Illinois is a relatively dog-friendly state with many public places that allow dogs. However, when it comes to beaches, it can be a bit of a challenge to find ones that allow dogs. For example, out of the many beaches in Chicago, only two allow dogs onsite. If you’re interested in spending some time outdoors with your dog in Illinois, your best bet is to find parks with dog-friendly areas. Fortunately, there are several areas all throughout the state that have swimming spots for dogs. Here are some of the best dog-friendly beaches and swimming areas for dogs that you can find in Illinois.
The Top 10 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Illinois
- Montrose Dog Beach
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🗺️ Address: 📍 601 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL
🕐 Open Times: Year-round
💲 Cost: Free, but DFA tag is required
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, from 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM
One of two dog-friendly beaches in Chicago
The largest dog-friendly beach in Chicago and is 3.83 acres
Fences may have holes in some areas, so watch out for escape artists
Cleanup area for dogs is on site
- Belmont Harbor Beach
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🗺️ Address: 📍 Belmont & Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL
🕐 Open Times: Year-round
💲 Cost: Free, but Dog Friendly Area (DFA) tag registration is required ($10 for tag)
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, from 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Smaller and more secluded beach in Chicago
Can get crowded on weekends
Free parking available west of Lake Shore Drive
Secure fencing keeps dogs inside
- Centennial Park Dog Beach
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🗺️ Address: 📍 225 Sheridan Rd, Winnetka, IL 60093
🕐 Open Times: April – October
💲 Cost: $50 annual membership fee, $200 non-resident fee
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, from 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Situated near a quaint park that allows leashed dogs
Must always have your pass with you for every visit
Children under 10 years old aren’t allowed in the dog beach
Finding parking for non-residents may be challenging
- Gillson Dog Beach
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🗺️ Address: 📍 Harbor Dr, Wilmette, IL
🕐 Open Times: Year-round
💲 Cost: $43 annual permit for residents and $218 annual permit for non-residents
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, from 6:00 AM – 10:30 PM
A clean and well-kept beach that feels private and secluded
Swimming in the dog beach area is reserved for dogs only
Can be difficult for non-residents to find nearby parking
- Moraine Dog Beach
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🗺️ Address: 📍 2501 Sheridan Rd, Highland Park, IL
🕐 Open Times: April – November
💲 Cost: Annual membership fees (amount varies)
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes
Must purchase membership pass; daily passes aren’t available
Parking permits are required for nearby parking
Location is popular on weekends and can get very crowded
The surrounding neighborhood is family-friendly and has a lot of community activities
- Sunrise Park and Beach
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🗺️ Address: 📍 Sunrise Ave & Scranton Ave, Lake Bluff, IL
🕐 Open Times: Memorial Day – Labor Day
💲 Cost: $20 annual membership fee
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, from 9:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Photo ID is required to enter the beach
Beach shelters are available, but dogs must be leashed
Beach showers available onsite
- North Marcum Beach
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🗺️ Address: 📍 11231 Marcum Branch Rd, Benton, IL
🕐 Open Times: Year-round
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes
Surrounding areas contain a lot of wildlife
Leashed dogs are allowed on hiking trails
Family-friendly area with a lot of outdoor activity options available
- Beck Lake Dog Park
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🗺️ Address: 📍 1000 E River Rd, Des Plaines, IL
🕐 Open Times: Year-round
💲 Cost: $60 per dog for Cook County residents and $120 per dog for non-residents
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, from sunrise to sunset
Dogs are allowed to run off-leash on about 40 acres of land
Dogs are allowed to swim in a large pond
Membership involves access to two other dog-friendly areas
Leashed dogs are allowed on hiking trails
- Coles Creek Beach
🗺️ Address: 📍 16225 Coles Creek Rd, Carlyle, IL 62231
🕐 Open Times: Year-round
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, in dog-friendly area
Lake is located near a campsite
Group picnic shelters available for reservation
Many opportunities for outdoor activities and sports nearby
- Batavia Bark Park
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🗺️ Address: 📍 40W101 Main St, Batavia, IL 60510
🕐 Open Times: Year-round
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, from 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Dog park is a part of a spacious 58.4-acre of outdoor recreational land
Dogs are allowed to swim in a pond
The swimming area is calm and a good spot for dogs learning to swim
Conclusion While most beaches in Illinois don’t allow off-leash dogs, you can find a good number of dog beaches located near lakes and ponds. Keep in mind that most of these beaches require memberships for safety reasons. So, make sure to check each location’s website before visiting so that you have all the updated information you will need for entry.
Featured Image Credit: Olesya Kuprina, Shutterstock
Illinois is a relatively dog-friendly state with many public places that allow dogs. However, when it comes to beaches, it can be a bit of a challenge to find ones that allow dogs. For example, out of the many beaches in Chicago, only two allow dogs onsite.
If you’re interested in spending some time outdoors with your dog in Illinois, your best bet is to find parks with dog-friendly areas. Fortunately, there are several areas all throughout the state that have swimming spots for dogs. Here are some of the best dog-friendly beaches and swimming areas for dogs that you can find in Illinois.
The Top 10 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Illinois
1. Montrose Dog Beach
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🗺️ Address: 📍 601 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL
🕐 Open Times: Year-round
💲 Cost: Free, but DFA tag is required
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, from 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM
One of two dog-friendly beaches in Chicago
The largest dog-friendly beach in Chicago and is 3.83 acres
Fences may have holes in some areas, so watch out for escape artists
Cleanup area for dogs is on site
2. Belmont Harbor Beach
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A post shared by Meg Bed (@turbothepitbull2.0)
🗺️ Address: 📍 Belmont & Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL
🕐 Open Times: Year-round
💲 Cost: Free, but Dog Friendly Area (DFA) tag registration is required ($10 for tag)
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, from 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Smaller and more secluded beach in Chicago
Can get crowded on weekends
Free parking available west of Lake Shore Drive
Secure fencing keeps dogs inside
3. Centennial Park Dog Beach
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A post shared by Meaghan Foley (@doubleb_and_pg)
🗺️ Address: 📍 225 Sheridan Rd, Winnetka, IL 60093
🕐 Open Times: April – October
💲 Cost: $50 annual membership fee, $200 non-resident fee
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, from 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Situated near a quaint park that allows leashed dogs
Must always have your pass with you for every visit
Children under 10 years old aren’t allowed in the dog beach
Finding parking for non-residents may be challenging
4. Gillson Dog Beach
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Louisa Marinaccio (@yinrower_louisa)
🗺️ Address: 📍 Harbor Dr, Wilmette, IL
🕐 Open Times: Year-round
💲 Cost: $43 annual permit for residents and $218 annual permit for non-residents
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, from 6:00 AM – 10:30 PM
A clean and well-kept beach that feels private and secluded
Swimming in the dog beach area is reserved for dogs only
Can be difficult for non-residents to find nearby parking
5. Moraine Dog Beach
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A post shared by Nadine Rozowsky (@annie_the_multimutt)
🗺️ Address: 📍 2501 Sheridan Rd, Highland Park, IL
🕐 Open Times: April – November
💲 Cost: Annual membership fees (amount varies)
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes
Must purchase membership pass; daily passes aren’t available
Parking permits are required for nearby parking
Location is popular on weekends and can get very crowded
The surrounding neighborhood is family-friendly and has a lot of community activities
6. Sunrise Park and Beach
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🗺️ Address: 📍 Sunrise Ave & Scranton Ave, Lake Bluff, IL
🕐 Open Times: Memorial Day – Labor Day
💲 Cost: $20 annual membership fee
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, from 9:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Photo ID is required to enter the beach
Beach shelters are available, but dogs must be leashed
Beach showers available onsite
7. North Marcum Beach
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A post shared by Monica Lynn McClure (@momolynn92)
🗺️ Address: 📍 11231 Marcum Branch Rd, Benton, IL
🕐 Open Times: Year-round
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes
Surrounding areas contain a lot of wildlife
Leashed dogs are allowed on hiking trails
Family-friendly area with a lot of outdoor activity options available
8. Beck Lake Dog Park
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A post shared by Eden Dog (@happily_eden_after)
🗺️ Address: 📍 1000 E River Rd, Des Plaines, IL
🕐 Open Times: Year-round
💲 Cost: $60 per dog for Cook County residents and $120 per dog for non-residents
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, from sunrise to sunset
Dogs are allowed to run off-leash on about 40 acres of land
Dogs are allowed to swim in a large pond
Membership involves access to two other dog-friendly areas
Leashed dogs are allowed on hiking trails
9. Coles Creek Beach
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Rhodesian Ridgebacks (@markingourterritory)
A post shared by Rhodesian Ridgebacks (@markingourterritory)
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
One of two dog-friendly beaches in Chicago
The largest dog-friendly beach in Chicago and is 3.83 acres
Fences may have holes in some areas, so watch out for escape artists
Cleanup area for dogs is on site
- One of two dog-friendly beaches in Chicago
- The largest dog-friendly beach in Chicago and is 3.83 acres
- Fences may have holes in some areas, so watch out for escape artists
- Cleanup area for dogs is on site
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Meg Bed (@turbothepitbull2.0)
A post shared by Meg Bed (@turbothepitbull2.0)
Smaller and more secluded beach in Chicago
Can get crowded on weekends
Free parking available west of Lake Shore Drive
Secure fencing keeps dogs inside
- Smaller and more secluded beach in Chicago
- Can get crowded on weekends
- Free parking available west of Lake Shore Drive
- Secure fencing keeps dogs inside
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Meaghan Foley (@doubleb_and_pg)
A post shared by Meaghan Foley (@doubleb_and_pg)
Situated near a quaint park that allows leashed dogs
Must always have your pass with you for every visit
Children under 10 years old aren’t allowed in the dog beach
Finding parking for non-residents may be challenging
- Situated near a quaint park that allows leashed dogs
- Must always have your pass with you for every visit
- Children under 10 years old aren’t allowed in the dog beach
- Finding parking for non-residents may be challenging
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Louisa Marinaccio (@yinrower_louisa)
A post shared by Louisa Marinaccio (@yinrower_louisa)
A clean and well-kept beach that feels private and secluded
Swimming in the dog beach area is reserved for dogs only
Can be difficult for non-residents to find nearby parking
- A clean and well-kept beach that feels private and secluded
- Swimming in the dog beach area is reserved for dogs only
- Can be difficult for non-residents to find nearby parking
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Nadine Rozowsky (@annie_the_multimutt)
A post shared by Nadine Rozowsky (@annie_the_multimutt)
Must purchase membership pass; daily passes aren’t available
Parking permits are required for nearby parking
Location is popular on weekends and can get very crowded
The surrounding neighborhood is family-friendly and has a lot of community activities
- Must purchase membership pass; daily passes aren’t available
- Parking permits are required for nearby parking
- Location is popular on weekends and can get very crowded
- The surrounding neighborhood is family-friendly and has a lot of community activities
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by WK (@wkespantaleon)
A post shared by WK (@wkespantaleon)
Photo ID is required to enter the beach
Beach shelters are available, but dogs must be leashed
Beach showers available onsite
- Photo ID is required to enter the beach
- Beach shelters are available, but dogs must be leashed
- Beach showers available onsite
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Monica Lynn McClure (@momolynn92)
A post shared by Monica Lynn McClure (@momolynn92)
Surrounding areas contain a lot of wildlife
Leashed dogs are allowed on hiking trails
Family-friendly area with a lot of outdoor activity options available
- Surrounding areas contain a lot of wildlife
- Leashed dogs are allowed on hiking trails
- Family-friendly area with a lot of outdoor activity options available
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Eden Dog (@happily_eden_after)
A post shared by Eden Dog (@happily_eden_after)
Dogs are allowed to run off-leash on about 40 acres of land
Dogs are allowed to swim in a large pond
Membership involves access to two other dog-friendly areas
Leashed dogs are allowed on hiking trails
- Dogs are allowed to run off-leash on about 40 acres of land
- Dogs are allowed to swim in a large pond
- Membership involves access to two other dog-friendly areas
- Leashed dogs are allowed on hiking trails
🗺️ Address: 📍 16225 Coles Creek Rd, Carlyle, IL 62231
🕐 Open Times: Year-round
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, in dog-friendly area
Lake is located near a campsite
Group picnic shelters available for reservation
Many opportunities for outdoor activities and sports nearby
10. Batavia Bark Park
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Dilly (@dilly_dilly2022)
🗺️ Address: 📍 40W101 Main St, Batavia, IL 60510
🕐 Open Times: Year-round
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, from 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Dog park is a part of a spacious 58.4-acre of outdoor recreational land
Dogs are allowed to swim in a pond
The swimming area is calm and a good spot for dogs learning to swim
Conclusion
While most beaches in Illinois don’t allow off-leash dogs, you can find a good number of dog beaches located near lakes and ponds. Keep in mind that most of these beaches require memberships for safety reasons. So, make sure to check each location’s website before visiting so that you have all the updated information you will need for entry.
Lake is located near a campsite
Group picnic shelters available for reservation
Many opportunities for outdoor activities and sports nearby
- Lake is located near a campsite
- Group picnic shelters available for reservation
- Many opportunities for outdoor activities and sports nearby
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Dilly (@dilly_dilly2022)
A post shared by Dilly (@dilly_dilly2022)
Dog park is a part of a spacious 58.4-acre of outdoor recreational land
Dogs are allowed to swim in a pond
The swimming area is calm and a good spot for dogs learning to swim
- Dog park is a part of a spacious 58.4-acre of outdoor recreational land
- Dogs are allowed to swim in a pond
- The swimming area is calm and a good spot for dogs learning to swim
Featured Image Credit: Olesya Kuprina, Shutterstock
