WAYS TO PLAY
Visitor Information
Location
800 Gillson Park Drive
North Entrance
Lake Ave & Michigan Ave
South Entrance
Sheridan Rd & Michigan Ave
POINT OF CONTACT
TJ Storey
Lakefront Beach Supervisor
PHONE NO.
POINT OF CONTACT
Conor McCormick
Lakefront Park Supervisor
PHONE NO.
POINT OF CONTACT
Megan White
Lakefront General Manager
PHONE NO.
Beach Hours Update!
August 18 – September 1
- Langdon Beach will no longer have lifeguards for the season. Swim at your own risk.
- Main Beach and South Beach will have lifeguards on weekends from 11 am – 5 pm.
- On Weekdays, all Wilmette Beach entrance fees will be charged at the resident rate for everyone. (August 18–22 & 25–29)
- Last day of Beach Season – Monday, September 1
What to Know About Visiting Gillson Park and Wilmette Beaches
General Park Info
Gillson Hours
- Gillson Park is open from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily.
- Beaches close at 9:00 p.m. daily.
- Gillson Park's north and south vehicle entrance gates close at 9 p.m.
- Vehicles leaving the park after the gates close at 9 p.m. can use the Washington Avenue exit.
- Vehicles left in the park after 10:30 p.m. will be ticketed.
Dogs at Gillson
- Dogs are allowed in Gillson Park, but they must be on a leash at all times that is no longer than 10 feet.
- Dogs are not allowed at the swimming beaches, the cove or Sailing Beach during operating hours.
- Season passes are available for the Dog Beach that allow for off-leash play; no day passes are available for the Dog Beach.
Public Restrooms
- Lakeview Center indoor restrooms are accessible year-round, Monday through Friday from 9 am-5 pm.
- Gillson Swimming Beach restrooms and portables throughout the park are available to the public during the warmer months of late spring, summer and early fall.
Food & Drink
- We allow snacks and non-alcoholic beverages at any of our beaches/parks.
- Picnics are welcome! See below for information about reserving a picnic area.
- Alcoholic beverages and/or glass bottles are not permitted on the beaches or in Gillson Park.
- Beverages purchased at the Beach House concessions must be consumed within the patio area.
Picnics and Grilling
- Reservations are required for all picnic areas, and the covered Picnic Pavilion.
- Personal grills are not allowed anywhere on the Gillson property, and all fires must be in Park District grills.
- Alcohol is not permitted in Gillson Park at any time.
Swimming & Vessels
Spend a day at Gillson Park and Beach! Fill out the form below and send to mwhite@wilpark.org
Large Group Beach Rates
Group rates are available for those wishing to purchase 20 or more beach passes for the same day. Fill out the form below and send to mwhite@wilpark.org
Wilmette Swimming Beaches
- Lifeguards are present and swimming is allowed during beach season at our three beaches: Gillson Main Beach, South Beach and Langdon Beach.
- Season passes are available for purchase and are accepted at each of our three beaches.
- Daily passes can be purchased onsite at any of our three beaches.
- All family members age two and older by May 1 must have their own photo ID pass or pay a daily fee to enter the beach and/or pool
- We only accept credit cards or Apply Pay. No cash accepted.
- Swimming and wading is allowed in the buoyed swim area only.
- Lifeguards are on duty at the beaches during operational hours from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
- Life jackets being used in the water must be labeled US Coast Guard approved.
- All umbrellas must be set up behind the lifeguard chairs to avoid obstructing the view of the water.
- Beaches may close for severe weather, rip currents or bacteria. Visit our Current Weather Conditions page for the latest information.
- Boogie boards, rafts, noodles or inflatable flotation devices are not allowed.
- Large, 4-post shade structures/pop-up tents are not allowed, per village ordinance. Beachgoers will be asked to remove tents at lead staff discretion.
- When lifeguards are not on duty it is swim at your own risk.
Kayaks, SUPs and Boats
- You may launch personal kayaks and stand up paddleboards off of The Cove, north of Dog Beach, only with a trail-in permit sticker visible on the vessel.
- Boat rentals are available on weekends. Boats rentals are located at Sailing Beach.
- Motorized vessels or larger sailboats are not permitted to launch off of Wilmette beaches.
Parking at Gillson
Parking at Gillson
- Main Beach Parking Lot - From Memorial Day weekend to October 15 a lakefront sticker or daily parking pass is required starting at 10 am everyday. Daily parking passes are sold on-site at the Lake Ave entrance gate. They must be purchased same day of use and are only valid in the main Swimming Beach lot. There is a limited number of passes sold per day and re-entry is not guaranteed. No cash is accepted; credit cards only.
- Overlook Drive - All year round a lakefront or a Village sticker is required.
- Upper Drive - Open parking with no sticker required.
- Violators of the parking regulations are subject to ticketing and towing.
- Entry to drop-off of items or individuals is not permitted.
Concessions
The Fat Shallot - Concessions
Summer Schedule and Hours:
- Open regular weekday hours: 11 am-7 pm
- Open Saturdays and Sundays: 11 am-7:30 pm
Beach Volleyball Courts
Beach Volleyball Courts
Courts are reserved for WPD camps/programs on the following days/times:
- Monday-Friday, 9 am-Noon (Beach Volleyball Camp)
- Tuesday, 4:30 - 8 pm (Rec. Beach Volleyball League)
- Thursday, 4:30 - 8 pm (Comp. Beach Volleyball League)
Please enjoy the use of the courts outside of the reserved times on a first come, first served basis.
Beach Bound Library Passes
Our Beach Bound Library Passes will give people access to the beach, free of charge, by utilizing your local library.
Here’s everything you need to know to reserve your spot in the sun.
Who Can Use the Library Pass?
Active library card holders from any of the following communities will be able to reserve a Beach Bound—Gillson Swimming Beach Pass:
- Wilmette (2 passes per day)
- Skokie
- Niles
- Des Plaines
- Morton Grove
- Glenview
This program is a collaboration between Wilmette Park District, Explore More Illinois and your local library, providing more opportunities to dive into summer fun.
How to Reserve a Beach Pass – Step-by-Step
- Visit Explore More Illinois
- Use the dropdown to find your participating library and log in with your Library Card Number
- Search for “Gillson Swimming Beach”. Click the “Apply” button.
- Click “Offers” to see pass details and then select “Show First Available Offer”
- Click “Reserve A Different Date”
- Passes can be reserved up to two months in advance.
- Dates that are already booked will appear as unavailable.
- If someone cancels a reservation, that date automatically becomes available again—no waitlist needed!
- Reserve your date, enter your email address, print your pass, and follow the instructions included on the pass for a smooth entry into the beach.
Important Guidelines
- One pass per reservation: Each pass admits a up to 6 people—Any additional guests in the group are eligible to receive resident rates on additional daily passes.
- If you can no longer attend, please cancel your reservation: Allow others to utilize the date you can no longer attend.
- Only print your pass once you have confirmed your attendance: Once a pass is printed, your reservation can no longer be cancelled.
- Bring your printed pass: Digital versions will not be accepted at the gate.
- No waitlist feature: But released passes become available in real-time—so check back often if your date is booked!
- Library access required: You must be an active member of one of the six participating libraries.
Discount Days
Discount Your Day at the Beach!
We’re excited to host another season of Discount Days—a handful of special dates with reduced rates for all visitors (residents and non-residents). These days are an excellent opportunity for families and individuals to enjoy the beach at a lower cost! Discount Days are “all day” full operating hours. Just arrive and purchase your daily pass at the beach of your choosing. Regular parking rates at Gillson Parking Lot apply.
At any of our three swimming beaches!
Age two & up (children under two are free)
- $3 for South Beach
- $6 for Gillson Main Beach
- $6 for Langdon Beach
2026 Dates
- June 10
- June 24
- July 8
- July 22
- August 5
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