Love this place! The bird sanctuary is awesome, and frankly a sanctuary for people as well in the middle of the north side of Chicago. An amazing natural habitat that is easy to access and offers stunning views of the lake.

A beautiful raw open lake michigan beach with lots to see and hear

Its a nature reserve, the Dunes of Montrose. I also call it, the Dunes of Innovation.

Great place to visit, even better when the Dock is open. Dog beach is the best, one of the main reasons I continue to live in the area.

One of the Best beaches I have been in my life! Sand is so clean! There is a beach watcher Mark on the beach after 7pm he usually has kites and interesting conversations! Go check it out!

Beautiful place. A beach with 2 bodies of water and a nature preserve.

Nice urban beach just north of downtown.

Beautiful little beach. Highly recommend coming here for a sunset on a warmer day. The breeze can be chilly. Parking is easy. The water is clean. Theres a nice fenced in dog park for a section of the the beach. Its weird without the smell of sea salt for a beach but I still had a great experience!

Awesome beach to chill for awhile. Not the cleanest, not the biggest but it is very spacious with alot of other things to do around like go to the park or harbor.

Its oh ok i guess but um too dry in the summer time..

A beautiful place. I definitely recommend to visit it. As you can see in the pictures you have a fabulous view on the skyline and I must say it’s a tranquil place. Chill and feel good vibes.

Nice little beach. Definitely go here when you are in Chicago as the skyline looks fantastic from here especially at night. There’s also a portion dedicated to dogs so they can have fun as well. Lots of parking available so finding a spot shouldn’t be that difficult even on the weekends.

Love Montrose Beach. THE DOCK is yummy, great view from the deck.

Beautiful beach with a dog beach at one end and a natural area and bird sanctuary at the other. Just keep the dogs on their end so as to not disturb the birds please :)

Awesome place to hangout with husbandy and the babies ! the place is clean and they have dog beach that in summer you’ll see lots of puppies! If your dog is not good with other dogs, I recommend bringing them to local dog parks first since there are too many dogs here and your dog and other dogs wouldn’t feel comfortable. And if your dog doesn’t listen to you to come back! I think you should do what I did, walk them with leashes for couple of visits then try to trust them more and see what they do here!

Nice beach, as soon as the weather is nice, quite a few people come out to walk around or let their dogs play, until summer their is no cafe or restaurant so bring your own, parking is ok in the streets

Great family friendly spot in Chicago with many activities including full moon Drum Jams once a month. Restaurants, and live music. Not to say a great view!!

Always a great place to stop at to take on some great sights.

Montrose beach is one of my favourite destination, love to visit around the year, summer offers bbq, swiming, sports and winter is just peaceful and can enjoy lake along its shores

I like this beach for many reasons. Mostly to just think and enjoy the water.

Great beach to take a dip..or just enjoy the lake. Outside bar got a great food and cold drinks .

Came here with some chums awhile back. What a day... we went into the lake, which was pretty shallow, and reached down and there was sand beneath us. But it wasnt ordinary sand. It was wet sand. It looked like liquidy fecal emissions. We started pouring it over our heads while moaning. We were taking diarrhea showers. It was funny watching the dogs at the adjacent dog beach run around. They looked like they were having the time of their lives.

I just love this place, my husband and I visit this place so often to practice yoga. The sounds of the waves crashing the shore and moist breeze falling on the body refreshes both body and soul. It’s a clean beach having Kayak shop and a small pub.

I love this beach; its my happy place. Theres a huge beautiful park, plenty of picnic space, beautiful skyline views if youre facing south, a lovely marina, bar/restaurant, restored natural habitat and bird sanctuary, dog park, and a partridge in a pear tree.

Was here on a cold February day, studying the Dunes on the beach. Looks like they suffered some damage due to this years high water levels. But its a beautiful beach nonetheless.

Girls day out. Bite to eat on the beach. Couple drinks. People watching made for an amazing day. Beach was clean. Walk ways clear. Working bathrooms available

I love this coming here. You got the beach and on the other side has a pathway you can walk/bike/run or just sit and watch the water. Theres also a great view of the skyline.

Excellent place to hanging out

The beach is amazing as it has good running and walking trails !!

When guard is on duty this beach becomes kids beach and there is no fun for adults if you want to actually swim. Because guard does not allow anyone to go deeper that their boat. The depth usually doesnt exceed 3 feet or so. So if you want to swim then come after guards working hour.Other than that this beach is big, large area for various activities such as soccer, volleyball bbq and so on.

My home️

Relaxed beach with a nice bar and grill. Areas to play volley ball and close to a dog beach for your furry friends.

Very nice place for swimming and also for playing beach games. Theres also a bar pumping with crowd nearby. I heard bands play on weekend too

Great beach with stunning views of the Chicago skyline... And free parking!!

It’s very nice to walk along the lake shore on a warm winter day with my bestie!

Pure Joy and Dog People are the best

Nice beach and restaurants. Very clean.

Great beach to enjoy the lakefront and catch some rays. My family and I recently visited the beach and had a awesome time. Beach is very clean and big enough not to feel crammed, even on those crowded summer days. There is plenty of free parking or a hourly lot is available at reasonable rates. A small area of Montrose Beach is dog friendly if you like to take your puch and plenty of small food stands are available selling fresh treats and drinks.

Awesome view of the Lake Michigan coastline flying in from the east in the evening...

️ Beautiful water front park with a dog friendly beach (and a no dog beach) with plenty of space for picnics, soccer matches, walks, runs, bike rides or to read a good book. Plenty of free parking, plenty of recycling and waste containers.

I love this place for the great view of downtown Chicago from the Northside and the surrounding area. But I also love that it offers free parking, a long walking path along the lake and beach, volleyball, bathrooms and a concession stand, a preserve, and easy access via Lake Shore Drive. This place is very popular and can get crowded at times making it hard to find parking. Otherwise this place rocks, its one of my favorite spots in Chicago.

Great atmopshere. Theres a bar and resturant with great service.

Love this beach. We went for 4th of July had a cookout with my family. I also like that is a dog friendly beach.

One of my favorite spots in all of chicago! its a bit more chill than some of the beaches further south like north ave.

Clean beach next to a park. There are various sports activities available (sand volleyball courts, jetski rentals, paddleboarding, etc.), but not much around for food or entertainment. Can be a bit windy and cool/cold. The park is a little warmer because the wind is blocked by an uplift in the ground between the beach and the park.

Good place to go during the week. City should move the water out of the beach.

We only came for the dogs honestly. Its great to see such a dog friendly part of town. The beach is nice. But the dogs were awesome

Great place even if it is not that sunny.

Dirty, trash everywhere... Unkept... Stay away.. try foster or north beach

Has always been a good spot to hang out

The beach is not at all clean or sanitary to swim in. Especially when there a dog beach close by.

Great for runs and hangout on a beautiful day. I prefer the weekdays as to avoid tourist. We usually take Belmont harbor trail and walk North to Montrose Beach, amazing. I recommend it.

Great to walk for fresh air.

This was my first time here. I really had a good time at this beach. There were lots of people here, but it didnt feel too crowded. I went in early summer, and the water was still cold, but it was very refreshing. Whenever I am in Chicago next, and I have time to visit, I will.

Flooded but fun!

Enjoyed the view with my friend at Docks Restaurant. Drinks . We could hear the fireworks from Navy Pier.

Great place to watch volleyball games as we did

The best views of downtown Chicago with a dog park right on the lake and for those who like golf a 9-hole golf course just south of the harbor

Ran the Chitown 10K and half marathon at Montrose Beach! Good run, Awesome medal, fantastic atmosphere and rockin band! Plus beer and Portillos hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches!

It is a long sandy beach that is perfect for kids to play and enjoy the sand. It gets really crowded on the weekends so go early and grab a nice spot. If you want to gaze at the horizon directly pick a spot near the water. The only reason I gave 4 stars is because it is separated from Montrose dog beach with a fence only-water basicly carries everything around. It is a fun scene to watch dogs and humans bonding-I find it quite mesmerizing but if you have toddlers or babies you might want to pick a spot at the opposite side. Either way it is great fun! Be sure to bring sun screen and a protective umbrella/pop-up tent to enjoy the beach all day.

Mark S the bartender was the best

Nice views, dog beach!

Nice quiet beach, very clean. Perfect for families with kids.

We loved visiting this beach after a hectic day on Michigan Avenue. We just wish we would have found it sooner. Beautiful views, clean beach, and the food options were fantastic. Be sure to eat at The Dock and bring your camera.

For four years this beach has pretty much been my go to beach. Ready access for biking lakefront, dog watching at the dog beach, generally quiet and mostly families at this beach and sometimes volleyball trans play here. Come here for an amazing sunrise if you can.

Nice spot to take a dog and pics. first time i came here a long time ago, i think it was 2004 and i fall in love with this view and scenery. bring chills and memories. some times i run around this area and always swinging by when ever i get a chance, plus my dog Mikey love it, just to be close to the water makes him happy, he is a happy smiley dog, brings me joy. but remember to dress up when its windy because you can get sick easily especially with Chicago winds. have a great time

Miles of sand and lots of parking but you gotta drive around and be quick to snag a space! Beach volleyball, and kayaking if you like but no dogs allowed on this beach...just fyi - the cops will come out and tell you...Live music too, at the restaurant bar. Some of the bands are actually good :)

Great beach, dog beach attached. Downside is the huge quantity of trash left behind during the hottest summer weekends.

Great place to spend hot summer days... dogs not allowed on the beach however there is a fenced dog beach nearby. Awesome place to chill under a tree, take a stroll, run or bike.

Huge place, nice atmosphere! Love it

Beautiful sunrise views make Montrose one of my favorite beaches in Chicago.

Great job creating a truly beautiful sanctuary

Lake Michigan is unparalleled in beauty. I enjoyed a cyclocross race here; one of the best courses I’ve ever competed on.

Love this spot! Sometimes its gets colder at winter time so grab jacket and cup of hot chocolate or tea. If you visiting its a nice place to come!

What an awesome feeling watching the bliss explosion. The dogs LOVE the beach, and I love watching them! Free parking and scenic views are the cherries on top! You gotta go!

The actual beach is 80 percent under water . Not sanitary. Has been this way since last season and no improvements have been made. The Dock bar/ resturant is nice as most of the other food vendors around that area.

The View is Fantastic from The Dock!

Great place to take a rental bike and just ride along the shore and have a beer.

Not very crowded, and a wide open space to enjoy Lake Michigan

Had a blast with the kids while we visited Chicago last summer. Ive been to much cleaner beaches.

This place is a sanctuary for birds and other wildlife. I am so happy they have this place. Lets preserve it for them. Go team piping plovers!

The beach was absolutely lovely. The water is clean, the lifeguards are helpful, and its a great family beach. You dont have to worry about the party crowd, its a great spot to take the kids.

Great beach for the north side.

Free roadside parking! Some area of trail and underpass need some clean up.

We rented tandem kayaks for two hours. The whole family had a great time. Definitely suggest getting to the beach early to secure a parking spot as well as a good spot on the beach.

Incredible birding hotspot during spring and fall migration! There are always other birders around to help you understand what’s around and where to go if you need help. Check it out, for sure!Parking is usually manageable (and free) as long as you don’t go during midday on a weekend.

Warning to bike riders for 2019 summer. Be careful when riding on the concrete, the water level is super high this year. My girlfriend and I were hit by a high wave while riding on the lower concrete levels and crashed on the slippery green goo. Just a heads up. Be careful by the lake.

Blah.. but great for families

One of the better ones in Chicago.

My favorite Chicago beach! There is a dog beach on the left end, a bird sanctuary on the right end, and a public boat launch near the far right end. There are public bathrooms and rinse stations as well as a lifeguard office. The restaurant has live music on certain nights and Kayak Chicago rents boats during the day. A handicap accessible walkway extends almost to the shore. Parking is free, but can be hard to find on weekends/holidays. Its a really friendly beach and has a great vibe.

Excellent place to bring the kiddos and your dog. However We had a really bad incident today 2 ladies and a guy in the blue car in the picture took the spot a nice family gave to us and they didnt even put a signal on. We were waiting for like 5 min for the spot and this lady just decided to take the spot so rude and didnt applied the rules of the road what a disgrace.

Always a pleasant visit .

Really cool beach on a sand bar, tons of space to swim, lay out, or play volleyball

Little flooded at the moment but still pretty solid. Kid and family friendly. The Dock restaurant is pretty solid drink wise.

Both beachgoers and seagulls populate this wide beach. Though you will find a lot of families having some quality time, this location has a lot of spots open to have personal time with your party. This beach provides easy access to both Lake Michigan and lakefront area.

The bird sanctuary is a gem. Beautiful wide beach. Nesting site in spring. Decent comfort station, kayak rental available.

Quite and beautiful with a great view

Our team spent a lot of our free time at this beach. We also did our morning PT here. It is clean, well staffed, and has a dog friendly area as well!!

Excellent, peaceful wildlife sancturary

If you wanna do a picnic on a sunny summer day, montrose beach is there for you. There is ample free parking spots everywhere. However, you need to bring your own grilling machine for cooking.