Beach passes now available in Evanston, Illinois

CBS News

14-04-2025

The weather is warming up in the Chicago area, and that is sure to have a lot of people dreaming of days at the beach.
Residents of
north suburban Evanston
were able to begin picking up their beach passes beginning Monday, April 14.
Season beach passes are available at no charge to Evanston residents who live in ZIP codes 60201 and 60202. Residents of the Skevanston ZIP code of 60203 — who have Evanston mailing addresses and fall into Evanston school districts, but actually live in Skokie — are not eligible for free beach passes.
Unlike Chicago beaches, which are free to everyone, passes are required to enter Lake Michigan beaches in Evanston. Proof of residency is required to obtain the passes.
Residents of the two eligible ZIP codes can obtain the passes at:
The Evanston Ecology Center at 2217 Simpson St. is not a location to pick up passes, as it is closed for renovations until the summer.
Those who do not live in Evanston can still visit the city's beaches, but they cost money. Residents of Skokie — including those in the Skevanston ZIP code of 60203 and also those in 60076 and 60077 — are eligible for discounted rates with proof of Skokie residency.
For Skokie residents, passes cost $35 from April 14 to June 6, $43 from June 7 to Aug. 1, and $24 from Aug. 2 to Labor Day. For all other non-Evanston residents, passes cost $63 from April 14 to June 6, $85 from June 7 to Aug. 1, and $43 from Aug. 2 to Labor Day.
While Skevanston residents are not automatically eligible for free beach passes, students who are enrolled in School District 65 or 202 (Evanston Township High School), but do not live in Evanston are eligible for free beach admission — along with their families. Each household member must provide proof that they live with a district student.
Northwestern University students can receive a free season beach pass with their current school year student ID. Northwestern staff and faculty are not eligible for free passes.
Non-Evanston residents can also purchase daily beach tickets online through the
Yodel Portal
or at beach offices. These passes are not sold at community centers.
Guests of Evanston residents can get beach tickets for a day for $5, with each Evanston resident being limited to 20 tickets per person maximum.
Evanston has five public swimming beaches — from north to south, Lighthouse Beach at Central Street, Clark Street Beach at the south end of the Northwestern campus, Dempster/Greenwood Street Beach, Lee Street Beach, and South Boulevard Beach closer to the Evanston-Chicago line.
Beaches officially open in Evanston on May 24. They are not open now, and CBS News Chicago Meteorologist David Yeomans notes there is a good reason — the water in Lake Michigan is only 46 degrees.