Beaches

Beaches

Evanston's lakefront and beaches are a popular attraction.

beach map

News:
Swimming hours at Clark St., Greenwood and South Blvd. Beaches will be 4:30 p.m. through 7:30 p.m. Mon., Aug. 30 through Fri., Sept. 3 due to the start of school and staff shortages. On those days,  Lighthouse and Lee Street Beaches will be open for swimming from 10:30 a.m. through 7:30 p.m.

From Sat., Sept. 4 through Monday, Sept. 6, all five public swimming beaches are scheduled to be open from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The final free beach day for Evanston residents will be held at Lee Street Beach on Monday, August 30, rather than Clark Street, due to the revised hours near the end of the season.
 

General Information:
Evanston's five public swimming beaches are open for swimming from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. seven days a week through September 6, weather and beach conditions permitting. Evanston has three accessible beaches: Greenwood Street, Lee Street and Lighthouse.
 

With a boat launch, kayak and sailboat rentals, kayak and sailboat lessons, kayak fishing trips and miles of sandy beaches, everyone can enjoy a day on the lakefront.

Beach Locations from North to South:

  1. Lighthouse Beach - Central St. at Sheridan Rd.
    (2611 Sheridan Rd.)
  2. Clark Street Beach - Clark St. at Sheridan Rd.
    (1811 Sheridan Rd.)
  3. Dog Beach - Church St at the lakefront
    (1631 Sheridan Rd.)
  4. Greenwood Street Beach - Greenwood St. at the lakefront
    (1401 Sheridan Rd.)
  5. Lee Street Beach - Lee St. and Lake Shore Blvd.
    (1111 Lake Shore Blvd.)
  6. South Boulevard Beach - South Blvd. at the lakefront
    (525 Sheridan Square)

 

beach

A beach token or daily pass is needed for admission.  Admission for children under age one is always free. Daily passes may be purchased at each beach entrance.

During certain conditions, swimming is prohibited at one or more of Evanston’s beaches, but admittance to the beach (sandy area) is still allowed. At other times, both the water and the beach areas are closed for your safety. During the season, check the beach status page for updates.

 

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Dempster St. Beach Office
847.859.7822 (recorded message)

Location: where Dempster St. meets the lake. The official address is 1251 Lake Shore Blvd.

2010 Office Hours through Sept. 6 (Labor Day): 10:00am - 7:00pm daily

**On September 24, 2007, the City Council amended Ordinance 87-O-07 Section 7-11-4 of the City Code to clarify the Swimming Hours and Beach Hours of City Beaches. Swimming hours for 2009 are listed above. Please note the following revised paragraph:

(B) Beach Hours: No person shall use, occupy, play in, lounge about or loiter in any beach or building or structure therein at times other than the hours of 6:00 A.M. to 11:00 P.M. daily, except to fish from the north and south walkways at the Church Street boat ramp from 5:00 A.M. to 11:00 P.M. during the months of April, May, June, July, August, September and October.

In addition, on March 24, 2008, the City Council amended Ordinance 38-O-08 Section 8-21-5 of the City Code "Prohibition of Smoking" to prohibit smoking at all City Beaches, Playgrounds and Tot Lots.