Woodhaven Beach

Sublette, Illinois · on Woodhaven Lake

Verified · 2 independent sources

WATER: lake
ACCESS: Designated swim area
FEE: No fee found
SEASON: Best in summer

About Woodhaven Beach

Woodhaven Beach is a sandy swimming beach on Woodhaven Lake, one of seven lakes inside Woodhaven Lakes, a large gated recreational resort community in Sublette, Illinois. Swimming here is an official, lifeguarded facility within a private, membership-based campground rather than a public wild swimming hole.

The beach sits within a 1,756-acre gated resort of woodlands, lakes, and prairies in rural Lee County, Illinois, roughly two hours west of Chicago, with Woodhaven Lake as its centerpiece and six other lakes on the property used mainly for fishing.

Swimming at Woodhaven Beach

Swimming takes place at a sandy, lifeguarded beach on Woodhaven Lake with marked swim lines defining the swim area; watercraft (canoes, paddleboats, row boats) can be rented by the half-hour, hour, or day. It reads as a family-oriented, supervised lake beach rather than an unstructured natural swim spot.

How to get to this swimming hole

Located within the Woodhaven Lakes resort property at 509 LaMoille Rd, Sublette, IL 61367; the resort states it is gated and visitors should call ahead for an appointment.

The hike in

The Beach sits on Woodhaven Lake next to the resort's Family Center, i.e. a drive-up/short-walk facility, not something reached by hiking. Separately, the resort maintains about 15 miles of gravel and mowed nature trails through pines, wetlands, and prairie elsewhere on the 1,756-acre property (used for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling), but no source ties any of these trails to beach access.

Plan your visit

Bringing kids

OK with supervision

Sandy beach with lifeguards on duty and marked swim lines, which points to a supervised, shallow-entry setup, but the resort's own rules require anyone under 10 to be supervised by someone 14+ and mandate swim diapers for untrained children, so it reads as suitable for kids with active adult supervision rather than a fully unsupervised toddler beach.

Hours

Beach 'Open Swim' is listed as 11:00 am - 6:45 pm on the resort's facility-hours schedule; hours vary by day of week and by season (the schedule is published as a rotating weekly calendar, and access to the property itself is gated/appointment-based for non-members).

Swim smart

Lifeguard-enforced boundaries (marked swim lines) imply open-water/no-lifeguard areas of the lake are off-limits; site also enforces lightning closures.

Rules: Swimming without a lifeguard on duty is prohibited and swimmers must stay within marked lines; proper swimsuit lining is required, no glass containers, children under 10 must be supervised by someone 14 or older, untrained children must wear swim diapers, and the facility closes during lightning. Same-day online reservations open 48 hours in advance and are limited to 16 spots per day per lot across the resort's three aquatic venues (recommended, not required).

This is an informational listing, not an invitation. Conditions and access change; verify locally before you go. Visiting any swimming hole is at your own risk. See our Terms of Use.

On the water

CanoesPaddleboatRowboats

Confirmed craft are resort-operated rentals only (canoes, paddleboats, row boats by the half-hour/hour/day); no source confirms or denies whether members/guests may bring their own kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, or motorboats onto Woodhaven Lake, or whether the swim-line boundaries restrict boat traffic.

Rentals nearby

Woodhaven Beach (Woodhaven Lakes Association)

Canoes, paddleboats, and row boats, rented by the half-hour, hour, or day

At the Beach on Woodhaven Lake, near the Family Center, 509 LaMoille Rd, Sublette, IL 61367 · Beach open-swim hours: 11:00 am - 6:45 pm (varies by day/season per facility calendar)

Woodhaven Beach: FAQ

Is Woodhaven Beach kid friendly?

Do I need to hike to reach Woodhaven Beach?

No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.

Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Woodhaven Beach?

When is the best time to visit Woodhaven Beach?

summer

What are the rules at Woodhaven Beach?

Swimming without a lifeguard on duty is prohibited and swimmers must stay within marked lines; proper swimsuit lining is required, no glass containers, children under 10 must be supervised by someone 14 or older, untrained children must wear swim diapers, and the facility closes during lightning. Same-day online reservations open 48 hours in advance and are limited to 16 spots per day per lot across the resort's three aquatic venues (recommended, not required).

What water body is Woodhaven Beach on?

Woodhaven Beach is on Woodhaven Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.