Forest Park Beach
Lake Forest, IL
Forest Park Beach is Lake Forest's city beach at 801 North Lake Road, down the bluff from the park above. The beach is shaped into a crescent that knocks down the waves, so the water inside stays calm for small children. It's open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., with lifeguards on duty in summer.
Calm, crescent-sheltered water for kids with long hours, though the nonresident fee is steep.
How we score beachesBring the little ones on a windy day; the crescent shoreline keeps the swim area noticeably calmer than open beaches nearby.
Parking at the beach and bluff-top park; nonresidents pay a daily per-person fee, credit card only.
A road and path lead down the bluff to the beach.
Lifeguards are on duty daily from early June, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Evening swims are allowed until the beach closes at 11 p.m.
More Great Lakes beaches
Sleeping Bear Dunes Beach
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Freshwater Lake Michigan surf below towering sand dunes, some over 400 feet tall, with water clear enough to rival a coastline and a hike back up the dune to burn it off.
New Buffalo City Beach
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Warren Dunes State Park
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