Big Falls County Park (600 Big Falls Forest Road, Fall Creek) tops the list for best beach yet again! After a short walk through the trees, time seems to stand still. The beauty is so big, it’s hard to look away. Generations of Valley residents know it’s hard to beat Ray’s Beach on the south side of Lake Wissota (18124 County Highway X, Chippewa Falls), where fun memories can be made that last a lifetime. Lake Wazee (N6302 Brockway Road, Black River Falls) boasts wide-open sandy bottoms and water so blue you’d better not forget shades. –Cullen Ryan