1. North Avenue Beach
Chicago skyline view bustling.
Best Beaches in Illinois 2025
Your complete guide to the top 61 beaches in Illinois
Illinois offers 61 incredible beaches, from pristine lakeshores to secluded coves. Whether you're looking for family fun, world-class surfing, or peaceful relaxation, we've researched every beach to help you find your perfect destination.
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2. North Avenue Beach (Chicago)
Enjoy the crystal-clear lake waters of North Avenue Beach (Chicago) in Illinois's Great Lakes. Perfect for swimming, kayaking, and family fun.
3. Ohio Street Beach
Quiet beach near Navy Pier.
4. Apple River Canyon State Park
Discover the refreshing river waters of Apple River Canyon State Park in Illinois. Perfect for swimming and outdoor recreation.
5. Big Muddy River Beach
Discover the refreshing river waters of Big Muddy River Beach in Illinois. Perfect for swimming and outdoor recreation.
6. Cache River Wetlands Beach
Discover the refreshing river waters of Cache River Wetlands Beach in Illinois. Perfect for swimming and outdoor recreation.
7. Carlyle Lake
Enjoy the refreshing lake waters of Carlyle Lake in Illinois. A perfect escape for swimming, kayaking, and family fun.
8. Carlyle Lake (Boulder)
Enjoy the refreshing lake waters of Carlyle Lake (Boulder) in Illinois.
9. Carlyle Lake (Dam West)
Enjoy the refreshing lake waters of Carlyle Lake (Dam West) in Illinois.
10. Clinton Lake Beach
Enjoy the refreshing lake waters of Clinton Lake Beach in Illinois.
More Illinois Beaches
Eldon Hazlet State Park • Embarras River Beach • Evergreen Lake Beach • Forbes Lake • Forbes Lake (Big Beach) • Fox River Beach • Horseshoe Lake (Alexander) • Illinois Beach State Park • Illinois Beach State Park • Kankakee River State Park • Kinkaid Lake • Lake Bloomington • Lake Carlton Beach • Lake Decatur Beach • Lake Jacksonville • Lake Murphysboro • Lake of Egypt • Lake of the Woods Beach • Lake Paradise Beach • Lake Sara • Lake Shelbyville • Lake Shelbyville (Lone Point) • Lake Shelbyville (Sullivan) • Lake Springfield Beach • Lake Storey Beach • Lake Taylorville Beach • Lake Vermilion Beach • Lincoln Trail State Park • Little Grassy Lake • Mackinaw River Beach • Montrose Beach • Montrose Beach • North Avenue Beach • North Avenue Beach • North Avenue Beach • North Avenue Beach (Chicago) • Oak Street Beach • Oak Street Beach • Ohio Street Beach • Ohio Street Beach • Ramsey Lake State Park • Rend Lake • Rend Lake Beach • Rock River Beach • Sam Dale Lake • Sand Ridge State Forest • Sangamon River Beach • Stephen A. Forbes State Park • Vermilion River Beach • Weldon Springs State Park • Wolf Creek State Park