Community Corner
Crystal Lake Main Beach Opens for the Season Sat, May 24
West Beach Opens on Sat, Jun 1
Crystal Lake Park District Summer Beach Operations
Crystal Lake Park District Main Beach opens for the season on Sat, May 24 at 9 am and West Beach opens for the season on Sat, June 1 at 11 am. The beaches are open to Residents and Non-Residents.
To access beach visitor information including picnic or group reservation forms:
Find out what's happening in Crystal Lake-Caryfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Visit crystallakeparks.org
Tab: Facilities & Parks
Find out what's happening in Crystal Lake-Caryfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Drop down: Beaches
RESIDENT Daily Admission Fees:
Park District Resident: $1 (up to 4 guests per family)
Guest of Park District Resident: $4 per guest (above the 4-guest maximum), must enter with resident
Senior Citizen (age 60+): FREE
Children (age 3 and under): FREE
Parking: FREE
Twilight Rate (begins at 5 pm): FREE
NON-RESIDENT Daily Admission Fees:
Park District Non-Resident (ages 16-59 years): $15
Youth (4-15 years): $10
Senior Citizen (age 60+): $10
Children (age 3 and under): FREE
Parking: FREE
Twilight Rate (begins at 5 pm): Half Price
Season Pass
A Season Beach Pass is the best way to enjoy fun at the beach all summer long. Beach passes are available at the Administration Office or at Main Beach during summer operating hours. Beach passes are for beach use only and do not include the boat launch, boat rental, program or special event privileges. Beach passes do not include entrance of guests
Resident Individual Beach Pass: $10 (ages 4-15), $10 (ages 16-59), FREE (Seniors 60+), FREE (children 3 & under)
Non-Resident Individual Beach Pass: $90 (ages 16-59), $70 (ages 4-15 years), $70 (Seniors 60+), FREE (children 3 & under)
Beach Hours of Operation
Main Beach, 300 Lake Shore Drive, Crystal Lake
Pre-Season Beach Hours of Operation
Sat, May 24-Mon, May 26 9 am-Sunset
Tu, May 27-Fri, May 30 Noon-Sunset
Regular Season Beach Hours of Operation
May 31-Aug 8 (7 days/week) 9 am-Sunset
*Closed on Fri, Jun 13 for special event
Post Season Beach Hours of Operation
Weekends only 9 am-5 pm
Aug 9 & 10, Aug 16 & 17, Aug 23 & 24, Aug 30 -Sept 1 (Labor Day)
West Beach, 2330 Lake Avenue, Crystal Lake
Regular Season Beach Hours of Operation
Sat, May 31-Th, Aug 9 (7 days/week) 11 am-7 pm
A handicap beach wheelchair is available at both Main and West Beach. Please contact the Beach Office for further information 815-477-5404
Main Beach Boat Rental
Open daily, weather dependent, 9 am-7 pm
Boat Rentals are available at the Main Beach Boat House. Boat rentals include: paddle boats, canoes, sailboats, rowboats, kayak, dragon boat, Duck or Dragon paddleboat and stand-up paddle board. To reserve a boat rental online, go to crystallakeparks.org, click on ‘Facilities & Parks’ and then ‘Beaches’ and then the ‘Boating’ tab.
All renters must sign a Boat Rental Waiver. 12–15-year-olds may use boats with a signature of a parent/guardian who is present on the beach. 16–17-year-olds may use boats with a signature of a parent/guardian.
NEW for 2025 Pontoon Boat rides on Crystal Lake
We are now offering pontoon boat rides on Crystal Lake, every Thursday, June 5-Aug 7, 4-7 pm departing from Main Beach. Reserve your spot and pay a $10 per person fee the day of your ride in the Main Beach Aquatics office. Questions? Contact Stephanie Scott at sscott@crystallakeparks.org
For more information about Crystal Lake Park District Beach Operations, contact Stephanie Scott at (815) 459-0680, ext. 1218, sscott@crystallakeparks.org.
