Swimming in Chicago
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Best Swim Spots in Chicago
Ranked by community ratings. Check real-time conditions before heading out.
12th Street Beach
57th Street Beach
63rd Street (Jackson Park)
Calumet Beach
Fargo Beach
Hartigan Beach
Helen Doria
Howard St Park
Humboldt Park Beach
Juneway Terrace Park
Lane Beach
Leone Beach
Loyola Beach
Margaret Taylor-Burroughs Beach
Marion Mahony Griffin Beach
Montrose Beach
North Ave Beach
North Shore Beach
Oak Street Beach
Oakwood Beach
Open Water Swimming in Chicago
Chicago offers 26 open water swimming locations across Ocean environments. Whether you are a beginner looking for a calm, sheltered swim or an experienced open water swimmer seeking a challenge, there are options for every level.
Before heading out to any swim spot in Chicago, check current water conditions on SwimPass. Our SwimScore combines real-time weather, marine data, tides, and water quality into a single 0-100 rating so you can make an informed decision in seconds.
Ocean swimmers in Chicago should pay attention to tide schedules and swell forecasts. Swimming around slack tide typically offers the calmest conditions. Check our guide to reading water conditions for tips on interpreting local marine forecasts.
New to open water swimming? Start with our safety guide and first swim guide before heading to any new spot.
Swimming Guides
Prepare for your swim in Chicago with these guides.
Ready to swim in Chicago?
Get real-time conditions, personalized SwimScore ratings, and community reports for every spot. Free to start.