About This Spot
Lake Michigan / Waukegan Beach, Illinois (USA) is one of the world's premier wind-sports destinations, located in Illinois (USA).
Situated in North America, the spot offers Shallow and Flat and Chop water conditions, making it ideal for beginners and experienced riders alike.
With SSW winds throughout the season, Lake Michigan / Waukegan Beach, Illinois (USA) delivers the kind of sessions that keep riders coming back year after year.
Why Riders Love It
SW wind is ridable but gusty and SSW wind is pretty clean for the most part but is cleanest on the most south end of the beach. SSW can bring some calm water. East is strait onshore and can be tough to get out of the surf go to Montrose on an East. North is side shore but gusty and NNE is cleaner but still a little gusty. If it is North or NNE just go to Zion.
When to Go
Mostly sunny with little rain. Very warm in the summer but cold in spring and fall.
What to Expect
The water is just like any water on Lake Michigan. It can go from crazy and super narly overhead on a northeast gale to flat calm glassy water on a SSW wind. Sometimes after it rains the water will smell bad from Milwaukees so called water treatment plant that dumps shit in the lake but just wear a wetsuit and you whould be fine. Up by the north jettie its very shallow for a long way out but be careful since on the Zion end of the north buoy theres a nasty rip current so stay away.
Wind & Conditions
SSW
Best wind direction
SW wind is ridable but gusty and SSW wind is pretty clean for the most part but is cleanest on the most south end of the beach. SSW can bring some calm water. East is strait onshore and can be tough to get out of the surf go to Montrose on an East. North is side shore but gusty and NNE is cleaner but still a little gusty. If it is North or NNE just go to Zion.
Best Months
Water Conditions
The water is just like any water on Lake Michigan. It can go from crazy and super narly overhead on a northeast gale to flat calm glassy water on a SSW wind. Sometimes after it rains the water will smell bad from Milwaukees so called water treatment plant that dumps shit in the lake but just wear a wetsuit and you whould be fine. Up by the north jettie its very shallow for a long way out but be careful since on the Zion end of the north buoy theres a nasty rip current so stay away.
Check Conditions
Live Wind Forecast at Lake Michigan / Waukegan Beach, Illinois (USA)
Check real-time wind conditions before you head out.
Facilities & Access
📍 Getting There
📍Medium walk to the beach
Take I294/94 North almost to Great America. You will exit Route 120 heading East. Route 137 is the exit just before 120 so watch for 120 after you pass Route 137. You will take Route 120 East until it dead ends at the beach. You will see the water from the deadend. You can go only left or right, turn left and drive North on Pershing Road. You will go through a stop sign. At the second stop sign (just before going up a big ramp) make a right on E Clayton St over the train tracks. Take your first left even though it says deadend (E Sea Horse Dr). You will be going through a boat-yard. It will hook around to the right to head East to the beach and end at a stop sign. Make a right at the stop sign and go left into the parking lot. Park at the North end - so you will do a U-turn. Walk your gear to the beach along the sandy path which is about 200 yards. This is the Northern-most area of the beach, away from the main bathing area.
Location
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