Illinois Beach State Park South

Managed by Swim Drink Fish Canada - Great Lakes Guide

Illinois Beach State Park South Beach is home to a campground, beach and numerous hiking and biking trails. There are fishing opportunities and an enjoyable rocky-sand beach. The hiking and biking trails allow you to experience the nature of Illinois Beach State Park and there are many picnic tables located throughout the beach. This long beach is divided into North, Resort, and South sections.

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COVID-19

Keep your distance from other people.

Practicing social distancing is essential right now. Follow the advice of the health experts. If your community has asked that you remain indoors and away from others, do so. Heading to the beach should only be considered an option if social distancing practices can be followed. Spending a day in any crowded place is the worst thing we can do for our most vulnerable right now and will counter the efforts to curb the virus’ spread.

For more information, please visit the World Health Organization public resource on COVID-19.

Water Quality

Failed to meet water quality standards
Current Status
This status is based on the latest sample, taken on July 30th, 2020. Swim Drink Fish Canada - Great Lakes Guide updates the status of this beach as soon as test results become available. These results were posted to Swim Guide on July 31st, 2020 at 1:23 PM.

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Current Weather

25°C

Clear and sunny

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Monitoring Frequency

Source Information

Lake County Health Department monitors the majority of beaches 4 days per week from Memorial Day to Labour Day. When sample results are reported on the County's website, Lake Ontario Waterkeeper updates Swim Guide.

Recreational public beaches in Illinois are tested at least once every week, typically from May to September. In popular beach areas such as Chicago, beaches are tested five times per week or even daily. Illinois beaches are posted when a single sample exceeds 235 E. coli / 100 ml.

In the USA, the Environmental Protection Agency has two sets of recommendations for freshwater and marine beaches. A single sample at a freshwater beach should not exceed 235 E. coli / 100 ml of water. A single sample at a marine beach should not exceed 104 Enterococci / 100 ml of water. The geometric mean of 5 samples from a freshwater beach should not exceed 126 E. coli / 100 ml of water. The geometric mean of 5 samples from a marine beach should not exceed 35 Enterococci / 100 ml of water. States may choose to use this standard or they may substitute a standard that is "as protective as" the EPA's recommendation. The Beach Act is the nation's primary beach protection law.

Water Quality Graph