We visited on a Friday afternoon, under sunny skies, which soon turned stormy. The conditions were not ideal for swimming due to the changeable weather and the lightning strikes, but it was a totally mesmerizing watching the weather blow in. We splashed around in the surf, then headed for the car once the skies opened up! Will definitely watch the weather reports over the next few days and try to get back out there for some beautiful fall beachcombing. This is a nice clean little beach with no admission fee and no parking fee. Restrooms are easily accessible in the parking lot area and the beach is a relatively short walk across the bridge past some dunes and down to the shore. I recommend you check out the availability of a lifeguard before you drive out there. Our drive time was over an hour and a half only to find out that they pulled the lifeguards due to the weather. read more

Bennett Beach - View of the beach from the bridge as you leave the parking area - Beaches Near Me - Angola, New York

Bennett Beach is a great day trip out of the metro, about a 45 minute drive or so down Lake Erie. The beach sits back a short walk from the parking lot. You have to walk across a bridge over Three Sisters Creek, and down a sandy trail past the dunes to get out to the water. The restrooms are near the parking lot, so best to use them before trekking out to the sand. Bennett is a good sized beach with a decent length of shoreline. I love walking in the sand, and Bennett has a good stretch to easily get in a mile or two if you walk up and down the public area. One side of the beach is clearly posted, whereas the other side is harder to tell where private beach starts. Anytime I've walked down near where homes are, it doesn't seem to be an issue. I love the beach. My husband loves to fish. So we end up at Bennett often because Three Sisters Creek keeps the hubs happy to cast a few, and I can head out to the shore. He hasn't pulled anything huge out of the creek here, but any day fishing is still a good day of fishing. He enjoys himself here. As long as you don't mind a bit of a walk from the car to the water, Bennett is a beautiful beach for swimming, strolling, sunning, and/or fishing. Hauling a huge cooler or a lot of gear out to the sand is a chore here, but once you're out there, it's well worth it. read more

See all

One of the best, cleanest beaches around Buffalo. If you need to pretend you're on an oceanfront on lake Erie, come here. You won't see the end of the lake and you can pretend you're somewhere on a nice ocean coast. Some bonfires happen here at night as well, which can be fun. One negative is during life-guarded hours: I hate how little of the swimming area is roped off and often try to swim nearby to where the lifeguard won't bother me if I enjoy swimming laps further out in the open water. I don't need to feel like a caged animal when I'm swimming in this massive lake! This is also a great place to go kayaking, so bring a kayak or two and dock away! read more

Bennett Beach - Parking lot - Beaches Near Me - Angola, New York

I was scolded for using a freakin pool noodle. Other people were using balls and kids had floaties, so why was I not allowed to use a pool noodle. I'm a grown woman, I can handle a noodle. It is just ridiculous, you can't enjoy a beach anymore without all these pain in the butt regulations. Also, why is it that there's a huge beach but they cram people in one little area. Get another life guard or something. Also, I hate that beaches don't allow dogs. People not cleaning up after themselves is a bigger problem than people not cleaning up after their dogs. Most people clean up after their dog. Nothing is free anymore, it's all regulated garbage. I'm sure back in the day not every little activity was policed. I agree with a commenter below who said "no fires, alcohol, pets, flotation devices, loud music, I'd have more fun at a funeral" read more

Great, kid friendly beach with *real* sand, not very pebble-y and with nice waves, where you can almost convince yourself you're on one of the coasts. Unfortunately we couldn't swim due to water conditions, but was a very nice time still. Great for kayaking and short sandy trails to walk on. Swimming is allowed when lifeguard is on duty, and dependent on water sanitation conditions (which gets updated on a daily basis around 11 am). Minus 1 star for having no shower facilities - you will track some sand into your car & home. Restrooms are also located a 5-7 mins walk away from the beach, near the parking lot, making it hard to make an adult only trip while leaving kids unattended. read more

Bennett Beach - Beaches Near Me - Angola, New York

See all

"So bring me two piña coladas, one for each hand." -Garth Brooks ************************************** Actually the beach is clearly and plentifully marked with signs that say no alcohol which overall I appreciate. The rule is actually enforced by a beach cruiser that drives around, keeping obnoxious beach rats to a minimum. There is not much to say that has not already been said in the other reviews. The only negative experience I had here was when I was next to some people playing rap music on a little speaker. I gathered up my things and walked over to them, "Look, I'm going to move down the beach but I just want you to know its really rude to blast your music while there's clearly a bunch of people surrounding you trying to relax." I got a "sorry man" and headed further down the beach. That's one of the things I love about this beach is that there is space for those who would rather be away from the crowd. After crossing the footbridge leading to the beach, there is actually a narrow trail that leads along an inlet to this less populated portion. As already mentioned, the abundance of actual sand is what sets this beach apart from other beaches. Yes, it's a good bit further down the lake than Woodlawn but what you pay for in gas is easily outweighed by free parking, less people, and a place that actually feels like a beach. read more

Bennett Beach - Beaches Near Me - Angola, New York

Worth the extra 15 minutes in the car! Private parking lot with free parking and bathroom on site! Bennett is less crowded then Woodlawn so it's great to bring kids or if you are just looking for a quiet relaxing beach day They do have lifeguards on duty and the sand is well kept It's surrounded by beautiful dunes and foliage. Very pretty and serene read more

Bennett Beach - Big sand dunes for playing - Beaches Near Me - Angola, New York

See all

Beautiful beach but way too many rules and lifeguards ruin the day. Looking for a beach that closes due to "Too many whitecaps?" Look no further! 90 degree day and cannot swim because of waves? It's calmer than the ocean at low tide! read more

Drove out here after seeing pics showing waves! On the drive out we started getting nervous that it wouldn't be worth it since we live very close to Lake Ontario. So we were super happy to walk along the path that opens to a little gem of beach that's not too crowded. Full disclosure - we went on a Monday during the day and it seemed to be getting more crowded later in the afternoon. There's not a ton of space on the sand, so it may be tough on a crowded Saturday. The lifeguard swimming area is tiny and the guards were adamant that anyone in the water had to be in that area (rightly so). The water was warm and not too rocky. We spotted an eagle sitting on one of the trees overlooking the water! The sand was nice and clean here too. Definitely a great find! read more

I'm a "love the ocean/water more than the beach" type of guy, but the last couple years I've decided to venture out and explore the beach scene along Lake Erie. And this relaxing beach paradise fits everything I hoped it could be. Sure it's little smaller and more out if the way than some other beaches closer to the city, but I find this beach to be the best option. Parking is free and there is bathroom facilities near by. Just wish there was an outdoor shower to rinse the sand or water off before heading home. The sand is fairly clean and plentiful. Also, there is pretty cool trails and sand dunes to explore just off the beach. Actually after walking across a small wooden pedestrian bridge to get to the beach you will see a massive hill of sand about 30-40 feet high! I suggest wearing a good pair of flip flops or sandals, as the sand gets very hot by mid-afternoon. Once you find a good spot, lay back put on some cool tunes and find your island in the sun! read more

Bennett Beach - Beaches Near Me - Angola, New York

Bennett Beach is run by Erie County. *large swim area, larger than Woodlawn beach *gradual slope, great for kids *good sand, and sand extends far out *free parking *relaxed lifeguards, not a lot of whistling and shouting *family friendly, few bros when we were there *no sewage outflow, ala Woodlawn *no residency requirement, ala Hamburg Beach *small playground, and small picnic areas *not a lot of motorboats around BUT *no concessions *no bathhouse, just restrooms This is now my favorite WNY beach! Completely worth the drive from the city. read more

I'd give 5 stars but definitely sure they ( the park ranger at the beach ) straight up lied about the swimming being closed due to E. coli. First off it is not listed anywhere of this issue! I told her they need to put this on the website and she insisted it is. No it's not ! I check before I make the 45 min drive !! Twice in a row now the water was off limits! And people were in the water down the road at sunset ! It's the same damn water and close enough to see people swimming! I think it's due to no lifeguards . And the ones they do have so far this year are ignorant ! 2 of them kicking a ball back snd forth to each other about 2 feet away from my son and I! Almost got hit by it a couple times . Another one driving there little vehicles around about a foot from our heads while we were laying on the beach ! This beach is not gonna go to crap due to more poor , non caring staff! Oh and for the one racist comment on here?? Give me a break!!! Us white people haven't been aloud to swim either so get off of here with the race card read more

Best kept secrets in wny. Sand dunes, great creek fishing picnic area and a large beautiful sand beach.

One of the worst beaches I have ever seen. Stones everywhere, dirty, and you couldn't even go in the water the day I was there because the Lifeguard said that the E.coli levels were deemed too high so it was unsafe to be in the water. Who wants to go to a beach with your family when you have to worry about getting sick?! read more

I recently saw an article about this place which included the following: "The following are prohibited at Bennett Beach: Alcohol or glass containers Smoking Fires or cooking on the beach Flotation devices such as floats, tubes and rafts Pets Loud music" Seriously? No flotation devices at a beach? I guess that must be why they need the lifeguards. Also, no drinking, smoking, campfires, music, or pets? I think I'd have more fun at a funeral. I'm so glad I no longer live in New York State! read more

Best beach because its clean, tree lined, never crowded and sometimes has ocean like waves

This beach is by far the best beach to take the kids in the WNY area. It has picturesque natural sand dunes, the sandy beach is well maintained and lifeguards are on duty while open. read more