News
Events
Jul
26
Summer Soundwalks in the Parks at Montrose Beach
Located within 200 W. Montrose Harbor Dr. Chicago, IL 60660
Time: 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Hours
Park Hours
Hours Notes
The beach is open from 6 am to 11 pm, but swimming is only permitted during the beach season when lifeguards are on duty from 11 am to 7 pm, in designated swim areas. The beach season runs from the Friday before Memorial Day, through Labor Day.
Description
Montrose Beach is located at 4400 N. Lake Shore Drive (Montrose Ave. at Lake Michigan) near the Uptown neighborhood. This popular beach offers patrons amenities that include food concessions, kayak and volleyball rentals, showers and restrooms. There is a non-motorized boat launch. An ADA accessible beach walk is available. Patrons can park at pay and display lots or street parking. Distance swimming is available from Tower 4 (north of boathouse) and parallel to shore. A dog friendly beach is located at north end of Montrose Beach.
South of the recreational beach a natural area attracts many migratory birds during the fall and spring seasons. A serene dune habitat has a rare panne habitat and endangered plant life thrives at this location.
Distance Swimming: tower 4 (north of boathouse), parallel to shore
History
Lincoln Park is one of Chicago’s oldest and largest parks. Surprisingly, more than 1,000 acres of this park and its beaches are completely made from landfill.
By 1929, Lincoln Park had 300 acres of landfill extending as far north as Irving Park Road. The Lincoln Park Commissioners had intended to keep landfill operations moving northbound, but work slowed because of the Depression.
In 1934, all of Chicago’s 22 separate park commissions were consolidated into the Chicago Park District. With extensive funding available through Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, the Park District began many park improvements, including the Montrose to Foster landfill extension.
The plan for the extension included several buildings designed by E.V. Buchsbaum, including the beach house at Montrose Beach. Modeled after the beach house at North Avenue, the building looks like a lake steamer.
In the 1950s, the east wing of the beach house burned in a fire and was not rebuilt. Instead, the Park District constructed an open-air changing addition to the south side of the building. Today, the beach house is still in existence and is used by beach-goers.
Parking/Directions
Parking
Pay & display parking and street parking
Get rates and additional information.
Public Transit
The following public bus & train routes serve this beach:
CTA Bus Routes:
78 Montrose
81 Lawrence
151 Sheridan
CTA Red Line Station:
Lawrence
Wilson
Map & Facilities
Montrose Beach - Kayak Chicago | Concession
Montrose & Lake Michigan
Chicago, IL 60640
United States
:
(630) 336-7245
Montrose Beach - J I Concession
Montrose & Lakeshore drive
Chicago, IL 60640
United States
:
(773) 544-2700
Montrose Beach - The Dock | Concession
Montrose & Lake Michigan
Chicago, IL 60640
United States
:
(773) 704-8435
Montrose Beach - Morelos | Concession
Montrose & Lakeshore drive
Chicago, IL 60640
United States
:
(773) 793-6167
Montrose Beach - Noel's Tacos | Concession
Montrose & Lakeshore drive
Chicago, IL 60640
United States
:
(773) 766-1812
Montrose Beach - Jet Ski Chicago | Concession
Montrose & Lake Michigan
Chicago, IL 60640
United States
:
(312) 600-8679
