Illinois Beach State Park

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Illinois Beach State Park

Photo: Wrongdave at English Wikipedia · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

🏖️ Beach · Zion

4 hours · Free · No reservation needed

age fit
0–1 yr
★ 2.0
1–3 yrs
★ 4.0
3–5 yrs
★ 4.0
5–10 yrs
★ 5.0
  • 🚗
    About 85 min drive
    From Naperville · Parking: Free state park lots; the south unit swimming beach lot is closest
  • 🎒
    Carrier recommended
    Terrain isn't stroller-friendly; a carrier is easier
  • 🌳
    Little shade
    Great on sunny days · Handles heat
  • ⏱️
    Typical visit: 4 hours
    Best seasons: Summer

The only surviving lakeshore dunes in Illinois: 6.5 miles of beach, with wetland and oak-woodland trails behind the dunes, far emptier than the city beaches, so kids can walk the water's edge forever hunting for shells and smoothed beach glass.

💡 Tips
The swimming area has no regular lifeguards (check the website), so keep little ones at the edge. Free parking and no admission; it's a long drive, so plan a full day and bring all your food and drinks. The visitor center in the south unit has exhibits.

What this place offers

✓sandy beach
✓free
✓dunes
✓nature preserve
✓picnic
✓restrooms
✓full day

Featured in these guides

This weekend's weather in Zion

Forecast at the destination itself (coast and hills often differ from home)

☀️
Sat 10/17
Sunny · 34–52°F · 0% rain
☀️
Sun 10/18
Sunny · 45–60°F · 0% rain

Location

Zion, Illinois

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