2021 Fun place all around.
This is actually one of the best beaches in the great lakes. Water is nice and generally very clean. Not too cold (in the summer) No terrible rip tides, but if you fall asleep in your inner tube, you just might find yourself in Canada. Dont try and swim to Canada, they dont like that. Our maple syrup is better anyways.
This place is awesome I had so much fun hanging out with the little kids that I didn’t even know. Everyone was amazing. The water etc. I love it here. So many types of peoples and cultures coming together in this spot . I miss community like that. I will be back for sure :)
Love this place! Beautiful water features its just a really nice place to go visit.
Fun N the Sun, lol , heard so much about the water not being clean but it a river what do folks expect?!! Just will they’d open the pool again.
Nice natural scenery and space, although crowded on certain occasions and one needs to be careful with individuals who dont consider others around them while blasting music or smoking near children and pets.
Great beach . Went as a child and will take my children. Fun ,clean . I definitely recommend.
Belle Isle beach is an amazing spot to spend the day - lots of families of all different backgrounds sunbathing, playing soccer, flying kites, grilling, and relaxing. Some people launch their stand up paddle boards from here or kayak. Sometimes boaters will drop anchor 100 feet from shore. Here’s a sunset from my recent visit - enjoy! The parking lot is small but if you don’t mind walking 100 yards from nearby spots, it’s not a problem.
Nice beach and its pretty busy during the weekend. Good place to bring your kids but always keep them within your sight.
Beach was great, water was beautiful and the view of the city is great. If you have a family that has small kids, I would advise to go early and not later. Encountered a drug deal and a few people getting pretty drunk. And this was before 5pm on a Friday.
So beautiful !You get to see the bridge to Canada, so the USA is on your right and Canada on your left.There are grills and benches, a museum and an aquarium.You can’t get food on the island though (maybe in the museum cafeteria)
Absolutely Beautiful 💕 The water is warm and crystal clear. Our family comes out every weekend to either go swimming or play at one of the multiple parks or both. Last weekend they had the kites flying event the kids loved watching them 💕
My favorite spot to launch a paddle board in Detroit! Great city views and a beautiful beach.
Note: the following review is for the beach area only and does not reflect on the other great things that Belle Isle offers.Belle has become quite the summer day attraction for so many people! Something to understand about it though is this: while it is absolutely a family friendly experience, because of the more recent recreational laws that Michigan has, the people who went over there to chill before it became a state park with entry fees are still there doing their thing. The beach area is great and always packed with people tanning, playing in the sand and barbecuing. The farther from the water you get, the more drinks and smokes youll find. Some areas have it going on less than others. The last two, maybe three times weve visited, the island has been shut off to vehicle traffic due to maxing out the capacity so if you choose to go on a sunny weekend, make sure you get there by noon or so. Even at that time, youre looking to have a walk into the beach.
This is a beautiful beach with lots of space. For people in southeast Michigan who crave Lake Michigan sand but dont want to drive this is a relaxing alternative. The water is also usually warmer and you dont have the fear of currents. It is also super clear! There are picnic shelters along the road but a picnic on the sand is just as comfortable.
The kids had a ball and everyone enjoyed the water!!! It was a beautiful day!!!
We arrived at Belle Isle by boat and quickly learned this place is better accessed by car. The beach is a decent size, but the facilities are poorly maintained. All of Belle Isle we saw, which was only the beach and Kids Row playground, looks past its prime. The falling down zoo that closed 15 years ago, the port a potties, the weeds, etc show this place is not well cared for. Go to St Clair Metro Park if you have a choice!
Its beautiful and comes with a nice view. Very nice to just enjoy the moment and be at peace.
Peaceful and clean. Bathrooms were locked. The Isle itself is set up weird now because of the races...but overall it was great. It felt like wed gotten away from the city.
I had a high expectation about this Island but was very disappointed the way they maintained it. Its really a very beautiful place but the Maintenance made it a bad place. I want government or some society to make this the best place in Detroit.
Fun beach to stop by if youre visiting Belle Isle or live in the area. I typically bike over to the beach and hang out for a few hours. Its not too busy, even on fourth of July. The water is calm around the beach zone, and safe for little kids. The only reason Im giving it a 4/5 is that there are no bike parking areas, and the water can sometimes be oily.
What a great park in the heart of Detroit! Super clean, easy to access, plenty of activities for young and old. The park is constantly transforming and improving with infrastructure being upgraded all the time.
Free admission but my God the place is trashed. All these trash cans and people forgot how to use them?!?! The place looks like a dump. Chicken bones thrown in the water, socks and trash all over the sand and grass. For a state park it is disgusting! You can do better people of Michigan!
Ive been going to this island since I was a kid and it never gets old. Its so peaceful and serene now! 😉😊
Great place to go on a hot summer day. Parking can sometimes be a challenge but Ive never not found a spot on even the busiest of days. If you want to get away from the majority of the children go further down the beach (more than half way) and theres more adults. Also DO NOT have any visible alcoholic drinks. Make sure you bring a cup with a lid and hide your empty cans (no glass). There is also a 2nd beach known as the hippie beach. They smoke and drink there so probably not a good place for kids. Theres a rope swing but its usually broken. Theres not much nice soft sand here, mostly grass ..but if your looking for a spot away from the crowd this is where you want to be.
Always loved this place. Nice beach, just fun all around. Been coming here since I can remember and now my children are enjoying the park and what it has to offer.
I enjoyed the beach but unfortunately there was a lot of trash on the beach and as people left they left lots of plastic and food items in the sand. Some people even lift plastic in the water. Its unfortunate that people dont have enough respect for the environment. Belle Isle has been getting some updates but the beach area could use more work.
Beautiful beach! Not too crowded. Hard to navigate but if you plug where you want to go into google maps itll take you anywhere inside the Isle!
The view is beautiful and the beach is cleaner than ever. Families were having a great time swimming, wading, sunbathing. And a group of kids and teens were learning to swim through the YMCA Camp.Edited to add: Please swim within the clearly marked areas. The river has an undertow and numerous large freighter ships, there are also small boats, water skiers, and jet skis in use beyond the buoys. There are no lifeguards at the public beaches, so use common sense.Another reviewer claimed 2 children died at the beach in July 2018, but thats not true. From a boat somewhere outside of the beach bouys, an adult woman jumped in the river to swim and did not resurface (later found presumed drowned).
Family fun clean water nice beach a lot of space
Best beach in South East Michigan! Sandy beautiful stretch of beach, with clean clear water. No bird poop or trash to dodge like most other beaches, with the added benefit of the Detroit skyline as your swimming backdrop. If youve never been, I definitely recommend you try it. That is, if the DNR hasnt shut it down for whomever owns the island for that weekend...
Best beach in Detroit. White sand, calm water, clean park. Belle Isle Beach is always a good time. Many other activities also like the golf range, kayak rentals, Dossin museum and more. Park is part of the state park system now, so there is a parking fee if you drive to the beach.
The water smells funny and as soon as we got out, our skin was itchy. The water is more on the shore than on the river, and someone kept putting their dog in the water near the kids. The sand was also not as clean as it use to be and the puddles were full of mosquitoes. They dont care for it like they use to.
Great day in the sun & a picnic that was just grand! The water was absolutely freezingly frozenly frigid right up as close to the distance of one foot from the shoreline. There were only a couple of little kids in the water. The brave little devils.
Liked the idea of being on the island with the family and everyone around us seemed to be relaxed and friendly, no police harassment and the park was clean, they should put places where we could buy ice, the cooler couldnt handle the heat. Lol
Very nice and peaceful since the state took over and set strick rules for the roundy young generation lol a lot of State Police presence. Also they added Grand Prix extra bonus. Would be amazing if they have concession stands in the summer to buy food or add a splash water park for Kids. They started manning the entrance now so I had to pay 😳 only had my credit card so I had to drive out to atm to get cash couldnt find white building to pay by card but once I stopped in gas station and came back a different young lady said I also had the option to pay for a year round park pass that comes like a sticker tab for $11 so I did that very convenient since I did not pay for it at the Secretary of state .
Definitely would visit it again. Wonderful place to go to. I enjoyed everything there the city view, lake view, not trashed or shady theres easy parking too. Highly recommend it.
Super laid back free beach. Nice people watching. Nice people. Grills. Theres a confession stand nearby now, and often food trucks on the weekend.
People not from Detroit seem to be the new populace of the beach. No police in sight, open smoking and drinking, younger couples.. Lots of same sex couples, some families, it was ok..Glass shards in the beach area the grass with the picnic tables full of garbage and little pieces of glass and plastics very bad with barefeet going to the beach. But everyone minds their business so I guess that was ok
Im not really sure about the beach but when on the island its always busy!! Belle Isle is a current Detroit come back story! Such a cool place to explore and the aquarium is worth the trip!
If you dont mind laying your blanket on cigarette butts and garbage go there! If you dont mind waiting for someone to leave so you can have a parking spot go there. If you want people that look like bums coming up and asking you for Stuff go there! I wont go there ever again!
Good park it needs a better remodeling for restrooms
Nice spot in downtown Detroit with breathtaking views of downtown Detroit as well as Canada. Great place to explore alone or on dates, kid friendly, family friendly with a modest aquarium and nice little botanical experience attached. Small beaches surround the Isle its really a jewel here in Detroit and I go as often as I can.
Great place to relax, walk, reflect and stick your toes in the sand. Wear water socks though, some areas have glass that can cut you. Otherwise, picnic till your 💓 is content.
Very very clean. Found my new spot!
A fun place to spend a sunny day. The sand is more like dirt and there are a ton of kids. But for being so close to the city, not a bad option.
They do not have working showers anymore. When they had working showers it was a great place to go. Just sucks to not even be able to rinse off your feet
Its ghetto. Sand is filthy..water is Grey. People blasting LOUD inappropriate music with no care about others. I was always told growing up to not swim at this beach. My dog swam in the water and smelled like industrial waste for a few days.
Love Belle isle, you can walk ride bike jog swim at a clean beach, I go at least 2/3 times a week during summer BBQ with grand kids and friends and swim
Training for a triathlon. Great place to swim. Then bike or run around the island. I live and work in Detroit. Just minutes away really, but when I come here I feel like Ive left the city.
. Ive been going to this island for over 20 years great place to take the family lots to do the beach is clean the dossin museum is very educational and beautiful inside the aquarium and the nature Zoo is a lot of fun for the kids its also a great place to go fishing
Loved the beach! Restrooms were in desperate need of repair and cleaning. There were only two working stalls in the womens restroom for the hundreds of people at the beach that day.
Beach is a great spot to swim and hang out. The changing rooms are pretty gross. If possible, change before you arrive.
Very clean now that its a state-run park. The beach is combed early and the water is clear. I urge people to use the trash cans and stop littering. 😊
Great place to relax and only if people would help to keep the park clean pick up your trash please!
Many many shards of glass in the sand and water. Removed what we found. Wear water shoes. One working toilet and one clogged with poo. Too bad. Its a beautiful view
Belle isle has changed for the good but you need to pay to enter now either you buy a yearly pass for $10.00 or pay a one day pass for around $5
Clean!!! Nice place to swim. The sand and the water is surprisingly clean and clear! Wish I would have came sooner!
We lost our way to beach
Pretty cool spot as long as no one is trying to barbecue on the beach right next to you. I plan on being here every weekend this summer as long as the weather is nice.
Beautiful island. Been coming here since ive been 4 or 5. Im 38 now and the island is better and cleaner than ever before
Great beach, clean water and clean sand. Bathrooms on site are a little less than desired but overall a great place for hot days.
Made it out there today, it is amazing the water is endless, being able to be so close to Downtown Detroit the whole bell isle is beautiful i highly recommend it❤️
The beach was nice, there were plenty of parking spots for our cars and we had no problem finding a spot on the beach
Beach is not that great but its still awsome
Lots of birds, not very clean water, no life guards, dirty restroom. Its ok to just sit and watch the water from the shore
Best beach in middle of a city!. Its a beach on Detroit river. People swim and enjoy the water. Kids also can play
Small beach with not many options to do anything near the water. Sand and sun and the sands were mediocre. I was displeased.
Very disgusted trash all over the parking lot, all over the beach, it look like a dumping ground I do not recommend this beach at all..
Its always a great place to toss down a blanket & chill & do whatever .. Zero issues zero judgement all the positive & diversity the city can offer 💜
A nice place to relax or talk a short walk. Ive heard bad things about the bathrooms but I didnt have to use it when I was there so I cant comment on them.
Love this beach, been going for 3 years now. I just wish they would redo the bath house already
Come early enjoy the sights. Perfect for relaxing great spot to take the kids.
Right next to bellisle state park harbortown plaza
1st visit & was very impressed. Beach was very clean & sandy. The bathrooms werent great.
The beach needs restrooms, a place to rinse feet from sand would be nice.
Pretty nice small beach. Clean and cold water is super refreshing in a hot summer day
Its new and improved and clean. Take your family and pets here you will have a memorable time
Excellent public beach! New protected bike Lanes down Jefferson make it a quick, pleasant ride.
The beach is clean, and has a chill atmosphere. The bathroom is close by the beach so thats a plus!
Nice place to have a sunbath and to avoid the hot
Loved it, OABI paddle board race was here and I cant wait to go back. Detroit does hustle harder!
Sufficient for the beach trip we planned and it’s cooled to be in the water so close to the city, but it’s kind of lackluster now, not the thriving park I remember from when I was a kid
Its nice but I dont think people realize no pets its a state park dogs everywhere
Havent been here since I was young had a blast :) definitely good for the ol memory reminders
Visited here quite a while ago. It was very comfortable, nice and the view was amazing.
Beautiful beach with lots of sand and even some shade trees. Will definitely be back!
IT WAS OUR FAMILY REUNION IT TURNED OUT SO WONDERFUL WEATHER😂 WAS VERY NICE😊 ENJOYED OUR SELVES TO THE FULLEST.❤ THAT WHOLE DAY AMEN.
People dont know how to use a garbage can around here. other than the shameful litter it is a fantastic island.
I Love Belle Isle its a part of my life my history its a very valuable place for me so many memories.
Clean busy fun beach water was great alot of space
One of Detroits GEMS! Water is clean and beach is sandy. Lots of events happen on the Isle so make sure you check before you go!
Beautiful place. Lot of things to see. No entry fee. Good place to come with kids.
Wonderful Place to spend some quality time with the Family .. Clean Water for Summer Swimming ...
One of my very favorite place in Detroit, just love the nature here. Many important upgrades are coming about.
Upside the beach clean but minimal rest room like (3) and the pool and slide needs to get going kids want it lol
Eh, its ok the area could be beautiful if it was kept up a bit better
As of now, the waters getting better and the ice melted, so BEACH. TIME
Its peaceful, friendly, not too crowded, a nice place to visit.
Very busy on the weekends, but the best place to watch the sunset over the city.
Great place to swim, combed beach and very gentle current!!!
Cute beach for detroiters.
Very nice beach, very big place the water was clean also
They had boats racing and people on small boat it was fun to watch
Definitely is getting better. Seemed to be only a few people in the water but the beach was packed.
Small, crowded, not clean, lots of canadian geese
I didnt go to the beach; I went to find the eagles nest.I cant believe whats been done with the river front.
Best place to cool off and have a birthday party celebrate with family and friends
This beach is a jem. It gets better every time we visit. 🏊 🌞
Clean mostly. quiet. Not the Belle isle I remember but ok anyway
Alot of dead cats on beach and ducks. .shot in head, very sad .No one cleaned this mess up
I am impressed with the water and the set up. Great job guys😀
Loved to see Canada, boat race was awesome. Nice place for picnic.
Nice view and clean beach. They really cleaned things up.
A bit overcrowded but a nice place to have fun and relax.
They need to clean the sand out it has so much trash on it you could cut your feet.
Bunch of ignorant people inconsiderate for small children and very packed best if u get their early
Good place to be, restrooms need some attention though
Nice beach right in the city. Great spot to cool off on a hot day.
A bunch of grosse pointe kids go here and flex on people that they are at Belle isle. Kinda funny
Yeah Belle Isle beach has always been the best🎆
This is definitely a summer favorite! The view is amazing, and so is the water!
Since the state toke over its been cleaner. Great Job
It was so nice we had a great time.
Water was clean. My kid had lots of fun.
Great family fun
The closest natural park. Clean. Easy acces, close parking.
Went here in Michigan, loved it, beach was dirty
Beach is not maintained healthy..need to maintain it clean..
Nice!!
Since becoming a state park this is one of cant miss attractions!!
Location is awesome and has good parking spots.
Love the beach! Super clean 👊😎
Great place to take the kids and spend the day.
It is nice to spend time with family but the birds are out of control.
Its lovely and great place for a swim.
The Best thing about canada if you think hard and dont joke, p
Beautiful lake
This is the greatest place since Disney world!!!! Lol
Great place for friends and family to enjoy anytime of day.
A great beach with a beautiful view of the city.
My family has been going here for generations!😍❤..
Fun times from my young days to an adult
Glad it was open. Kids were dying to go there
Great place to swim and clear water
Nice place to have some good quality family time
My low key spot
Nice view. Good swimming.
Atleast good to have some thing in Detroit :D
Love this beach. Love this park in the city.
Nice. Bit full.
Wonderful day. Very clean.
Very scenic and clean.
Not any patrols to keep out the riff raff
Have a great time every time we come
Was so impressed with how its changed loved it
Just riding through the East to get to this treasure is everything to me
Best beach in Detroit
My family and I love Belle Isle!!!
Perfect day, nice beach.
A wonderful place in the neighborhood to relax and chill
Beach was okay, a lot of areas are fenced off
Must visit place for summer. Happening 😇
Whats not to like? Sun, water, clean beach!😁😁
Love this place and they are cleaning it up.
I like renewedNew playground for children
The kids love it
It is a great place to visit!
Oh Lord, this is my first place for holidays.
Dirty place. Im sorry but this place needs a lot of work.
To small need more beaches
Water slide, sprinklers, fountain...... something is missing
Fun but dirty water
Its clean, mix population. And everything is opened.
Its nice
Had a great time!
Just a great place to make memories
Great view for sunsets
Enjoy the clean beach!
❤ Belle Isle! Proud to be Detroit Made!
Cant wait for the updates next year!
Lots of things to do on the Isle.
Cleaned up real nice.
Nice place for beachy fun.
The best beach around!
Just fun in the sun and sand
Nice sand.
Total reviews rating 4.5
199 Reviews for Belle Isle Beach 2023:
Review №1
2022-05-31We loved this beach! Was clean and water was beautiful! Lots to do on Belle Isle.
Review №2
2022-06-16The worse beach I have ever been to. I paid $5 to enter and I thought it would be fun. The water is nasty and it was overwhelming and loaded with a lot of people. So I would never visit it again. Waste of time and money.
Review №3
2018-08-12My favorite beach to bring the dogs and to just go to in general. Kayaking here is great whether you bring your own or rent them. Kids love the updated parks and all the activities ❤️
Review №4
2018-01-16This beach really surprised me. It wasnt too crowded, yet still had a good amount of people for a hot Saturday in the summer. Public bathrooms are a plus. And the river wasnt mucky or weedy in the water. This soot will definitely be on my list of beaches to frequent in the summers
Review №5
2017-06-20I love coming to Belle Isle Beach in the summer time to get some sun and cool off in the river on a beautiful day. The parks service have really done a good job with cleaning the area and making sure guests are all following the rules. The only downside is that dogs arent allowed on the beach or in the water at all. The website says that dogs are allowed, but the rangers were telling people they couldnt have their dogs with them the last time I was there so dont bring them unless youre just walking around the island.
Review №6
2018-08-10Always a pleasure coming to Belle Isle Beach. Its one of the cleanest parts of the island. Always friendly people there, its fun to watch their dogs play in the Water by the kayak launch. Great views especially at sunset.its fairly protected, so not great for watersports like kayaking or surfing, if youre looking for a challenge. Great for relaxing :)
Review №7
2019-08-05A little slice of heaven in the City. You need to go early for parking or be prepared to carry your stuff from an available spot.There are in the process of doing some renovations to the bath house; but have porta johns in place.It’s clean and well maintained.
Review №8
2020-01-02The beach was very clean. The park had changed a lot. It’s not a cost to get in on certain days and it’s a good place to jog , ride bikes and just chill while fishing.
Review №9
2022-02-17It’s a nice place to go and relax! It’s usually clean and not crowded during the week days.
Review №10
2017-06-12My girls had fun at the beach, however, there was construction everywhere and it was bumper to bumper driving throughout the whole place. It was completely packed, I assume because they werent using the toll booths and it was free to get in. It took at least half an hour to find somewhere to park close enough to the beach.The ground was littered with garbage, even on the beach. My 3 year old stepped on an old pop can that cut her foot while playing in the sand.The bathrooms were.....a horrying experience. Bring some sort of baby wipes with you!! There were only 2 bathrooms near the beach. Both of which were unisex and only had one toilet, so the lines were extremely long. Of course my 3 year old cant hold it for very long and even in a line with all adults, no one offered for her to let her move towards the front. (However, I do realize this is not the responsiblity of Bell Isle, speaks volumes for the type of people there. As well as why she even had to hold it for 20 minutes in the first place) the doors were propped open because there are not any lights in the bathrooms. There is just a half wall between the toilet and the door. So as you use the bathroom you can hear a bunch of drunk people outside yelling to hurry up. The floor was wet with puddles of some sort of liquid (water or something else, Id rather not think about it) and there was no toilet paper either. The toilet itself was covered in urine. No actual seat on it either, just the bowl. All of which made it extremely difficult to take my little one potty without her being able to hover. There was soap though, thankfully. It was just absolutely disgusting.There were drunk people everywhere, but luckily state police were too, so it made us feel more safe.My girls were looking forward to the water slide but they were closed and it appears the pool and slides havent been open in a long time. The water in the pool was greenish brown. So that was a bummer.All in all, my husband and I may have been frustrated and shaking our heads at some things but from a kids perspective they had a blast. They dont notice the drunks acting a fool everywhere and they dont give much thought to the litter on the ground. They just enjoyed being at the beach and swimming in the water (which was probably the cleanest thing there) and having alot of other kids to make friends with. At the end of the day, thats what really matters anyways.They should really hire people to keep the park clean and reopen the pool and water slides. They would end up making a lot more money in my opinion.