Recommended beaches

Several public swimming beaches are located in the Saarijärvi town centre and outlying villages. The town centre's beaches and beach facilities are marked on the Saarijärvi service map. You can order a copy of the service map here. Some recommended central beaches are:

Autiolahti Beach (Autiolahden uimaranta)

This beach is located on the shore of Lake Pieni Lumperoinen. To get there, head in the direction of the Saarijärvi health centre (Terveyskeskus) and Kannonkoski, the beach is just off the no.13 road underpass on the right-hand side. The beach parking area is accessed via the roadside kiosk enclosure. There is a beach volley pitch next to the swimming area. 

Mansikkaniemi Beach (Mansikkaniemen uimaranta)

Mansikkaniemi is an old residential quarter located just behind the sports field in the centre of town. The beach is located halfway along Mansikkaniementie road. There is a diving platform at the end of the jetty.

Kolkanlahti Beaches (Kolkanlahden uimarannat)

Kolkanlahti public beach, covered barbeque area and boat landing area. The beach is located near to Veijari Fun Park (Puuhapuisto Veijari) and Ahvenlampi Camping next to Lehtolantie road (turn onto Lehtolantie from Kolkanlahdentie). The beach is at the head of Saarijärvi bay, no more than 300 m from the Kolkanlahdentie-Lehtolantie road crossing. This child-friendly beach is also a resting place on the Saarijärvi Whitewater Route (resting area is signposted). The beach has a covered barbeque area, jetty and boat landing.

Another resting place is located at Haukilampi beach just beside the main no.13 road, about 11 km from the centre of Saarijärvi on the right-hand side of the road in the direction of Kokkola. To get to Haukilampi beach turn onto the Kolkanlahdentie road, follow the road past the rock cutting and, at the subsequent dip in the road, turn left at the Metsäkoulu sign (sign points to left). From here, follow the directions on the resting place sign. The site is not an official beach, but is a favoured spot among locals for a quick dip. The site has a parking area and some interesting forest terrain.

Other beaches

Ahvenlampi Camping has its own beach which is reserved for its campers' use. The area is a guarded, four-star camping site and all services are reserved for the exclusive use of the campsite's lodgers. Access to the site as a non-resident is, nevertheless, possible upon arrangement with the camp manager Mr. Kari Iso-Markku. Cars and other vehicles must be left at the parking place at the site's main gate.

Visitors to the Veijari Fun Park can enjoy the park's family beach which is perfect for kids and not far from the pub café.