1. North Avenue Beach
Chicago skyline view bustling.
Best Beaches in Illinois 2026
Your complete guide to the top 87 beaches in Illinois
Illinois offers 87 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
Chicago's Beaches • Clinton Lake Beach • Clinton Lake State Recreation Area • Crab Orchard Lake • Crystal Lake Main Beach • Crystal Lake Recreational Swimming • Dawson Lake Beach • Devil's Kitchen Lake • East Fork Lake • Embarras River Beach • Evergreen Lake Beach • Forbes Lake • Forbes Lake (Big Beach) • Foster Beach • Fox River Beach • Goose Lake • Herrmann Lake • Horseshoe Lake (Alexander) • Illinois Beach State Park • Illinois Beach State Park • Kankakee River State Park • Kathy Osterman Beach • Kinkaid Lake • Kinkaid Lake Spillway • Lake Bloomington • Lake Carlton Beach • Lake Decatur Beach • Lake Jacksonville • Lake Le-Aqua-Na • Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Recreation Area • 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 • Lakefront Park • Lane Beach • Little Grassy Lake • Mackinaw River Beach • Milnot Beach at Lake Lou Yaeger • Montrose Beach • Montrose Beach • Montrose Dog Beach • North Avenue Beach • North Avenue Beach • North Avenue Beach • North Avenue Beach (Chicago) • North Avenue Beach Pier • North Marcum Beach • Oak Street Beach • Oak Street Beach • Oak Street Beach Restaurant • Ohio Street Beach • Ohio Street Beach • Rainbow Beach Park • Ramsey Lake State Park • Rend Lake • Rend Lake Beach • Rock River Beach • Rosewood Beach • Sam Dale Lake • Sand Ridge State Forest • Sangamon River Beach • The Concrete Beach • Tobey Prinz Beach Park • Vermilion River Beach • Whiting Lakefront Park • Winthrop Harbor Beach • Wolf Creek State Park • Woodhaven Beach