It’s hot out there! Are your kids begging to go to the beach or water park? Mine sure are, so we’ve compiled and updated our list so you can cool off at your favorite spot! Unlike the difficult-to-navigate 2020 summer season, the region’s transition into/towards Phase 5 has brought many happy developments — not least of which is that our favorite water parks and beaches have opened back up for business! As always, IDPH protocols and status changes may affect each facility differently, so be sure to check the website before going. There, you’ll find all the details on hours, pricing, passes, safety procedures and more.
Chicagoland Outdoor Waterparks and Beaches
Outdoor Waterparks Near Chicago
Phillips Park Family Aquatic Center
828 Montgomery Road
Aurora, IL 60505
(630) 851-8686
Bensenville Water Park & Splash Pad
1100 W Wood Street
Bensenville, IL 60106
(630) 766-7015
Season passes will not be available in 2021. Pass card option for residents only.
The Oasis
170 S. Circle Avenue
Bloomingdale, IL 60108
(630) 339-3568
Pelican Harbor
200 S. Lindsey Lane
Bolingbrook, IL 60440
(630) 739-1700
Hurricane Harbor Rockford (formerly Magic Waters)
7820 N Cherryvale Boulevard
Cherry Valley, IL 61016
(815) 966-2442
Deep River Water Park
9001 East US Highway 30
Crown Point, IN 46307
(219) 947-7850
Special discounts available for 2021 (including Active Duty/Vet discounts and fundraisers for local organizations) – check website for details.
Rainbow Falls Water Park
200 Rev Morrison Boulevard
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
(847) 228-2860
Forest Park Aquatic Center
7501 Harrison
Forest Park, IL 60130
(708) 366-7500
Hurricane Harbor Water Park and Riptide Bay
Six Flags Great America
1 Great America Parkway
Gurnee, IL 60031
(847) 249-1776
Good to know: parking must be pre-purchased online.
Paradise Bay Water Park
437 E. St. Charles Road
Lombard, IL 60148
(630) 627-6127
Sea Lion Aquatic Park
1825 Short Street
Lisle, IL 60532
(630) 964-3410
While season passes will not be offered in 2021, daily admissions and punch cards are still available. Certain attractions will be closed in efforts to maintain social distancing, etc. so check the website for details when planning your trip.
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 Beach
500 W. Jackson Avenue
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 848-5092
Centennial Park Aquatic Center
15600 West Avenue
Orland Park, IL 60462
(708) 349-4386
White Water Canyon Water Park
8221 W. 171st Street
Tinley Park, IL 60477
(708) 342-4200
Turtle Splash Water Park
129 W National Street
West Chicago, IL 60185
(630) 293-6320
2020 Season passes will be honored.
Cypress Cove Family Aquatic Park
8301 S. Janes Avenue
Woodridge, IL 60517
(630) 353-3350
Raging Waves
4000 N. Bridge Street
Yorkville, IL 60560
(630) 882-6575
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! 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 2021 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 2021 season.
- Humboldt Park Beach: 1440 N. Humboldt Boulevard, Chicago, IL – Opening in late June 2021.
- Juneway Beach: 7751 N. Eastlake Terrace, Chicago, IL – Closed for the 2021 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 2021 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.
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!
