Summer in Chicagoland means special trips to the waterparks and beaches! Whether you’re looking for an afternoon trip or plan to make it an all-day affair, there are tons of choices for fun in the water. Check out all the options, from sandy Chicago beaches off Lake Michigan to incredible waterparks for hours and hours of thrills.
Chicagoland Outdoor Waterparks and Beaches
Outdoor Waterparks Near Chicago
Bensenville Water Park & Splash Pad
1100 W Wood Street
Bensenville, IL 60106
(630) 766-7015
- Opens May 30, 2022
- Pool, diving boards, several waterslides, and a splash pad
The Oasis
170 S. Circle Avenue
Bloomingdale, IL 60108
(630) 339-3568
- Season begins June 4, 2022; see website for hours and pricing
- Areas include ‘Cuda Cove eight-lane competitive pool with a drop slide and diving boards; Mango Bay zero-depth entry pool with geysers, spilling buckets, sprayers and water slides; and Adventure Island interactive water playground.
Pelican Harbor
200 S. Lindsey Lane
Bolingbrook, IL 60440
(630) 739-1700
- Outdoor area opens May 28, 2022; see website for rates and hours
- Local favorite with a splash pad, zero-depth entry pool, two enclosed waterslides, two open waterslides, lazy river, and sand volleyball.
Hurricane Harbor Rockford (formerly Magic Waters)
7820 N Cherryvale Boulevard
Cherry Valley, IL 61016
(815) 966-2442
- Huge waterpark with many waterslides, a lazy river, a wave pool, a splash playground, and more.
Deep River Water Park
9001 East US Highway 30
Crown Point, IN 46307
(219) 947-7850
- Opens May 27, 2022
- Big waterpark with tube and body slides, a wave pool, river rides, sand and water play areas for small kids, and more.
Rainbow Falls Water Park
200 Rev Morrison Boulevard
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
(847) 228-2860
- Opens June 4, 2022; see dates and hours
- Body slides, tube slides, gated tot pool, diving board, water playground, and more.
Forest Park Aquatic Center
7501 Harrison
Forest Park, IL 60130
(708) 366-7500
- Please note that as of June 15, 2022, Forest Park Aquatic Center is only open to season pass holders and residents.
- See website for hours and admission.
- Zero-depth pool, multiple waterslides, water play structure, diving board, lap swimming, sprayground, sand area, and more.
Hurricane Harbor Chicago
Six Flags Great America
1 Great America Parkway
Gurnee, IL 60031
(847) 249-1776
- Once combined with Six Flags, Hurricane Harbor is now its own park with a separate entrance.
- Good to know: parking must be pre-purchased online.
Paradise Bay Water Park
437 E. St. Charles Road
Lombard, IL 60148
(630) 627-6127
- Opens May 28, 2022
- Zero-depth pool with water features, body slide, bowl slide, speed slide, dive well, water walk, and other attractions.
Sea Lion Aquatic Park
1825 Short Street
Lisle, IL 60532
(630) 964-3410
- Opens May 28, 2022
Barefoot Bay Family Aquatic Center
1461 N Midlothian Road
Mundelein, IL 60060
(847) 566-8661
- Single and double tube slides, lazy river, zero depth pool, floating water walk, water climbing wall.
Centennial Park Aquatic Center
15600 West Avenue
Orland Park, IL 60462
(708) 349-4386
- Zero-depth entry pool with water feature, two body speed slides, a tube slide, a flume slide, a drop slide, a lazy river, and more.
White Water Canyon Water Park
8221 W. 171st Street
Tinley Park, IL 60477
(708) 342-4200
- Opens June 4, 2022
- Non-resident admission is $20/day; see website for hours
- Five-acre waterpark with slides, lazy river, splash playground, zero-depth entry pool with interactive play area, and more.
Turtle Splash Water Park
129 W National Street
West Chicago, IL 60185
(630) 293-6320
- Opening tentatively planned for June 4, 2022; see website for updates
- Five-acre water park with slides, water playground, zero-depth entry pool, and more.
Rice Pool & Water Park
1777 S. Blanchard Street
Wheaton, IL 60189
(630) 653-8884
- Zero depth pool, three water slides, sand play area, and spray area.
Cypress Cove Family Aquatic Park
8301 S. Janes Avenue
Woodridge, IL 60517
(630) 353-3350
- Opens May 28, 2022
- See website for hours and fees
- Enclosed splash pad, sand area, zero-depth entry pool with kiddie slide, waterslides, lazy river, and more.
Raging Waves
4000 N. Bridge Street
Yorkville, IL 60560
(630) 882-6575
- Opens June 4, 2022
- The largest waterpark in Illinois with tons of slides, pools, and water features. See Annie’s tips for visiting Raging Waves to see more.
Phillips Park Family Aquatic Center – Closed for 2022
828 Montgomery Road
Aurora, IL 60505
(630) 851-8686
Unfortunately, Philips Park Family Aquatic Center is not open in 2022. The Fox Valley Park District is citing a staffing shortage as the reason for the closure.
Beaches Near Chicago
Evanston Beaches
(847) 448-4311
Six beaches for public swimming. Daily pass or season token required.
Glencoe Beach
55 Hazel Drive
Glencoe, IL 60022
(847) 835-1185
Season passes, guest and daily passes available online.
Sunrise Beach
455 Sunrise Avenue
Lake Bluff, IL 60044
(847) 234-4150
Free for residents; non-resident daily fees apply.
Forest Park Beach
801 North Lake Road
Lake Forest, IL 60045
(847) 234-6702
Free for residents; non-resident fees apply.
Gillson Park/Beach – Wilmette
North Entrance
Lake Avenue & Michigan Avenue
Wilmette, IL 60091
or
South Entrance
Sheridan Road & Michigan Avenue
Wilmette, IL 60091
(847) 256-9661
Daily and season passes available.
Petersen Park Beach
4311 Lakewood Road
McHenry, IL 60050
(815) 363-2126
Daily fees apply. Boat and kayak rentals available for 18+ (ages 12-17 permitted with written permission from guardian).
Illinois Beach State Park
Lake Front
Zion, IL 60099
(847) 662-4811
Free! No lifeguards onsite.
Chicago Park District Beaches
Free! Chicago beaches open May 27, 2022. We recommend checking the Chicago Park District website for up-to-date information on openings and swimming conditions before you make the trip.
- 12th Street Beach: 1200 S. Lynn White Dr., Chicago, IL
- 57th Street Beach: 5700 S. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL
- 63rd Street Beach: 6301 S. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL
- Calumet Beach: 9801 S. Ave. G, Chicago, IL
- Fargo Beach: 1300 W. Fargo Ave., Chicago, IL – Closed for the 2022 season.
- Foster Beach: 5200 N. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL
- Hartigan Beach: 1123 West Farwell Ave., Chicago, IL
- Helen Doria Beach: 1040 W Columbia Ave., Chicago, IL
- Howard Beach: 7519 N. Eastlake Terrace, Chicago, IL – Closed for the 2022 season.
- Humboldt Park Beach: 1440 N. Humboldt Boulevard, Chicago, IL
- Juneway Beach: 7751 N. Eastlake Terrace, Chicago, IL – Closed for the 2022 season.
- Lane Beach: 5915 N. Sheridan Rd., Chicago, IL
- Leone Beach: 1222 W. Touhy Ave., Chicago, IL
- Loyola Beach: 1230 W. Greenleaf Ave., Chicago, IL
- Margaret T. Burroughs Beach (31st Street Beach): 3100 S. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL
- Marion Mahony Griffin Beach: 1208 W. Jarvis Ave., Chicago, IL
- Montrose Beach: 4400 N. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL
- North Avenue Beach: 1601 N. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL
- North Shore Beach: 1040 W North Shore Ave., Chicago, IL
- Oak Street Beach: 1000 N. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL
- Oakwood Beach: 4100 S. Lake Shore Dr. , Chicago, IL
- Ohio Street Beach: 600 N. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL
- Osterman Beach: 4600 N. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL
- Rainbow Beach: 2873 E. 75th St., Chicago, IL
- Rogers Beach: 7705 N. Eastlake Terrace, Chicago, IL – Closed for the 2022 season.
- South Shore Beach: 7059 S. South Shore Dr., Chicago, IL
- Tobey Prinz Beach: 1045 W Pratt, Chicago, IL
Main Beach
Crystal Lake Park District Beach
300 Lake Shore Drive
Crystal Lake, IL 60012
(815) 477-5404
Daily fees or season pass required. Children ages 3 and under are free.
West Beach
Crystal Lake Park District Beach
2330 Lake Avenue
Crystal Lake, IL 60012
(815) 477-5009
Daily fees or season pass required. Children ages 3 and under are free.
The Warren Dunes in Michigan and Indiana Dunes (we like Lake View Beach and Dunbar Beach) just over the border are also great choices! We recommend going early so you can find a parking spot.
If your family has a favorite beach not far from Chicagoland, or if there’s one you think we should include in our list, let us know in the comments below.
Keep coming back to Kidlist for more outdoor fun all summer long!
