Point Beach State Forest is a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources property in Manitowoc County, a few miles north of Two Rivers. Its roughly 3,000 acres of forest, dunes and old beach ridges run along about six miles of sandy Lake Michigan shoreline, and the whole length of that shore is open for swimming. The forest dates to 1938, and the Point Beach Ridges inside it are a National Natural Landmark.

The forest entrance and office are at 9400 County Highway O, reached from Two Rivers on Sandy Bay Road. Most swimmers head for the main beach in front of the old stone Lodge at the north end of the campground. The Lodge holds the Nature Center and the concession stand, and there is a parking lot right beside it, with a short walk through the dune grass to the water. The DNR's beach monitoring also covers two other spots, the Lighthouse Picnic Area beside the park office and the Lakeshore Picnic Area, if you would rather spread out away from the campground.

This is open Great Lakes surf, not a roped swim area. The bottom is sand, the water stays cold well into summer, and waves build quickly when the wind comes up. Lifeguards are not provided anywhere in the forest. The DNR warns that strong west winds can push rafts, tubes and small boats away from shore, and personal flotation devices are required for rubber rafts and other boats. On rough days with onshore wind, strong currents can pull swimmers out from the beach, so check the marine forecast and stay out when the surf is up. Bacteria advisories happen too: in July 2024 the Concession Stand, Lakeshore Picnic Area and Lighthouse Picnic Area beaches were all posted for high bacteria. The forest's Conditions page links to the state beach monitoring site for current results.

The beach itself has no charge, but every motor vehicle that stops in the forest needs a Wisconsin state park vehicle admission pass. A daily pass is $13 for Wisconsin plates, $16 for out-of-state plates and $3 for Wisconsin residents 65 and older. A 12-month pass is $28 for Wisconsin plates, $50 for out-of-state plates and $13 for seniors (rates effective August 19, 2025), and there is an extra $5 charge if you use the property before paying. The forest is open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day of the year.

A few rules apply on the sand. Fires are not allowed on the beach. Dogs must stay on a leash no longer than eight feet and are kept out of picnic areas, so the forest sets aside a stretch of shoreline south of the lighthouse where pets are allowed. A beach wheelchair can be borrowed from the park office at no charge. There is no boat launch, though paddlers can carry craft to the water.

The 113-foot steel tower of the Rawley Point Lighthouse stands on the shore near the office. The Coast Guard still runs it and it is not open for tours, but you can see and photograph it from the beach. The private concession in the Lodge opens from Memorial Day into fall, with a Friday fish fry and weekend breakfasts in summer, and the Nature Center is open Friday through Sunday afternoons from June through September. Away from the water there are about 11 miles of hiking trails, a stretch of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, the 5.2-mile Rawley Point Bicycle Trail and a family campground.