Wild Swim Atlas

Swimming holes in Illinois

11 places to swim in Illinois, each checked for public access. Open a spot for its season, booking rules and how to get there.

11 spots listed11 lakes and tarns1 need a booking in season

11 spots in Illinois

Swim in season1 mi

Ohio Street Beach

Lake
The Loop

Public Lake Michigan beach with designated swimming, lifeguards during beach season, and free admission.

Swim in season2 mi

Oak Street Beach

Lake
Near North Side

Public Lake Michigan beach with designated swimming, lifeguards during beach season, and free admission.

Swim in season3 mi

North Avenue Beach

Lake
Lincoln Park, Foreman Island

Public Lake Michigan beach with designated swimming and lifeguards during beach season.

Swim in season6 mi

Montrose Beach

Lake
Lincoln Park, Uptown

Montrose Beach is a free Lake Michigan beach with designated swimming, lifeguards in season, concessions, rentals, showers and restrooms.

Swim in season7 mi

63rd Street Beach

Lake
Jackson Park, Woodlawn

Lake Michigan beach in Jackson Park with designated swimming areas and lifeguards during the beach season.

Swim in season8 mi

Kathy Osterman Beach

Lake
Lincoln Park, Edgewater

Kathy Osterman Beach, also called Ardmore or Hollywood Beach, is a free Lake Michigan beach with designated seasonal swimming.

Swim in season9 mi

Rainbow Beach

Lake
Rainbow Beach Park, South Shore

Lake Michigan beach in Rainbow Beach Park with designated swimming areas and lifeguards during the beach season.

Public swimming allowed13 mi

North Beach

Lake
Lighthouse Beach, Evanston

North Beach is a Lake Michigan swimming beach in Evanston.

Seasonal public swimming15 mi

Gillson Beach

Lake
Gillson Park, Wilmette

Gillson Beach has a buoyed Lake Michigan swim area operated by the Wilmette Park District.

Summer swimming beaches39 mi

Illinois Beach State Park

Lake
Zion

Illinois Beach State Park has Lake Michigan swimming beaches in its North and South units.

Seasonal public swimming77 mi

Rock Cut swim beach

Lake
Rock Cut State Park, Machesney Park

Olson Beach is a seasonal public swimming beach on Olson Lake at Rock Cut State Park.

Swimming near a Illinois city

By type of water