Today, on Juneteenth, I brought Lucy to Elktonia Beach. Last year I highlighted this area in a post about Highland Beach, a historically black beach. In August last year, the mayor, lietuenant governor, and a number of others celebrated on the site that is now public property and they will focus on conversation of this historic site. The Carr family owned Elktonia Beach, which in the middle of the 1900s had swimming, a small amusement park, and concert hall with some pretty famous people… Stevie Wonder! James Brown! Billie Holiday! Chuck Berry! The list goes on and on, it’s incredible.

Today it seems nature and the bay have claimed most of the sand, leaving behind a pretty and small strip of soft sand. As Perry just said ‘it’s amazing how time passed.’ It would be incredible to revive this landmark, which served as a summer haven for African Americans during segregation. But as it is today, we found it serene and vacant.

To get there you should park at Ellen O. Moyer Nature Park lot on Edgewood Road. After parking, cross where you see the big 7090 sign and there is a crosswalk. Go down the gravelly path that begins with a mailbox on the right side labeled 7090. After walking for a few minutes you will come to a blocked private property and the dirt path to Elktonia Beach on your right. They have some great signs up near the entrance that explain the history.

It’s a short walk on the dirt path to the narrow and short beach. There is a bench and a few chairs out. The sand was a bit orangy but soft, and a bunch of rocks and shells for Lucy (and one other lady who was there) to collect. The water was a tepid cold which felt great on this hot and murky day. Swimming is not allowed, and it does appear to not be as shallow a few feet out. But great for getting the feet wet.

The view is alright. To the right are apartments (lucky you), and to the right are some piers. In the distance you can see the bridge. Lots of sailboats speckling the view. There are some remnants of what must have been involved in years past, but I am not an expert. With only two other people there the entire time we were there on a hot day, the atmosphere was idyllic.

Note this is not for those who want amenities. There are none. No bathrooms, no water, no trash cans, no nothing. This is the place to go for an hour or two to relax and enjoy the peace of the bay.

What I liked…

• It’s Free!
• The drive was on the shorter side for local beaches for us, and the walk from parking to the beach was only about five minutes
• Peaceful and not overcrowded
• I like the ‘no fuss’ nature of it
• The history of it all
• Water a good temp
• There are a couple of shady areas. Not big, but probably about four spots to put a chair in the shade
• Though no ameneties there, the area has tons of places to get things. Plenty of fast food, drive-thrus, coffee, restaurants, gas, all the things only a couple of minutes away.

Not a fan of…

• It is quite small
• The view is alright
• Would love to be able to wade in the water

Concluding thoughts…

I can’t believe I found this place. A little slice of heaven for me, to be honest. Perfect place for to go for a couple of hours to recharge. It is not a full beach day kind of place, but sometimes I need just soft sand, water, and peace to counteract burnout. 100% will be back.