Chicago has many beautiful beaches lined up along its eastern border with Lake Michigan. Many beaches are open to the public and are the perfect destinations to visit on hot and humid summer days. While Chicago is a relatively dog-friendly city, it has fairly strict policies when it comes to allowing dogs on beaches. The city has two dog beaches, and it doesn’t allow dogs or have designated off-leash hours on its public beaches. Here’s the latest information on dog beaches that you and your dog can visit in Chicago and the nearby suburbs.
The Top 6 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Chicago, Illinois
- Montrose Dog Beach
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🗺️ Address: 📍601 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL
🕐 Open Times: Year-round, 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM
💲 Cost: Free, but Dog Friendly Area (DFA) tag registration is required ($10 for tag)
🐕 Off-leash allowed? Yes
Largest and most popular dog beach in Chicago
Beach is fenced but may not keep in small dogs and escape artists
Onsite clean-up and wash station
Allows three dogs per person
- Belmont Harbor Beach
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🗺️ Address: 📍Belmont & Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL
🕐 Open Times: Year-round, 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM
💲 Cost: Free, but DFA tag is required
🐕 Off-leash allowed? Yes
A fully fenced beach
Free parking available from Monday – Saturday
Quieter and smaller than Montrose Dog Beach
Not a lot of shade, so make sure to bring sunscreen, water for you and your dog, and an umbrella
- Tobey Prinz Beach Park
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🗺️ Address: 📍1050 W. Pratt Ave, Chicago, IL
🕐 Open Times: Year-round
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-leash allowed? No
Dogs are allowed to walk with leash
Beach can get crowded so it’s best to walk in the mornings
Many cafes and restaurants with outdoor seating nearby
- Evanston Dog Beach
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🗺️ Address: 📍1631 Sheridan Rd, Evanston, IL
🕐 Open Times: Spring – Fall, 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM
💲 Cost: Annual $50 membership fee
🐕 Off-leash allowed? Yes
Entrance requires completing an application
$10 fee for additional dogs
Located near a large dog park
Location may change as the City of Evanston is working to create a new dog beach
- Gillson Dog Beach
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🗺️ Address: 📍101 Lake Ave, Wilmette, IL
🕐 Open Times: Year-round, 6 AM – 10:30 PM
💲 Cost: Permit required; $43 for residents and $218 for non-residents
🐕 Off-leash allowed? Yes
Has some shallow areas for puppies and small dogs
Fines are expensive, so make sure to follow the rules
Off-leash park located nearby
Must pay additional fees for additional dogs
Must pre-register your vehicle to use the parking lot
- Moraine Beach
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🗺️ Address: 📍2501 Sheridan Rd, Highland Park, IL
🕐 Open Times: April – November
💲 Cost: Membership required; $50 for residents and $150 for non-residents
🐕 Off-leash allowed? Yes
Parking permit required for vehicles
Membership also gives access to dog parks in Highland Park
Maximum of two dogs per person
Beach is undergoing reconstruction and repair due to damage from heavy rainfall
Conclusion Chicago has strict policies for dogs on their beaches, and all dog beaches require pre-registration before entering. You can also face some hefty fines for breaking the rules, such as not picking up after your dog or having your dog off-leash in certain areas. So, make sure to read up on the beach’s rules and regulations before visiting to ensure that you and your dog have a fun and safe time together at the beach.
Featured Image Credit: Anette, Pixabay
Chicago has many beautiful beaches lined up along its eastern border with Lake Michigan. Many beaches are open to the public and are the perfect destinations to visit on hot and humid summer days.
While Chicago is a relatively dog-friendly city, it has fairly strict policies when it comes to allowing dogs on beaches. The city has two dog beaches, and it doesn’t allow dogs or have designated off-leash hours on its public beaches.
Here’s the latest information on dog beaches that you and your dog can visit in Chicago and the nearby suburbs.
The Top 6 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Chicago, Illinois
1. Montrose Dog Beach
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by NOLA 👑🐕🦺🐾 (@nolatheblacklab)
🗺️ Address: 📍601 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL
🕐 Open Times: Year-round, 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM
💲 Cost: Free, but Dog Friendly Area (DFA) tag registration is required ($10 for tag)
🐕 Off-leash allowed? Yes
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by NOLA 👑🐕🦺🐾 (@nolatheblacklab)
A post shared by NOLA 👑🐕🦺🐾 (@nolatheblacklab)
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
- Largest and most popular dog beach in Chicago
- Beach is fenced but may not keep in small dogs and escape artists
- Onsite clean-up and wash station
- Allows three dogs per person
2. Belmont Harbor Beach
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by German Shorthair Podcast (@gspandme)
🗺️ Address: 📍Belmont & Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL
🕐 Open Times: Year-round, 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM
💲 Cost: Free, but DFA tag is required
🐕 Off-leash allowed? Yes
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by German Shorthair Podcast (@gspandme)
A post shared by German Shorthair Podcast (@gspandme)
- A fully fenced beach
- Free parking available from Monday – Saturday
- Quieter and smaller than Montrose Dog Beach
- Not a lot of shade, so make sure to bring sunscreen, water for you and your dog, and an umbrella
3. Tobey Prinz Beach Park
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Reptar 🦖 (@reptartheblacklab)
🗺️ Address: 📍1050 W. Pratt Ave, Chicago, IL
🕐 Open Times: Year-round
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-leash allowed? No
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Reptar 🦖 (@reptartheblacklab)
A post shared by Reptar 🦖 (@reptartheblacklab)
- Dogs are allowed to walk with leash
- Beach can get crowded so it’s best to walk in the mornings
- Many cafes and restaurants with outdoor seating nearby
4. Evanston Dog Beach
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Reddit & Bernie Rogers (@keepingupwiththe_rogers)
🗺️ Address: 📍1631 Sheridan Rd, Evanston, IL
🕐 Open Times: Spring – Fall, 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM
💲 Cost: Annual $50 membership fee
🐕 Off-leash allowed? Yes
Entrance requires completing an application
$10 fee for additional dogs
Located near a large dog park
Location may change as the City of Evanston is working to create a new dog beach
5. Gillson Dog Beach
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Truman the Bernedoodle | Chicago Dog 🌭 (@thetrumannewmanshow)
🗺️ Address: 📍101 Lake Ave, Wilmette, IL
🕐 Open Times: Year-round, 6 AM – 10:30 PM
💲 Cost: Permit required; $43 for residents and $218 for non-residents
🐕 Off-leash allowed? Yes
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Reddit & Bernie Rogers (@keepingupwiththe_rogers)
A post shared by Reddit & Bernie Rogers (@keepingupwiththe_rogers)
- Entrance requires completing an application
- $10 fee for additional dogs
- Located near a large dog park
- Location may change as the City of Evanston is working to create a new dog beach
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Truman the Bernedoodle | Chicago Dog 🌭 (@thetrumannewmanshow)
A post shared by Truman the Bernedoodle | Chicago Dog 🌭 (@thetrumannewmanshow)
- Has some shallow areas for puppies and small dogs
- Fines are expensive, so make sure to follow the rules
- Off-leash park located nearby
- Must pay additional fees for additional dogs
- Must pre-register your vehicle to use the parking lot
6. Moraine Beach
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Elizabeth Janus (@bowwowcatsmeow)
🗺️ Address: 📍2501 Sheridan Rd, Highland Park, IL
🕐 Open Times: April – November
💲 Cost: Membership required; $50 for residents and $150 for non-residents
🐕 Off-leash allowed? Yes
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Elizabeth Janus (@bowwowcatsmeow)
A post shared by Elizabeth Janus (@bowwowcatsmeow)
- Parking permit required for vehicles
- Membership also gives access to dog parks in Highland Park
- Maximum of two dogs per person
- Beach is undergoing reconstruction and repair due to damage from heavy rainfall
Conclusion
Chicago has strict policies for dogs on their beaches, and all dog beaches require pre-registration before entering. You can also face some hefty fines for breaking the rules, such as not picking up after your dog or having your dog off-leash in certain areas. So, make sure to read up on the beach’s rules and regulations before visiting to ensure that you and your dog have a fun and safe time together at the beach.
Featured Image Credit: Anette, Pixabay
