Where's the best state park swimming beach?

Is swimming top on your list when it comes to a summer camping trip?

My kiddos are little fish, and so we try to hit up Minnesota State Parks that list swimming beaches among their amenities. Some times the beaches are great. Other times they're little more than a mud hole.

TOP PICK: Sibley State Park

If you want a great beach, we recommend staying at Sibley State Park, just north of Wilmar. The beach was large with lots of sand. And there was almost no seaweed to speak of. It's on a large lake (Lake Andrew) and there was a refreshing breeze. Plus there are tons of picnic tables and a bathroom facility.

NOT WORTH IT:

The beach at Lake Louise in southern Minnesota is a long, buggy walk from the campground. When you get there, it's a really small beach on what's really not much more than a pond. The sand isn't great, its mucky, and there's plenty of seaweed. Leave the swimming gear at home, and plan to hunt for wildflowers instead. Niagara Cave isn't too far away, either!

NOT TOO BAD

Savanna Portage State Park's beach is in a simply gorgeous location. Catch it on the right day and you'll have the place to yourself. Wind rustles through the pines, and it's as peaceful as it gets. Ah. However, the beach isn't very large at all -- which I suppose isn't surprising given that the lake is pretty small. There's just barely enough sand between the terracing and where the water starts to call it a beach. There's seaweed and, when we were there in early June, lots of tadpoles! It's good for a quick dip, then you can picnic and head for the playground. There is a nice bathroom facility nearby.

Big Stone Lake is 26 miles long, tucked up near the South Dakota border and Ortonville.  The state park beach isn't too far from the campground, and so bathrooms are those in the campground. There was plenty of sand.

Whitewater has a lovely river, and the beach is located in the oxbow -- which means the water doesn't flow much around the swimming beach. Because of that, it's murky and mucky. Despite that, it's a popular place to be when its hot. It's not right next to the campground, but not too far away, either.

There are five lakes at Glendalough near Alexandria. The beach isn't located on the lake closest to the campground, but is one you'll probably want to drive to. It has a fair amount of shoreline, but not an overabundance of sand. There's a scattering of tables and it's a nice place to bring a picnic to.

What's your favorite state park beach?