Illinois is known for its corn and its prairies, but not necessarily for its beaches. Nevertheless, there are some really great beaches where you can take the whole family (and sometimes Fido!), sit on the sand, swim, and soak up the summer rays. We’re counting down the 9 best beaches in Illinois.
- Illinois Beach State Park, Zion
Illinois Beach State Park/Flickr To start off our list of the best beaches in Illinois is Illinois Beach State Park, which is officially called ‘Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park.’ This gorgeous stretch of beach sits along the shores of Lake Michigan and is a picturesque spot for wildlife, hiking, and swimming. For more information, visit the webpage.
- Lighthouse Beach, Evanston
Jill Meinert/Flickr A season or day pass is required to sit on this sandy beach. For more information, visit the webpage.
- Oak Street Beach, Chicago
CinCool/Flickr You can view the Chicago city skyline from this beach, which has an accessible path to the shoreline. For more information, visit the webpage.
- Sunrise Park, Lake Bluff
Lucy Gray/Flickr Park District residents are given free access to this stunning beach while non-residents can purchase a day pass. For more information, visit the webpage.
- Northwestern Beach, Evanston
Alan C./Flickr This beach is located at the north end of Northwestern’s campus, but all are welcome to visit. For more information, visit the webpage.
- Glencoe Beach, Chicago
Amanda/Flickr If you are looking for things to do in summer in Illinois, come to Glencoe Beach which has it all! From a playground to SUP board, sailboat, and kayak rentals, a playground, sun shelters, and locker rooms, this is the ultimate beach to spend the day. For more information, visit the webpage.
- Rend Lake, Benton
Benjamin Gonzales/Flickr Rend Lake offers a wide variety of recreation beyond its lovely beach. Spend some time on the sand and then head out on a hike, bike ride, kayak, or play some golf. For more information, visit the website.
- Lake Shelbyville, Shelby County
Dan/Flickr Lake Shelbyville has some of the most beautiful beaches in Illinois and is quite the destination with all the things to do here. Aside from four public beaches, it’s close to historical sites and plenty of lodging. For more information, visit the website.
- Montrose Beach, Chicago
Paul Schultz/Flickr Here is another accessible beach with a beach walk. During the season, there are concessions and lifeguards on duty. For more information, visit the webpage.
What do you think of this list of the best beaches in Illinois? Do you know of any other beaches hiding around the state? Be sure to let us know in the comments.
Illinois Beach State Park/Flickr
To start off our list of the best beaches in Illinois is Illinois Beach State Park, which is officially called ‘Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park.’ This gorgeous stretch of beach sits along the shores of Lake Michigan and is a picturesque spot for wildlife, hiking, and swimming. For more information, visit the webpage.
Jill Meinert/Flickr
A season or day pass is required to sit on this sandy beach. For more information, visit the webpage.
CinCool/Flickr
You can view the Chicago city skyline from this beach, which has an accessible path to the shoreline. For more information, visit the webpage.
Lucy Gray/Flickr
Park District residents are given free access to this stunning beach while non-residents can purchase a day pass. For more information, visit the webpage.
Alan C./Flickr
This beach is located at the north end of Northwestern’s campus, but all are welcome to visit. For more information, visit the webpage.
Amanda/Flickr
If you are looking for things to do in summer in Illinois, come to Glencoe Beach which has it all! From a playground to SUP board, sailboat, and kayak rentals, a playground, sun shelters, and locker rooms, this is the ultimate beach to spend the day. For more information, visit the webpage.
Benjamin Gonzales/Flickr
Rend Lake offers a wide variety of recreation beyond its lovely beach. Spend some time on the sand and then head out on a hike, bike ride, kayak, or play some golf. For more information, visit the website.
Dan/Flickr
Lake Shelbyville has some of the most beautiful beaches in Illinois and is quite the destination with all the things to do here. Aside from four public beaches, it’s close to historical sites and plenty of lodging. For more information, visit the website.
Paul Schultz/Flickr
Here is another accessible beach with a beach walk. During the season, there are concessions and lifeguards on duty. For more information, visit the webpage.
If you are looking to spend time out on a river in Illinois for some summer fun, head to Knoch Knolls Park in Naperville for a kayak paddling tour on DuPage River.
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Address: Illinois Beach State Park, Zion, IL 60099, USAAddress: Lighthouse Beach, Evanston, IL 60201, USAAddress: Oak Street Beach, Illinois 60611, USAAddress: Lake Bluff, IL 60044, USAAddress: Evanston, IL, USAAddress: Glencoe Beach, Illinois 60022, USAAddress: Rend Lake, Illinois, USAAddress: Lake Shelbyville, Illinois, USAAddress: Montrose Beach, Illinois, USAAddress: 7705 N Eastlake Terrace, Chicago, IL 60626, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Beaches In Illinois April 18, 2021 Melissa M What are the best lakes for swimming in Illinois? The Prairie State is filled with pristine lakes that are ideal for swimming. If you want to swim in the lake with the clearest water, head to Lake Le-Aqua-Na in Lena. Lake Kincaid, Lake Springfield, and Little Grassy Lake are also wonderful places for swimming. What are some fun things to do in summer in Illinois? With waterparks, zoos, hiking, biking, and more, there are endless possibilities for having fun in the Prairie State each summer! Read our article The 8 Most Unique Summer Adventures You Can Only Have In Illinois to give you some ideas on some activities that are fun for the whole family. Are there any swimming holes I visit in Illinois? Illinois has many unique swimming holes, some that are more easily accessible than others. Hike deep into the Shawnee National Forest to Bork Falls which feeds a stunning pool at the bottom. It will be a welcome place to go swimming in after an arduous trek. Centennial Beach in Naperville is located at a former quarry. Now a swimming hole, you can find both deep and shallow water here. Head to our post to see what other swimming holes you’ve been missing out on in Illinois.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Beaches In Illinois
April 18, 2021
Melissa M
What are the best lakes for swimming in Illinois? The Prairie State is filled with pristine lakes that are ideal for swimming. If you want to swim in the lake with the clearest water, head to Lake Le-Aqua-Na in Lena. Lake Kincaid, Lake Springfield, and Little Grassy Lake are also wonderful places for swimming. What are some fun things to do in summer in Illinois? With waterparks, zoos, hiking, biking, and more, there are endless possibilities for having fun in the Prairie State each summer! Read our article The 8 Most Unique Summer Adventures You Can Only Have In Illinois to give you some ideas on some activities that are fun for the whole family. Are there any swimming holes I visit in Illinois? Illinois has many unique swimming holes, some that are more easily accessible than others. Hike deep into the Shawnee National Forest to Bork Falls which feeds a stunning pool at the bottom. It will be a welcome place to go swimming in after an arduous trek. Centennial Beach in Naperville is located at a former quarry. Now a swimming hole, you can find both deep and shallow water here. Head to our post to see what other swimming holes you’ve been missing out on in Illinois.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
The Prairie State is filled with pristine lakes that are ideal for swimming. If you want to swim in the lake with the clearest water, head to Lake Le-Aqua-Na in Lena. Lake Kincaid, Lake Springfield, and Little Grassy Lake are also wonderful places for swimming.
What are some fun things to do in summer in Illinois?
With waterparks, zoos, hiking, biking, and more, there are endless possibilities for having fun in the Prairie State each summer! Read our article The 8 Most Unique Summer Adventures You Can Only Have In Illinois to give you some ideas on some activities that are fun for the whole family.
Are there any swimming holes I visit in Illinois?
Illinois has many unique swimming holes, some that are more easily accessible than others. Hike deep into the Shawnee National Forest to Bork Falls which feeds a stunning pool at the bottom. It will be a welcome place to go swimming in after an arduous trek. Centennial Beach in Naperville is located at a former quarry. Now a swimming hole, you can find both deep and shallow water here. Head to our post to see what other swimming holes you’ve been missing out on in Illinois.
