The 5 Best Lakes in Illinois That Have Sandy Beaches

When thinking of beautiful sandy beaches, most people think of coastal states. However, you don’t have to have access to an ocean to enjoy a day at the beach. Illinois is located in the Midwestern United States and is not usually the state that comes to mind when considering incredible beaches. Regardless, Illinois has some stunning beaches for people to enjoy during the warm summer months. One difference between these beaches is that the beaches in Illinois are lakefront instead of oceanfront. While Lake Michigan is the most popular and well-known lake in Illinois, many offer incredible sandy beaches. Let’s take a look at the top five lakes in Illinois that have sandy beaches. 

1. Lake Michigan 

Lake Michigan is the most popular and well-known lake that Illinois offers. This Great Lake is 321 miles long. As one of the biggest lakes in the United States, this lake holds approximately one quadrillion gallons of water! With that massive size and amount of water, it is no surprise that this lake would offer some of the best beaches in Illinois. Two of the best sandy beaches on this lake are listed below.

57th Street Beach 

As one of the most popular beaches in Illinois, this beach is known for swimming. While it has limited street parking, it has no shortage of beautiful sandy shoreline. Located within Jackson (Andrew) Park, this beach is open from 6:00 a.m. through 11:00 p.m. seven days a week. While the beach is open that entire time, swimming is only permitted when a lifeguard is on duty. The lifeguards are on duty between 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. The beach season begins the Friday before Memorial Day and continues through Labor Day. 

This beach is one of the most popular not only because of its sandy beaches and incredible Chicago city skyline views but also because of its amenities. This beach offers an ADA-accessible beach walk and restrooms. Additionally, on this lake, you can find a large swimming area and the Lake Michigan Water Trail, which offers water sports such as kayaking and canoeing. There is also a children’s playground, a food stall, and even a museum nearby. 

If you want to avoid the crowds, you should avoid weekends and holidays, as those are the most popular times for beachgoers to enjoy this lake and this beach. 

Illinois Beach State Park 

This beach offers 6.5 miles of sandy beaches along the shoreline of Lake Michigan. Illinois Beach State Park offers tons of photo opportunities of the incredible wildlife and views of the lake shore. Being a state park, this beach offers many different amenities—some of those amenities include restrooms, picnic areas,  and lodging areas. It also offers beautiful hiking opportunities when you grow tired of lounging on its sandy beach. 

Pets are welcome in this park, and the 4,160 acres offer plenty of opportunities for various activities. The most popular activities for the beach and lake include swimming, boating, picnicking, fishing, and just good old-fashioned rest and relaxation. The park is open from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. every day, and reservations are recommended. While not required, the park staff suggest making a reservation during peak beach season as it gets very crowded. 

2. Lake Shelbyville 

Another beautiful lake in Illinois that has a sandy beach is Lake Shelbyville. Located in Central Illinois, this lake is the perfect destination spot for Illinois natives and tourists alike. This lake has many amenities ranging from horseback riding, golf courses, hiking, marinas, and four beaches. It is also a great spot for fishing. Below, we discuss just one of the incredible sandy beaches at this lake. 

Lake Shelbyville Beach 

Although no lifeguard is on duty, that does not stop beachgoers from swimming in this incredible scenic lake. The water is refreshing, and the views are stunning. In addition to its stunning views, this lake also offers ample amounts of space. There is plenty of room for beachgoers to spread out, sunbathe, create sandcastles, and do all sorts of beachy activities without feeling too crowded. 

Other amenities that are available at Lake Shelbyville are over 1,000 campsites, two wildlife management areas, and three marinas. There are also a plethora of hiking and history opportunities available to guests as well. 

3. Rend Lake 

Located in Southern Illinois, this is a full-service lake. People who visit this lake can partake in fishing, camping, swimming, boating, and so much more. While many of the activities at Rend Lake take place on the beautiful waters, another place that people enjoy is the sandy beaches that the lake shoreline provides. Below are two of the sandy beaches that you can find at Rend Lake. 

South Sandusky Beach 

Considered one of the best beaches in Southern Illinois, many people flock to South Sandusky Beach. With a large swimming area and an equally large sandy beach area, this is truly the perfect beach to spend lounging away the afternoon. There are also picnic sites, showers, restrooms, and walkways to enjoy. While there are slight fees to enjoy this beach, they do nothing to deter the crowds from enjoying this space. It is the perfect beach to build a sandcastle, play some beach volleyball, or take a nap in the sun. 

North Marcum Beach 

Located on the east side of Rend Lake is another beautiful sandy beach. Similar to South Sandusky Beach, North Marcum Beach offers plenty of space for swimming, boating, and lounging on the sand. Another bonus of this beach is that it is dog-friendly. Additionally, it also has playgrounds and picnic sites for families to enjoy. 

4. Clinton Lake

With a surface area of 4,900 acres, Clinton Lake is a massive space. Not only is it a stunning sight to behold, but it is known for the University of Illinois’s Rowing Team Races. Although it is now a popular destination for swimming, camping, hunting, and fishing, that was not what it was originally built for. Originally built in the 1970s, this lake was used to cool down the Clinton Nuclear Generating Station. Now, rowers, anglers, sailors, hunters, and beachgoers enjoy this lake for all of their outdoor recreation desires. 

Clinton Lake State Recreation Area

In addition to the hiking trails, boating lanes, and various hunting opportunities, Clinton Lake also offers an incredible beach. This lake features a 1,000-foot white sand beach for visitors to enjoy on their day at the lake. Similar to the other beaches mentioned above, the beach is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and it offers restrooms and changing facilities. As long as the weather cooperates, this beach is open seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. When visitors are not enjoying the fluffy, sandy beach, they can enjoy swimming in the stunning waters that Clinton Lake has to offer. 

5. Lake Decatur 

This lake is Illinois’s largest artificial body of water. It is a 2,8000-acre reservoir that features 30 miles of shoreline. Lake Decatur’s shoreline is popular because of its various recreational opportunities. Those opportunities include but are not limited to, fishing, boating, sailing, and jet skiing. It also offers a variety of wildlife vistas for wildlife enthusiasts to come and enjoy. 

Nelson Park Beach 

This beach is located in the Historic Nelson Park. Known as one of the most beautiful parks in Illinois, it is no surprise that the beach that it contains is one of the most popular as well. Besides this beautiful sandy beach that visitors enjoy, the park also offers fitness trails, a dog park, a rock garden, and a disc golf course. 

Summary of the 5 Best Lakes in Illinois That Have Sandy Beaches

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Michael Deemer/iStock via Getty Images