Lakefront & Beaches
Evanston's lakefront and beaches are a popular attraction.
The beach swimming season has been extended and will begin on Saturday, May 26, 2012!
GENERAL INFORMATION
Evanston's five public swimming beaches are open seven days a week during the beach season. NEW! The 2012 beach season will begin on Saturday, May 26! The last day of the season will be Monday, September 3 (Labor Day). A daily pass or season token must be presented for beach admission.
NEW! Beach hours from May 26 through June 8, 2012, are 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Beach hours from June 9 through Labor Day are 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. All beach hours are subject to weather and beach conditions.
Evanston has three beaches which are accessible to people with disabilities: Greenwood Street, Lee Street and Lighthouse. Smoking is prohibited on Evanston's public beaches (Ordinance 38-O-08 Section 8-21-5).
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:
-
Lighthouse Beach - Central St. at Sheridan Rd.
(2611 Sheridan Rd.) -
Clark Street Beach - Clark St. at Sheridan Rd.
(1811 Sheridan Rd.) -
Dog Beach - Church St at the lakefront
(1631 Sheridan Rd.) -
Greenwood Street Beach - Greenwood St. at the lakefront
(1401 Sheridan Rd.) -
Lee Street Beach - Lee St. and Lake Shore Blvd.
(1111 Lake Shore Blvd.) -
South Boulevard Beach - South Blvd. at the lakefront
(525 Sheridan Square)
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. Free beach days for Evanston residents will be held at Clark Street Beach on Mondays from July 9 through August 27, 2012. Click here for information about teen outreach beach passes and the free beach token program.
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.
Dempster St. Beach Office
847.859.7822 (recorded message)
Location: where Dempster St. meets the lake. The official address is 1251 Lake Shore Blvd.
2012 Hours: In May, the Dempster Street Beach Office will be open Saturdays and Sundays from 10am-5pm. From May 26 through Labor Day, the office will be open seven days a week from 10am-7pm.
Clark Street Beach Office
The 2012 Clark Street Beach Office hours are 10:30am-6:15pm seven days a week from May 26 through June 8 and from 10:30am-7:30pm from June 9 through Sept. 3. It is located at Clark Street at the lake (1811 Sheridan Rd.).
**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. 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
