Did you know the best places to take a dip in the Land of Lincoln are the one-of-a-kind swimming holes in Illinois? There’s nothing more relaxing and refreshing than taking the plunge in one of the state’s myriad swimming holes and beaches. In fact, if you want to turn your day dip into an overnight trip, many of these swimming holes offer nearby camping and a wealth of scenic views you won’t soon forget, making for a fun little getaway in Illinois! Keep reading to uncover the swimming holes in Illinois every Illinoisan needs to know…

  1. Kinkaid Lake Spillway - 1 Spillway Rd. in Murphysboro

Flickr/Curtis Abert Locals love to traverse the rocky paths and winding trails to Kinkaid Lake, an amazing fresh-water pool. It is located at the end of the lake and is perfect for swimming during the warm months. Kinkaid Lake Spillway, Shawnee National Forest, 432 N Spillway Rd, Gorham, IL 62940, USA

  1. Independence Grove - 16400 W Buckley Rd. in Libertyville

Facebook/Events at Independence Grove This beautiful oasis features 400 feet of sandy beach around the 115-acre lake. It is perfect for swimming and hiking, and is so gorgeous that couples often wed there. Independence Grove Forest Preserve, 16400 W Buckley Rd, Libertyville, IL 60048, USA

  1. Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort - 32223 US-12 in Volo

Facebook/Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort You’ll love the shape of this beautiful campground and watering hole in Illinois. So named for its fish-like appearance, the hot spot allows you to camp near Six Flags, kayak, and swim in the outdoor pool. Pitch your tent right by the water and take a dip whenever you like. Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort, 32223 N US Hwy 12, Volo, IL 60073, USA

  1. Silver Springs State Park - 13608 Fox Rd. in Yorkville

Wikimedia Commons/IvoShandor Situated along the Fox River, this spring is so named for the way it sparkles in the sun. It contains a natural, spring-fed pool you can enjoy any time of year. Please note: While this area is usually open for kayaking and boating, swimming is not always allowed. 13608 Fox Rd, Yorkville, IL 60560, USA

  1. Bork Falls - Ozark

Facebook/Illinois Ozarks Deep in the Shawnee National Forest along the Ohio River lies caves, bluffs, and wonders you’ve only before seen in your dreams. Take a dip in this waterfall swimming hole during the spring and summer months for an unforgettable experience at Bork Falls, one of the most beautiful waterfall swimming holes in Illinois! Bork Falls, Regent Ln, Goreville, IL 62939, USA

  1. Kayak Morris - 801 Kayak Morris Rd. in Morris

Facebook/Kayak Morris You can camp right on the beach at this cool spot. Access the lake anytime for swimming, kayaking, and more. 801 Kayak Morris Rd, Morris, IL 60450, USA

  1. Rend Lake - Franklin and Jefferson counties

Facebook/Rend Lake Project Office Visitor Center Locals love to spend time boating, fishing, and, of course, swimming at this beautiful lake. It is 13 miles long and three miles wide with many beaches and activities to explore. Rend Lake, Illinois, USA

  1. Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Park - 8542 N Lake Rd. in Lena

Derek Such/Google Local This man-made lake is 40 acres large and contains the clearest water in all of Illinois. Float across the smooth surface or race from end to end while being surrounded by beauty. 8542 N Lake Rd, Lena, IL 61048, USA

  1. Centennial Beach - 500 W. Jackson Ave. in Naperville

Wikimedia Commons/Supracoriolis Once a limestone quarry, this swimming hole holds 6.2 million gallons of water and goes as deep as 15 feet. The shallow end includes play areas with slides, jungle gyms, sand, and there are even diving boards. Centennial Beach, 500 Jackson Ave, Naperville, IL 60540, USA

  1. Bell Smith Springs - Pope County near Eddyville

Wikimedia Commons/Unknown This lovely place actually contains many holes in which you can swim. It is part of the Shawnee National Forest and features sandstone cliffs, creeks, and eight miles of trails. The pools are most frequented during the spring and summer. Bell Smith Springs Scenic Area, Bell Smith Springs Rd, Ozark, IL 62972, USA

Still looking for more places to cool off? Check out these 15 blissful Illinois waterparks.

Flickr/Curtis Abert

Locals love to traverse the rocky paths and winding trails to Kinkaid Lake, an amazing fresh-water pool. It is located at the end of the lake and is perfect for swimming during the warm months.

Kinkaid Lake Spillway, Shawnee National Forest, 432 N Spillway Rd, Gorham, IL 62940, USA

Facebook/Events at Independence Grove

This beautiful oasis features 400 feet of sandy beach around the 115-acre lake. It is perfect for swimming and hiking, and is so gorgeous that couples often wed there.

Independence Grove Forest Preserve, 16400 W Buckley Rd, Libertyville, IL 60048, USA

Facebook/Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort

You’ll love the shape of this beautiful campground and watering hole in Illinois. So named for its fish-like appearance, the hot spot allows you to camp near Six Flags, kayak, and swim in the outdoor pool. Pitch your tent right by the water and take a dip whenever you like.

Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort, 32223 N US Hwy 12, Volo, IL 60073, USA

Wikimedia Commons/IvoShandor

Situated along the Fox River, this spring is so named for the way it sparkles in the sun. It contains a natural, spring-fed pool you can enjoy any time of year. Please note: While this area is usually open for kayaking and boating, swimming is not always allowed.

13608 Fox Rd, Yorkville, IL 60560, USA

Facebook/Illinois Ozarks

Deep in the Shawnee National Forest along the Ohio River lies caves, bluffs, and wonders you’ve only before seen in your dreams. Take a dip in this waterfall swimming hole during the spring and summer months for an unforgettable experience at Bork Falls, one of the most beautiful waterfall swimming holes in Illinois!

Bork Falls, Regent Ln, Goreville, IL 62939, USA

Facebook/Kayak Morris

You can camp right on the beach at this cool spot. Access the lake anytime for swimming, kayaking, and more.

801 Kayak Morris Rd, Morris, IL 60450, USA

Facebook/Rend Lake Project Office Visitor Center

Locals love to spend time boating, fishing, and, of course, swimming at this beautiful lake. It is 13 miles long and three miles wide with many beaches and activities to explore.

Rend Lake, Illinois, USA

Derek Such/Google Local

This man-made lake is 40 acres large and contains the clearest water in all of Illinois. Float across the smooth surface or race from end to end while being surrounded by beauty.

8542 N Lake Rd, Lena, IL 61048, USA

Wikimedia Commons/Supracoriolis

Once a limestone quarry, this swimming hole holds 6.2 million gallons of water and goes as deep as 15 feet. The shallow end includes play areas with slides, jungle gyms, sand, and there are even diving boards.

Centennial Beach, 500 Jackson Ave, Naperville, IL 60540, USA

Wikimedia Commons/Unknown

This lovely place actually contains many holes in which you can swim. It is part of the Shawnee National Forest and features sandstone cliffs, creeks, and eight miles of trails. The pools are most frequented during the spring and summer.

Bell Smith Springs Scenic Area, Bell Smith Springs Rd, Ozark, IL 62972, USA

Have you ever been to one of these swimming holes in Illinois? Share your photos and experiences with us.

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Swimming holes in Illinois June 07, 2022 Sarah M. What are the best swimming beaches in Illinois? If you are looking for a bonafide beach day in Illinois, you’ll find it at these amazing hidden gem beaches. Leone Beach is one of our favorites; this Lake Michigan beach is tucked into a corner of northern Chicago between other beaches. It is not frequented as much as the other city beaches, making it an excellent spot to find a place that is all your own. Keyesport Beach is another hidden gem beach in Illinois. Centered around the largest man-made lake in the state, Carlyle Lake, this beach in southern Illinois is fun for the entire family. It is surrounded by natural wonders like forests with hiking trails, making it a semi-private beach. And if you’re looking for a beach in Illinois that’s also home to some of the most clear-blue waters in the state, we absolutely adore Pearl Lake Beach. This beautiful lake is used for camping and other resort-style fun. The beach is large enough for 100 guests at a time. It has a unique shape that locals love. This is certainly a place to add to your bucket list if you love Illinois beaches! What’s the clearest swimming hole in Illinois? If you’re looking for all-around summer all-star, Three Oaks Recreation Area offers everything you could ask for to have fun in the summer sun with numerous activities and amenities around a pristine lake. The long-abandoned Vulcan Lakes Quarry was transformed into Three Oaks over the course of 20 years. Since its opening, it has become a premier place for outdoor recreation, with its clear-blue waters beckoning Illinoisans! Take a refreshing dip in the lake that’s so clear, you can practically see to the bottom. You may even catch a glimpse of some fish swimming by at this spot, which really is the clearest swimming hole in Illinois.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Swimming holes in Illinois

June 07, 2022

Sarah M.

What are the best swimming beaches in Illinois? If you are looking for a bonafide beach day in Illinois, you’ll find it at these amazing hidden gem beaches. Leone Beach is one of our favorites; this Lake Michigan beach is tucked into a corner of northern Chicago between other beaches. It is not frequented as much as the other city beaches, making it an excellent spot to find a place that is all your own. Keyesport Beach is another hidden gem beach in Illinois. Centered around the largest man-made lake in the state, Carlyle Lake, this beach in southern Illinois is fun for the entire family. It is surrounded by natural wonders like forests with hiking trails, making it a semi-private beach. And if you’re looking for a beach in Illinois that’s also home to some of the most clear-blue waters in the state, we absolutely adore Pearl Lake Beach. This beautiful lake is used for camping and other resort-style fun. The beach is large enough for 100 guests at a time. It has a unique shape that locals love. This is certainly a place to add to your bucket list if you love Illinois beaches! What’s the clearest swimming hole in Illinois? If you’re looking for all-around summer all-star, Three Oaks Recreation Area offers everything you could ask for to have fun in the summer sun with numerous activities and amenities around a pristine lake. The long-abandoned Vulcan Lakes Quarry was transformed into Three Oaks over the course of 20 years. Since its opening, it has become a premier place for outdoor recreation, with its clear-blue waters beckoning Illinoisans! Take a refreshing dip in the lake that’s so clear, you can practically see to the bottom. You may even catch a glimpse of some fish swimming by at this spot, which really is the clearest swimming hole in Illinois.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

If you are looking for a bonafide beach day in Illinois, you’ll find it at these amazing hidden gem beaches. Leone Beach is one of our favorites; this Lake Michigan beach is tucked into a corner of northern Chicago between other beaches. It is not frequented as much as the other city beaches, making it an excellent spot to find a place that is all your own. Keyesport Beach is another hidden gem beach in Illinois. Centered around the largest man-made lake in the state, Carlyle Lake, this beach in southern Illinois is fun for the entire family. It is surrounded by natural wonders like forests with hiking trails, making it a semi-private beach. And if you’re looking for a beach in Illinois that’s also home to some of the most clear-blue waters in the state, we absolutely adore Pearl Lake Beach. This beautiful lake is used for camping and other resort-style fun. The beach is large enough for 100 guests at a time. It has a unique shape that locals love. This is certainly a place to add to your bucket list if you love Illinois beaches!

What’s the clearest swimming hole in Illinois?

If you’re looking for all-around summer all-star, Three Oaks Recreation Area offers everything you could ask for to have fun in the summer sun with numerous activities and amenities around a pristine lake. The long-abandoned Vulcan Lakes Quarry was transformed into Three Oaks over the course of 20 years. Since its opening, it has become a premier place for outdoor recreation, with its clear-blue waters beckoning Illinoisans! Take a refreshing dip in the lake that’s so clear, you can practically see to the bottom. You may even catch a glimpse of some fish swimming by at this spot, which really is the clearest swimming hole in Illinois.