Welcome to Chicago's Lakefront

Montrose Beach Dog Friendly Area

Dogs can splash and play at the designated dog friendly area on the lake, north of Montrose Beach, at Wilson Ave. and the lake.

Dog Friendly Areas Information Page

Water Conditions FAQ

What causes swim advisories and swim bans?

Weather or water conditions are the reason a swim advisory or swim ban may occur. The Chicago Park District follows United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) guidance for water testing of recreation waters and tests for indicator bacteria called Escherichia coli (E. coli) in the collected samples. There are many unknown sources that cause high levels of E. coli: high temperatures, weather events, storm water, sand, low lake levels and animal waste. Studies have suggested a link between fecal droppings from ring-billed gulls and other birds, which is why feeding birds at the beach is discouraged and harassment techniques have been implemented at some sites that have a history of high levels of E. coli. The Park District provides numerous lidded containers for trash and recyclable materials to decrease the available food source for these "nuisance species". Additionally, the Chicago Park District Department of Natural Resources cleans each beach daily.

How often is the water tested?

USEPA guidance calls for municipalities to test recreational public beach waters for exceedence levels of E. coli bacteria at least once every week. The Chicago Park District tests beach waters for bacteria five days a week, or more when necessary. To help decrease the levels of this bacteria, the Chicago Park District uses an integrated approach of best management practices in an effort to minimize various sources of E. coli.

How can I learn more about the current water conditions before heading to the beach?

Learn about current water conditions at the Chicago Park District Swim Report page or call 312-74BEACH.

Keeping Chicago's Beaches Clean

The Chicago Park District cleans the beaches daily, but we need your help to keep them clean. Please follow these rules when at the beach:

• Do not feed birds on the beach.
• Keep your picnic sites tidy and free of trash.
• At the beach and in the parking lot, put all trash in the containers provided.
• Place recyclable materials in the blue recycling containers, and place all other trash in the green waste containers. Materials that go in a blue recycling container include paper, plastic containers, glass containers and aluminum cans.
• Do not swim if you are not feeling well.
• Infants and toddlers should wear swim diapers.

Watch a video to learn more about our beach cleaning and water sampling.

Look for our “Big Belly” solar powered trash cans along the Lakefront this summer. These trash cans are solar powered trash compactors which will help minimize the number of times the Park District empties these containers along the Lakefront, supporting our sustainability initiatives for fuel conservation and decreased emissions as well as to support and utilize current solar power technology.

In October 2007, the Chicago Park District board of commissioners passed a measure that prohibits smoking at beaches, playgrounds, and playlots. In efforts to help keep our beaches clean, the smoking ban has helped decrease the amount of cigarette butts littering Chicago beaches.

Public support is vital to maintaining cleaner, safer beaches. Cleaner beaches result in fewer swim advisories and bans. For more information about keeping our beaches clean, visit www.greatlakes.org.

Lakefront Webcam

Click on the link below to view current lake conditions before heading to the beach, or just take a look at one of several costal webcams lining Chicago's lakefront. Webcam link hosted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL).

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Chicago Harbors

The Chicago Park District's nine lakefront harbors stretch from Lincoln Park in the northern part of the city to Jackson Park in the south. With accommodations for more than 5,000 boats, the Chicago Park District Harbors constitute the nation's largest municipal harbor system and feature state-of-the-art floating docks, moorings, star docks, fuel facilities and other amenities for Chicago boaters and their guests.

For more information on Chicago's Harbors, click here.

Lakefront Map

The Lakefront Trail Map offers a complete, easy to follow outline of Chicago’s 18-mile paved trail along Lake Michigan. Running from Hollywood Ave. on the north end, to 71st St. on the south end, the map features mile markers, restrooms, facilities, public transportation information and available parking lots along the trail. Printed on durable water resistant paper, it’s small enough to slip into your pocket while walking, jogging or biking along the lake.

To view or print out a copy of the Lakefront Trail Map, click the links below:

1. Lakefront Trail Map (complete brochure)
2. Lakefront Trail Map cover
3. Lakefront Trail Map icon key
4. Lakefront Trail Map Hollywood Ave. - Diversey Pkwy.
5. Lakefront Trail Map Diversey Pkwy. - Madison St.
6. Lakefront Trail Map Madison St. - 55th St.
7. Lakefront Trail Map 55th St. - 79th St.

For questions regarding Chicago's beaches, call 312-74BEACH (312.742.3224) or 312.742.PLAY (7529).

Lakefront Cultural Attractions

The Chicago lakefront also offers world class museums, a zoo and Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears. Be sure to call ahead for hours, parking options and admission prices.

• Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum
  1300 S. Lake Shore Drive
  312.922.STAR
  
• Art Institute of Chicago
  111 S. Michigan Avenue
  312.443.3600
  
• Chicago Cultural Center
  78 E. Washington Street
  312.744.6630
  
• Chicago History Museum
  Clark Street at North Avenue
  312.642.4600
• Field Museum
  1400 S. Lake Shore Drive
  312.922.9410
• Lincoln Park Zoo
  2001 N. Clark Street
  312.742.2000
• Museum of Contemporary Art
  220 E. Chicago Avenue
  312.280.2660
• Museum of Science and Industry
  57th Street & Lake Shore Drive
  773.684.1414
• Notebaert Nature Museum
  2430 N. Cannon Drive
  773.755.5100
• John G. Shedd Aquarium
  1200 S. Lake Shore Drive
  312.939.2438
• Soldier Field
  1410 S. Museum Campus Drive
  312.235.7000