The bustling city of Chicago loves its dogs! Featuring plenty of green spaces for pups to explore, there is no shortage of outdoor adventure in this urban space. If your Windy City dog loves splashing around in the water, there's even pawesome dog-friendly beaches in and around Chicago! Throughout the Chicago Metropolitan Area, you’ll find beautiful beaches on Lake Michigan that welcome dogs both on and off-leash. These beaches are the perfect place to go for a swim with your pup on hot summer days. Check out these top beaches for a day in the sand with your pup!
Get out of the big city and head to Highland Park to check out the Moraine Dog Beach. Here, your dog can relax on the shore off leash and enjoy the views of Lake Michigan. You can also go swimming together in the lake’s bright blue water. If all this excitement makes you and your pup hungry, you can have a picnic together on the beach! Be aware that this beach requires a permit.
If you’re looking for a great place to take your dog in Chicago, try Belmont Harbor Dog Beach! This small but scenic 0.15-acre beach is fully fenced, allowing your pup to play without worry, and even offers a small dog area. While your dog is playing, you can enjoy stunning views of Downtown Chicago. Your dog will always have fun swimming and running in the sand here.Â
At the northeast corner of Foster Avenue Beach, you’ll find a pawesome dog-friendly area at under an acre in size. This off-leash dog beach is fenced in, and offers access to Lake Michigan. It also has plenty of space for your dog to run around. Bring some doggy bags and water for your pup with you, and enjoy playing with your dog at this lovely lakeside beach!
Montrose Dog Beach is located in the northwest corner of Montrose Beach, and is one of the most pawpular off-leash beaches in Chicago. This fenced beach is located right on Lake Michigan, and features lots of space for dogs to run around. This pawrific beach provides water bowls and waste bags. If your dog gets messy while they’re playing, a doggy wash station is available too!