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Ohio Street Beach, Chicago

Chicago, IL, Lake Michigan, USA

In addition to being Chicago Park District’s designated long distance open water swimming beach, Ohio Street Beach in Chicago is home base for organized open water swims like Swim Across America in July and Big Shoulders 2.5k and 5k race in September. See Open Water Swimming Conditions and Forecasts including water temperature for Ohio Street Beach here

Lockers in the open water swimming area at Ohio Street Beach in Chicago

Lockers make changing and storage of gear easy at the open water swimming area at Ohio Street Beach in Chicago.

North view from Ohio street Beach open water swimming area in Chicago

Ohio Street Beach is well sheltered from Lake Michigan waves

 

Broad landscape of the width of Ohio street beach from the south

The lake shore path along the open water swimming area at Ohio Street Beach in Chicago

The lake shore path alongside the designated open water swimming area at Ohio Street Beach in Chicago. The path and extensive bike lock racks near the beach make this one of the many bike to swim accessible sites in Chicago.

Swim Across America open water swim event at Ohio Street Beach

Swim Across America open water swim event is held annually at Ohio Street Beach in Chicago raising funds for cancer research

Tranquil water and sunrise over ohio street beach in Chicago

Distance marker showing a quarter mile from Ohio Street Beach

Distance marker showing a quarter mile (0.4k swim) from Ohio Street Beach

Distance marker showing a half mile 0.8km swim from the sand at Ohio Street Beach

 

Sunrise and clouds behind an open water swimmer at Ohio Street Beach

View of Ohio Street Beach from first turn buoy of Big Shoulders Chicago

View of Ohio Street Beach from first turn buoy of Big Shoulders Chicago

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How's the Water?

Is It Safe?

Open water swimming is an adventure, and inherently exposes us all to the dangers of the outdoor world. Swim sites listed at OWL have been used by other open water swimmers and we have reason to think you can find good, fun, and safe water there. But sometimes the conditions vary a little faster than the last report from the site, or in ways we can’t see with satellites, buoys, and the internet. In addition to checking OWL tides tables and wave reports, take a look for other swimming hazards at the site before the goggles go on: currents, riptides, underwater hazards, and overly enthusiastic marine life among them. Maybe even check in with the locals and bring a swim buoy. If you don’t want to swim near the lifeguards, bring your own in the form of a swim or kayak buddy.

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