Here’s everything residents need to know to get the most out of this exclusive Evanston amenity.
If you are a resident of Evanston, or have ever visited it, you already know that our city boasts some of the most picturesque beaches in Chicagoland. In fact, many find our beaches to be the perfect tranquil place for unwinding after a hard day of work, while others use them to enjoy a day of sun, sand, swimming, picnicking, and perhaps some beach volleyball.
Evanston even has a beach for dogs for our four-legged friends, although special rules and fees apply to it.
Details on the Free Evanston Beach Passes
To ensure that all Evanston community members have easy access to our beaches, free season passes are again available to everyone living in the 60201 and 60202 ZIP codes. And like last beach season, Evanston residents can also purchase up to 20 daily beach tickets at a discounted price of $5 each. Many enjoy these tickets, enabling them to invite guests from other locations over for a day at the beach. The caveat: These tickets are not refundable, so be sure to use them up during the beach season.
And to ensure that our students enrolled in School District 65 or ETHS (i.e., District 202) – or who will be enrolled in one of our school districts in the fall – but live outside of the 60201 and 60202 ZIP codes –and their household members get the same benefits, they are now eligible to receive free beach passes as well.
For you to obtain your free passes today – the 2025 passes became available on April 14th – be sure to bring your valid driver’s license, state ID, voter registration card, Northwestern student ID, or other acceptable forms of identification. And to obtain a pass for your children, you will need to show current report cards for your children, a school picture ID, your insurance card listing your dependents, your tax return, or another form of ID that proves Evanston residency for your children. Please note that passes are not required for children under the age of one.
And to get your free passes for District 65 and ETHS students who live outside of the 60201 and 60202 area codes, you simply need to show proof that you are enrolled in one of the schools in these districts by either showing an official letter of enrollment from your school or your recent report card. In addition, to get free beach passes for each of their adult household members, you must provide “a driver’s license or state ID, tax return document, utility bill, vehicle registration, lease agreement, or mortgage statement with an address that matches the student’s address listed on the school enrollment form or a report card.”
Non-Resident Beach Passes for Purchase
In addition, season beach passes are available for purchase by Skokie residents (zip codes 60203, 60076, 60077) as well as other non-Evanston residents. To save some money, be sure to get your passes now. That’s because between April 14 – June 6, the cost for a season pass is $35 each for Skokie residents and $63 each for all other municipalities. The prices will then go to the regular rate of $43 each for Skokie residents and $85 each for other municipalities.
Late season passes are also available between August second and Labor Day, September 1, with the lower price of $24 each for Skokie residents and $43 each for other municipalities.
Non-resident daily beach tickets are also available – $10 each for Skokie residents with proof of residency and $12 each for other municipalities. A final, important note here: Proof of residency is required for Skokie residents to receive their discounts on the season passes and daily beach tickets.
Five Convenient Locations to Get Your Beach Passes & Daily Tickets
If you’re an Evanston resident, there should be a convenient city facility near you to get your beach passes. They include:
- The Chandler-Newberger Community Center (8:30 am to 5:00 pm, M-F),
- Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center (8:30 am to 5 pm, M-F),
- Jorge and Luz Maria Prieto Community Center – formerly South End Community Center – (8:30 am to 5 pm, M-F),
- Levy Senior Center (8:30 am to 5 pm, M-F), and
- The Robert Crown Community Center (8:30 am to 9 pm, daily).
And beginning Saturday, May 10, you can also get them at the Dempster Street Beach office during their regular business hours.
(Please note that passes are not available for purchase at the Evanston Ecology Center, which is closed for renovation through 2025, and the Morton Civic Center, because The City of Evanston is transitioning its offices and services to their new location, The New Lorraine H. Morton City Hall at 909 Davis Street.)
Finally, you can buy digital versions of the daily beach tickets on the City of Evanston’s Yodel Online Portal or on Yodel’s downloadable app, which is an city authorized mobile vendor.
Want physical beach tickets? If so, you can purchase them in-person at the city’s Dempster Street Beach Office, 1251 Lake Shore Boulevard or during the beach season, at the Clark Street Beach Office, 1811 Sheridan Road.
The Insider’s Guide to Evanston’s Nine Beaches
To help you pick the right vibe right for the beach escape you want, here’s an insider’s overview of our beaches, from the farthest south (right over the city’s border with Chicago) to the one that is the farthest north:
South Boulevard Beach, 525 Sheridan Square: Long seen as a secret neighborhood gem, this beach typically promises a quieter, less crowded, laid-back beach experience. It’s the ideal spot for those seeking a little more solitude and relaxation with a nearby playground and secluded picnic area as well as stunning views of the Chicago skyline. And, it features a roll-out Mobi-Mat to enhance accessibility.
Lee Street Beach, 1111 Lake Shore Boulevard: One of the most popular beaches for Evanston residents, this one features a long strip of sand going north and a wider sandy open area near the south end that could be used for playing catch, frisbees, volleyball, and other light beach sports activities. Also boasting stunning views of the Chicago skyline like the South Boulevard Beach, it features a roll-out Mobi-Mat to enhance accessibility. Easy nearby street parking that often has an ice cream truck is often parked on it on weekends and open for business.
Dempster Beach and Sailing Facility, 1251 Lake Shore Boulevard: Next to the Greenwood Street Beach, boaters here can check out the wreck of the George Morley through the water and those seeking something more sedentary can enjoy the expansive beach front. The Dempster Beach and Sailing Facility also features a roll-out Mobi-Mat to enhance accessibility.
Greenwood Street Beach, 1401 Sheridan Place: A popular beach for sunbathing, swimming, and picnicking, this one features easy street parking as well as a roll-out Mobi-Mat to enhance accessibility. Greenwood Street Beach is one of the more popular beaches for Evanston residents to meet up, as it offers easy access to the city’s downtown shopping area for snacks and lunches.
Beach Wheelchair Service for Lee Street, Dempster Street, and Greenwood Beaches: Two beach wheelchairs – one adult-size and one child-size – are shared among these beaches and are available for use free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis; they can also be reserved five days to 24 hours before you need it.
Evanston Dog Beach, 1631 Sheridan Rd: Give your furry friend the off leash fun and exercise it deserves. Located just south of Clark Street Beach, this special beach, which opened for the 2024 season on March 1st, is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week and is the perfect place to let your dog sniff, swim, and run around. All patrons must have a valid dog beach pass to enter.
Clark Street Beach, 1811 Sheridan Road: A big, white sandy beach that offers a great view of Northwestern and the boats out sailing on the lake. This popular destination offers ample street parking, newer facilities, and plenty of space to spread out on the sand. The beach is equipped with volleyball courts and its proximity to Northwestern’s campus makes it easily accessible for those looking to take a break from studying. To enhance accessibility for all, an adult size beach wheelchair is available at Clark Street Beach for use by the public free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis, which can also be reserved five days to 24 hours before you need it. And, it features a roll-out Mobi-Mat. Like Greenwood Street Beach, Clark Street Beach is just blocks away from Evanston’s downtown shopping area, making it easy to grab snacks and lunches.
Lincoln Street Beach, Managed by Northwestern University: This quiet beach used primarily by Northwestern students is located at the east end of Lincoln Street, just north of Northwestern University’s Ryan Fieldhouse and Walter Athletics Center, but according to this story was open to Evanston residents last year (and we assume that it will be open again this season).
Lighthouse Beach, 2611Sheridan Road, One of Evanston’s most iconic spots, Lighthouse Beach is named after the historic Grosse Point Lighthouse, which overlooks Lake Michigan. This beach is extremely popular among Evanston residents, as many find it to be the perfect spot to relax. It has a roll-out Mobi-Mat to enhance accessibility and a nearby park has an accessible playground.
If you haven’t been to one or more of Evanston’s beaches during previous seasons, we hope you check them out this summer. The beaches officially open on Memorial Day weekend, Saturday, May 24. And the season runs through Labor Day.
Checking on the Status of a Beach
One more thing before you head out to a beach: Evanston uses flags to inform patrons about the swimming conditions. A green flag means swimming is permitted at that particular beach, while a yellow flag indicates the need for caution and a red flag indicates that conditions are hazardous, and no swimming is allowed.
These flags do not indicate other issues such as poor water conditions.
While the status might change during the day, you might want to check a beach’s status before you head out to it for the hours, closings, and the swimming conditions when open. You can go to the website, sign up for text or email alerts, download the free “Rainout Line” mobile app, or call 847-448-0034.
A Final Message from Your Evanston Experts
Then, once you become smitten by the charm of Evanston’s beaches and our neighborhoods, let us know.
As your Evanston experts, my team and I can provide you with insights into the city’s amenities as well as insights into the local real estate market. Whether you’re looking to invest in your first home, upsize for a growing family, or downsize once you’ve become empty nesters, we’re here to help you find your perfect home in this vibrant lakeside community. And we can help you sell your current home as well.
Contact us today to discover all that Evanston has to offer and let’s start your journey towards finding your dream home in this wonderful city.
