Beach El Reno is the designated public swimming area on Lake El Reno, a city reservoir on the west side of El Reno in Canadian County, Oklahoma. The City of El Reno Parks and Recreation Department runs the lake, which was built in 1966 by damming Fourmile Creek, a small tributary of the North Canadian River. The lake covers about 170 acres with roughly 4.4 miles of shoreline. The city sometimes quotes a 310 acre figure, but that is the whole lake property, including the RV park and the Crimson Creek Golf Club next door.

The beach is on the east shore, along the lake side of the big paved parking lot at the end of West Elm Street. From I-40, take South Country Club Road north about a mile, then turn west on West Elm Street and follow it about a mile to the lake. You park on the lot and walk a few steps onto the sand, so there is no hike involved. A large pavilion, sand volleyball courts, picnic shelters and a playground sit just south and east of the lot, and the RV park office is at 1411 Babcock Drive on the south side of the lake.

The swim area is a straight strip of sand edged along the lot, facing west across the main body of the lake. This is a flat plains reservoir fed by a small creek, so expect warm, murky water in summer and no current. The state wildlife department lists the maximum depth as 19 feet, and the deep water is out toward the middle of the lake. The city does not list lifeguards, so you swim at your own risk.

Swimming is free. The city's lake page says so directly, and it lists no entry or parking fee for day use. City code (Chapter 250) limits wading and swimming to designated areas, allows swimming only between sunup and sundown, and requires children under 13 to be with an adult over 21. The same ordinance lets the City Manager, Police Chief or Fire Chief close the lake to swimming when needed, which can happen after heavy rain and high water, so call the city at 405-262-4070 if the weather has been rough. Personal watercraft use a separate ski area, and boats launch from two ramps elsewhere on the lake.

There is plenty to fill a day around the beach. Fishing is allowed from piers and jetties around the shoreline with a state fishing license (no city permit is needed), and the lake holds crappie and flathead catfish. A walking trail runs through the park, there is a paved field for radio-controlled planes on the south side, and the lake facility by the golf course has casual dining. The RV park has 52 spaces at $25 to $30 a night, plus primitive tent sites at $20 a night, all booked online, and its restrooms with showers are open around the clock. The Crimson Creek Golf Club, an 18-hole public course, sits along the northeast shore near the dam.