Chicago beaches open Friday: What you need to know

CHICAGO — Memorial Day weekend is fast approaching, which marks summer’s unofficial start and the official opening of beaches across Chicago.

City beaches will be open for swimming beginning at 11 a.m. Friday, May 24. Lifeguards will be on duty daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Labor Day.

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How many beaches are in Chicago?

Chicago is home to 26 beaches along Lake Michigan.

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Where are the city beaches located?:

• 12th Street Beach

  • 1200 S. Linn White Drive

• 57th Street Beach

  • 5700 South Lake Shore Drive

• 63rd Street Beach

  • 6300 S. Lake Shore Drive

• Calumet Beach

  • 9801 S. Avenue G

• Foster Beach

  • 5200 N. Lake Shore Drive

• Hartigan Beach

  • 1123 West Farwell Avenue

• Helen Doria Beach

  • 1040 W Columbia Avenue

• Lane Beach 

  • 5915 N. Sheridan Road

• Leone Beach

  • 1222 W. Touhy Avenue

• Loyola Beach 

  • 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue

• Margaret T. Burroughs Beach

  • 3100 S. Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Drive

• Marion Mahony Griffin Beach

  • 1208 W. Jarvis Avenue

• Montrose Beach

  • 4400 N. Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Drive

• North Avenue Beach

  • 1601 N. Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Drive

• North Shore Beach

  • 1040 W North Shore Avenue

• Oak Street Beach

  • 1000 N Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Drive

• Oakwood Beach

  • 4100 South Lake Shore Drive

• Ohio Street Beach

  • 600 North Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Drive

• Osterman Beach

  • 5800 North Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Drive

• Rainbow Beach 

  • 3111 E. 77th Street

• Tobey Prinz Beach

  • 1045 W Pratt Boulevard

City beaches that remain closed due to erosion

• Fargo Beach

  • 1300 W. Fargo Avenue

• Howard Beach

  • 7519 N Eastlake Terrace

• Humboldt Beach

  • 1400 N Humboldt Drive

• Juneway Beach

  • 7751 N Eastlake Terrace

• Rogers Beach

  • 7705 N. Eastlake Terrace

Beach Rules

• Swim only when lifeguards are on duty.

• Swim only in designated swim areas.

• Do not swim if the flag is red.

• Follow lifeguards’ instructions.

• Only Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices (PFDs) are permitted. Children wearing PFDs should have an adult with them in the water.

• No smoking.

• No alcohol.

• No dogs on the beach.

• Do not feed birds or wildlife.

• Dispose of trash and recycling in appropriate containers.

• Grill in designated areas only and dispose of coals in red barrels.

• Keep accessible beach walks clear. No bicycling, skateboarding, or rollerblading is permitted in these areas.

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Flag Warning System

• A green flag means that there are no swimming restrictions, swimming is permitted.

• A yellow flag means that a swim advisory is in place:  swimming is allowed but caution is advised.

• A red flag means that a swim ban is in place, swimming is not allowed. Conditions do not meet safe swimming standards.

Which city beaches are wheelchair-accessible?

• Osterman Beach

• Foster Beach

• Montrose Beach

• North Avenue Beach

• 31st St. Beach

• 63rd St. Beach

• South Shore Beach

• Rainbow Beach

How can I sign up to become a lifeguard?

Anyone 16 or older and a resident of Chicago may apply to become a Chicago Park District lifeguard for city beaches and pools. Starting salary is $19 an hour.

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