Plattsburgh City Beach — Attraction in City of Plattsburgh

Reportedly one of the largest freshwater beaches in the United States, and one I’d never heard of, the Plattsburgh City Beach presented itself to me as something of a hidden gem.

Sitting on the coast of Lake Champlain’s Cumberland Bay, the beach offers over a mile of sand, picnic areas, space for windsurfing, kayaking, and an adjacent beach bar.

Speaking as someone that’s more accustomed to the beaches one can find in the Carolinas, seeing New York’s Crab Island and Velcour Island in the foreground and Vermont’s Green Mountains in the background was a breathtakingly different beachside perspective.

The sand, admittedly more course than that which can be found on beaches from North Carolina to Florida, was comfortable to walk barefoot - the small stones feeling something like an exfoliating massage. The water was truthfully a little cold for my preference, settling in the low sixties. It didn’t take long to become accustomed to the temperature while wading through the shoreline, but submerging myself for a swim seemed an unpleasant prospect that I refused to indulge.

Beside the public entrance to the beach sat a lifeguard chair and an area that they had cordoned off for swimming. Disappointingly, the area was small and shallow, never really wetting my knees beyond the splash of a rogue wave. Unfamiliar with the state rules, my stepson found himself the subject of constant whistling for stepping out a little further than the lifeguard on duty liked, and even faced a few blasts from the air horn for venturing out a few feet to the side. Following a brief conversation with the lifeguard, it seemed that those wishing to splash around and venture out a little deeper needed to be beyond 100ft to the side of the cordoned area - a fact which wasn’t signposted or clear to us.

Parking for non-residents was $12, paid by plate, and was effective as a day pass. Parking for residents was free.

There is a public restroom with showers, which seems less necessary considering that the beach feeds out into freshwater rather than saltwater, and a beach bar. However, the area felt underdeveloped and touches on a curious debate as to the benefits of an almost ‘undiscovered’ beach that seems empty and allows the space a large group would want to spread out, versus a more developed area with amenities designed to keep you in the area for longer.

Overall, the Plattsburgh City Beach was a worthwhile day trip, offering enough entertainment for an afternoon with the family: space enough for beach games, sunbathing, and enjoying a cold beer in the sun. Yet, the strict lifeguards and underdeveloped environment make it difficult to stay beyond...

Beware the parking - There are parking pay machines that accept cash/cards and PayMobile app payments. Recommend the app payment as the machines don't make sense when paying by card. 2 out of the 3 machines were out of commission. We had to guess where the third one was - if no one had told us we would have not been able to pay for parking. No signs anywhere. Strike 1.

parking lot has badly or missing parking spot lines. We parked like other cars and got a parking citation. Strike 2.

Bathroom chalet is quite far off from main area, but walkable. No real changing rooms (you can change in bathroom stalls) or in a more open area. External showers but at normal height, no water for feet sand washing.

Water was fine. Sand is nice. A bit overcrowded on a Sunday. Feel like the parking situation is a way for them to increase revenue, a bit sneaky....

This lovely beach is on Lake Champlain and is a full park complete with paid parking. I don't know how strictly they enforce it so be sure to use the app to pay (or display your permit if you're a Plattsburgh resident).

The beach has a protected area to keep boaters away from the swimmers and it is a smooth sandy beach with a low incline out into the lake. There is also a bathhouse with showers so you don't bring half the beach sand back to your car, a beach bar that sells alcoholic drinks and snacks and a space for food trucks. Late on a Sunday afternoon in July, there were no food trucks. I guess they've moved on.

The beach was beautiful and because it faces east over the lake, you'll have good...