Evergreen Lake
Near Hudson, Illinois · on Evergreen Lake · Comlara Park
Verified · 4 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $3.00
- SEASON
- May
About Evergreen Lake
Evergreen Lake is a 925-acre county reservoir within Comlara Park near Hudson, Illinois, managed by McLean County Parks and Recreation. It is a regulated swimming hole rather than a free-for-all lake to swim in: swimming is officially permitted only at the designated F.R. Glasener Beach, a fee-based sand beach with a zero-depth accessible entry ramp, and no bank or boat swimming is allowed anywhere else on the lake.
Evergreen Lake sits inside the roughly 1,300-acre Comlara Park in rural McLean County near Hudson, Illinois. The lake is a reservoir created by damming Six Mile Creek, covering about 925 acres and stretching roughly 4 miles long by 0.4 miles wide, with water draining onward to the Mackinaw River. The surrounding county park also includes a campground, hiking/biking trails, equestrian areas, and a boat marina/bait shop.
Swimming at Evergreen Lake
Swimming is confined to F.R. Glasener Beach, a designated sand beach and adjoining lawn area on Evergreen Lake. It has a zero-depth, railed concrete entry ramp for accessible access into the water. There is no lifeguard on duty (swim at your own risk), though beach attendants are present on site, and flotation toys and small rafts are permitted. Everywhere else on the lake, bank swimming and swimming from boats are explicitly prohibited, making this a single-beach, family-oriented swim spot rather than a spot for open exploration of the shoreline.
How to get to this swimming hole
Comlara Park's visitor center is at 13001 Recreation Area Dr., Hudson, IL 61748, roughly 2-3 miles from the town of Hudson; F.R. Glasener Beach is a drive-in facility within the park grounds.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. F.R. Glasener Beach is a drive-in facility inside Comlara Park's grounds; no hike is needed to reach the swimming area. Comlara Park does have separate hiking/biking trails elsewhere in the park, but they are not required for or specifically routed to the beach.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
The zero-depth, railed concrete entry ramp at F.R. Glasener Beach makes wading in gentle and accessible for young kids, and flotation toys/small rafts are allowed. However, there is no lifeguard on duty (posted as swim-at-your-own-risk), only beach attendants are present, not certified lifeguards, so adult supervision is essential.
Hours
F.R. Glasener Beach: 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM. For the 2026 season the beach opened May 23 (daily, weather permitting) and runs daily through Aug 2, then weekends-only Aug 3 through Sept 7 (season close). Comlara Park Visitor Center: Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (spring hours daily 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM).
On the water
Restrictions: Lake-wide 10 hp maximum boat motor limit; all private watercraft must carry a McLean County watercraft registration decal (annual $48, $10 resident discount, or daily $20/$15 resident). Swimming from boats or from the bank anywhere on the 925-acre lake is prohibited, swimming is allowed only at the designated F.R. Glasener Beach, so watercraft use and swimming are functionally separated by location.
Two dual-lane boat launch ramps serve the lake: one at Comlara Park's Main Recreation Area (MRA) and one at the White Oak Area on County Road 1200E. Seasonal mooring slips are also available ($400 resident / $500 non-resident).
Rentals nearby
Canoes, kayaks, paddle boats, paddleboards, rowboats (with or without motors), and pontoon boats
Prices: From $10 per 30 minutes (paddle boats) up to $325 for an 8-hour pontoon rental
Inside Comlara Park's Main Recreation Area (MRA), next to the boat launch, on Evergreen Lake near Hudson, IL · Boat rental available weekends only; the adjoining bait shop is open daily 8 AM-4 PM
Backstory
Evergreen Lake was created by damming Six Mile Creek and was built to serve recreation, sport fishing, and water-supply purposes for the surrounding area; it now anchors the McLean County-managed Comlara Park.
Evergreen Lake: FAQ
Does Evergreen Lake charge a fee?
F.R. Glasener Beach admission: $3.00 for ages 13+, $1.00 for ages 6-12, free under 6. Beach party rentals start at $35/hour with one week advance scheduling. Camping (separate from beach admission) ranges $22-$28/night depending on hookups, with a $2/night discount for McLean County residents.
Is Evergreen Lake kid friendly?
The zero-depth, railed concrete entry ramp at F.R. Glasener Beach makes wading in gentle and accessible for young kids, and flotation toys/small rafts are allowed. However, there is no lifeguard on duty (posted as swim-at-your-own-risk), only beach attendants are present, not certified lifeguards, so adult supervision is essential.
Do I need to hike to reach Evergreen Lake?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Evergreen Lake?
No parking lot details (surface, size, or cost) are published for F.R. Glasener Beach on the county park pages; beach admission itself is $3 (13+) / $1 (6-12) / free under 6, separate from any parking fee.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Evergreen Lake?
Two dual-lane boat launch ramps serve the lake: one at Comlara Park's Main Recreation Area (MRA) and one at the White Oak Area on County Road 1200E. Seasonal mooring slips are also available ($400 resident / $500 non-resident).
When is the best time to visit Evergreen Lake?
Beach open daily (weather permitting) from late May through early August, then weekends-only through Labor Day; for the 2026 season it opened May 23 and closes for the year September 7.
What are the rules at Evergreen Lake?
Swimming is permitted at F.R. Glasener Beach only; no bank or boat swimming is allowed anywhere else on Evergreen Lake. No lifeguard on duty (swim at your own risk). Pets are not permitted at the beach. Alcohol and marijuana are prohibited. Flotation toys and small rafts are allowed. Boats on the lake are limited to 10hp motors and require watercraft registration/decals.
What water body is Evergreen Lake on?
Evergreen Lake is on Evergreen Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
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