Centennial Beach

DuPage County, Chicago’s Western Suburbs - Jump in to summer fun at Centennial Beach! Featuring four acres of grass and trees, a sand beach, water play features, an NCAA/U.S.S.-approved diving complex, this historic beach is a place the whole family can enjoy! With water depths ranging from zero to 15 feet, the facility caters to swimmers of all skill levels. Combined with a playground, Frisbee® Area, shallow end slide, concessions stand and Beach store, Centennial Beach is the perfect way to beat the summer heat. Named "best public place to swim" in 2008 by Fox News Chicago viewers in an online poll!

CITY: Naperville

Chicago Public Beaches

Chicago’s 26 miles of lakefront and beaches are free and open to residents and visitors alike. In fact, they were foremost in Daniel Burham’s plan to make Chicago’s lakefront and beaches always open and unobstructed for the public to enjoy. And to this day, you can see that his vision is still alive and well, from the joggers and volleyball players to the swimmers and sail boaters who take to the lakefront every day. Of course, admission is free.

CITY: Chicago

Coral Cove Water Park

Dive into this beach-themed water park with 2 tall tube slides, drop-slide, diving well, walk-in swimming pool, splash ‘n spray playground, sand play area and café. Locker rooms, showers & family restrooms. Available for group rentals for 50-1500 people.

CITY: Carol Stream

Crab Orchard Lake

Campground, fishing, boating, beach, picnic areas, country store, fishing tournaments.

CITY: Marion

Evanston's Dog Beach

Bring your dog to Evanston's Dog Beach! Admission restricted to dogs with a "dog beach season token".

CITY: Evanston

Fairview Family Aquatic Center

Fun for the whole family! Zero depth activity pool, six lap swim lanes, separate pool for drop slides and diving boards, as well as a sand/water play area for children and two competition sand volleyball courts.

CITY: Normal

Family Aquatic Center

This aquatic center has a frog slide, water slide, wet playground area, a sand playground, concessions, a shaded picnic area and a bath house.

CITY: Shelbyville

Frankfort Community Aquatics & Activities Center

Located at the West Frankfort City Park, this newly built indoor 25-meter six lane pool is open to the public; classes and activities available, handicap accessible, lifeguard on site, open every day.

CITY: West Frankfort

Gillson Park

Gillson Park offers 60 acres of beautiful lakefront property, including a harbor and beach. It is ideal for picnics, bicycling, volleyball, tennis and other outdoor sports.

CITY: Wilmette

Hall Quarry Beach

Hall Quarry features a zero-depth sand beach, two islands, a youth water slide, drop slide, and a diving tower with two- and four-meter platforms.

CITY: Batavia

Illinois Beach State Park

Stretching leisurely for 6 1/2 miles along the sandy shore of Lake Michigan, this 4160-acre park is recognized for its geological structure, unique flora, spectacular beauty and recreational opportunities for swimming, boating, hiking, picnicking, biking,

CITY: Zion

Jaycees Park

Offers picnic & playground areas, sand volleyball courts, soccer field, basketball court.

CITY: Lena

Joseph Westwood Memorial Park

Picnic and playground areas, shelters, tennis courts, ball diamonds, plus a recreation building.

CITY: Pearl City

Kent Park

Includes picnic and playground areas, a shelter, tennis court and basketball court.

CITY: Kent

Lake Sara

A quiet cove at dawn, where the only sound is the whir of a casting reel and the gentle splash of the fly hitting the water’s surface...that’s Lake Sara. A sunny afternoon slalom skiing behind a powerboat or running along the beach...that’s Lake Sara. A family picnic in the grass at water’s edge or a family reunion, with fried chicken and the works, under one of the pavilions...that’s Lake Sara. Lake Sara is an 800-acre recreational lake nestled into a wooded shoreline, encircled by a winding road. Spend a day, a week, or a season on the shores of Lake Sara. Lake Sara has something for everyone, in every season of the year.

CITY: Effingham

Middle Fork Forest Preserve

Middle Fork Forest Preserve, 1600 acres in northeast Champaign County, offers visitors a campground (53 of 65 campsites have electricty), brand new playground, swimming beach, fishing, hiking, boat rentals, cross-country skiing, picnicking, a Waterfowl Management Area, renovated meeting facility and programs. The campground now accepts online reservations.

CITY: Penfield

Prophetstown Park District Pool & Recreational Center

Indoor/outdoor pool with aerobic classes and open swims. Rec Center has volleyball and basketball courts.

CITY: Prophetstown

Shawnee National Forest

The Shawnee National Forest is famed for its awesome Garden of the Gods, and is home to the Rim Rock Recreational Trail (the forest has a system of 403 miles of equestrian/hiking trails). Hikers are greeted by magnificent jutting walls of rock covered with emerald-green moss, and paths that meander through canyons under the forest canopy. Nestled between the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, the stunning Shawnee National Forest landscape features rolling hills, lakes, creeks and rugged bluffs.

CITY: Harrisburg

Splash Country Water Park

This deluxe water park features tube slides, a simulated river, zero-depth pools and sand activity areas.

CITY: Aurora

Whitewater Junction - Aquatic Park

Whitewater Junction is a railroad-themed aquatic facility. Two water slides, spray toys, zero depth edge and shallow water play area.

CITY: Rock Island

Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Pine Lakes

A beautiful 105-acre campground, with a 45-acre stocked lake. Enjoy free fishing, beach swimming, hiking, boat rentals, hayrides and more. Cottages and cabins are also available.

CITY: Pittsfield