Gillson Park Dog Beach

Address: Wilmette, IL 60091

Access to this Wilmette lakeside beach requires permits and passes, and non-residents often find the fees steep and parking a challenge. Once you're in, dogs can go off-leash and splash around in Lake Michigan, with waste bags and trash cans available to keep things tidy. Locals tend to appreciate how clean it stays, but the logistics of getting in are worth sorting out before your first visit.