{"ok":true,"data":{"id":3365,"slug":"beach-10-budny-beach-erie","name":"Beach 10 (Budny Beach)","country":"USA","state":"Pennsylvania","city":"Erie","coords":{"lat":42.1279,"lng":-80.1456},"beachType":null,"tags":["scenic","hidden","sunset"],"article":{"hero":"Beach 10 sits on the northwestern shoulder of Presque Isle State Park, where the peninsula curves gently toward the open fetch of Lake Erie. The sand here is fine and pale, soft underfoot as you walk toward water that stays shallow for dozens of yards. In summer the lake warms to a temperature that invites long swims; in shoulder seasons you'll have the beach nearly to yourself, with only the occasional local walking a dog or casting a line into the slow-rolling waves.\n\nThe beach earned its official name from Joseph Budny, a longtime park advocate, but most signage still reads simply \"10,\" a numerical modesty that keeps crowds thin. You'll spread your towel on sand that slopes gently, backed by low dunes and scrub willow. Gulls wheel overhead. The water laps rather than crashes, a rhythm more lake than ocean.\n\nStay through the evening. As the sun drops toward the horizon, the western sky ignites—burnt orange bleeding into rose, reflected in the still surface of the bay. You'll watch sailboats drift back toward the marina, their masts dark against the color. The air cools. The light softens. And you'll understand why those who know Budny Beach guard its name carefully, preferring to let the rest of Presque Isle's seven million annual visitors stay put at Beach 1.","teaser":"You'll find Beach 10 tucked along Presque Isle's northern arc, where the afternoon sun warms the shallow water and evening paints the sky in shades of copper and violet. Most visitors cluster at Beaches 1 through 6, leaving this corner of the peninsula to those who know its official name—Budny Beach—and return for the quiet.","uniqueAngle":"One of Presque Isle's eleven numbered beaches with an official name most maps omit, keeping crowds blissfully elsewhere.","accessType":"Drive-up with parking lot","thingsToDo":[{"icon":"swim","title":"Wade Out Far","subtitle":"Shallow bottom stretches for yards"},{"icon":"camera","title":"Sunset Composition","subtitle":"Western exposure frames sailboats perfectly"},{"icon":"hike","title":"Multi-Use Trail Loop","subtitle":"Paved path connects all beaches"},{"icon":"kayak","title":"Paddle North Shore","subtitle":"Launch directly into open lake"}],"audience":{"surfer":"Lake Erie rarely delivers surfable waves at Beach 10; its northern exposure catches wind swell during autumn nor'easters, but the shallow bottom and gradual slope dissipate energy quickly. Your best chance comes October through December when low-pressure systems track across Ontario, pushing one- to three-foot rollers toward shore. The break is mushy, forgiving, better suited to longboards or learning. Local surfers congregate at Budny when Beach 6 is too crowded, trading clean shape for elbow room and glassy early-morning sessions before the westerlies pick up.","couples":"Arrive an hour before sunset and walk west along the waterline, where the sand stays firm and cool beneath your feet. The sky performs its nightly show—streaks of amber and plum that deepen as the sun sinks—while sailboats glide silently back to harbor. Pack a thermos of wine and a blanket; the beach empties at dusk, leaving you the shoreline. For dinner, drive ten minutes south to the Bayfront District, where Pineapple Eddie Southern Bistro serves Gulf Coast seafood on a canal-side patio. Afterward, book a room at the Glass House Inn, a renovated 1940s motor lodge with midcentury charm and sunrise views over the bay.","backpacker":"Camping on Presque Isle is prohibited, but Sara's Campground sits three miles south on Peninsula Drive, with tent sites running eighteen dollars a night and hot showers included. Beach 10 charges no entry fee—park access is free year-round—and you can fill water bottles at the bathhouse. For food under ten bucks, hit U Pick 6 Deli on West 8th Street for overstuffed subs, or grab empanadas at Que Abuela on State Street. The EMTA bus Route 4 runs from downtown Erie to the park entrance hourly; from there it's a two-mile bike ride or beach-to-beach walk to Budny.","local":"Show up before eight in the morning, when mist still hangs over the water and the parking lot holds only a ranger's truck and maybe one other car. The beach belongs to you then—no radios, no volleyball nets, just the lap of small waves and the occasional heron stalking the shallows. In October, after the seasonal bathhouse closes, you'll find the best beach-glass hunting along the tide line: smooth green shards from old bottles, frosted white, the rare cobalt blue. Midweek evenings in September bring the warmest water and the fewest people, the summer families gone, the weekend crowd not yet arrived.","family":null,"party":null,"diver":null,"explorer":null},"faqs":[{"a":"Beach 10 at Presque Isle State Park generally offers safe swimming conditions during summer months when lifeguards are on duty. However, Lake Erie's conditions can change rapidly due to weather and currents. Check the beach flag system before entering the water: green means safe, yellow indicates caution, and red prohibits swimming. Rip currents and sudden drop-offs can occur. The National Weather Service issues beach hazard statements when dangerous conditions exist. Always supervise children closely and avoid swimming during storms or high wind advisories.","q":"Is Beach 10 (Budny Beach) safe for swimming?"},{"a":"Summer (June through August) offers the warmest weather and full amenities, with water temperatures reaching the mid-60s to low 70s Fahrenheit. However, Beach 10 is particularly renowned for spectacular sunset views, making late spring and early fall excellent for quieter visits with stunning photography opportunities. Weekdays are less crowded than weekends. The beach is accessible year-round, and some visitors enjoy off-season walks for wildlife viewing and solitude, though facilities are limited outside peak season and swimming is not recommended in cold months.","q":"When is the best time to visit Beach 10 at Presque Isle?"},{"a":"Beach 10 is located within Presque Isle State Park in Erie, Pennsylvania. Enter the park from Peninsula Drive (PA Route 832) and follow the main park road. Beach 10 has a designated parking area clearly marked along the route. During peak summer season, parking lots can fill quickly, especially on weekends; arrive before 11 AM for best availability. Pennsylvania state parks charge no entrance fee. The beach is approximately a short walk from the parking area. GPS coordinates and park maps are available at the entrance station.","q":"How do I get to Beach 10 and where can I park?"},{"a":"Beach 10 offers basic amenities including restrooms and changing facilities during the summer season. For food, the Sara's Restaurant (Breakwater Café) operates within Presque Isle State Park seasonally, serving casual meals and snacks. Vending machines may be available at some beach areas. For more dining options, downtown Erie is approximately 15-20 minutes away with full-service restaurants, grocery stores, and accommodations. Pack your own food and drinks for convenience, as on-site options are limited. Nearby hotels and lodging are primarily located in Erie proper.","q":"Are there restaurants and amenities near Beach 10?"},{"a":"Beach 10 is officially designated by number on Presque Isle State Park maps as part of the park's numbering system for its eleven beaches. The alternate name \"Budny Beach\" appears on official park mapping, though it's less commonly used by visitors. This dual naming sometimes causes confusion, with many referring to it simply as \"Beach 10.\" The beach is considered a hidden gem among locals due to its scenic beauty and spectacular sunset views, offering a quieter alternative to more popular beaches within the park.","q":"Why is it called Beach 10 or Budny Beach?"}]},"seo":{"title":"Budny Beach (Beach 10) on Presque Isle: Erie's Sunset Secret","description":"Locals call it Beach 10, maps call it Budny Beach—either way, this Presque Isle hideaway delivers amber-lit evenings and quiet shoreline. Find your stretch of sand.","ogImage":null},"images":[{"id":"313591","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8169/7992963142_b1f1f26327_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8169/7992963142_b1f1f26327_n.jpg","alt":"Beach 10 (Budny Beach) — photo by Ken Lund"},{"id":"313592","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/5548/9436849989_179e4aaaf8_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/5548/9436849989_179e4aaaf8_n.jpg","alt":"Beach 10 (Budny Beach) — photo by Christopher Lane Photography"}]}}