Dog-Friendly Beaches in Chicago

The only fully off-leash dog beach in Chicago, a fenced 1-hectare sand strip at the north end of Montrose Beach in Uptown, with calm protected water inside the breakwater, sand showers and a dedicated wash-down rinse. Maintained by the Montrose Dog Beach Stewards volunteer group. Daily social pack of 50-100 dogs in summer; one of the largest urban dog beaches in the US.

A small designated dog-swim cove inside Belmont Harbor in Lakeview, on the inner harbour side of the breakwater. Leashed-only on the surrounding grass and rocks, but dogs may swim freely in the marked harbour cove section. Much smaller than Montrose but closer to the Lakeview, Wrigleyville and Boystown hotels, and the water inside the harbour is the calmest dog swim on the lake.

A long sandy Park District beach at Foster Avenue in Edgewater, no-dogs from Memorial Day to Labor Day (late May to early September) when the swim season is on, but leashed dogs welcome on the entire sand strip the rest of the year (September-May). One of the longest off-season leashed-dog walks in the city; the protected south end has calm water for confident swimmers.