New Buffalo Area Beaches and Parks

New Buffalo City Beach & Lakefront Park

New Buffalo's Lakefront Park and Beach are located on the North end of Whittaker Street, just across the Galien River bridge.

Lifeguards are on duty Memorial Day through Labor Day from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Additionally, there are 'Warning' flags to indicate lake conditions.

New Buffalo Area Beaches and Parks

New Buffalo City Beach & Lakefront Park

New Buffalo's Lakefront Park and Beach are located on the North end of Whittaker Street, just across the Galien River bridge.

Lifeguards are on duty Memorial Day through Labor Day from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Additionally, there are 'Warning' flags to indicate lake conditions.

Helpful information for a day at the beach:

• Southern Lake Michigan surface temperatures
• New Buffalo Beach water quality
• New Buffalo Weather Forecast

Swim Safe - Beware of Rip Currents The National Weather Service Meteorologists now make warnings available for New Buffalo area beaches based on heights of waves and how they hit the shoreline. These warnings are an extension of those that have been in place on the country's east and west coasts for several years. Although the New Buffalo Public Beach is staffed by life guards during peak swim times, all swimmers should be aware of how to react if caught in a rip current. If the caught in one of these currents (you will know it if it happens) you must react properly. Do not fight the current – swim parallel to the beach until out of the current, then swimming back to shore. Those most vulnerable to rip currents are simmers who like to body surf in high waves on Lake Michigan. Check for Rip Current Warnings for New Buffalo area beaches.

More than a Beach...

In addition to swimming, there are dunes and wooden walkways. The Lakefront complex is often used as a scenic backdrop for professional photographers and a location for weddings and reunions.

The City Beach parking lot fee is $5.00 for the first two hours. A fee of $1.00 is charged per each additional hour, to a maximum of $10.00 for seven or more hours. If your ticket is lost, the maximum $10.00 fee will be charged. Seasonal passes are only available to residents.

Sunrises & Sunsets are Free. No parking fees are charged to visitors using the City Beach parking lot before 9am or after 8pm. Visitors using the parking lot after 9am and before 8pm will still be responsible for fees incurred.

Beach & Park amenities include:

• Restrooms and Showers
• Full service snack bar
• Handicap access – a sand wheelchair
  (available at the snack bar).
• Pavilion, picnic tables, grills, playground and benches.
• Bicycle parking
• Paved auto parking (hourly/daily fees charged until 8pm)

Beach Restrictions

• Swimming is only permitted the designated, signed areas.
• No pets, fires on glass containers.
• Park closes at 11pm
• No overnight parking

Lions Pavilion Park

Home of the New Buffalo Lions Club, this pavilion located just across the road from the Beach is available for part of the Beach fronrt park, is available for groups, and is often used as an entertainment venue (see our events calendar).

How to get there...

If traveling on I-94 use exit #1 or Exit # 4. Traffic flows into New Buffalo from US-12 or M-239. From the town's center – the intersection of US-12 and Whitakker St – go north, down Whitakker St, across the bridge (the Public Marina will be on the left, the Stray Dog on the right) and proceed to where Whitakker St ends. Turn left for the Beach Park. Turn right if you are towing a boat – locaton of public boat launch.

New Buffalo Township Memorial Park

Located on Red Arrow Hwy. just north of U.S. 12, the Township park has a pavilion with picnic benches, grills, playground and washrooms. The pavilion is available for rent. For more information call (269) 469-1011.

Oselka Park

Located behind the New Buffalo High School football field at Bronson and Indiana Streets this athletic complex offers baseball and soccer fields, horseshoes and a children's playground. The H.S. running track at the football field is also available.

Nature Preserve

The Sima Preserve is located along the Galien River in New Buffalo, adjacent to a 86-acre Galien River County Park Preserve purchased by Berrien County in 2001. This is the only remaining Great Lakes marsh of its size in southern Michigan and a sanctuary for native and migratory birds and a diverse population of native plants and animals.

The best access is via via low impact boating (canoe or kayak) which can be launched at the Galien River Access located on Red Arrow Hwy., just north of Kruger Road at the bridge in New Buffalo Township. This state-run access area can also be used to launch small fishing boats.

Dog Park

The Sari Asher Memorial Park, located at 1420 East Washington St., is a designated area for dogs to run and play. Open daily, dusk to dawn to local residents and visitors. Onsite parking available.

Wetlands and River Park Planned

Berrien County Parks director Brian Bailey recently announced plans to build the County's 5th Park in New Buffalo Township on the Galien River. Located near the intersection of Red Arrow Highway and U.S. 12, construction could break ground as early as 2012.

The Park will be phased in over several years, according to County planners. The first phase will consist of two miles of trails and elevated boardwalks, one of which will go to a 30-foot high observation deck overlooking the surrounding wetlands and the other to a fishing and viewing deck at the river's edge. There will also be a landing for water and boat access.

New Buffalo Area Beaches and Parks

New Buffalo City Beach & Lakefront Park

New Buffalo's Lakefront Park and Beach are located on the North end of Whittaker Street, just across the Galien River bridge.

Lifeguards are on duty Memorial Day through Labor Day from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Additionally, there are 'Warning' flags to indicate lake conditions.

New Buffalo Area Beaches and Parks

New Buffalo City Beach & Lakefront Park

New Buffalo's Lakefront Park and Beach are located on the North end of Whittaker Street, just across the Galien River bridge.

Lifeguards are on duty Memorial Day through Labor Day from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Additionally, there are 'Warning' flags to indicate lake conditions.

Helpful information for a day at the beach:

• Southern Lake Michigan surface temperatures
• New Buffalo Beach water quality
• New Buffalo Weather Forecast

Swim Safe - Beware of Rip Currents The National Weather Service Meteorologists now make warnings available for New Buffalo area beaches based on heights of waves and how they hit the shoreline. These warnings are an extension of those that have been in place on the country's east and west coasts for several years. Although the New Buffalo Public Beach is staffed by life guards during peak swim times, all swimmers should be aware of how to react if caught in a rip current. If the caught in one of these currents (you will know it if it happens) you must react properly. Do not fight the current – swim parallel to the beach until out of the current, then swimming back to shore. Those most vulnerable to rip currents are simmers who like to body surf in high waves on Lake Michigan. Check for Rip Current Warnings for New Buffalo area beaches.

More than a Beach...

In addition to swimming, there are dunes and wooden walkways. The Lakefront complex is often used as a scenic backdrop for professional photographers and a location for weddings and reunions.

The City Beach parking lot fee is $5.00 for the first two hours. A fee of $1.00 is charged per each additional hour, to a maximum of $10.00 for seven or more hours. If your ticket is lost, the maximum $10.00 fee will be charged. Seasonal passes are only available to residents.

Sunrises & Sunsets are Free. No parking fees are charged to visitors using the City Beach parking lot before 9am or after 8pm. Visitors using the parking lot after 9am and before 8pm will still be responsible for fees incurred.

Beach & Park amenities include:

• Restrooms and Showers
• Full service snack bar
• Handicap access – a sand wheelchair
  (available at the snack bar).
• Pavilion, picnic tables, grills, playground and benches.
• Bicycle parking
• Paved auto parking (hourly/daily fees charged until 8pm)

Beach Restrictions

• Swimming is only permitted the designated, signed areas.
• No pets, fires on glass containers.
• Park closes at 11pm
• No overnight parking

Lions Pavilion Park

Home of the New Buffalo Lions Club, this pavilion located just across the road from the Beach is available for part of the Beach fronrt park, is available for groups, and is often used as an entertainment venue (see our events calendar).

How to get there...

If traveling on I-94 use exit #1 or Exit # 4. Traffic flows into New Buffalo from US-12 or M-239. From the town's center – the intersection of US-12 and Whitakker St – go north, down Whitakker St, across the bridge (the Public Marina will be on the left, the Stray Dog on the right) and proceed to where Whitakker St ends. Turn left for the Beach Park. Turn right if you are towing a boat – locaton of public boat launch.

New Buffalo Township Memorial Park

Located on Red Arrow Hwy. just north of U.S. 12, the Township park has a pavilion with picnic benches, grills, playground and washrooms. The pavilion is available for rent. For more information call (269) 469-1011.

Oselka Park

Located behind the New Buffalo High School football field at Bronson and Indiana Streets this athletic complex offers baseball and soccer fields, horseshoes and a children's playground. The H.S. running track at the football field is also available.

Nature Preserve

The Sima Preserve is located along the Galien River in New Buffalo, adjacent to a 86-acre Galien River County Park Preserve purchased by Berrien County in 2001. This is the only remaining Great Lakes marsh of its size in southern Michigan and a sanctuary for native and migratory birds and a diverse population of native plants and animals.

The best access is via via low impact boating (canoe or kayak) which can be launched at the Galien River Access located on Red Arrow Hwy., just north of Kruger Road at the bridge in New Buffalo Township. This state-run access area can also be used to launch small fishing boats.

Dog Park

The Sari Asher Memorial Park, located at 1420 East Washington St., is a designated area for dogs to run and play. Open daily, dusk to dawn to local residents and visitors. Onsite parking available.

Wetlands and River Park Planned

Berrien County Parks director Brian Bailey recently announced plans to build the County's 5th Park in New Buffalo Township on the Galien River. Located near the intersection of Red Arrow Highway and U.S. 12, construction could break ground as early as 2012.

The Park will be phased in over several years, according to County planners. The first phase will consist of two miles of trails and elevated boardwalks, one of which will go to a 30-foot high observation deck overlooking the surrounding wetlands and the other to a fishing and viewing deck at the river's edge. There will also be a landing for water and boat access.

This half mile trail along the railroad tracks with a bridge that runs over a pond is located at the end of Harrison Street at Washington Street in New Buffalo.

Bicycle Trails

The New Buffalo area is both destination and an integral part of a series of bike trails known as the "Backroads Bikeway." This series of twelve self-guided tours on paved roads, with lengths from 5 to 60 miles have been developed and maintained by the Three Oaks Spokes Bicycle Club, Inc. (Three Oaks, MI). The routes follow area secondary roads over streams, through rolling hills, picturesque farmland, parks and forests in Berrien County.

Some trails offer riders a chance to swim, taste wine, hike and view area attractions.

There are also 6 outback trails that travel down secondary, dirt and gravel roads through Berrien County and La Porte County (Indiana).

For those who take their cycling seriously, the club hosts one of the Midwest's most popular Bike Tours – The "Apple Cider Century Tour," held on the last Sunday in September.

For the ultimate biking adventure there is the Annual "Pedal Across Lower Michigan", now in its 27th year – this week-long bicycle-camping tour across Michigan, begins in New Buffal and ends on the shores of Lake Erie. .

For more information on local biking visit the Website www.applecidercentury.com and for information on the Pedal Across Lower Michigan trip, email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .