Proving that Big Falls County Park (600 Big Falls Forest Road, Fall Creek) is big fun in the sun, it ranks first again this year for Best Beach. If you haven’t yet been to one of the Chippewa Valley’s most iconic vistas, 2025 is your year to go. Ranking second is Lake Wazee (N6302 Brockway Road, Black River Falls), which happens to be the deepest and clearest lake in Wisconsin, as well as a scuba diving hot spot. In third, Ray’s Beach on Lake Wissota (18124 County Hwy. X, Chippewa Falls) makes for a classic family beach destination in summer, with spots to camp out and have picnics, and it’s close to lakeside restaurants with outdoor dining. —James Johonnott