7 Accessible Beaches and Trails in Chicago's North Shore
Chicago's North Shore is not what you'd picture when you hear "Chicago." Instead, it's a string of smaller lakefront communities, starting in Evanston and getting quieter and more residential as you head north. It's only about 20 miles from Chicago but feels more like its own distinct destination. That's probably because each town has its own quaint downtown and direct access to Lake Michigan. If you need a break from the city or just want a nice getaway, look no further. Here, you'll find accessible nature trails through forest preserves and a series of Lake Michigan beaches spread across the towns.
All of the accessibility details in this guide come from Wheel the World's expert mappers, who physically visited and measured each location. These aren't self-reported claims from the cities themselves. These are real measurements and real site visits, all documented so you can plan around your needs.
Accessible Lake Michigan Beaches on the North Shore
The North Shore beaches sit right on Lake Michigan, and both Evanston and Wilmette have put real work into making them accessible. Beach matting and free beach wheelchairs are available across multiple beaches in both towns. We'll cover the details under each beach below.
Beach wheelchairs: One thing worth knowing before you visit either Evanston beach: the city offers free beach wheelchairs in adult and child sizes, shared across Lee Street, Dempster, and Greenwood beaches. You can reserve one up to five days in advance by calling 847-866-4167, or just show up and grab one first-come, first-served. Bring a valid ID and sign a waiver when you arrive. All Evanston beaches also require a daily pass for entry, which is $10 for non-residents and can be purchased through the VIPLY app or in person at the beach office.
Lee Street Beach — Evanston
Lee Street Beach one of the best beaches in the area. It's a long strip of soft sand along Lake Michigan with clear, fresh water and, on a clear day, you can see views of the Chicago skyline to the south. The surrounding neighborhood is more quiet and residential, so it tends to feel calmer than some of the bigger Evanston beaches.
The city also implemented a No Throw Zone here, which is a designated section where balls, frisbees, and kites aren't allowed. This is so people with disabilities and families can choose a more accessible, inclusive experiences.
Accessibility
The main entrance is ground-level at 1111 Lake Shore Blvd, step-free throughout with accessible paths and little to no slopes. A Mobi-Mat runs from the main entrance across the sand close to the water's edge. The No Throw Zone is located around the Mobi-Mat area at the main entrance, clearly marked with signage on site. There are 2 designated accessible parking spaces with obstacle-free routes to the entrance, though they fill up quickly on summer weekends so arriving early helps. Benches with backrests are available at 18 inches high throughout the beach.
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Dempster Street Beach — Evanston
Dempster Street Beach is a different experience from most beaches on this list. It's Evanston's main sailing and watercraft facility at 1251 Lake Shore Blvd, and the energy here reflects that. Kayaks, sailboats, and stand-up paddleboards launch from here regularly, and hourly rentals of kayaks, small sailboats, and paddleboards are available through the beach house. There's also an interesting piece of local history just below the surface: the wreck of the George Morley, a 19th century schooner, can be visible through the water on clear days.
One important thing to know before you go: swimming is generally not permitted at Dempster Street Beach.
Accessibility
The main entrance is ground-level at 1251 Lake Shore Blvd, step-free throughout with accessible paths and very gentle slopes. A Mobi-Mat runs from the main entrance across the sand toward the water. There are 3 designated accessible parking spaces with obstacle-free routes to the entrance, and benches with backrests are available at 17 inches high throughout the beach.
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Gilson Park Beach — Wilmette
Gilson Park is the biggest beach destination on this stretch of the North Shore, covering 60 acres of lakefront property in Wilmette. And it has it all! There are two swimming beaches, picnic areas with pavilions, lighted tennis courts, volleyball, kayak and sailboat rentals, a playground, and a dog beach on the south end. There's also the Fat Shallot, a food stand right at the beach serving up things like sandwiches and sides. There's also an outdoor theater called Wallace Bowl, which hosts the Sounds of Summer free concert series on Tuesday evenings throughout the summer, with acts ranging from tribute bands to the Evanston Symphony Orchestra. This park beach is a significantly bigger and more amenity-rich experience than either of the Evanston beaches, and it sits in a quieter residential part of Wilmette about three miles north of Evanston. A daily pass is also required for entry, $10 for non-residents.
Accessibility
Ground-level entrance, step-free throughout with accessible paths and very gentle slopes. Beach matting is installed at Entrances 1, 2, and 3. Beach wheelchairs are available at Entrances 1 and 4. The ticket counter has a smooth cement floor, tactile paving, and QR codes for visitors with visual disabilities, though the front desk is standing height only. There are 12 designated accessible parking spaces with obstacle-free routes to the entrance. The playground has a ground-level entrance but no accessible paths inside.
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Accessible Trails and Nature on the North Shore
The North Shore's trail system runs inland through forest preserves, along rivers, and past lagoons, and it's a completely different experience from the lakefront beaches. Most of it is free, most of it is paved, and it connects across multiple towns so you can go as far as you want or just do a short loop.
Ride or Roll the Green Bay Trail — Glencoe
The Green Bay Trail is a paved multi-use path that runs nearly 9 miles from Wilmette north through Kenilworth, Winnetka, and Glencoe, built on the former right-of-way of an old railroad line abandoned in 1955. You can still spot some of the original railroad pillars along parts of the route. The trail passes through the downtown areas of each North Shore town, so it's easy to stop for coffee or a bite at any point along the way. In Glencoe there are picnic areas at Shelton Park right off the trail. At the north end it connects to the Chicago Botanic Garden, which makes for a natural turnaround point if you want a destination rather than just an out-and-back.
Accessibility
The trail runs from 1200 Wilmette Ave in Wilmette north to Glencoe, with parking and trail access at every Metra station along the route. The Glencoe Metra station at 303 Park Ave is a practical access point with designated accessible parking spaces and obstacle-free routes to the path. The trail is paved asphalt for most of its length, firm and suitable for both manual and power wheelchairs. Our mapping shows there to be very gentle slopes (rated 1 out of 5) meaning it is hardly significant. There are some restrooms in some parks along the trail, but they are not considered accessible. An elevator at the Winnetka Metra station provides access between the platform and the trail.
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Explore the Skokie Lagoons Trail — Winnetka
The Skokie Lagoons are a system of seven interconnected lagoons covering nearly 900 acres in Winnetka, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression on what was then a vast marsh the Potawatomi called Chewbab Skokie, or "Big Wet Prairie." Today it's one of the better nature escapes on the North Shore, with water views around almost every turn. The 4.4-mile paved loop around the northern section is the main route, and it connects north to the Chicago Botanic Garden via the North Branch Trail if you want to keep going. Wildlife is plentiful here: bass, walleye, and northern pike in the lagoons, and birds year-round including migrating species in spring and fall. Canoe and kayak rentals are available from April through October at the Tower Road Boat Launch, and there's an accessible fishing area and accessible boat launch at the same location. Parking is free but closes at nightfall.
Accessibility
The entrance is ground-level, located at 1760 Tower Rd in Winnetka, with accessible paths running throughout the preserve. Slopes on the paths are rated 2 out of 5, which means there's a slight incline in places but nothing that should stop most manual or power wheelchair users. The 4.4-mile loop itself is paved and stable, making it one of the more manageable longer routes in this guide. There are 8 designated accessible parking spaces at the Tower Road trailhead with obstacle-free routes directly to the path. The restroom is a portable one, so not generally accessible. It has a 40-inch door that opens outward and grab bars, but the turning space inside is only 50 inches, falling short of the recommended 60 inches.
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Walk the Trails at Harms Woods Forest — Glenview
Harms Woods is an official Illinois Nature Preserve, the highest level of land protection the state offers, earned through more than 30 years of volunteer habitat restoration work. It sits in Glenview along the North Branch of the Chicago River and is part of the larger North Branch Trail system that runs 20 miles from Chicago up to the Chicago Botanic Garden. The paved North Branch Trail runs through the preserve on the east side of the river, passing through old-growth oak woodland. In spring the wildflower display is worth planning around: trout lilies, bloodroot, wild geranium, and white trillium among others. Wildlife sightings including deer, mink, and a wide range of birds are common throughout the year. A large CCC-era stone pavilion sits near the parking area and is available for gatherings. Dogs are welcome on the paved trails.
Accessibility
The entrance is ground-level at Harms Rd in Glenview, with paved walking and biking trails throughout and gentle slopes rated 2 out of 5, so nothing that should stop most manual or power wheelchair users. There are 6 designated accessible parking spaces at the Harms Woods North entrance with obstacle-free routes to the trail. A portable restroom is on site with a 37-inch door that opens outward and grab bars, but the turning space inside is 55 inches rather than the full recommended 60 inches, so factor that in depending on your chair.
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Visit the River Trail Nature Center — Northbrook
River Trail Nature Center has been open since 1958 and sits along the Des Plaines River in Northbrook, about 10 miles inland from the lake. Admission is completely free. The indoor exhibit building houses live animal ambassadors including turtles, snakes, fish, owls, and a wolf, all non-releasable animals that live at the center permanently. Outside there are 1.5 miles of walking trails through floodplain forest, wetlands, and oak-hickory woodland, a pollinator garden, and two outdoor nature play areas. Nature educators are on site and weekly events include guided hikes, maple syrup demonstrations, and owl encounters. One thing to plan around: the center is closed Fridays, and closes at 5pm March through October and 4pm November through February.
Accessibility
The visitor center is accessed via a ramp with a very gentle slope of 1 out of 5, leading to an automatic push-button door at 69 inches wide. Inside, floors are smooth tile and thin carpet throughout, step-free, with 60-plus inches of turning space. The nature museum has a ground-level entrance with no door, and large print and tactile paving are available for visitors with visual disabilities, though only some exhibits are viewable from a wheelchair and there is no seating area near the exhibits. The pollinator garden is ground level with no door, though it has grass and dirt surfaces rather than paved paths, so it may be challenging depending on your chair. The walking trails have assistive device restrictions including manual wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, scooters, and mobility aids, so just call ahead to confirm what's accessible for your specific equipment before you go. The accessible restroom has a shared area door of 34 inches that opens inward. The stall door is 41 inches and opens outward with grab bars and an 18-inch toilet height, and 60-plus inches of turning space. There are 7 designated accessible parking spaces out of 100 total, with obstacle-free routes to the entrance. All-terrain wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the center.
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Get startedFrequently Asked Questions
Are the beaches on Chicago's North Shore wheelchair accessible?
Yes, with some important details to know before you go. All Evanston beaches have Mobi-Mat accessibility matting and free beach wheelchairs available in adult and child sizes. Lee Street Beach is the only one in this guide with matting that runs all the way to the water's edge. Gilson Park Beach in Wilmette has beach matting at three entrances and beach wheelchairs at two of them. Reserve Evanston beach wheelchairs up to five days in advance by calling 847-866-4167.
Is there a fee to visit the North Shore beaches?
Evanston beaches charge $10 per person for non-residents, purchasable through the VIPLY app or in person at the beach office. Gilson Park Beach in Wilmette also charges an admission fee of $10 for non-residents. The trails in this guide, including the Green Bay Trail, Skokie Lagoons, Harms Woods, and River Trail Nature Center, are all free.
Can wheelchair users access the water at North Shore beaches?
At Lee Street Beach in Evanston, yes. Mobi-Mat accessibility matting runs from the main entrance all the way to the water's edge, and free beach wheelchairs are available. At Dempster Street Beach and Gilson Park Beach, beach matting is available but does not extend all the way to the waterline at every entrance, so getting to the water itself may be more limited depending on conditions.
Are the North Shore trails suitable for power wheelchairs?
The Green Bay Trail is paved asphalt and suitable for both manual and power wheelchairs throughout most of its length. The Skokie Lagoons 4.4-mile loop is also paved and stable. Harms Woods has paved trails on the east side of the river suitable for most chairs. River Trail Nature Center's walking trails have assistive device restrictions including for power wheelchairs, so call ahead at 847-291-5495 to confirm what's accessible for your specific equipment before you visit.
Is there accessible parking at North Shore beaches and trails?
Yes at all seven locations in this guide. Lee Street Beach has 2 designated accessible spaces, Dempster Street Beach has 3, and Gilson Park Beach has 12. The Green Bay Trail has accessible parking at Metra station lots along the route. Skokie Lagoons has 8 spaces at the Tower Road trailhead, Harms Woods has 6 at the north entrance, and River Trail Nature Center has 7 out of 100 total spaces.
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