Oak Park Beaches

There are many great reasons to go to a a beach in Oak Park, IL. Getting outside in the open, splashing in the water, and creating memories with your friends and family are some examples.

Locating the perfect swimming beach in Oak Park with plenty of area for beach activities isn’t hard. Below is a list to help you find a beach near Oak Park. Begin, by entering a zip code using the following box below.

Oak Park Beaches

If there has been lots of rain, flooding, or stormwater pollution recently, it may hurt water quality levels. Be sure to visit the website of the beach for information about water quality notices.

Prior to going to a beach in Oak Park, IL or the surrounding place, check on their website to be sure that it is free to the public. Don’t be shocked if the beach you plan to visit is closed as a result of the time you get there, being closed on certain days, or seasonality.

Rules of the Beach

While different beaches in Oak Park will have conflicting guidelines for attending the beach, you should expect to adhere to these common rules for every beach in Oak Park that you visit.

  • You must swim inside the permitted areas for beach goers.
  • Only go to the beach during open hours.
  • Don’t forget, if you take something with you, you’re required to not leave anything behind.
  • Always listen to the lifeguard on duty. If they ask you to do something, then you have to do it.
  • Alcohol is not permitted.
  • Always be aware that you’re entering the water at your own risk, regardless if there’s a lifeguard at attention.

Oak Park Beach Checklist

  1. Bring enough layers. Everyone knows that the temperature in Oak Park often changes with no warning. It is especially important if you’re wanting to go swimming, so bring extra warm clothes including sweaters, towels, pants, and socks.
  2. Grab some shade. If you suspect that finding a shady area will be difficult, or if you know that there likely will not be many shady spots at the beach, bring your own shade! Use a beach umbrella, shaded beach tent, or similar equipment that blocks sunlight. It’s best to use something that has enough air-flow.
  3. Bring a mesh bag for your stuff. It may be convenient to use a backpack, tote bag, or water-resistant travel bag to stash beach necessities such as beach balls, shovels, flotation devices, and extra clothing. But these bags keep water from escaping, leading to mold growth and keeping beach essentials from airing out.
  4. Get there early. Oak Park beaches will be busy, especially on summer weekends. Try to arrive at the beach before the crowds get there if you can.
  5. Don’t forget the sunscreen. Nothing can ruin a day at the beach like a sun burn, so don’t forget to bring your sunscreen. Ask someone else to help with the hard to reach locations.
  6. Bring spare towels. Don’t forget to take a bunch of fresh towels before leaving for the beach. This is especially important if you’re taking little kids with you or if you are planning on going for a swim.
  7. Will the beach have lifeguards? Most sizeable Oak Park beaches staff a lifeguard on duty, however do not count on a lifeguard being at the beach. If you worry about yourself, young children or others that you are swimming with, it’s a good idea to bring correctly fitted PFDs for those that need them, and also understand that you are swimming at your own risk.
  8. Don’t swim outside of the designated swimming area. If there’s a ropped off swimming area it is probably dangerous to swim outside of that space. The area may have dangerous objects under the water, be frequented by boaters, or is not supervised by lifeguards.