This Illinois secret beach was voted No. 54 in the nation. Here's how it ranks in Midwest
FamilyDestinationGuide.com recently updated their list of 100 Best Secret Beaches in the USA and one Illinois secret beach cracked the list.
There were 3,000 American families surveyed over what hidden beaches they most wanted to visit in the United States.
Here's a look at the top-secret beaches in Illinois, the Midwest and the United States:
Best secret beach in Illinois
Sunrise Beach in Lake Bluff, Ill.
Beach admission is free to residents of Lake Bluff. A beach pass paired with a driver's license or state-issued photo ID are required for free entry.
Non-resident beach season passes are no longer available from the Lake Bluff Park District, but daily passes remain available to the public. Cost is $10 for ages 2-14, $15 for ages 15-64 and $12 for ages 65 and older. Children under 2 are free. Military admission is available at $5, $7 and $6, respectively.
Beach amenities include:
Charcoal grills.
Complimentary beach chairs.
Complimentary games.
Guarded swimming beaches from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Beach closes at 10 p.m. nightly. Swimming is not allowed when lifeguards are not on duty.
Play equipment.
Restroom facilities.
Visit lakebluffparks.org for more information about beach rules and swimming conditions.
Best secret beaches in Midwest 2023
Here are the best secret beaches in the Midwest that made the list:
No. 41: Rathbun Lake in Centerville, Iowa.
No. 47: Dogtown Beach in Evansville, Ind.
No. 52: Cherry Beach in Harbert, Mich.
No. 54: Sunrise Beach in Lake Bluff, Ill.
No. 61: Black Beach in Silver Bay, Minn.
No. 68: South Manitou Island located 18 miles west of Leland, Mich.
No. 69: The Fugitive Beach in Rolla, Mo.
No. 76: Nolin Lake State Park in Mammoth Cave, Kent.
No. 79: Breakwater Beach in Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio.
No. 81: Lake Calamus in Burwell, Neb.
No. 84: Sleeping Bear Dunes in Empire, Mich.
No. 86: Schoolhouse Beach in Washington Island, Wisc.
No. 93: Glen Elder State Park in Glen Elder, Kan.
No. 96: Newton Hills State Park in Canton, S.D.
Best secret beaches in the U.S.
Awahua Beach in Kalaupapa, Hawaii.
Shell Key Preserve in Tierra Verde, Fla.
Lanikai Beach in Kailua, Hawaii.
Kauapea Beach in Kalihiwai, Hawaii.
Sedge Island in Seaside Park, N.J.
Chris Sims is a digital producer for the Journal Star. Follow him on Twitter: @ChrisFSims.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Secret Beaches 2023: Illinois' Sunrise Beach voted a top destination
