Lake Storey Beach
Galesburg, Illinois · on Lake Storey · Lake Storey Park
Verified · 5 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $14/hour
- SEASON
- Memorial Day through Labor Day (official swim season); the beach itself is open 7 days a week through Labor Day.
About Lake Storey Beach
Lake Storey Beach is a free, city-operated swimming beach on Lake Storey in Galesburg, Illinois, part of Lake Storey Park managed by the Galesburg Parks and Recreation Department. The lake itself was built between 1927 and 1929 by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and transferred to the City of Galesburg in 1952. Today it offers a sand beach with a designated, unguarded swim area alongside boat and paddleboard/kayak rentals, making this railroad-built swimming hole one of the best free places to swim in the area.
Lake Storey Park sits around a mid-size reservoir originally built by a railroad company in the late 1920s and later given to the City of Galesburg (1952). The beach area is described by the city as a golden sand beach with a retaining wall and sidewalk access, plus a boat ramp; the surrounding park also includes an 18-hole disc golf course and a rental pavilion with lake views.
Swimming at Lake Storey Beach
Swimming is free and open 8AM-7PM daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day, but only within a roped-off designated section of the beach during posted hours. The city explicitly describes it as an 'unguarded, swim at your own risk' location with no lifeguards, and requires that children under 16 be supervised by someone 16 or older. The lake also closes to swimming for 30 minutes after any lightning or thunder is observed.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up city beach (1033 South Lake Storey, Galesburg, IL) with sidewalks running from the parking area directly to the beach and boat ramp per the official park page, no hike or trail is involved.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Sand beach with a designated, roped-off swim area is generally family-friendly, but the city explicitly designates it 'unguarded, swim at your own risk' with no lifeguards on duty, and requires anyone under 16 to be supervised by someone 16 or older. No published info on shallow-entry slope or depth markers, so caregivers should watch depth transitions themselves.
Parking
Free
The adjacent Lake Storey Pavilion page describes a 'spacious parking lot' serving the pavilion/beach area at 1033 South Lake Storey; no parking fee is mentioned anywhere on the city's facility pages, consistent with swimming itself being free.
Restrooms
Yes
The city's Lake Storey Park page states 'modernized showers and locker room facilities are available' at the park; exact building location relative to the beach parking lot isn't specified on the official pages.
Hours
Beach open 8AM-7PM daily, 7 days a week, Memorial Day through Labor Day (per City of Galesburg Parks & Recreation). Boat/watercraft rental window is narrower: 12PM-7PM daily through Labor Day.
On the water
Restrictions: Only electric trolling motors are allowed on the lake, gas motors are prohibited. Personal (non-rental) powered watercraft must be Illinois-registered; non-powered boats like personal kayaks/canoes can launch at the beach or the east boat ramp without that requirement. Anyone renting watercraft must be 16+ with valid ID, and life jackets are mandatory.
The city itself runs the on-site boat/paddle rental concession at the beach rather than there being a separate marina; personal watercraft launch points exist at the beach and at an east boat ramp.
Rentals nearby
Canoes, kayaks (single and tandem), stand-up paddleboards, and paddleboats
Prices: $14/hour for standard kayaks/paddleboats/SUPs; $20/hour for tandem kayaks
On-site at Lake Storey Beach, 1033 South Lake Storey, Galesburg, IL · 12PM-7PM daily through Labor Day
Backstory
The lake was constructed 1927-1929 by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and transferred to the City of Galesburg in 1952.
Lake Storey Beach: FAQ
Does Lake Storey Beach charge a fee?
Swimming is free. Boat and equipment rentals cost extra: standard paddle boats/kayaks/SUPs $14/hour, tandem kayaks $20/hour; renters must be 16+ with valid ID and life jackets are mandatory.
Is Lake Storey Beach kid friendly?
Sand beach with a designated, roped-off swim area is generally family-friendly, but the city explicitly designates it 'unguarded, swim at your own risk' with no lifeguards on duty, and requires anyone under 16 to be supervised by someone 16 or older. No published info on shallow-entry slope or depth markers, so caregivers should watch depth transitions themselves.
Do I need to hike to reach Lake Storey Beach?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Lake Storey Beach?
The adjacent Lake Storey Pavilion page describes a 'spacious parking lot' serving the pavilion/beach area at 1033 South Lake Storey; no parking fee is mentioned anywhere on the city's facility pages, consistent with swimming itself being free.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Lake Storey Beach?
The city itself runs the on-site boat/paddle rental concession at the beach rather than there being a separate marina; personal watercraft launch points exist at the beach and at an east boat ramp.
When is the best time to visit Lake Storey Beach?
Memorial Day through Labor Day (official swim season); the beach itself is open 7 days a week through Labor Day.
What are the rules at Lake Storey Beach?
Swimming permitted only in the roped-off designated area during posted hours (8AM-7PM, Memorial Day-Labor Day); no lifeguards on duty (swim at your own risk); children under 16 must be supervised by someone 16+; beach and lake close for 30 minutes after lightning/thunder; dogs prohibited from the beach area; alcohol banned park-wide; personal watercraft (except non-powered boats like kayaks) must be Illinois-registered; gas motors prohibited on the lake (electric trolling motors only); no fishing on the beach during swimming hours or on the dock during boat rental hours.
What water body is Lake Storey Beach on?
Lake Storey Beach is on Lake Storey, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
