Swim in seasonOak Street Beach
Near North Side
Public Lake Michigan beach with designated swimming, lifeguards during beach season, and free admission.
Lakes and tarns in Illinois
11 lakes and tarns you can swim in across Illinois, each checked for public access.
11 spots listed11 lakes and tarns1 need a booking in season
11 spots in Illinois
Swim in season
Swim in seasonOhio Street Beach
The Loop
Public Lake Michigan beach with designated swimming, lifeguards during beach season, and free admission.
Swim in seasonNorth Avenue Beach
Lincoln Park, Foreman Island
Public Lake Michigan beach with designated swimming and lifeguards during beach season.
Swim in season63rd Street Beach
Jackson Park, Woodlawn
Lake Michigan beach in Jackson Park with designated swimming areas and lifeguards during the beach season.
Swim in seasonRainbow Beach
Rainbow Beach Park, South Shore
Lake Michigan beach in Rainbow Beach Park with designated swimming areas and lifeguards during the beach season.
Swim in seasonMontrose Beach
Lincoln Park, Uptown
Montrose Beach is a free Lake Michigan beach with designated swimming, lifeguards in season, concessions, rentals, showers and restrooms.
Swim in seasonKathy Osterman Beach
Lincoln Park, Edgewater
Kathy Osterman Beach, also called Ardmore or Hollywood Beach, is a free Lake Michigan beach with designated seasonal swimming.
Public swimming allowed
Seasonal public swimmingGillson Beach
Gillson Park, Wilmette
Gillson Beach has a buoyed Lake Michigan swim area operated by the Wilmette Park District.
Summer swimming beachesIllinois Beach State Park
Zion
Illinois Beach State Park has Lake Michigan swimming beaches in its North and South units.
Seasonal public swimmingRock Cut swim beach
Rock Cut State Park, Machesney Park
Olson Beach is a seasonal public swimming beach on Olson Lake at Rock Cut State Park.