The best place to heat up and dig around in the sand is Big Falls County Park (600 Big Falls Forest Road, Fall Creek). There are plenty of beaches to set up a picnic and the water’s flow is irresistible. Voted second, Lake Wazee (N6302 Brockway Road, Black River Falls) has beautiful clear water and white sand that’s perfect for relaxing and floating all afternoon. In third, Ray’s Beach (18124 County Hwy. X, Chippewa Falls) is hard to beat with its proximity to the large, cool lake, with plenty of space to camp out for the afternoon. —Kelly Carlson