- Admission
- free
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: nbcchicago.com, abc7chicago.com
Good to know
Good to Know
- Beach admission is free, but parking at automated gate lots now charges $4.07–$23.39 depending on duration. A 15-minute grace period applies for quick drop-offs and unloading.
- Lifeguards are on duty 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily; swimming outside these hours is not supervised.
- Check the daily flag status before swimming. Red flag means water is closed; yellow means advisory (elevated bacteria); green means safe.
- Downtown beaches (North Avenue, Oak Street, Ohio Street) are busiest on weekends and afternoons—arrive early morning or on weekdays for fewer crowds.
- Street parking at downtown beaches costs $2.50/hour via the ParkChicago app; South Side beaches generally have dedicated paid lots with easier parking.
- Montrose Beach is spacious and has the most parking of any Chicago beach, but the lot fills quickly on warm weekends (arrive before 10 a.m. on Saturdays/Sundays).
- Montrose Dog Beach (north end, fenced, off-leash) is the only designated lakefront dog beach in Chicago.
- For a quieter beach experience, visit South Side beaches (Rainbow, South Shore, 57th Street, 63rd Street) or smaller North Side spots (Osterman, Foster) rather than downtown North Avenue or Oak Street.
- Many beaches have restaurants and bars: North Avenue (Castaways, Shore Club), Montrose (The Dock), 63rd Street (Reggies On The Beach), Ohio Street (Caffè Oliva).
- The Lakefront Trail connects beaches for biking and running; Divvy bike-share stations are near most major beaches.
- CTA public transit is reliable for reaching most beaches; recommended for downtown beaches where parking is expensive and limited.
- Water quality is tested daily and results posted by 1:30 p.m.; during heavy rain or storms, water advisories may be issued.
- Beaches open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, but swimming is only supervised 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Parking
- Overview
- Beach admission is free; parking fees apply at certain locations.
- Grace Period
- 15 minutes free for drop-off, unloading, or quick visits
- Street Parking
- Metered street parking at downtown beaches (Oak Street, Ohio Street, Osterman) costs $2.50/hour via ParkChicago app
- Automated Parking Lots
- 10 beaches have automated payment gates at lakefront parking lots: Waveland, Wilson & DuSable, Foster, 55th Street & South Shore Drive, Oakwood & DuSable, North Avenue, Rainbow, and others. These lots have been paid since 2009.
- Note
- License plate readers now enforce payment at automated lots. No paid parking at smaller neighborhood beaches; limited street parking instead.
Rate Structure
Up to 1 Hour
- Up To 1 Hour
- $4.07
Up to 4 Hours
- Up To 4 Hours
- $9.18
Up to 9 Hours
- Up To 9 Hours
- $15
Full Day (9+ Hours)
- Full Day (9+ Hours)
- $23
Beaches By Character
North Avenue Beach
- Parking
- Paid lot (automated gates); metered street parking ($2.50/hr)
- Best For
- Families seeking activity, volleyball players, social scene, skyline views
- Crowding
- Very busy weekends and afternoons; arrive early or visit weekdays for fewer crowds
- Character
- Chicago's most iconic and lively beach. Features iconic ocean-liner-shaped beach house with rooftop dining (Castaways bar & grill, Shore Club). Extensive volleyball courts, water sports rentals (kayak, paddleboard), vibrant atmosphere with crowds.
- Facilities
- Beach house with full amenities, restrooms, food concessions, chair/umbrella rentals
- Designation
- active/party
- Neighborhood
- Lincoln Park (Downtown North)
- Accessibility
- Accessible beach walk; free beach wheelchair with valid ID
Montrose Beach
- Parking
- Paid lot (automated gates); fills quickly on weekends (arrive before 10 a.m.)
- Best For
- Families, dogs (designated dog beach), birdwatchers, picnickers, all-day outings, surfers (in-season and off-season)
- Crowding
- Busy on weekends but spacious enough to spread out
- Character
- Chicago's largest beach (spacious sandy area). Full-service amenities including The Dock restaurant with live music, beach volleyball courts, kayak/canoe rentals, dog beach (off-leash), bird sanctuary. Popular for families, nature-lovers, and distance swimmers.
- Facilities
- Full beach house, restrooms, showers, food concessions (The Dock restaurant), kayak/paddleboard rentals, grilling areas
- Designation
- full-service/active
- Neighborhood
- Uptown
- Accessibility
- Accessible beach walk; free beach wheelchair with valid ID
Oak Street Beach
- Parking
- Metered street parking only ($2.50/hr); no dedicated lot. Transit recommended.
- Best For
- Skyline photography, social atmosphere, swimming, downtown visitors
- Crowding
- Very crowded on warm weekends and afternoons; most litter on busy days
- Character
- Quintessential downtown beach near Magnificent Mile. Deep water swimming (½ mile of 10+ ft depth). Popular for people-watching, sunbathing, and iconic Chicago skyline photography. Seasonal restaurants (Whispers). Professional and amateur volleyball tournaments throughout summer.
- Facilities
- Restrooms, seasonal outdoor restaurants, volleyball rentals, beach chairs/umbrellas
- Designation
- active/skyline
- Neighborhood
- Gold Coast/Downtown
- Accessibility
- Accessible beach walk; no dedicated beach wheelchair program at this location
Ohio Street Beach
- Parking
- Parking garage at 301 E North Water ($12/hour, $30/day); limited street metering
- Best For
- Families with young children, beginner swimmers, people seeking a quieter downtown option
- Crowding
- Generally quieter than Oak Street Beach
- Character
- Small, protected beach tucked between Navy Pier and downtown. Sheltered orientation and gradual slope into lake makes it ideal for families and open-water swimmers. Calm waves, shallow water. Less crowded than nearby beaches.
- Facilities
- Restrooms, lockers (bring your own lock), café (Caffè Oliva), accessible playground
- Designation
- quiet/family
- Neighborhood
- Streeterville/Downtown
- Accessibility
- Accessible beach walk
Kathy Osterman Beach (Hollywood Beach)
- Parking
- Metered street parking only ($2.50/hr); no dedicated lot. Close to Red Line.
- Best For
- Relaxed beach day without downtown crowds, local community, families (north end), LGBTQ+ visitors (south end)
- Crowding
- Less crowded than downtown beaches; popular with locals
- Character
- Relaxed, laid-back beach with loyal local following. Known as 'Hollywood Beach.' Northern section family-friendly with shallow water; southern section popular with LGBTQ+ community. Clean, scenic, gentle waves for swimming. Beach volleyball popular. No nearby parking lot.
- Facilities
- Beach house, concession stand, restrooms
- Designation
- quiet/social
- Neighborhood
- Edgewater
- Accessibility
- Accessible beach walk (Ardmore Avenue entrance); free beach wheelchair with valid ID
Foster Beach
- Parking
- Paid lot (automated gates)
- Best For
- Families with young children, groups of friends, active visitors wanting sports facilities
- Crowding
- Less busy than downtown beaches
- Character
- Scenic, smaller beach with shallow shoreline ideal for younger children. Surrounded by recreational amenities: outdoor gym, basketball courts, trapeze park. Sandy beach with connected Lakefront Trail access.
- Facilities
- Parking lot, restrooms, concessions, outdoor gym, basketball courts
- Designation
- family/active
- Neighborhood
- Edgewater (Far North)
- Accessibility
- Accessible beach walk; free beach wheelchair with valid ID
63rd Street Beach (Jackson Park)
- Parking
- Paid lot ($2/first hour, $7 for 4 hours)
- Best For
- Families, Jackson Park visitors, those seeking South Side beach experience
- Crowding
- Generally easier parking than North Side beaches
- Character
- Historic South Side beach in Jackson Park with oldest beach house in Chicago (interactive water fountains). Family-friendly with nearby park amenities. Clean, scenic, good for families seeking activity options. Home to Reggies On The Beach restaurant.
- Facilities
- Historic beach house with restrooms, interactive water fountains, concessions, restaurant (Reggies), playground, nearby park trails
- Designation
- family/full-service
- Neighborhood
- Woodlawn/Jackson Park (South Side)
- Accessibility
- Accessible beach walk; free beach wheelchair with valid ID
Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary/Nature Area
- Parking
- Shared with Montrose Beach
- Best For
- Nature lovers, birdwatchers, photographers
- Crowding
- Quiet nature preserve
- Character
- Natural habitat for migratory birds and native plants. Adjacent to Montrose Beach but offers peaceful, secluded nature experience. Part of larger Montrose Beach complex.
- Facilities
- Trails, natural dune habitat
- Designation
- quiet/nature
- Neighborhood
- Uptown
- Accessibility
- Limited
Rainbow Beach
- Parking
- Paid lot (automated gates)
- Best For
- Families, fitness-minded visitors, those seeking South Side quieter option
- Crowding
- Generally less crowded than downtown North Side beaches
- Character
- Part of 142-acre Rainbow Park with extensive amenities. Home to Rainbow Beach Dunes natural area with native lake plants and wildlife. Quieter than North Side beaches while offering full park facilities including fitness center, volleyball.
- Facilities
- Concessions, playground, restrooms, lifeguard station, volleyball courts, fitness center nearby, playground
- Designation
- family/active
- Neighborhood
- South Shore (South Side)
- Accessibility
- Accessible beach walk; free beach wheelchair with valid ID
South Shore Beach
- Parking
- Parking available near Cultural Center
- Best For
- Peaceful escape, cultural center visitors, scenic walks, those avoiding crowds
- Crowding
- Very quiet and uncrowded
- Character
- Small, quiet, secluded lakeside retreat adjacent to South Shore Cultural Center (historic landmark with gardens, golf course, historic architecture). Scenic and far less trafficked than North Side.
- Facilities
- Restrooms, nearby Cultural Center with gardens
- Designation
- quiet
- Neighborhood
- South Shore (South Side)
- Accessibility
- Accessible beach walk; free beach wheelchair with valid ID
57th Street Beach
- Parking
- Limited parking near Promontory Point lot
- Best For
- Nature lovers, those seeking quieter escape, surfers, Museum of Science & Industry visitors
- Crowding
- Less busy; quieter than downtown beaches
- Character
- Clean, scenic South Side beach just south of Promontory Point (Chicago hidden gem). Less busy than North Side. Adjacent to Museum of Science & Industry. Shallow, clear waters. Permitted surfing in-season and off-season (one of only two beaches allowing surfing).
- Facilities
- Restrooms, concessions, nearby Promontory Point picnic areas with grills
- Designation
- quiet/nature
- Neighborhood
- Hyde Park (South Side)
- Accessibility
- Accessible beach walk
Chicago has 22 public beaches along Lake Michigan, spanning 26 miles of lakefront. All beaches are free to visit, with lifeguards on duty daily during season (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.). The beach season runs from May 22 through Labor Day (September 7, 2026).
Admission
free
Season And Hours
- Season End
- September 7, 2026
- Season Start
- May 22, 2026
- Lifeguard Hours
- 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
- Beach Open Hours
- 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily
Special Features
- Surfing
- Permitted in-season (Memorial Day to Labor Day) at Montrose and 57th Street beaches only; surfers prohibited from active swim areas. Off-season surfing (Labor Day to Memorial Day) allowed at Osterman, Montrose, 57th Street, and Rainbow beaches.
- Dog Beach
- Montrose Dog Beach (north end of Montrose Beach) — fenced, off-leash area. Only designated lakefront dog beach in Chicago.
- Volleyball
- Courts and rentals at North Avenue, Montrose, Osterman, Oak Street, and other locations
- Kiteboarding
- Permitted at Montrose Beach only
- Accessibility
- 16 of 22 beaches have accessible beach walks; 8 beaches offer free beach wheelchairs with valid ID (Osterman, Foster, Montrose, North Avenue, Margaret T. Burroughs/31st St, 63rd Street, South Shore, Rainbow)
- Water Sports Rentals
- Kayak, paddleboard, jet ski rentals available at select beaches (North Avenue, Montrose, 63rd Street, Margaret T. Burroughs)
Rules And Restrictions
- Dogs
- Not permitted on beaches except Montrose Dog Beach (north end, fenced, off-leash)
- Alcohol
- Prohibited at all beaches
- Smoking
- Prohibited
- Grilling
- Only in designated areas; dispose of coals in red barrels provided
- Swimming
- Only during lifeguard hours (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.); must follow flag status
Water Quality And Safety
- Testing
- Daily water quality testing during season (7 days/week from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day)
- Updates
- Posted by 1:30 p.m. daily at chicagoparkdistrict.com/beaches
- Lifeguards
- On duty 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily during season
- Flag System
- Green (safe), Yellow (advisory—elevated bacteria), Red (closed)
- Testing Method
- Chicago Park District uses EPA-approved Rapid Testing method (results within 3-4 hours) to measure bacterial DNA
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this beaches research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
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Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.