Swim in season1 miOhio Street Beach
The Loop
Public Lake Michigan beach with designated swimming, lifeguards during beach season, and free admission.
Places to swim near Chicago
10 natural swimming spots within about 60 miles of Chicago, sorted by straight-line distance. Open each spot for the season, booking rules and directions.
10 spots listed10 lakes and tarns1 need a booking in season
10 spots in the Chicago area
Swim in season1 mi
Swim in season2 miOak Street Beach
Near North Side
Public Lake Michigan beach with designated swimming, lifeguards during beach season, and free admission.
Swim in season3 miNorth Avenue Beach
Lincoln Park, Foreman Island
Public Lake Michigan beach with designated swimming and lifeguards during beach season.
Swim in season6 miMontrose 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 season7 mi63rd Street Beach
Jackson Park, Woodlawn
Lake Michigan beach in Jackson Park with designated swimming areas and lifeguards during the beach season.
Swim in season8 miKathy Osterman Beach
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 miRainbow Beach
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
Seasonal public swimming15 miGillson Beach
Gillson Park, Wilmette
Gillson Beach has a buoyed Lake Michigan swim area operated by the Wilmette Park District.
Summer swimming beaches39 miIllinois Beach State Park
Zion
Illinois Beach State Park has Lake Michigan swimming beaches in its North and South units.