The Secret Tropical Beach In Illinois Where The Water Is A Mesmerizing Blue
By Elizabeth Crozier|Published August 30, 2018
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Elizabeth Crozier
Author
An Illinois transplant who grew up and went to school in Indiana for 22 years, Elizabeth holds a BFA in creative writing and has enjoyed traveling across the country and parts of Europe. She has visited half of the states, as well as parts of Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and regularly travels home to the Hoosier State to see friends and family. With more than five years of writing experience, Elizabeth’s articles have been featured on several websites, and her poetry and short stories have been published in multiple literary journals.
Forget the Caribbean when you can find a secret tropical beach in Illinois that will relax all your worries away without breaking the bank. There’s no reason to leave the state when this Crystal Lake attraction is so close.
Enjoy sandy earth and brilliant blue waters at this hidden paradise. Scroll on for more details.
In 2010, Three Oaks Recreation Area became Illinois' most amazing man-made beach. It is located in the town of Crystal Lake in McHenry County, which is located northwest of Chicago and Cook County.
As you can see, the waters are blue as can be, but this wasn't always the case. This body of water was a rock quarry in the 1950s and was deeded back to the city in 2007.
Bring your friends or family to enjoy a meal by these crystal blue waters. No alcoholic beverages are permitted, and there is plenty of space to either bathe in the sun or take shelter in the shade. No matter where you camp out for the day, you'll enjoy incredible views.
In addition to swimming and playing in the sand, the most fun thing to do here is rent boats. Enjoy kayaks, canoes, sailboats, and paddleboats. Many people also come to go fishing or learn how to scuba dive.
Guests will also find a couple of short trails and picnic areas as well as a playground with a splash pad. No matter how old you are, this excellent park will have something for you to enjoy.
This amazing place also has pavilion space you can utilize. Visit the website (link below) for details about renting one for your own private use. Whether it's a romantic dinner or a party, this place is perfect.
Three Oaks Recreation Area is currently open daily from 6:30 a.m. to sunset, and the beach is open from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. After Labor Day, hours change to 8 a.m. to sunset for the park. The beach is open on weekends through Labor day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
If you're a resident of the town, you can park at this area for free, but if you are from out of town, it will cost you $5 per vehicle. Swimming at the beach is also free for residents while non-resident adults will pay $10. Seniors and youth are $6 and children under the age of 3 are admitted free of cost.
Three Oaks Recreation Area is located at 5517 Northwest Hwy., Crystal Lake, IL 60014, and you can get more information on its website or Facebook page.
If you’ve got photos of this secret tropical beach, we’d love to see them. Join our Illinois Nature Lover’s Group on Facebook to share your shots with us and your fellow Illinoisans.
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