Jones Island Park
Grayslake, Illinois · on Grays Lake · Jones Island Park
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- Yes, see below
- SEASON
- Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend (official beach season).
About Jones Island Park
Jones Island Park is a Grayslake Community Park District park on the shore of Grays Lake in Grayslake, Illinois, home to the district's official Jones Island Beach. The beach is open seasonally from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend with no admission fee and no lifeguard on duty.
The park sits along Grays Lake, a small inland lake in the center of the village of Grayslake, with a beach area, open green space, and a non-motorized boat launch used for kayaks, canoes, paddle boats, rowboats, and stand-up paddleboards.
Swimming at Jones Island Park
Swimming is in calm, shallow inland lake water directly off the designated beach, with no lifeguard present so visitors swim at their own risk. The Lake County Health Department tests water quality twice monthly from May through September. It suits casual, low-key lake swimming rather than a destination swimming hole with dramatic scenery.
How to get to this swimming hole
Jones Island Park is located at 243 Harvey Ave, Grayslake, IL; beach parking is in a lot across the street on N Alleghany Rd (street parking is not allowed).
Parking: Free parking lot located across from the park on N Alleghany Rd; street parking prohibited.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. Drive-up park; short walk (a few minutes) from the free parking lot on N Alleghany Rd across to the beach and boat launch.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Shallow, calm inland lake water and an on-site playground make it appealing for kids, but there is no lifeguard on duty (swim at own risk) and one aggregator's FAQ explicitly calls it 'not family-friendly' due to the lack of restrooms, lifeguards, and nearby food. Water depth is not marked.
Parking
Free
Free lot located across the street on N Alleghany Rd (with overflow at nearby Woodview School); street parking is prohibited. One source notes spaces are limited and it's a short walk from the lot to the beach/amenities.
Restrooms
Yes
Official park district page lists a seasonal portapotty on site (no full restroom building); a third-party aggregator (Sandee) states there are no restrooms at all, so treat it as a basic portable toilet only, not always guaranteed to be present/serviced.
Hours
Beach open seasonally Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, sunrise to sunset, weather permitting; no admission fee.
On the water
Restrictions: Non-motorized watercraft only, motorized boats are prohibited on Grays Lake. Launch is carry-in (no boat ramp for trailers).
Grayslake Community Park District maintains a non-motorized boat launch at Jones Island Park shared with the swim beach.
What regulars say
Visitor-facing sources state plainly that no equipment rentals are available at this beach; visitors must bring their own kayak, canoe, or paddleboard. No discussions specifically about Jones Island Beach or Grays Lake (Grayslake) were found in this pass; the general character reported is a quiet, low-crowd, unlifeguarded village lake beach rather than a scenic swimming-hole destination.
Jones Island Park: FAQ
Does Jones Island Park charge a fee?
No admission fee.
Is Jones Island Park kid friendly?
Shallow, calm inland lake water and an on-site playground make it appealing for kids, but there is no lifeguard on duty (swim at own risk) and one aggregator's FAQ explicitly calls it 'not family-friendly' due to the lack of restrooms, lifeguards, and nearby food. Water depth is not marked.
Do I need to hike to reach Jones Island Park?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Jones Island Park?
Free lot located across the street on N Alleghany Rd (with overflow at nearby Woodview School); street parking is prohibited. One source notes spaces are limited and it's a short walk from the lot to the beach/amenities.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Jones Island Park?
Grayslake Community Park District maintains a non-motorized boat launch at Jones Island Park shared with the swim beach.
When is the best time to visit Jones Island Park?
Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend (official beach season).
What are the rules at Jones Island Park?
No lifeguard on duty (swim at own risk); beach open seasonally Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, sunrise to sunset weather permitting; only non-motorized watercraft (kayaks, canoes, paddle boats, rowboats, stand-up paddleboards) allowed on Grays Lake, motorized boats prohibited.
What water body is Jones Island Park on?
Jones Island Park is on Grays Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
