Located just off the Memorial Union Terrace, the Pier is staffed during the summer by Recreation & Wellbeing lifeguards. Please note, the pier may close due to unhealthy water quality or inclement weather.
HOURS
11am – 7:30pm, every day
Swim Safely
Public Health Madison & Dane County regularly tests Lake Mendota to make sure it's safe for swimming.
Check water qualityPier Policies & Rules
- No diving or head-first entries from the Pier
- No swimming under the Pier
- No fishing in the swim area at any time
- No boats in the swim area
- No running, pushing, dunking, throwing lake weeds, hazardous or disruptive playing, etc.
- Disruptive behaviors/activities that distract the guard from watching other swimmers are not to be tolerated
- No dogs allowed in the swim area during guarded hours
- Sunbathers are not allowed to obstruct the Pier walkway; a safe and clear pathway for other visitors to get to the end of the Pier must be maintained
- Patrons may not use the lifeguard stand-up paddleboard or other lifeguarding equipment
- Patrons may not sit in the guard towers
- Swimming outside the marked swimming area is discouraged; long distance swimmers should be advised of the inherent hazards, as well as the lifeguard’s primary duties to watch over swimmers within the swim area
- Children under the age of 17 must be accompanied by a responsible adult
- Swimming is not permitted in the swim area when University Health Services posts a “CLOSED” sign, due to possible algae blooms or bacteria contamination
- Swimming is not permitted when there is danger or lightning associated with thunderstorm activity in the area
- The Pier cannot reopen for 30 minutes after the last thunderstorm activity (lightning, thunder) or until instructed by UW Lake Safety and Rescue
- Public nudity is not permitted on the Pier
- No smoking