Are you looking for somewhere to spend your summer vacation? If so, look no further. We have you covered! The following eight beaches will make your day, weekend, or vacation unforgettable in more ways than one. They’re also some of the best hidden beaches in Illinois that are certainly worth discovering. You’ll want to make plans to visit them all.

  1. Leone Beach

flickr/renee_mcgurk 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. Take a look at this article to learn more about Leone Beach. Leone Beach, Illinois 60626, USA

  1. Keyesport Beach

Facebook/Carlyle Lake 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. For more information about Keyesport Beach, be sure to take a look at this article. 103 Republican St, Keyesport, IL 62253, USA

  1. Pearl Lake Beach

Facebook/Pearl Lake 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 beaches. For more information about Pearl Lake, which is home to Pearl Lake Beach, you’ll want to take a look at this webpage. Pearl Lake, South Beloit, IL 61080, USA

  1. South Sandusky Beach

Facebook/Rend Lake Project Office/ Visitor Center Families can enjoy a full day of fun on this sandy patch of land that stretches around the edges of Rend Lake. In addition to the beach, there are picnic areas and places to change and wash the sand from your feet. Take a look at this webpage to learn more about South Sandusky Beach. Rend Lake, Illinois, USA

  1. Lake Bluff Sunrise Beach

Flickr/Lucy Gray Residents of Lake Bluff can access this most astounding of hidden beaches for free. Situated on Lake Michigan, it is one of the northernmost beaches in the state that exists on this expansive Great Lake. Though small, guests love the private feel and exclusivity. To learn more about Lake Bluff Sunrise Beach, be sure to visit this webpage. 784 E Prospect Ave, Lake Bluff, IL 60044, USA

  1. Rosewood Beach

google/Pete Fussle Open from dawn to dusk, this pristine beach offers excellent views and is a great place to swim. There is plenty of parking as well as picnic areas for families to enjoy. For more information about Rosewood Beach, check out this webpage. Note: Rosewood Beach is closed for swimming until after Memorial Day. Rosewood Beach, 883 Sheridan Rd, Highland Park, IL 60035, USA

  1. Oakwood Beach

TripAdvisor/Annaline This Chicago beach is another hidden spot along Lake Michigan that Illinoisans love to use for access to the water. Summer days are so much better when you’re here. Take a look at this webpage to learn more information about Oakwood Beach. Oakwood Beach, Chicago, IL 60653, USA

  1. Olson Lake Beach

TripAdvisor/Jennifer S Located at Rock Cut State Park, this is a beach that few people know is in Illinois. It is situated near our border with Wisconsin and is a wonderful place for all sorts of nature attractions. For more information about Olson Lake Beach, take a look at this website. Rock Cut State Park, 7318 Harlem Rd, Loves Park, IL 61111, USA

If you’ve ever been to one of these eight hidden beaches, we’d love to hear from you. Please share your experience(s) and photos with us in the comments below.

flickr/renee_mcgurk

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. Take a look at this article to learn more about Leone Beach.

Leone Beach, Illinois 60626, USA

Facebook/Carlyle Lake

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. For more information about Keyesport Beach, be sure to take a look at this article.

103 Republican St, Keyesport, IL 62253, USA

Facebook/Pearl Lake

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 beaches. For more information about Pearl Lake, which is home to Pearl Lake Beach, you’ll want to take a look at this webpage.

Pearl Lake, South Beloit, IL 61080, USA

Facebook/Rend Lake Project Office/ Visitor Center

Families can enjoy a full day of fun on this sandy patch of land that stretches around the edges of Rend Lake. In addition to the beach, there are picnic areas and places to change and wash the sand from your feet. Take a look at this webpage to learn more about South Sandusky Beach.

Rend Lake, Illinois, USA

Flickr/Lucy Gray

Residents of Lake Bluff can access this most astounding of hidden beaches for free. Situated on Lake Michigan, it is one of the northernmost beaches in the state that exists on this expansive Great Lake. Though small, guests love the private feel and exclusivity. To learn more about Lake Bluff Sunrise Beach, be sure to visit this webpage.

784 E Prospect Ave, Lake Bluff, IL 60044, USA

google/Pete Fussle

Open from dawn to dusk, this pristine beach offers excellent views and is a great place to swim. There is plenty of parking as well as picnic areas for families to enjoy. For more information about Rosewood Beach, check out this webpage. Note: Rosewood Beach is closed for swimming until after Memorial Day.

Rosewood Beach, 883 Sheridan Rd, Highland Park, IL 60035, USA

TripAdvisor/Annaline

This Chicago beach is another hidden spot along Lake Michigan that Illinoisans love to use for access to the water. Summer days are so much better when you’re here. Take a look at this webpage to learn more information about Oakwood Beach.

Oakwood Beach, Chicago, IL 60653, USA

TripAdvisor/Jennifer S

Located at Rock Cut State Park, this is a beach that few people know is in Illinois. It is situated near our border with Wisconsin and is a wonderful place for all sorts of nature attractions. For more information about Olson Lake Beach, take a look at this website.

Rock Cut State Park, 7318 Harlem Rd, Loves Park, IL 61111, USA

For a list of more fun things to do in Illinois this summer, be sure to take a look at the following article: 15 Unforgettable Things You Must Add To Your Illinois Summer Bucket List.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

The OIYS Visitor Center

best hidden beaches in illinois March 30, 2022 Jennifer Young What’s one of the best private beaches in Illinois? Illinois is filled with many beautiful beaches, several of which are somewhat private. One of the best secret beaches in Illinois is Kathy Osterman Beach in Chicago. It’s located at the northernmost tip of Lincoln Park and is also great for a relaxing day trip. Although private when compared to most other Illinois beaches, Kathy Osterman Beach still receives many visitors each summer. For more information about Kathy Osterman Beach, including hours and rules, be sure to take a look at this webpage. What are three beaches in Illinois that belong on everyone’s summer bucket list? Have you ever asked yourself “Where are the best beaches near me that belong on my summer bucket list?” If so, you’re in luck! Listed below are three of the best Illinois beaches to visit this summer.

  1. 57th Street Beach Illinois’ 57th Street Beach is located within Jackson Park and is one of Chicago’s most popular beaches for swimming. It also offers incredible views of the Chicago skyline. Visit this webpage for additional information about Illinois’ 57th Street Beach.
  2. Waukegan Municipal Beach Waukegan Municipal Beach is located in Waukegan, Illinois and is easily accessible by most all means of transportation, including car, plane, bicycle, train, and boat. This beach is also open daily year round. What makes it unique is the fact that it boasts some of the area’s only remaining natural dunes. For more information about Waukegan Municipal Beach, be sure to take a look at this webpage.
  3. Montrose Beach Illinois’ Montrose Beach is located in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood within the city’s Lincoln Park. It’s open for public swimming between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Be sure to take a look at this webpage for more information about Illinois’ Montrose Beach.

The OIYS Visitor Center

best hidden beaches in illinois

March 30, 2022

Jennifer Young

What’s one of the best private beaches in Illinois? Illinois is filled with many beautiful beaches, several of which are somewhat private. One of the best secret beaches in Illinois is Kathy Osterman Beach in Chicago. It’s located at the northernmost tip of Lincoln Park and is also great for a relaxing day trip. Although private when compared to most other Illinois beaches, Kathy Osterman Beach still receives many visitors each summer. For more information about Kathy Osterman Beach, including hours and rules, be sure to take a look at this webpage. What are three beaches in Illinois that belong on everyone’s summer bucket list? Have you ever asked yourself “Where are the best beaches near me that belong on my summer bucket list?” If so, you’re in luck! Listed below are three of the best Illinois beaches to visit this summer.

  1. 57th Street Beach Illinois’ 57th Street Beach is located within Jackson Park and is one of Chicago’s most popular beaches for swimming. It also offers incredible views of the Chicago skyline. Visit this webpage for additional information about Illinois’ 57th Street Beach.
  2. Waukegan Municipal Beach Waukegan Municipal Beach is located in Waukegan, Illinois and is easily accessible by most all means of transportation, including car, plane, bicycle, train, and boat. This beach is also open daily year round. What makes it unique is the fact that it boasts some of the area’s only remaining natural dunes. For more information about Waukegan Municipal Beach, be sure to take a look at this webpage.
  3. Montrose Beach Illinois’ Montrose Beach is located in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood within the city’s Lincoln Park. It’s open for public swimming between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Be sure to take a look at this webpage for more information about Illinois’ Montrose Beach.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Illinois is filled with many beautiful beaches, several of which are somewhat private. One of the best secret beaches in Illinois is Kathy Osterman Beach in Chicago. It’s located at the northernmost tip of Lincoln Park and is also great for a relaxing day trip. Although private when compared to most other Illinois beaches, Kathy Osterman Beach still receives many visitors each summer. For more information about Kathy Osterman Beach, including hours and rules, be sure to take a look at this webpage.

What are three beaches in Illinois that belong on everyone’s summer bucket list?

Have you ever asked yourself “Where are the best beaches near me that belong on my summer bucket list?” If so, you’re in luck! Listed below are three of the best Illinois beaches to visit this summer.

  1. 57th Street Beach

Illinois’ 57th Street Beach is located within Jackson Park and is one of Chicago’s most popular beaches for swimming. It also offers incredible views of the Chicago skyline. Visit this webpage for additional information about Illinois’ 57th Street Beach.

  1. Waukegan Municipal Beach

Waukegan Municipal Beach is located in Waukegan, Illinois and is easily accessible by most all means of transportation, including car, plane, bicycle, train, and boat. This beach is also open daily year round. What makes it unique is the fact that it boasts some of the area’s only remaining natural dunes. For more information about Waukegan Municipal Beach, be sure to take a look at this webpage.

  1. Montrose Beach

Illinois’ Montrose Beach is located in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood within the city’s Lincoln Park. It’s open for public swimming between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Be sure to take a look at this webpage for more information about Illinois’ Montrose Beach.