The Ultimate Insider’s Guide to Evanston Beaches (Including Details on How to Get Your FREE Evanston 2024 Beach Passes)

Apr 25, 2024

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, and perhaps some beach volleyball.

Evanston even has a beach for dogs, although special rules and fees apply.

Best yet, to ensure that all Evanston community members have easy access to our beaches, free season passes are available to everyone living in the 60201 and 60202 ZIP codes. And new this season, Evanston residents can also purchase up to 20 daily beach tickets for their guests to use at a discounted, but on-refundable, price of $5 each.

 

For you to obtain your free passes today – the 2024 passess became available on April 15 – be sure to bring your valid driver’s license, state ID, voter registration card, Northwestern student ID, or other acceptable forms of identification to the Robert Crown Community Center, Levy Senior Center, Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center, the Chandler-Newberger Community Center, and beginning Saturday, May 11, the Dempster Street Beach office during their regular business hours. Please note that passes are not available at the Evanston Ecology Center, which is closed for renovation, and the Morton Civic Center.

And to obtain a pass for your children, you’ll 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, however, that passes are not required for children under the age of one.

 

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. Between April 8 – June 7, the cost for a season pass is $35 each for Skokie residents and $63 each for all other municipalities. It will then go to the regular rate of $43 each for Skokie residents and $85 each for other municipalities. Late season passes are available between August first and Labor Day, 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 and $12 each for other municipalities. (Proof of residency is required for Skokie residents.) You can buy them on the Yodel Portal or in-person at the Dempster Street Beach Office, 1251 Lake Shore Bld.,

Or the Clark Street Beach Office, 1811 Sheridan Road.

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 25. And the season runs through Labor Day.

 

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.

 

PS: One more thing before you head out to an Evanston beach: Be sure to check its status 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. Enjoy!

 

 

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