05/15/2025
SUMMER ALERT! Hey everyone-it’s gettin’ to be beach season in Chicago. The following is excerpted from today’s Tribune and a good reminder that sand, waves and fun can be had for you (and sometimes your dog friends) at many beaches along the north shore…even if you’re not a resident.
Beaches along the North Shore are scheduled to open for swimming on May 24, and there will be changes at most of them this year, from price increases to free passes to improvements that will be worked on in future months. There’s also a free non-swimming beach.
�Glencoe�Glencoe Beach will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily and the Park District will continue to offer a reciprocal pool-beach pass with Northbrook, Classen said.��Prices: The pass, which costs $38 this year, gives Northbrook residents access to the beach at the same price as Glencoe residents, and gives Glencoe residents access to Northbrook Dog Park, Northbrook Sports Center and Meadowhill Aquatic Center, plus member rates on aquatics lessons and water fitness classes, she said.�The cost of the season pass increased from $36 last year, Classen said. The price of the non-resident season pass increased from $72 to $76 this year, she said. Daily admission fees remain the same at $12 for residents and $24 for non-residents, Classen said.�There is no charge for parking, according to the district’s website.�A season pass is required to access the beach during mornings and weekends.��Winnetka�Winnetka beaches that will open May 24 include Maple Street Beach, Tower Road Beach and Lloyd Beach, which features the Stepan Family Boat Launch. Lloyd will open on May 17 for boat launches, but swimming is not permitted on the beach.
Prices: Winnetka beaches are open from dawn to dusk and typically draw about 5,500 to 6,000 people each year. Daily swimming admission is $12 for residents and $24 for non-residents.�Season passes cost $125 for residents and $250 for non-residents. Beach access is restricted to season pass holders on weekends and holidays.
�Kenilworth�Prices: Kenilworth Beach will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. until Sept. 1. Season passes cost $100 for resident families of four or less and $10 for each additional family member. The passes are $500 for non-resident families of four and $100 for each additional family member.�Passes cost $40 for individual residents and $200 for individual non-residents. Daily passes are not offered.
�Wilmette�The Wilmette Park District is introducing The Cove, a non-swimming zone that will provide Lake Michigan access to non-motorized watercraft and share the southern end of the Gillson Park lakefront with The Dog Beach, which will allow off-leash dogs.
�Residents complained last year when the Park District erected a fence across the South Beach area of South Park and began charging admission fees for swimming there.
�The fees will remain for swimming and launching watercraft, but the south end of the beach will be free to those who simply want to sit on the beach or relax in the sand.
�All Wilmette beaches will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Prices: Pricing for daily beach passes per the Wilmette Park District website, is $11 for residents and $17 for non-residents at Gillson and Langdon beaches; $5 for residents and $10 for non-residents at South Beach. Parking costs $17-$26 additional, depending on day and residency status.�Season passes for one individual cost $66 for residents and $166 for non-residents, with additional fees for additional family members.�
Evanston�Lighthouse Beach in Evanston opens for swimming on May 24.
�Prices: Evanston beaches are free to all City of Evanston residents. For Skokie residents who are not District 65 families, beach passes cost $35 for those purchased from April 14-June 6, $43 for those purchased June 7-Aug. 1 and $24 for those purchased Aug. 2- Labor Day.
�Non-residents outside of Skokie must pay $63, $85 and $43, respectively, during each of those time periods.�Daily beach passes cost $10 for Skokie residents who are not District 65 families and $12 for non-residents from other communities.
�Evanston beaches include Lighthouse Beach, Clark Street Beach, Greenwood Beach, Dempster Beach and Sailing Facility, Lee Street Beach and South Boulevard Beach. Hours vary throughout the beach season. More information may be obtained at cityofevanston.org.
