Life's a Beach: Guide to Lake County Beaches 2024

By: Stephanie Wylie 05/17/2024

Summer is just around the corner! Lake County boasts over 200 lakes and extensive Lake Michigan shoreline, offering a variety of beach experiences. Seeking adventure on Lake Michigan? Visit Illinois Beach State Park in Zion. Prefer a more relaxed setting for the kids? Head to , Lake Zurich's Paulus Park or Phil's Beach in Wauconda featuring lifeguards and a water playground.

For daily updates on the status of inland and Lake Michigan beaches, check the Lake County Beach Advisory page HERE. Gather your towels, grab your water toys, apply some sunscreen, and find the perfect spot on the sand to unwind. Here's your ultimate guide to Lake County beaches.

COMING SOON: Lakefront Park in Fox Lake

• The ONLY public beach on the Chain O'Lakes and a short walk to the Metra Station
• Outdoor amphitheater for concerts and community events
• Pickleball Courts
• Enhanced splashed pad and playground
• Shade structure with picnic tables and new restrooms
• Sloped path to fishing sports
• Volleyball area
• Phase two of construction will include a 15,000-square-foot-foot board walk and pier

 71 Nippersink Blvd., Fox Lake.

Turtle Beach Marina in Antioch

• Boat Slips are available.
• Located on the Channel Lake of the Chain O' Lakes.
• Boat Launch $20/day, season launch pass is $300/season.
• Must order from the restaurant to gain beach access.
• Restaurant & concessions.
• Marine service, Boat launch and repair.
• Fishing is available.
• No lifeguards on duty.

42273 N. Woodbine Ave., Antioch. 

Illinois State Beach in Zion

• Six-and-a-half miles of Lake Michigan shoreline
• Ample parking and bathrooms with showers.
• No on-duty lifeguards.
• Park Hours:  Sunrise to Sunset. Open Memorial day-Labor Day.
• Free admission.
• North Point Marina is located five miles north of Illinois Beach. The full-service, boat center and food concession marina offers 1,500 boating slips.
• Fishing is permitted on the beach area.
• Groups of 25 are required to register in advance with the site office.
• One adult must accompany each group of 15 minors.
• Pets are allowed but must be kept on a leash.
• North Point Marina is located five miles north of the Zion beach
• Open Memorial Day through Labor Day

Park Office-Lakefront, Zion..

Paulus Park Beach & Sprayground in Lake Zurich

• Regular summer hours from June 3-August 4; 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Post season weekday hours: August 5-9, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Post season weekend hours: August 10-11, 17-18, 24-25, and Sept. 1-2; 11a.m.-5 p.m.
• Paulus Park Sprayground hours: May 27-Sept. 15; 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Admissions is for individuals age 4+ $25 resident/$30 nonresident, seniors age 62+ $20 resident/$25 nonresident. 5 Guest Passes $35 resident/$40 non resident, 10 Guest Passes $60 resident/$70 non resident.
• The park provides a sprayground water play area, volleyball court, picnic tables, shelters, grills, playground, horseshoes, swimming and nature area.

200 S. Rand Rd., Lake Zurich.

Spring Lake Beach in Lincolnshire

• Open May 25-September 2, sunrise to sunset.
• Spring Lake Park is approximately 8 acres in size. 
• Amenities include one acre wimming beach and fishing pond (catch and release only), tennis court, basketball court, playgrounds, picnic area with grills, baseball and softball, ADA accessible pedestrian path and more. 

49 Oxford Dr., Lincolnshire.

Lake Minear Beach in Libertyville

• Open daily May 25-September 2.
• Hours each day are 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
• Memberships: Family membership $230, individual membership $155, senior membership $110.
• Extended fishing membership available (additional fee $65)
• Swimming lessons are offered for ages 3+ ($150/5 Hours of Instruction). 
• Fishing allowed from the shore or by boat.
• Lake Minear offers volleyball, full-service concessions, free WI-FI, fishing, swimming lessons and party rentals.

600 W. Oak Spring Rd., Libertyville.

Diamond Lake Beach in Mundelein

• Daily Admission: $6 resident/$12 nonresident, Senior (Age 55+) $5 resident/$10 nonresident
• Season Pass: $35 resident each/$45 nonresident each, four or more $30 resident each/$40 nonresident each, Senior (Age 55+) $25 resident each/$35 nonresident each
• Open June 1-August 4
• Diamond Lake Beach offers a playground, picnic tables, volleyball nets, changing room, lawn chairs and grills.
• Paddleboats, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are available to rent between $3-$5 per hour.
• Concessions are available and outside food is permitted.

1016 Diamond Lake Rd., Mundelein.

Fish Lake Beach in Volo

• Open to the public on weekdays only, May 28-September 20 with admission. Open for campers everyday May 24-October 6. 
• Admission $6 per person, kids under 3 are free. 
• No swimming alone and no lifeguard on duty.
• Amenities include playgrounds, picnic tables, grills, volleyball and two fishing piers (not open to the public)
• Mini golf: $1 per round.
• Kayak, rowboat, canoes, stand up paddleboard and pedalboat rental.

32223 N. US Highway 12, Volo.

Waukegan Municipal Beach

• Open year round, from dusk until down. 
• Parking fee is collected on weekends and federal holidays from Memorial Day to Labor Day for vehicles not displaying a city sticker. Parking fees waived for military, veterans and first responders. 
• Featuring a 400-acre lakefront, with a mile-long beach and 1,000-slip marina
• Recreational activities include swimming, sunbathing, picnicking, kiteboarding, sand soccer and sand volleyball.
• Free Entry.
• No lifeguards on duty at this facility.
• The Stiner Pavilion is home to a variety of other concerts and festivals in summer months.

201 Sea Horse Dr., Waukegan.

Rosewood Beach in Highland Park

• Open Memorial Day through Labor Day from Dusk until Dawn
• Daily admission is free for residents and guests; $10 for non-residents.
• The beach features a natural cove, concessions, restrooms and more.
• Recreational activities include swimming and stand up paddleboarding.
• After school, early childhood and public programs available at various times.
• Parking decals valid through December 31, resident decal: $35/non-resident parking decal $285.
• Picnic rentals available

883 Sheridan Rd., Highland Park

Jones Island Beach in Grayslake

• Open daily. Beach summer hours are sunrise to sunset from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
• Free admission
• No lifeguard on duty; individuals swim at their own risk.
• Boat Launch available for non-motorized watercraft (canoes, kayaks, paddle boats, row boats, SUP)
• Amenities: Two sand volleyball courts, fishing, two picnic shelters (available to rent from April through October), 
• Portapotty (seasonal)
• Parking is available in a parking lot located across the park on N. Alleghany Rd. Additional parking available at Woodview School a few blocks north on N. Alleghany Rd. Street parking is prohibited and playground.
• Located on the shores of Grays Lake.

Jones Island Park, 243 Harvey Ave., Grayslake
 

Phil’s Beach in Wauconda

• Summer Season: open daily from June 1-August 11 from 11 a.m-7 p.m.
• Back to School Season: August 17-September 1 from 12 p.m.-5 p.m.
• Daily admission fees: $8/Resident and $10/Non-Resident, 3-years and under are free. Adults 62-years plus are free (ID required at time of purchase). Twilight rate after 5:00 p.m. $3/Resident and $4/Non-Resident. Season passes available.
• WIBIT Inflatable Water Feature, open daily, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Daily capacity and WIBIT use is subject to change.
• Amenities include: splash pad, concessions, bathhouse, gazebo, baggo boards, game tables, swim area, board walk, WIBIT inflatable attraction and iconic J-Slide on display (on-land photo op only)
• Lifeguard on duty.
• Swim lessons and Camp Wauconda Swim available. Contact Wauconda Park District to register.
• Parking in the Phil’s Beach parking lot is first come, first serve.
• Grilling is not permitted in Phil’s Beach or parking lot.
• Concessions available, however, outside food and beverage are permitted in Phil’s beach.
• Phil’s Beach Party rental. Contact Wauconda Park District for details and reservations. $250/Resident and $300/Non-Resident.

600 N. Main Street, Wauconda
 

Meyer’s Beach in Lindenhurst

• Open daily from sunrise to sunset from the Friday before Memorial Day through the Tuesday after Labor Day.
• Available for swimming. 
• No on-duty lifeguard.
• Parking available. 
• Picnic area available, first-come first-serve.
• Restrooms (summer only)

325 Highpoint Dr., Lindenhurst

To learn more about Lake County beaches, continue here.